Evening star., 1938-10-02
-ta4M 60 ~o~' II
That's what they thought at Nufa primitive
South Sea Island when the two old ladies
appeared. But the newcomers fooled then
as you'll delightedlY see in this gay story

So the talk went and the Misses May and Potter
stood with lips thinner than ever in disapproval Occa-
sionaly their bonnets wagged dissent but their voices
lost in the Glamour. 1t only later when the
first babel had died down that Mr.. O'Bren noticed
them arm in on the outskirts.
All now" he said, you're after coming for excite
ment and see what we've done for you: Here's
chance for your WOmanv intuition suppose you kno"
who did it, eh2'
'Perhaps we know more than you d think Erneine
said with unwonted sharpness, for the excitement had
proved strain in that heat She Jumped suddenly
oh Agnes, don't do that You hurt when you pinch
You don't know the strength of your own fingers.
What would you be meaning at ALL asked Mr..
O'Brien The two old ladies' however. had nothing to
add Complaining for the first time of the heat, they
retired to rest Mr.. OBrens gaze followed them
thoughtfully. The words fingered, and when his turn
came be questioned by the District officer he men
toned them.
Captain Peters, who seemed to have aged years in
those hours shook his head YEARLY Probably nothing
in it. Just crack back at YOU But III see EN- later
When without result he had cross examined every
white man in Nufa he and the manager went deJeCtedy
to Mr.. O Brens for drink They needed it. The only
hope that the Australian police would solve the
mystery their end the arrival OF the plane Failing
that even the detectives would be able to accomplish
nothing
The sight OF the two old ladies' reading outside their
ROOM reminded him of his panto question them. Follow
YOU in minute jim Want word with the bodies
They greeted him kindly. II don't want to bother
you" he began but a remark you made to Mr..
O'3rien suggested YOU might know something about
this robbery
''Emmene fault Agnes said Grossly I've already
spoken sharply to her EIneline objects to him treat
ing US as if we we're children or half-wits. When he
sneeed at our wonany intuition she just snapped out
some ooshness about probably knowing more than he
thought 1t was stupid of her so angry pinChed
her.
Il only wish you did know something Captain
Peters sighed.
And so do We" Agnes said. Its shame. you being
put to so much trouble, and on such hot day, too.
Haven't had much chance to notice the weather.
but III admit I'm dry He left them
Say what you like now, was Mr.. OBrlen S COM
ment that pinch meant something.
The police down in Australia did not have the chance
to solve the riddle because next day Nuta learnt by
radio that the plane was overdue, and the following day
it was reported missing. Ships warned to keep
lookout destroyers patroed and other machines flew
over the route In vain The plane and its occupants had
vanished.
Everybody pitied the visitor to the outpost, who
had come on what could only prove truitess errand
He was Detective Michael Hegarty. who had flown up
to take charge of the His face red and round
as a harvest moon, shone sereney on Nuta, despite
the seeming hopeessness of the task that faced him.
He beamed So he was so aifabe and easy in the bar
that they eased him. asking how he had the nerve to
take the Governments money for South Sea holiday,
and what was the punishment for dead men even you
did get the handouts on them?
Hegartv remained unruted Il kind Of like the palm
trees " he said They make me feel poetic.
The two old ladies were quite delighted with the
addition to the community They invited him to after
noon tea.
We're simply dying for long talk with YOU Mr..
Hegartv Agnes said. Murders and crimes rather
fascinating and we've many detectives on the
screen that it's treat for to meet real one But
you're not at all like typical Bull you see We have
the right words and everything.
flegarty beamed more broadly IF it'd please you,