Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-22
Murder at f1ISSss,
sAghTideSso0I|s2

mysteries-that is ALL" he said. "Ium
We stole the phoenix and broke it.
that we know. Perhaps he killed mon
sieur-but that we do not know"
Before could reply slight noise
fell on my ear and swung around. I
was just in time. Lum We was hurting
out OF the doorway, a butcher knife In
his hand. His eyes we're green and his
objective was Flique's plump shoulders.
nit him on the chin with a pow
erful right drive and he dropped at
my feet. He was no bigger than
THANK you, my friend" Flique
forget that he would come. 1t would
have been most disagreeable, that
knife"
Granger must have told him." I
did I not intend him to9" Flique
inquired.
you wanted him to commit himself
is that it?" exclaimed. well, he's
done so. Do you still believe he did not
kill Parados2"
And why should change my mind?"
F1ique inquired. fiinging out his hands.
The murder meditated.
This would have been the crime of pas
sion. There is difference. But here
is M. Samuel"
Lie cnDeTeQ the room.
What's all tfis?" he demanded.
Flique showed him the remains of the
ancestral tablet and explained what had
happened.
And So" Flique finished, "had IL
not been for the good right arm of M,
PAntiquaire you would have had an
other trouble on your hand"
saw him streaking across the lawn
with that knife" Samuels muttered.
N(4at II4tO In -
ribs. The Chinaman climbed slowly 10
his feet blinking in the sunlight.
What have you got to say for your
self?" Samuels demanded sternly.
Apparently Samuels was convinced
that Lum We had killed his master.
Lum We bowed. 81 am profoundly
regretful, Mr.. Samuels," he said, guile
less Of tone and expression. IL be-
seech the forgiveness Of Mr.. Flique, and
to Mr.. Hunt extend my admiration.
Why did you attack Flique?" 't'i'
The hut Of poor man is the temple
OF his ancestors" he explained.
You objected to him being here2"
M. Fl1que perfumes the air with his
goodness" Lum We continued, and his
eyes came to rest uneasily on the lac
quer box, but the spirit of my father
has walked on slender swords-and .
devil invaded me-
who broke your ancestral tablet7"
Samuels interrupted.
"Mr. Palados," Lum We replied.
Because you burned incense to your
fathers spirit when he had forbidden
you to?"
Lum We bowed. "Mr. Samuels has
dipped his tongue in the ointment Of
understanding
$50 you stole the phoenix?" t
1T was his god," Lum We said SIM
ply, "and he had polluted the spirit Of
my father"
you broke It and returned ftp"
HE had extinguished the tablet Of
my fathers spirit"
Samuels leaped forward and caught
Lum We by the wrists.
"You stole the phoenix-you killed
ParadoS; then you got scared and re-
turned the phoenix broken. You might.
as well come through"
Metal flashed in the sunlight and
Lum We was handcuffed. Flique was
smiling ironically.
Lum We retained his composlIre.
MIR Samuels is perpetrating an err
ror," he observed blandly. 81 did not
exterminate Mr.. Palados. He put
devil in me, but I contented it With
breaking his god. That was enough
Lum We stated his philosophy in those
three words.
Samuels had dragged the Chinaman
nearly to the door when Flique spoke.
1 m. lie Deputy, you are certain this
man killed monsieur?"
you've heard his story, haven't
| you9 Samuels demanded wrathfully
He tried to take your life and he's
admitted that he stole and broke the
phoenix. What more do you want?"
Continued tomorrow