Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1928, Page 92

LIKE your car, Peter." the Hon. George Angus admitted. “but I am not so sure that I altogether approve of your method of driv- ing it.” "\\'ha['ss wrong with that?" Peter Bragg demanded as he came slowly to & standstill at the rear of a long line of traffic in Piccadilly Circus. “Lack of dash, laddie." Angus pointed out. “Just that touch of genius that enables a man to slip along. as it were, to make a yard or two on the rest of the traffic. One little spurt and you'd have been across the Circus here with- out getting blocked.” “In which case.,” Peter Bragg re- marked, gazing downward. “you would &« | THE SUNDAY " THE FETED LADY By E. Phillips Oppenheim seems to have fallen from the blue | skies. He certainly wasn't in the car.” s & matter of fact,” Peter Bragg confided, strolled across from | Whitehall. You ought to know him. | Isn't he one of your polo and golt | crowd?™ “More than ever you amaze me, Pe- ter.” Angus confessed. “That's young !Sholto Dennis from the Home Office, | Terrible at polo, but he's got his golf handicap down to two." “Don’t overdo your devotion to your lunc Peter Bragg advised. “The young man seems disturbed, and he has made more than one attempt to catch your eye.” Angus looked up and exchanged a pot have become the recipient of a bil- let-doux from the young lady in the; limousine there.” Angus stared at the little roll of pa- per. tied with a black silk shoestring, that lay at his feet. He picked it up. just as the policeman in front gave the signal of release and the double row of cars began to move. He caught only | # climpse of a girl's face through the window of a limousine in the next line Her cves seemed to meet his. as though with some message. Then Peter Bragg. changing from first to second. lost his speed, dropped behind. and the car shot | sway up Shaftesbury avenue. saw her writing it.” Peter Bragg | confided. “She just hung her hand out and dropped it at your feet during that | first block.” Angus unrolled the scrap of paper. There were only half a doren lines. written in pencil and apparently in ' great haste: “I have just tried to call on Mr. Bragg or his partner at the Bellevue, but am being watched and I was obliged to give it up. Please come at 8 o'clock to No. 11 Cardenall Mansions. “Like to see it?" Angus asked. Peter Bragg shook his head. He had all he could do—perhaps a little more— In guiding his car through the traffic. “Wait till we get to Ciro's, old chap.” he begged. “Do remember that | this is the first time I've driven in Lon- don alone.” Angus looked meditatively at a great | fruck. contact with which they had es- caped by a few inches. “You may thank providence, my dear Peter.” he remarked, “that it isn't your last. Keep her thtottled down, mind. | and make a wide sweep when you turn into Leicester Square. I'll put my right | hand out . careful how you cross into Orange | street. Let the other traffic pass| first. . . . ! Gad. we're saved. after all, and there's your Johnny wait- Peter, we'lll have a double cock- tail in thankfulness for our escape.” “Escape from what?” his companion | asked coldly. “From the accidents involved by other people’s- unskillful driving,” Angus re- | Pplied, as he Jed the way down the stairs. | There was no difficulty about the | @ouble cocktails or their consumption. Angus lit a cigarette. “My nerves now.” he announced, “are | festored. Read this. Peter, and dare to | tell me that the days of romance are Ppassed. Peter Bragg read the penciled lines carefully. “Nothing personal about this " he remarked. “I wonder what the dickens the girl means when she says that she's being watched? There was 8 man seated by the chauffeur in that Umousine who looked like one of my “That is for us to discover,” Angus Teplied. “One of us has to be at num- ber 11 flat. Cardenall Mansions, this afternoon at 3 o'clock. I vote we toss.” “You can spare yourself the trouble.” the other declared. "My place is in the | office. Assignments of this sort are for you to deal with.” Angus accepted his partner's deci- sion without demur. His impression zlthe Joung woman had been favor- e he suggested, “let’s * % % found a corner table in the and proceeded to study the | Angus glanced across the room at two new arrivals who were being shown to an oppceite table. Notwithstanding an impulse of distinct curiosity, he suc- ceeded in glancing indifferently enough &t the demure-looking young woman Wwho was taking her place by the side of a very immaculately turned out and | monocled young man. “If I am not mistaken,” Peter Bragg observed. “that was the young woman who was alone in the limousine in Pic- cadilly Circus and who threw the note | T grill menu. Angus admitted. “That, without dou iz the heroine of my forthcoming ad- venture. The young man. however, typically British greeting with his ac- quaintance He took the opportunity to let his eyes lingsr upon his compan- fon “Wonder who she is?” he reflected ‘Sholto’s rathor a musical comedyish sort of young man and she doesn't seem that type. A bit too intenss, ch?” “I find her a young woman not with- out attractiol his companion de- clared. She is nrobably engaged in some sort ot intellectual work. I should certainly not connect her with the stage.” “T'll tell you all about her in an hour or two's time.” Angus promised. “ As a matter of fact. however, he was doomed to disappointment. Just after the two men had ordered their coffee. the young woman and her companion arose. They passed out of the room. the girl without a glance in their di- rection, the youne man with a per- functory nod Five minutes later a biue-liveried page made ance in the room. discovered Angus and slipped a note into his hand. “The attendant in the ladies’ room gave me this for you. sir,” he an- | nounced. Angus unfolded the scrap of paper. There was a single line serawled in the same handwriting: “Please don't come. Hopeless.” Angus remuncrated the boy and turn- ed to his partner with a little gesture of disappointment. “So that's that!” he grumbled. “An adventure finished before it's begun.” Peter Bragg took off his glasses and wiped them carefully. “It may be only postponed.” he said. Ao . Not so bad. Now be| A NGUS had intended availing him- | self of a temporary slackness in the affairs of Peter Bragg & Co. to in- dulge in a game of golf that afternoon. but curiosity induced him to remain in the office. No further word came. how- ever, from the young lady of the limousine. He was preparing to leave at about 5 o'clock when a card was brought in. Peter Bragg studied it and shook his head. “No luck for you. George.” he an- nounced. him. Mr. Wheeler B. Platt." “Sounds like money.” Angus observed. “Show the gentleman in,~ Peter Bragg directed. Mr. Wheeler B. Platt certainly did look like money. He ewuded opulence in a quiet, restrained way. His clothes were carefully chosen, he wore little jewelry, his complexion bespoke the dyspeptic. but his tone and manner were crisp and businesslike. He ac- cepted a chair and glanced question- ingly toward Angus. “My partner,” Peter Bragg explained. His visitor nodded. ¥ “That’s all right,” he said. “I don’t care about too many people around in a conference of this sort, but. of course, | a partner's different. I understand, Mr. Bragg. that you're supposed to have the smartest crowd of professional detectives in_this country.” “My men have been chosen entirely for thei. ability, “If I hear of a really good man, 1 take him. whether he is at Scotland Yard or at a rival establish- ment. What might your business be?" “Simple enough.” the other replied. “On the fourteenth of last month" he went on, producing a pockethook, “at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the secretary of a cabinet minister, engaged in transcribing some notes in the com- fed reply. mittee room of her chief in your House of Commons, fainted. It was obvious that she would not be able to com- plete her task. and the young man in charge of the proceedings, knowing that the notes must be finished, sent into the House for one of the staff of typists who are always there for the conven- lencq of members. This young woman completed the transcription of the notes in question and duly took her leave. 1 wish to know her name and address” Peter Bragg considered the matter for a moment. “Are vou inclined to | business his appear- | “An American gentleman. | Well known name, but I can't place irrespective of any | financial considerations,” was the stud-, nfide in me | 1your reason for desiring this informa- |ton?" he inquired. | "1 certainly am not,” was the prompt |veply. “Why should you ask for such a thing? I stmply require service—or- dinary detective service—such as I have described. My reasons for requiring it ‘are my business, not yours. |7 “In an orcinary way, I agree with u, of course,” Peter Bragg admitted. | u must excuse the question. We do | not usually hmit the sphere of our op- |erations. On the other hand, we do |not very much care for commissions concerned directly or indirectly with | public amairs when our client is not ot | sriush naionality.” | You make me Ured,” Mr. Wheeler B Platt said mourntully. “What does it Mmatter to you whether 1 am of British nauonality or not? I'm not trymng to trike an underhand blow at your con- | stitution. As a matter ot fact, although | {1m an American, I'm resident over | here, and my business is mostly here All 1 want i1s the name and adaress of | A young woman. That sort of work | isn’tin my line, but I could find it out for myseif, if 1 wasn't r jous not to appear in the aflair.’ ‘Supposing 1 should decide to procure you ine intormation you desire,” Peter Bragg asked, “would that conclude ou: | “Possibly not,” the American admit- | ted. “On the other hand, you could, a | v time, refuse to proceed any further | the matter if you wished.” | Quite true. If you will give me a| | telennone number, 1 will let you know when to call and receive the informa- | tion you desire. It will probably be to: morrow.” | M Platt laid a card upon the table | It bore only a private address in Park Lane | “Between 8 and 11 in the morning.' he said, “or trom 4 o'clock onward in the afternoon. Just tell me that | you're ready. and I'll step round.” | Peter Bragg touched the bell; Mr | | Wheeler B. Platt took his leave. For! | some moments afterward there was si- | |lence between the two partners. Peter | Bragg was making idle sketches on the |back of the card: Angus. after a few | moments’ reflection. echoed his unspok- | en thought “She might very well have been typist,” he remarked. * ok ok % T 12 o'clock on the following morn- | ing Mr. Platt. in response to a mes- sage, presented himself at the Bellevue Peter Bragg handed him a slip of paper. “The young lady’s name,” he an- nouncet is Miss Ada Malcolm. She ¢ emploved by the Holbrooke Typewriting and Secretarial Agency, and, until the day after the date vou mentioned. she was to be found every afternoon at the | House of Commons. Her address is 11 | Cardenall Mansions.™ “Slick work.” Mr. Platt confessed, producing his pocketbook “Twenty guineas,” Peter Bragg mur- mured. “Steep. but worth it was the other's laconic criticism, as he counted out the notes. “And now does that conclude ou: business. Mr. Platt?>" “For the present, ves. Tl take a hand 1n lheglmr myself. now I know where to find the young lady."” “I wish you success” Peter Bragg d gravely. “If 1 run up against a snag I shall be round again.” “Whether we are able to accept your further commission or not.” Peter Bragy declared guardedly. “we shall be pleased to receive your visit . . ." “He'll be back again in a day or two,” Peter Bragg mused, after his visitor had taken his leave. “What do you suppose it is he wants? Angus asked curiously. “No idea,” Peter Bragg conlessed “All that we've succeeded in doing up ‘o the presant is establishing some sort of connection between your young lady of the limousine and the typist who was called in to do some unexpected work in a committee room of the House of Commons one afternoon about three | weeks ago. Since then the typist in question hasn't been back to her job, and the principal of the ngency declares that she’s taking a short holiday. That short holiday appears to consist of doing the theaters and restaurants of London pretty thoroughly with your young friend. Mr. Sholto Dennis. Obvious | enough, on the face of it.” he concluded. “except that she doesn’t quite scem that sort.” The telephone rang a few minutes later. Peter Bragg. who answered the call, turned to his partner. “Lady's voice, in a desperate hurry,” he announced—"wants you." Angus hastened to take the receiver {into his own hand. “Oh, why couldn't you come to the | st | | | Carefully Planned Att journey across Asia by car- xntarations in the numbing Bu.s i e ueal and thirst @reserts have been related in two vious articles by the author, who an outstanding figure In an age 7ich i1n exploring achievements. The following. the concluding article of 2 series of three relates experi- ences whiie exploring in the for- bidden land of Tihet BY SVEN “{EDIN. E were resdy o sart our wild ride wward Lhase. 1 decided that only Bhereb Lams and Bhagdur should scoompany me, for our beadouarters needed every possible de- ferse in came the Tibetans snould use ermed force against us We were Glguised as pilgrims bound for Lhass. My Mon- golian cloak ox-hiood red. had secret prkets for my 2neroid, compa s wauch note book and . book in which 1 siethen 8 map of the route In my 1000 boot was & pocket for the ther- Jometer 1 el wrn wme Mo three Buriat Yk shaving » lan- candlies Al WX e wnd pans and 10 siver vambae Tvo Mongolian lesther cases krla mest of Vhes things 1 wore a Cninese skuil-cep, with earlaps, s round mny neck a rosary with 08 wrads 850 & CODPET Chse CONVEIDMGE B dmage of Buddhs A dagper chop-ostieks, 8 fire-steel el hung in omy gale We sl had furs 0@ biankels of Mongollan mske bt e bws The simallest of our tents wis b, sheler us J on Cunceeded or ot g that day ial for idmea' W Bt e erper ) ey R GiRry would #ee the Wely Ci B} failed we would be entiiely 8t the mercy of Ve Libetane becoming el prisoners Witk ne inkling of how Uikl capiivily might end furget we when Bhagdur woke me. 1 Wi the grew) waventure B ks of an hour sgh Mongol, from head ona in Jess ¥ wes & thor © to Bewted putdoors before Vhe fire, 1 oun cerwent Uestment by Bhsgdur Bherel Loma The tormer elisved my hewd wnd even my musteche Ul 1 £ owe smooth we w DMlerd bell the w wizture of fel, ot et b e elmnnnt e e We were 1 high chatling ke my ondy minor nughiing wnd tme 1t anag i wes a poures fiom fon e daie bt n jete v wnd | [ e cae walking lawsrd our tent, and | oy like riding through dense clusters of glass. A big body of water was dimly seen one day through the mist. At first we believed 1t 1o be a lake: but upon reaching the shore, we found a gigantic river the yellow-gray, thick, muddy water-masses of which rolled southwest with a hollow and sinister roar. 1 knew at once that it was the Bachutsangpo Shereb Lama led the way into the river, leading the pack- mules. Shagdur and I followed R ] the middle of the river we halted for & minute on a sand bank, in water about a foot deep From there, neither the right nor the left bank oould be seen The water rolled by in great volume, seething and rumbling Owing o the constant rain, the river was rising rapidly If we stayed too long, we risked being cut off in both girections Shereh Lams went on. It began 1 look had when the water rose shove the root of hix livtle mule’s tall Lama rode on alone. ‘The water got deeper and deeper. We called out to him &t the top of our Jungs. but he continued. hold and fearless ‘The raln beat the river all was waler I rode inst. and my hoise fell behind 1 saw the two others animals. rising above the surface of the water. 1 had a glimpse of the left shore ‘They managed 1o make 1t safely 1 dug my heels into my horse But | we happened W strike u little below the tord. and sank decper wnd deeper. | felt dizzy, we the water flled my boots L Presently it rose ahove by kncos and the saddle 1 loosened my girdle und pulled off my skin coit Lams and Shagdur shouted wnd ponted. but i Ui toar of the witer 1 01d not hear them Now 10 reached my waist Now 1 saw no more of my horee thsn his hesd and neck 1 prepared W thiow myself trom the addle wnd et go of the horse But et very moment e began o swim LInvoluntarily 1 grasped his mane. He | wee carried along by the current, ana | wimost choked But the next moment L e ke boom, gol 1os footing, and I ieaved himeelf onto the shore I onever experienced o worse cronsing I Asin [then & miracle river that 0o one L could swim AL dusk, four days later, Whiree ‘Tihet and the pack- | 1 vims nothing lens wih | was himself arowned Nelther Bhagdur nor Bhicreh asked. “Tell the truth. Remember that you are a Jama." Bhereb Lama’'s knees trembled, and he stated the facts, without mentioning my presen But Shagdur assured me that the magisterial Tibetan had sev- | eral times used the expression "lhlvcdi peling,” or “Bwedish European.” i ‘The next day an old white-haired | lama and three other men visited us, The former asked a number of ques-| | tlons about our headguarters, and in-| | formed us that courlers had been sent to Kaemba Bombo, the Governor, of | Nakchu. We were prisoners until hi Instructions came The next number on the day's pro. gram was not reassuring. Fifty-three | horsemen. in red, black or gray clonks, wearing bigh white hats or red bandan- ax around their heads and armed witn spears, lances, swords and muskels. decorated with streamers, gathered at n tent settlement a few hundred yards | away, They dismounted, held & consultation by a fire, right In the rain, and then sprang Nt thelr saddles. Beven of them rode east on the rond to Nakehu, two went south along the main road Lhasa ‘The rest galloped off, making stralght [or our tent, emitting wild war-cries and swinging their swords or muskets | mhove their heads Shereb Lama be- | lleved that our hours were numbered | v ow o [ W ook our stand i front of the | ent, with fingers on trigger. Like {an avalanche the Tibetans rushed for- war “The hoofs of the horses smiscked [in the wet. When so close that the nearest horses splashed us, they divided Ito two squads and swung back 1 two wide curves t thelr starting point | Having repeated this warlike manci- {ver twice, they dismounted and shot at | w tuiget. They evidently intended Inspire us with awe AL times the place Dmounted, armed me mobilizetion. We were hut three against | LUl superior force We were prisoners | and i tie midst of & great adventure Five men came up and presented s with u sheep. A messuge had arrived thet Kamba Bombo, the all-highes on his way to ses s Bhereh Lama afvaid that the gov- L ernor would 1 nive him By way of punishment for a derelic- & lamu had once been sentenced | | | swarmed with 1t looked Nke n | T Eheren Lams and Bhegdur went out o g fravel the entire distance from Urge L meet Ve Ttk wnd N wes dark I every sense whien any \wo comrades retured Oue of e Dibetans had told them i s megisterial tone that thiee Weture B messenger bl come gk -hoanter e the ot LImYINg seen BI ENOIMIES CRIBYEI PO Voeeaing toward 1haca, Aie you peoriated’ vith Uiem ! Phey conversed for a g Auyn frnn whi repuorted he east o Lhasa in a prostrate position, 1. e, he hindd 10 inensure the road with the length of bis hody 10 had teken bl alx yenre Bhereh | would suffer w like | I the afternoom w seven Tihetans aiound ¢ apen. when ® troap of horsemen came walloping strsight up o ws from the It wae Kamba Bombo's dnter o © seated with fre In the 1y | hat to match. | likes, Lorders trom the Dalat Lama every day.” | STAR. WASHINGTO phone before?” a distressed voice al- most. whispered. “There's no time to talk now. Please dine at Ciro's today. “I'll be there,” Angus replied into dead void. “The young woman seemed to be sticking At you,” Peter Bragg observed as his partner hung up the receiver. “She doesn't seem to be getting much forwarder with it. Shall you come along to lunch?" Peter Bragg shook his head. “I think I'll stroll round to Strand House and talk to Hopkins," he decided “I'm not very Keen on touching an thing that in any way concerns gover ment business, but I should like to know what was going on in what's-his-name’s committee room that afternoon. Angus’ dinner was not an inspiring one. Satisfied that the young lady of the limousine was not in the grill on his arrival, he sat down at the bar out- side to have a cocktall. Presently the two people in whom he was Interested entered, the young lady in a new and charming costume of petunia-colored cloth, with a slight edging of fur, and a Her companion scemed even more devoted than yesterday, and almost scowled as he caught what ap- peared to be a look of admiration on | Angus 1 face. The two had been on the point of sitting down to have a cocl tail, but Dennis. apparently changing | his mind led the way on to the grill. | ‘The girl half turned her head. There was the clightest possible elevation of her eyebrows as she joined her escort. Angus followed, but no fortune :ame his way The girl's eyes straved once or twice toward his table, but they con- eyed no intelligible message. Angus lingered over his meal until their de- parture and waited again for another | quarter of an hour, but this time not even a note came. He made his way back to the office a little disconsolately. only to find that his partner had met with similar ill success. “Hopkins is sending a man down to the House," the latter confided, “but he Is. like me, not very keen. The Home Services have their own people about, of course, and they’ll spot our chap in a moment. They'd be down on him like | a ton of bricks if he tried to open up | any business.” * e o ox "THE telephone rang with an Inquiry | for Angus. It was the same hur- ried. familiar voice. “1 want to talk to you, Mr. Angus.” it said. “I don't know whrre we're going before, but we shall be at the embrssy for supper. You know Mr. Dennis. Why don’t you come and speak | to him?" “I will.” Angus promised. “but here we are—why can’t you tell me what it 15 vou want?” daren’t over the telephone. Good- | by.’ Again a blank. “Tonight,” Angus announced. as he ut down the receiver, “I shall be a cech. Sholto can be as rude as he He's a rcgular young cub, an: way I'm going to have a word or two with that girl, whatever happens.” “It's up to you,” was Peter Bragg's laconic comment. That night, for the first time, the fates were on Angus’ side. Although he reached the cmbassy fairly early, | the place was packed. He stood in tie ! doorway, as though looking for friends and was promptly rewarded. The gir of the limousine, with Sholto Dennis, was seated at a table. Angus strolled | m their direction “Hullo, Sholto!" he exclatmed. paus- Ing for a moment. “What a mob!" “Beastly, fsn't it?" “Going on to Lady Arbuthnot's after- ward?" “1 think not here.” Angus glanced round the room seething mass of newcomers streaming through the doorway. “Should you think it awful cheeky ff | I asked §f I might sit down for a m ment while they fixed me up a table? he asked. “Certainly not nis replied coldly. some friends directly. Malcolm.” Angus smiled as he drew up a chalr | “Seen you at Ciro’s once or twice lately, haven't 17" he inquired. 8She nodded. Angus had a sudden inspiration. He remembered that Sholto Dennis did n ‘Why aren’t you two dancing?” Probably stick it out | A was for a_ moment,” Den- “We're expecting | Mr. Angus—Miss he_asked. | “Miss Malcolm fsn't very keen, and 1 don't_care_about it Dennis answered quickly. “Besides, there's such a crush.’ “Couldnt we have just one turn?" Angus begged. “You don't mind. Shol- to? I'll bring Miss Malcolm back quite safely.” ‘I don't think Miss Malcolm really preter, who spoke a poorer Mongollan | than I, but was otherwise a decent fel- | low. He questioned us thoroughly, and | was most interested In our headqu ters. Apparently they had fllusions of | a Russian invasion, with thousands of Cossacks. The Interpreter told us that the Dalal Lama received dally reports about us. Next morning the scene became ani- mated. ‘The whole plain swarmed with horsemen and pack animals, and a new tent village was growing up not far way. ‘Two ours passed, when a troop of 67 horsemen came dashing up from the new tent village. They presented a aplendid plcture in their deep blue | and dark red sttire, thelr swords in scabbards ornamented with siiver, coral | and turquoise, their cases holding an | image of Buddha, their rosarles and | the rattling siiver accoutrement at thelr | slde’s | Kamba Bombo rode in the center on | a milk-white she mule. He was | small, pale man, perhaps 40 years old, with ‘eyes that blinked roguishly and he wore & red cloak and red bashlik | over a yellow silk robe, with skunk nleeves, green velvet hoots and a blue Chinese cap. He dismounted tn front of my tent His servant spread & rug on the ground | and placed cushions on 1t Here he and another high official, Nanso Lama, & monk, settled down Kumba Hombo was polits and kind To my Tequest for permission to ¢ tnue and see the Holy City, he| unawered with n significant gesture of | his hand toward his neck “No, not one step further toward Liasn' That would cost your heads and mine, wo. 1 do my duty. 1 get| e win immovable, inexorable e Al ot Jose control of Nmself for one moment He was at once dignified and Jovinl. In the end e rode back to his fent 1 told him, it was my purpose | to start hack for ‘my headquarters on the following day " the morning 1 mounted much to the aor ALY In my horse and vode dismay of Bhagdur and Shereb Lama auite alone to Kamba Bombo's tent But 1 had not gone half way when 20 horsemen surrounded me and asked me o dismount After some walting, Kamba Hombo appeared with his encort. Rugs and clishlons were spread out, and we sel- Hod down o converse on heutral wround 1 asked him Jokingly how 1t would he It he and 1 shonld vide to 1has I we fwo together? He laughe his head, and sald that it would be pleasure 1o him W travel I my com | guess | trains running to the steamers { guard on the north D. C., FEBRUARY 12 ANGUS FELT A TOUCH Ui HIS ARM. HE TUR AROUND. SHOLTO DENNI WAS STANDING BY HIS SIDE. cares about it.” Dennis repeated, with | marked uneasiness. “One turn.” she murmured, rising. | “You don't mind, Mr. Dennis? T'll come | | back directly the music stops. They were gone before Dennis could protest. Angus led his companion into the thick of the crowd. “Now tell me quickly what it's all| about?” he begged. “Only be careful, | because old Sholto is watching us. What | can I do for you?" | “You can find out an American | named Wheeler B. Platt, who lives in Park lane. and tell him £10.000.” “That scems simple. And. if he has anything to say to you. what do I do about it? Are you never at Cardenall Mansions?" “Not now,” she answered. watched too closely. T'll telephone, careful.” Angus felt a touch upon his arm. He turned. around. Sholto Dennis was standing by his side, very pale and ob- viously angry. “Angus,” he sald, “I ought, perhaps, to have told you—to have asked for con- | gratulations. Miss Malcolm and I are engaged " “My dear fellow!" Angus exclaimed. “Delighted, I'm sure. Wish you every happiness, Miss Malcolm.” She looked across at Dennis with a queer little smile “Of course,” she said slowl; does alter things rather, Good night, Mr. Angus.” It was evidently her wish that he go. She seemed to have lost all interest in him He bowed and went off to join another party of friends. Lo R. WHEELER B. PLATT was an early visitor at Bellevue Mansions on the following day. He wasted no time in preliminaries | “Well, gentlemen.” he said. “you did what you promised, and you were slick about it, too. You found me the name of the girl. but if she were the man in the iron mask. she couldn't be guarded more closely. I've tried every way to get in touch with her, and I can't do it. 1| ‘ve got to pass the business up “I'm Be to you. “I'm not sure whether it will bed a commission we can undertake,” Peter Bragg warned him. “There's a certain class of business in which we never in- terfere, but, if you will state the case, I will give you a reply.” “Very ‘well,” Mr. Platt acquiesced. “You know, of course, that in three months’ time there’s a whole range of new duties coming into force on a dozen manufactured articles. Cars are what I'm interested in. The duty on these has been raised beyond the original Mc- Kenna duty. An American car that can | be sold in England today complete for £208 s going to cost £278. ‘That means that there'll be none sold at all. We've got two months and nincteen days to make deliveries. T'l tell you, gentle- men, I've got £1,750,000 worth of motor cars on the seas and in the packing rooms, in the factories. I've suspended American deliveries; I've got special and I've a special steamer starting from Boston and due to arrive here a fortnight before these duties come into force. I'd got my coat off. 1 can tell you. and then I received a cable from one of our agents here. He told me there was a rumor—-one of “your cabinet ministers had acknowledged it openly—that the duties were to be retroactive.” Peter Bragg nodded “I've heard that," he admitted. Mr. Wheeler B Platt was a man of reserved speech and manner, but he took out his handkerchief. wiped his forehead and struck the arm of his chair. | 1928— PART T. “I've raced over here to find out the| truth,” he sald. “If they should spring that on us. where would we be? I've £200.000 worth of cars landed already, and not one of them should I be able to sell. I've another load reaching Liv- erpool today, two due at Southampton next weck. more on the way, and oth- ers loading. Do you know what I did when I landed here? Well, I'll tell you 1 went right away to see the minister who's running this job. I put it to him straight. And 1 got shot out of the door in 30 seconds. I asked oniy for a plain answer to a plain question. But do you think I could get it? Not on your life! “I got no reply, and there 1 am hung up,” Mr. Platt went on. “Then 1 began to try the back door. as I'd the front one shut in my face, and it was then I heard about Miss Malcolm.” “And what did you hear about her?" “What vou folks know already. I don't doubt. They were drafting the notes of the decisions arrived at in the eabinet council in one of the committee rooms of the House of Commons, and some young idiot sent out for a professional typist. That girl knows what I want to know. 1 can’t get at her. You've got to. That's all right.” Angus volunteered. he wants 10,000 pounds. Mr. Platt stared across at Angus. “You've got her. then?" he demanded “I danced with her for two munutes last night—just as long as I was allow- ed to. What struck me was that <he | was so anxious to get at you as you are to get at her.” Mr. Platt produced a check-book, vlo, and b-gan to write. Peter Brag: stopped him. “I'm not sure that we can proceed further in this matter,” he declared. “And why not?" Mr. Platt cemanded. “We are assisting in the divulgement of a government sccret to a foreigner,” Peter Bragg pronounced. “Bunkum'“ Mr. Platt insisted. “A | matter of 5000 Englishmen will get | their cars over 70 pounds cheaper, if 1 know what to do.” 1 “Can't see that it makes much dif- ! ference myself. Pudgy,” Angus remark- ed. “It's just whether you look at the matter from a free trmder's point of view or a protectionists’s " .. In any case,” Peter Bragg inquired, “how 10 you proposc to approach the young lady?"” ne'll telephone,” Angus announced “She telephoned twice yesterday. It was she who gave me the tip to turn up at the Embassy Club.” Mr. Platt lald the check upon the table. “See here.” he proposed, the girl along, and I guess ve to interfere at ail. talking.” T'll do the o ow ok “’I‘Hls ought to make things eas) Angus remarked about an hour later, as he nodded to the butler and lald a card upon the table. “Show the gentleman in, Groves." Mr. Sholto Dennis. immaculately dressed, as became a young man in a government department, was a study | of woe. He shook hands gloomily with Angus. accepted an introduction to his partner and sank into the client's chair. 1_say. George," he remonstrated, “you're playing it rather iow down on A fellow—what?" ! “Dan’t you believe it. laddie.” Angus replied “I've got my job in life just as you've got yours.' “But. it T wete to come a cropper over this." Dennis pointed out, "I'd lose mine." “As bad as that?" Deonis nodded. empts to Reach pany, provided the Dalal Lama gave his permission “Well, Iet us send A courler to the Dalal Lama. 1 am willing to wait a e of days.” " he answered determinedly. “1 should be dismixsed immediately after such & question.” and Kamba | We mounted again, | Bombo and his gentlemen accompanied | you ‘There our weapons were _examined and the escort was introduced to us. ‘Thereupon 1 said farewell, and we parted the very best | of friends. But my first effort to reach | me to my tent | Lhasa had ended It was now my plan to cross Tibet and reach India in one way or another. 1 decided. therefore, to push south with the entire caravan until confronted by Insurmountable obstacles, ‘That sooner op later stopped, appeared” certain g warned, ha After the 1oad. we again encountered nomads. 8ix armed Lorsemen appeared on the left_of the van, and seven on the | vight. all at quite a distance, every | one wearing & tall white hat * There | were many tents, and we looked into some of them The women wore their hair in small platts; and on their backs they had red ribbons, with coral, turquoises and sil ver A chief with his band tured forth and sald “We have lers to prevent you from tnulng south.” All ¥ight, prevent us” We have sent messeng 1t you proceed i that ahall lose our heads " “Phat would serve you right.” “All the nomads have been forbidden 1o well you anything “We take what we need have firearms " As we moved southward, the Tibetan crowds grew larger. and presently new groups appeared ahead of us, gathered about some black and two blue-white tents, A band of horsemen surrounded us and asked us to stop, as the two governors of Naktsang. the province n which we were, had arvived. ‘They had recelved Impottant mformation from the devashung, or the government in Lhasa 1 conoluded to encamp & hundred and Afty paces from thelr tenta. Our nrgest tent was adorned with a rug o Khotan, and was used aa an wudience chamber, CE FUER & short time, the two gov- ernors fode g, WOATINE ROVREONS ted yoben and button-caps of Ohlnese out 1 went out (o receive them. They dismeunted, greeted me politely and en tered the tent The more eminent of the two, Hia) Poering, was an elderly, beardless man, we would b"l ‘The Tibet- | to Lhasa direction, we And we +five tents, th with a queue; the other one was Yun- duk Tsering. We began a palaver that lluml three hours. Hlaje Tsering be- You rode to Lhasa with only two companions on a road further east, but you were stopped and escorted over the b:‘mcr by Kamba Bombo of Nakchu You have now come to Naktsang, and may not proceed a single step along this road.” we can; we have milllons of 1 am able oree. too hes, | well” he saild, “we fire al you, but we will fourney impossible “How will that happen”” | Twenty soldiers will hold each one of your horsemen and camels We will | Keep your animals (il they collapse We nave special orde; “Show them to me,” Hut 1 had realiced from the st that we could not proceed. My second attempt had tatled | “WIth pleasure,” they replied, where- upon the paper was produced 1t was dated. “In the year of the lron Cow sINth month, twenty-first day © It con- cluded With orders to refuse s pass on pain of decapitation for the govers nors ) will make not your We had betans 20, and their force had meremsed (o more than fve | hundied men. The shore swarmed with | horsemen, men afoot. horses, yaks and sheep and the red streamers fluttered | trom the soldiers’ muskets The nest morning our roads parted ! 1 was Intrusted to the escort that had been commissioned (o accompany me weatward, while the two governors e turned (o the capital of thelr provinee Little did 1 dream, aa | osaw them de VAL With thefr magniicent train. that Hlaje Thering was to fNgure consplen Oualy n & later eptsode of my wander- (gs - Asin That was thiee years later, after repeated attempts to pene- trate to Lhasa .. E had been three montha on thiy Journey wnd had suftered tervibly from the hardships of a Tibetan Win- ter. Agaln we were -lululwl INEACNEETS were sent to Lhasa, and agatn we found our way barred by armed men The Tibetan horsea took o genuine Intereat Iy Novaes. and did not seem 0 understand that oy acinted. wretehed antmals were of thelr own apecies U waa ntereating to obaerve the dellght with which theao lttle pontes ate deled meat. cut I long | AP IR A countiy wheve pastuvage | 15 a0 meager, the nomads have to train | thefr horaes (o hecome wmeat eaters Presently we slghted camp, halt o camp Wi “Of course, I made a bloomer in' sending out for another typist. On the other hand, I had instructions to sce that the work was finished before 1 left. 1 can't type. None of us can. What's the good, when there's a staff of young women waiting there for us? I sent for one, quite naturally. The next morning the chief was like a mad bull” “Well, well!” Angus murmured sym- pathetically. “This is how he laid it across me.” the young man explained. J1f the de- cision leaks out through my letting the sirl copy the last few pages of the agreement. I get the sack. If I can keep her mouth shut, I escape with a reprimand. 1 went to sce the girl. and I must say she grasped the point at once. 'Keep me away from every one.’ she begged pathetically. ‘Il try not to be indiscreet. but nowadays, with hats fit to wear at such an awful pricc. money means so much.' She put her little hand in mine. and I've tried to keep her away. but it's a job!” “Poor old Sholto!" “We've shut up her flat. She's stay- ing with my sister. We've got an old dragon from the Home Office—used to | be a policewoman—supposed never to leave her for a second when I'm away. but, George, old boy, it seems to me I never am away.” “You scem to be having a pretty good time with her, on the whole,” Angus re- marked. The other coughed. “Oh, well, we got on all right, but I can’t give my mind to it. Even when she’s touched me for a theater cloak or a bracelet and we scem really pally. and I say, ‘Look here, Ada, are you going ! to give me your word of honor that what you saw and typed shall never pass your lips?* do vou know what she an- Swers? She just grips my arm and she says. ‘Sholto, I'd love to promise, but I can't. I'm so weak." And what can one do with a girl like that?” “It's difficult.” Angus admitted “And now you fellows are i game.” the young man pointed out in an aggrieved fashion. “All in the way of business,” Angus reminded him. “I don't mind telling you that we've got a check on the table there for 10000 pounds that she is weicome to the moment she is ready to speak.” “That's the end of me" gasped Sholto. “Why?" “You know her latest move—her final turn, as declared last night at the Em- bassy? She savs I've got to marry her. She gave me the tip that, If I didn't ntroduce her last night as my flancee. she’d make terms with you. George. do you realize I shail have .to marry the girl?” Angus strolled to the window and bacl k “Look here, Sholto.” he pointed out. ou're fn it up to the neck. old man. You can’t keep Miss Malcolm from com- ing into touch with either us or our client for two months, can you?" “I don't suppose I can.” “If you can', you've got to marry her." “1 suppose 50." “So there’s no harm in trying what a pal can do for you. Let me see. to- day's Tuesday. Let me take Miss Mal- colm to lunch at Ciro’s on Thursday. Something might come of i “You always were a bright chap, George,” Dennis declared earnestly. “Hop it now, then,” Angus enjoined, “and I'll sce what I can do for you." PR . ‘XT 11 o'clock, throe days later Mr. 4<% platt was ushered into the office in Rellevue Manstons. He produced a roil of notes and deposited them upon the table. “Ten thousand pounds in good Bank of England stufl.,” he announced. “You don’t think the girl'll back out?” “She’ll turn up all right,” Angus assured him. “This is a matter upon which there must be no misunderstanding,” Peter Braggs declared portentiously. “First here’s that check of yours. Next 1 have drawn up here a brief memo- randum. You agree voluntarily w0 pre- sent these notes to Miss Malcolm o consideration that she tell you the sub- stance of what she typed respecting the decision arrived at with regard to retroactive duties on articles coming under the new tariff. “That's right.” Mr. Platt admitted ‘Worth the money, t00.” Bragg handed him a pen. He glanced through the memorandum and signed it. A moment later Miss Malcolm was ush- cred in. She was very becomingly dr:.d , but she looked a little fright- ene - “You're quite sure, Mr. Angus.” she said, “that I'm not doing a terrible thing?" “My dear young lady. I'm convinced of it. Mr. Platt here has handed over the money. My partner here has it in ais possession. He has also signed the agreement. If you will kindly tell us what the decision was, we can get the business over quickly and without fear of interruption.” - Miss Malcolm turned toward Platt. “There were a lot of arguments used that didn't amount to anything.” she said. ‘but the resolution arrived at was this: That whether the duties were to be made retroactive or mot depended entirely upon the amount of merchan- dise imported between now and ti date of the coming into force of ‘the new treaty.” Mr. Platt gasped. “Then they never really arrived at a decision at all.” he cried. Mr. Platt was a man of big ideas He sat for a moment in silence. Then he rose. : “Stung. but not squealing. young lady.” were his valedictory words. 'd like to say. though. that it seems to me there's been a little more fuss made about you thah you're worth.” lMe‘:i Mbmhdm'! think so0.” she replic 3 Peter Bragg listened for a momen: to the rattle of the elevator in which his late client had descended Then he looked first at Miss Malcolm and then at his partner. “Is it my fancy.” he ventured. “or— or— Angus interrupted him. “Pudgy. my friend.” he said. "I plead guilty to a slight amount of sécretive- ness. 1 found jhis rumor of a leakage of information was being talked about. and I got the governor to ask Sholtos chief a question. It seems the chie! had come to the decision that Sholto was a bit of a fool and had made up his mind to give him a scare. Prom that I guessed that there was no actual | decision in the cooied stuff. and when T lunched with Miss Malcolm and put it to her straight. she con! my idea. Thinking it over. I came to the conclusion that there was no reason vhy a very charming young ladv lke Miss Malcolm shouldn't get £10.000. which is just what good old Sholtos been looking for for a long time to start housekeening with. So there you are. . Ready. Miss Malcolm?® he asked. as he took down his hat ‘Where are you going" Peter Bragz inauired. as he handed the notes over to Miss Malcolm = “Round to the registry office to see old Sholto through with it." Angus re- nlied. “You can join us at Claridge's later and drink a glass of wine™ Convrizht 18°€ ) In & few minutes we would be there. The smoke was al- teady rising from the fires. A big black vak was grazing scarcely two hundred paces from the camp. Mohammed Isa came out of his tent and sent a bullet into the animal. The wounded beast became furious: and catching sight of us and concluding that we were enemies, he made straight for our little group. Rehim Alf uttered & cry of despatr and ran for dear life toward the tents But he changed his mind and turned Our harses shied and started to gallop | oft. Rehim All caught Robert's horse by the tail The yak was quite clase He foamed with rag He rolled his blood-red tougue hung out om his nostrils Uke the dust whirled be- milg ahead of us. ¢ his breath tssued clouds of vapar, hind him Me rushed forward with lowered head. and as 1 was rviding on the ex- treme right. it was my_horse that he would first impale. and throw 1t and me In the air, after which he would trample us to a pulp. In imaginatton 1 could already hear the erunching of our breaking ribs The vak w now T threw s within 50 feet of us T my bashlik to distract his attention. He took no notice of it untastened my girdle, intending to throw the sheepskin coat over him. and thus blind him. when he was close by, Ofly A Uy step separated me from death. Before 1 could get free tom the cont a plereing shriek was heard. | It was Rehim Al who had stumbled, and he was now prone on the ground The vak, diverted by this, turned to Reb Al With horns lowered. he tishied upon his victim - But whether the vak (hought the man was alieady dead or constdered im0 be harm- less -~ for Rehim Al never so much as budged the vak contented hinself with mrodding Rehim Al with his horns and then continued his wild career actoss the plain and 0ok himselt raplidiy oft 1 otumed at onee. dismounted and hurtted (0 Rehim Al believing htm to be dead Me lay st tadend and dusty Upon my asking how he was e made & comdeal gesture with ane | hand. as (0 to say “Never mind wme. 1 am already stane dead Presently heln arvived from the camp Poor Rehim Al veally looked most mis- erable He had a long bat havmless Resh along one leg He was Hited up on A hoese, i wWound wis dressed and he was cared v in a tent Henceforth he was o Vide Hut the event certatnly made him A DI queer. and 10 was long betare he bocame normal again I the evening troaps on harseback arvhved and 8 lavee Bl hits tent was pltehed The nent dav e goy el with & young lama, called on | Lhasa Are Discovered me. The governor wore a Chinese cap. with two fox tails and a white glass button, a silk caftan with wide sleeves, otterskin collar, earrings and velvet boots. He greeted me warmly—in fact. we were not far from embracing each other. But he was inflexible in his command “You must not travel through Nak- tsang. Hedin Sahib. You must go back north. Though we are old friends. 1 don't want any fresh trouble on yeur ount.” Tlaje Tsering " I replied. “I started out on this journay with 130 beasts of burden [ have & horses and ! mule left How can vou ask me to go dack to that murderous Chang-tan with such A caravan”” “You may go wherever vou wish, but net “tronah my provinee. “The Dalal Lama has fled There is A different regime now than when 1 was in Tibet before. The Tashi Lama s expecting me." “T only take orders from the govern- ment in Lhasa * 1 am expecting letters from Indin that are to come to me through the Tashi Lama “1 have no proof of that. 1 shall not leave this place before You Are on vour way north” And 1 shall not depart until 1 bave BOL my post from India * The governor visited me again the next day and this time he had changed his mind. To my extreme amasement he sand “1 have discussed the matter with my trusted men and we have agreed that the enly thing (or you (o do s to leave and go south 1o the region of Labrang CTashi-lunpo). 1 ask that you resume FOUL FOUTREY tomoriow What had happened® What did he Had e revelved orders from 1 did not trust my ears. but countenance, and satd auite mean® Lhasa® Kept my cally Al TIRRE L Wi g south 1t you wit ReL e sane new beasts of burden CNOU mAY ey e (van the NomAds Your moad suns east of the Nyangtaetso Aler the customary return call we tepacked our luggage carefully. iilaw INering was givatly interested ta that procedure and asked for the cmpiy boxes that were left over. He ot OF leather toaxes and several other odits and ends He deserved them all o he had opened the land of the naly Boaks [ me 1o pass through This was & greal viokay for wme | WOUKE Oross the eastern partin of the Vastounenplored spol which ne Burws pean or pundit had el Wwaverssd Al e atstacles i my way were as it SWEPL AWAY Wuniteht deis