Evening star., 1924-07-05
CONTINUED from Yesterdays star.)

Probably sheltered by some coun-
tryman or countrymen of yours" re-
piled the old man. st think he win
have accomplices. 1t may have been
an accomplishment necessarily himself
who murdered the man Holliment.
''If only I knew what HoIliment had
been murdered for" muttered Jiffer-
dene. Not mere ordinary robbery
that's fiat. Holliment had gold
watch on him that was we'll worth
pavement beside his body. And money
he'd a lot of money-that was living
about. too. What did the murderer
want?''
Mr.. Cheng smiled more blandly than
ever.
1t is a more interesting question
did he find what he wanted?" he said
in his gentlest tones.
"Suppose he didn't Mr.. Cheng?" sug-
sested Jifferdene.
''In that case" murmured the old
man, there will be another murder
perhaps two-perhaps three"
Jifferdene started at him: Mr.. Cheng
returned the stare steadily. The de-
tective rose from his chair.
II think we'd better get busy" he
said. Come on, MIR. Cranage-much
obliged to you, MIR. Cheng. | wish
though. you'd give us more informa-
ton"
The old man said nothing. He walked
in front of US to the outer door of his
suite, and opening it stood aside with
a polite bow. But as l was about to
pass out he suddenly laid clawlike
hand on my arm.
"You are very young" he said. Have
a care of YOURSELF.
"Am / in danger, sir?" l asked.
You were on one side of the win
dow" he answered with a quick, mean
ing glance. There was man on
the other who-will stop at nothing.
Then he bowed us out, closed the
door on us, and we went downstairs
and out into the street.
Look here, Jifferdene" 1 said, as
soon as we were in the sunlight.
you've done with me. There's TOO
much murder and suggestion of mur-
der in the air! I shall be glad to go
home"
you'd only have to come up again
tomorrow. or the day after, Mr.. Cra-
nage," he replied coolly.
"Why?" demanded.
"Inquest-on Holliment," he an
swered laconically.
inquest?" L asked
you'll be one of the most impor-
tant Witnesses he replied. You IL
have to tell all about that affair at
Portsmouth So you'll have to stay
a day or two, anyway. But don't you
be afraid-Ill keep you company dur
ing the day, and it's not likely that
any harm'n come to you in a good
hotel at night.
IT'S a confounded nuisance" I ex-
claimed What did that old China
man mean by his last words?"
II think he meant that this chap
who's lost part Of his ear is after
his possession. and that he-or his
accomplices-will go through every
body and anybody who had any con-
nection with Holliment in their ef-
forts to find it." he answered dryiy.
That's about it,
Then / am in some danger?' l said.
"Of course. he knew of my connec-
tion, temporary though it was with
Holliment!"
Don't be afraid"' he answered.
I'll see to you. You're safer here
with me and in London than you were
down there at Renardsmere House.
Put it out of your mind, Mr.. Cranage,
and we'll just drive round to Padding
ton police station and hear any news
about last nights affair-they ought
to have some there by this time"
SO we went back to Paddington,
and there, at the police station. i'm
mediately encountered man who ap-
peared unfeignedly glad to see my
companion.
Il was just going to telephone to
YOU" he said. I've got some infor
nation about that murdered man of
whose identity we aren't sure"
You needn't be uncertain any
longer" remarked Jifferdene. i've
had him identifled-by this gentleman.
He's the man I said he was-Holli-
ment of Portsmouth. What informa-
tion have you got about him?
We'll, we've been making inquiries
in that MAZDA Vale district all day."
said the other, and this afternoon l
struck on something. A man answer
rington Hotel late last night with an
other man. I'm just going round
there to get more news about it
you'd better come.
LAS long as there's anything to
learn" began Jifferdene.
"Therell be something to learn. AS
soon as | heard Of it I sent man to
get the landlord to go round to the
mortuary to see if he recognized the
body as that of the man who had been
in there last night. He'll be back at
the hotel by now. and what l want to
get at is not so much particulars
about him-the dead 'un-as about
the man who was with him" said the
Paddington detective. That's a thing
to follow up at once"
Come on, then" assented Jiffer-
dene. Come on, Mr.. Cranage-you're
fairly in for it now-may as well see
it through. 'Tisn't as good fun as
fox hunting, maybe" he added. as he
went out and got into the taxicab
again, but there is excitement in it,
you know"
was beginning to feel that there
was, by that time Man huntinR,-
hunting man, who, after all, was
Just one among seven millions,
Il suppose you've got to put two
and two together. in these cases?" l
said as we rode off once more. Sort
of mathematical problem, eh?'
AYE, or Jig-saw puzzle" re-
marked Jifferdene. with a wink at the
other man And sometimes it's a job
to fit the pieces, isn't it, Birkem?"
Il believe you: said Birkem
was this chap knitted for? Not for
what he had on him, anyway"
"Ah." remarked Jifferdene. Lots
o. guess things in this world: How
ever, it'll be something to find out
blessed with a memory"
We'll, there's memories and memo
ries," observed Birkem. Give me a
plain, uncolored one. What ! object
memories with their imaginations.
But | know this man a bit-hell tell
us a straightforward tale"
practical man, eh?" suggested Jif-
ferdene.
us just what he saw, and just what
he heard-and no more"
The landlord in question evidently
expected a visit from the police, and
as soon as we arrived ushered us into
a private parlor and sat down with
US. He himself plunged straight into
the subject that had brought us there.
Well" he said, folding his hands
on the table before him and looking
round at us. I've been along there
to the mortuary.
"Well?" asked BirkeT.
That's the man who was in here
last night" -,.--r
You're certain?"
Dead certain. He came in here
into our saloon bar, that lS-about
half past 10. and was here until
nearly closing time"