Evening star., 1924-07-06
Continued from Yesterdays Starr
CHAPTER X.
Quartervayne.

Quartervayne.
Late as it was. there were several
men standing about in the hall. and
so that l might not attract their at
tention, 1 showed no surprise on see
ing my unexpected visitor. but went
straight up to him and held out a
hand (unwillingly enough in real
truthD as if it were the most ordi-
nary thing in the world to see him
there. He gave me an almost con-
vulsive pressure in return; his own
hand was hot and clammy, and 1 saw
at once that he was excited and nerv-
Gus.
"A word with you" he whispered.
Somewhere quiet"
glanced into the smoking room.
near the open door of which we were
standing. 1t was pretty full Of men,
but / saw a corner that was vacant.
and. leading Quarktervayne into the
room, l took him over to it.
"A drink" he murmured, as we sat
down. "A stiff 'un! Then-talk."
l summoned a waiter and bade my
wanted brandy certain good dose
Of it-and soda When the waiter
had gone to get 1t, / turned to Quar-
tervayne. resolved on knowing one
thing there and then.
How did you know 1 was here?"
1 asked.
saw you in the Strand with Jiffer-
dene of the yard" he answered, with
a wink and a nudge Of my arm.
Know him-well enough! Smart
fellow. And I just followed you till
you came in here-and so dropped in.
now. Wanted to see you-most par
ticular"
The brandy and soda came. and he
took a pull at 1T, sighed as 1t went
down and again turned to me. low
You'll have heard about Holli-
ment?" he said.
Have you?" I demanded
Everybody has-by now" he re-
torted. It's in the evening papers"
paper and said SO. He pulled one out
and showed me a stop-press para
graph.
The man who was found murdered
early this morning in BLOOMFIELD road.
Mazda Vale. has been identified as one
Roger Holliment. until recently a
general dealer and coal merchant,
of Portsmouth. There is as yet no
are prosecuting active inquiries in the
neighborhood Of the murder.
IT reckon it was you who identified
him." he went on, with a sidelong
hold of you. HolIiment, of course,
right enough! No Clue-perhaps? But
I bet you and l know something
WHAT"
what have you come hero for. Mr..
QuartervayneT demanded That's
what I want to know"
I'll tell you" he answered, readily.
ITO do you a good turn! 1 brought
you into this damned mess, my lad.
and it's my duty to get you out of 1t.
That's what l came here for! Your
sake-and safety"
gave him a searching look. and 1
saw he was speaking truth. He nod
ded at me as il in confirmation.
'rFact!' he said. Nothing else!
We'll, that's very kind of you, I'm
sure, Mr.. Quartervayne," 1 answered:
in?"
Before replying he pulled out a ci-
gar case, offered its contents to me.
and when I declined on the plea Of
cigar himself and began to smoke. I
noticed how his fingers trembled as
he struck a match, and I could see
that, big man though he was, he was
greatly agitated- But another pull at
of his cigar seemed to steady him
Look you here. my lad" he said.
suddenly. mo use beating about the
bush! We know who did Holliment
in! That damned Chink! Sure as
that I see you at this blessed minute!
And he'll do me in and he'll do you in
If we let him. The thing is-clear
out! I'm going-and il you're wise
you'll go too"
"GoSwhere" asked.
"Anywhere-as long as it's out o
thisw he retorted. Get blue water
between him and you-for the pres
ent, at any rate. I'm going - first
thing in the morning. Flushing or
Middleburg-Ive pals at both places
You come along, too-you're a smart
young fellow and I'll see you're all
right. Never mind about money-Tve
nlenty-no end of it. You come-you