Evening Star Newspaper, July 25, 1937, Page 73

8 | { E————— July 25, 1937 THE STORY SO FAR HEN Ma-Sun-Li engaged Aviator “Red”’ Long in the States for pilot- ing a renowned engineer about China, the airman sensed that there was more afoot than just the hamessing of the Hwang-Ho River. Not until the engineer, Major Bvnne, dropped dead in a Peiping hotel, however, did Red learn that their real mission had been the strengthening of China’s fortifications. Captain Wong and his aides, called in to investigate the sudden death, were perturbed by the realization that it might lead to international complications. Still more dis- turbed were those under investigation in the engineer’s party: Tracy Lloyd, Bynne’s secre- tary with whom Red was in love: M7s. Bynne, who, although she had been jealous of her husband’s interest in Tracy, had evoked a kiss from Red; Captain Aldyreff, Russian liaison - officer; and Di-Ds, Bynne's valet. Red, dissatisfied with the doctor’s report of death from heart failure, knocked down Captain Wong and fled by a back way from the hotel. In a taproom he found the brilliant but drunken Dr. Millar. “So you’re Fortune Long’s son?” com- mented the old physician, startled out of his drunkenness by the revelation that Red’s father, at the time his son was born, had lived in China and had been his friend. “What do you want?”’ “The truth about Major Bynne,” replied the American aviator. ‘“Was he killed?”’ “No one can prove it — to try would bring only trouble,” Millar remonstrated. ‘“‘But you believe — " Red persisted. *“That he was killed!”” he finished. PART 1V ED LONG’s first thought after seeing Dr. Millar was to get back to Tracy. His ricksha was still wait- ing. When he had climbed in, the narrow vehicle dodged through a chaos of other rickshas, cars, pedestrians and hawkers. ¥ HIS KNEE THUDDED INTO CAPTAIN THIS WEEK ~—- WONG'S BACK, SENT HIM SPRAWLING Bynne had been murdered. By whom? At what instant? How? Red strove to reconstruct the scene scarcely two hours old. Bynne’s in- tent pose. Mrs. Bynne reading a book. Tracy standing at one of the western windows. Aldyreff enter- ing. Di-Di appearing in the bath- room door. Bynne dead. When? How could it have happened? The questions were still racing in circles around his brain when the ricksha turned to cross the tram tracks and started up the ramp toward the hotel. Caution made him stop the boy and pay him off; he watched him dis- appear in the welter of traffic, then walked the remaining distance. As Red approached, the doorman stared as though he were looking at a ghost and the crowded lobby seemed electrically charged even though its transient occupants appeared intent on their own affairs. Yet his instinct had been correct, for as he pressed toward the elevator three Chinamen, all in Western dress, promptly followed, blocked the door against additional passengers and ordered the at- tendant to proceed. Red pretended not to notice. Leaving the elevator he went straight to Tracy’s door and knocked. There was no answer. He opened it and looked in; the room was empty. Still ignoring the three Chinamen, he crossed the hall and tried the knob of the suite. It turned and the next moment he had passed through the entresol into the presence of Captain Wong, Mrs. Bynne, Tracy, Aldyreff, Di-Di and- a stranger. The manager was no longer present nor was there any trace of Bynne’s body. Tracy’s eyes leaped to meet his, as though in warning, and then instantly turned away. Red went straight to Wong. “‘I wish to apologize for hitting you, Captain Wong. If there is any way in which I can make amends, I'm at your service.”’ ““The blow is forgotten,” said Wong with Mogazine Section ALL BLOOD o REU Four who are under suspicion are put to a terrible test. Continuing a serial of love and intrigue » g llustrated by Jules Gotlieb such a benign smile it gave Red a shock. *‘He who forgets a blow suffers nothing,” con- tinued Wong; ‘“‘he who remembers it strikes himself many times.”” He waved a hand to- ward Cardavan. “Lieutenant Cardavan of the American Embassy, allow me to present Pilot Long.” “Mr. Long,” acknowledged Cardavan brusquely. *“Do you mind telling us where you’ve been?”’ “For a walk,” said Red shortly. “I needed air.” “A pretty long walk,” murmured Cardavan. He was a young man with dark hair and alert black eyes that traveled up and down Tracy as though they were adding a column of figures and were puzzled at the unexpected answer. They returned to fasten on Long's flushed face. “Do you mind telling us how you got out? According to Miss Lloyd you simply vanished into thin air. The same with the floor boy and the coolie; one moment they saw you, the next you were ggne without help of elevator or stairs.” “Until I find out why Captain Wong should have picked on Miss Lloyd and you on me,”’ said Red, “it’s none of your affair how I got out. She and I are two out of five people who happened to be in the room when Major Bynne fell dead. Why should we be bulldozed more than the others?” “Apologies seem to be in order,” said Cardavan with a disarming smile, ‘‘and I offer you mine, Mr. Long. I assure you 1 had no intention of rubbing you the wrong way, but please be patient with me. I can’t emphasize too strongly that this business is a lot more by GEORGE AGNEW CHAMBERLAIN Avthor of “’All the King’s Horses,” * Morrioge fer Revenve,”’ *’Coteen,* *Terrer,” Bic. ‘ serious than it looks on the surface.” His smile changed to a sudden frown. “Have you any idea what we’re up against?”’ Red sensed a trap. “No,”” he an- swered. ‘Have you?” ‘““Tit for tat,”’ murmured Cardavan, shrugging his shoulders. “Mr. Long, the doctor assures us Major Bynne died a natural death, but even so, we can’t afford to let the news get out for the present. I was merely leading up to the hope that during your absence you hadn’t been led into an indiscretion.” “If you mean have I told anybody anything,” said Red, “I haven’t — not a word.” He glanced around, making a swift appraisal. He could feel the presence behind him of the three Chinamen who had entered on his heels. Near the table stood Tracy. Directly before him stood Wong with hands peacefully clasped, flanked on either side by Cardavan and Aldyreff. To the right was Mrs. Bynne, sitting in the same straight chair, but it had been moved. It stood at a slant from the service table laden with food, as though she had tried to eat and had drawn away. Her white face was an unreadable mask and her full lips, usually so mobile, were fixed in a bitter uneven line. Only Di-Di remained. He was squatted on his heels in a far corner, apparently as immobile as an idol, but a flicker betrayed the fact his eyes were moving. Not swiftly. They passed from left to right and back again, sweeping the floor with the monotonous persistence of a pendulum. Cardavan had been watching Red, giving him time to finish his inspection. “Good,” he said finally. “In spite of the doc- tor’s verdict the formality of an autopsy is now under way. Naturally there’ll be a chemical analysis also.” “What for?”’ asked Long. “To determine the intestinal contents,” said Cardavan. “I don’t know much about poisons, but if there’s one with a delayed violent kick, there’s just a chance —* He paused, unable or unwilling to continue. I see,” said Red slowly. “I doubt it,” said Cardavan impatiently. “If you do, you’re cleverer than the rest of us. There’s absolutely no indication Major Bynne was poisoned. On the other hand there are - certain interests who might have considered his death a great boon.” “Mistakenly,”” murmured Wong. “Perhaps,” said Cardavan. Then he con- tinued in a low tense tone, “But it’s a bare possibility we have to keep in mind, for if they are responsible this incident may plunge China, Japan, Russia, Germany, France — the whole world — into war. If they’re not to blame, then it’s simply a regrettable — ”” He broke off and turned to Mrs. Bynne. ‘“Mrs. Bynne, please forgive me. I’m afraid I let the thought of a universal catastrophe over- shadow your personal tragedy.” Mrs. Bynne raised her eyes to his face, then let them travel slowly over Tracy and Red. They withdrew with a look of distaste. ‘““Whatever you think or anybody says, I know Lancaster didn’t die from any natural cause. Somebody killed him, either for profit or out (Continved on page 11)