Evening star., 1940-09-01

so he could tell Chris that his
message had been a lie, but he
couldn't bring himself to miss what
was to happen at the airport. He
said nothing. merely listened as did
Tom to Les explanation of the ming
and the teakwood table.
'T shipped the table to Steve sew
eral months ago." Les said, know
ing only that it was a good piece
of art. Then two weeks ago Surf
came to my place in Hong Kong and
asked If he could buy it. He offered
a fortune for it before finally told
him where it was; then he said he'd
be in Frisco soon and see Steve.
After he left I remembered story
I'd heard long ago about Suri-how
there was a map concealed in piece
of exquisite ming. which in turn was
concealed in a teakwood table; that
the map disclosed fabulous treasure
in Manchuria and that Surf had
devoted his life to locating the table
and the map. But to get at the
ming some one had to die, because
the secret panel in the table could
be opened only by pressing certain
little rose pattern In the carving on
the table. which would release a
subtle, instantly fatal poison"
Rolfe Backed Surf.
Push rose!" Tom exclaimed.
That's what the memo meant.
And I recall now that Steve's right
thumb was discolored. I started to
examine it but the undertaken
wouldn't let me-"
"I should have cabled him right
away" Les said sadly. Instead I
came by boat right away and Surf
must have taken the Clipper"
They were silent for a while then.
Les, shaking his head slowly as if
belaboring himself for what had
happened, seemed unaware of Toms
curious gaze.
You know" Tom said at last, IT
can't figure why was dragged into
this. 1t must have been this Surf
who sent me the wire in Chicago.
1t didn't sound like Steve, Please
come quickly Sounds more like an
Orientals idea of an Americans
urgent summons"
True" Les said. Wonder how
he knew where you lived. You
never had much to do with the
store"
MY lord!" Tom exclaimed. Say,
would Surf know Rolfe Suttle?"
Sure. Suttle stayed at Suri's
house last time he was in Hong
Kong. He's been financing Suri's
search for the map"
The magazine article! And the
way he hung around Chrisi" Tom
was incoherent in his sudden fright.
The whole thing was clearing up.
To win Chris Suttle had had to
make her first loathe Tom. This
was the way he'd chosen to do it.
make him out murderer and at
the same time serve Suri's purpose
of getting the valuable map.
They were approaching the air.
port now and they rode in complete
silence. Only Jiggs, in the back seat
with his captive, spoke. And that
was only to mutter unintelligible
but undoubtedly profane recrimina-
tions at the shaking old Chinese.
Mysterious Woman.
And then they were in the parking
space, tumbling hurriedly out of the
car. Jiggs started to follow Tom
and Les, than remembered his
charge and remained in the back
seat. Tom ran as we'll as he was
able with the help of his cane, but
couldn't keep up with Les, who
sprinted toward the hangar into
which Surf Lito had walked a couple
of hours before. But when they en-
tered the building there was no one
there except mechanic whom Tom
addressed as "Skids."
Skids stood with his hands in the
pockets of his overalls, leaning
against the wall. A cigarette dam
gled from his lips. Yeah, they was
here" he said in answer to Toms
question. They're goin' in that big
amphibian over there" Languidly
he nodded toward a great four
motored ship being warmed up on
the far side Of the field. Honolulu
first STOP" he added dreamily.
As Tom and Les started on a run
across the field they saw a fashily
dressed woman walk toward the
plane holding something small and
black in her hand. Then there was
a sharp explosion and a wisp of
smoke curled up from the gun the
woman was holding.
The two men were close enough
then to see a figure standing near
the door of the planes cabin crum-
pie and fall to the ground. Then a
woman screamed, and Tom recog-
nized Chris as she backed away from
the plane.
Tom rushed to Chris and caught
her up in his arms. "Darling" he
exclaimed. What are you doing
here?"
He didn't notice her resisting him
at first, but now he saw the puzzled
expression in her eyes. Then he
heard her hating words: Your
Jiggs said you-didn't
want me any more" Her deep
brown eyes turned toward the plane.
"Rolfe and ] were going to be mar.