Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-02

Rand warmly. There's nothing l car
think of that I would like better: II
fact, to be perfectly honest. l was al
most going to have the temerity tc
suggest it myself. Yes. indeed, I'll ac-
cept with the greatest pleasure. II
would give me more time both here
and in Auckland, and l half promised
lecture in Melbourne. which"
Settled" said Mr.. Humphrey Garth
Cream and sugar. Mr.. RANDI" asked
Marion.
Clear. please" said Rand.
ANY particular news?" Mr., Hum
phrey Garth nodded toward news
paper protruding from Rand's pocket
Il see you've got a paper. l treated
myself to a day off. and l didn't go TO
the Office today
No" replied Rand: mo news of any
particular moment except for rather
beastly affair up in the Talimotu
group. A couple of weeks old now
ing boat brought it TO FIJI or some
wireless station up North. I suppose
What is ito" inquired Mr. Garth.
why" said Rand "a young English
man by the name Of Peter Blake, a
sort OF beachcomber and general all
round waSter, I take il from his de-
scrip;ion. murdered a planter he was
working for. and decamped with col
lection Of pearls valued at good
many thousand pounds"
III strangely slow, tense way Mr..
Humphrey Garth leaned forward in his
chair.
And the planters name?" he asked
In low voice.
II think il was Murchison," said
Rand. He pulled the newspaper out Of
his pocket and consulted it. Yes,
observation-disclosures Murd 'ison."
Tom Murchison-murasred Hum
phrey Garth's face had let in sharp
lines There was suddeI intense bit
terness in his eyes. HIS hands were
tightly clenched on the Gums of his
chair.
Daddy Toni" The words came in
low CRY from the other side of the
table. Marion had risen from her
chair and was standing there a very
rigid little figure. very white of face.
Herman Rand set down his tea cup
swkwar6ly as he looked from one TO
the other.
"You-T-" he stumbled as awkward
II with his words-"I am inexpreSsibly
sorry that should have brought this
news. II see that it touches you
both very closely had no idea"
Let me see the paper" said Mr..
Garth hoarsely.
Mechanically Rand placed the news
paper in the others hand.
Mr. Rand" said Marion. and. in
spite Of an obvious effort 10 steady her
voice. it broke little you won't mind
eXcuslng me for little while. will you?
This"-the tears were very near to the
blue eyes dimming them now-'this
IS" She did not finish the SEN
tence. Her head little averted. she
walked quickly along the veranda and
disappeared into the house.
Rand. who had risen courteously,
stood watching the girls trim figure
until the door closed behind her; then
he fumbled In his pocket for his cigar
cite case, selected a cigarette, and, as
he turned his attention now TO Hum
phrey Garth. stood tapping the cigar
cite on the edge Of the case in a help
less sort Of way.
Humphrey Garth looked up from the
newspaper.
sit down, Rand" he said huskily.
Rand resumed his seat
I'm afraid he said, with a mirth-
less smile, that am a bird of very
I'll omen indeed. 1t is evident that
this has been frighttul shock to Miss
Garth"
About the same as though some
one had suddenly informed her that
something OF like sort had happened
to me" said Humphrey Garth in a
strained. raor1otonous voice Next to
myself. I suppose Tom Murchison was
nearer TO her than anybody else. He
was her godfather He played with her
when she was baby. and they were
pals when she grew up. They were
IN every n1ail--months apart, of course
but never mail missed: and never a
trip 70 Sydney that Tom Murchison
didn't 1--we here with us-one of the
family. You heard her. She called
him Daddy Tom As for me. Tom
Murchison was my oldest friend-and
the best man that ever lived"
Good God" Herman Rand breathed.
Humphrey Garth jumped abruptly
70 his feet and began 10 pace up and
cowa the veranda. Herman Rand
watching. saw the man Of millions
brush his hand hastily across his eyes:
but. when Mr.. Garth hated finally
again before his visitor. his only sign
OF emotion was a logged. merciless
anger that burned In narrowed eyes
and was reflected In the square Jaws
hard. ciamped, and now outthrust a
little.
TITS two weeks ago" Humphrey
Garth said grinlly. we can't do any
thing for poor Tom, but" He
picked UP the paper once more, and
read II slowly. critically--then he tossed
u down On the table again. Rand.
he said abrdtiy, you know more about
the Islands and the life up there than
probably any other man alive. Where
90 you suppose that hound Blake go'
Rand shrugged his shoulders.
la l.
gr3nly. ~ wouldn't be 80 difficult 10,
him. though. He had motor boat
and he took all the spare cars Of petro
With h!m--<ui,e supply according u
the account. He could easily enough
under The circumstances make his way
from one island 70 another. and 80 on
Until ne picked up trading vesse
somewhere and got clear away. III
rad q good start before the news go
out--ano he vas probably counting 81
THAT He's SIS likely To be making fo
Sydney at this moment as anywhere
or quite as likely " try for Java. d
China, or the Straits settlements, %
anywhere else. IL Was a coId- blo0de,
and calculated piece ~ WORK Id aa,
he'll he hard man 10 catch"
WIN he7'' inquired Mr. Humphre,
Garth with significant infection II
his yo.ce Il suppose: the police ar
tFtaCy st work."
Again Rand shrugged his shoulders
"Ch, yes II course" he said. AM
they'll 60 what they ean, Circulate hi
description. and AL that sort III thing
sfac ptDbably otter Il reward 81 a fep
pogncs
How many poundSf' demanGed M
Csfth SHARPLY
Why, dpn1 kn1W," Rand replied
"knyHnere tram ~ ~ 100, ID say"
Nr. Cart! stared al the other tor
moment
Ten p5unfb b hundred pounds!
lie echoed. md then he laughed shor,