Earl Derr Biggers

“ And as I wait I shall be thinking not always of the captain, or his brother, or Hughes, or Limehouse and Enwright, but often—oh, very often—of you. In my last letter I scoffed at the idea of a great war. But when we came back from Limehouse to-night the papers told us that the Kaiser had signed the order to mobilize. Austria in; Serbia in; Germany, Russia and France in. Hughes tells me that England is shortly to follow, and I suppose there is no doubt of it. It is a frightful thing—this future that looms before us; and I pray that for you at least it may hold only happiness. ”

“ But Washington is far from London, isn't it? And it is London that interests us most—though father's constituents must not know that. It is really a wonderful, an astounding city, once you have got the feel of the tourist out of your soul. ”

“ With him I have been going through its gray and furtive thoroughfares in the dead of night, and sometimes we have kicked an ash-barrel and sometimes a romance. Some day I might show that London to you—guarding you, of course, from the ash-barrels, if you are that kind. On second thoughts, you aren't. But I know that it is of Adelphi Terrace and a late captain in the Indian Army that you want to hear now. Yesterday, after my discovery of those messages in the Mail and the call of Captain Hughes, passed without incident. ”

“ He smiled pitifully. “I think I know you Americans. You are not the sort to refuse a man when he is sore beset—as I am.” I looked from him to the general and back again. “I must think this over,” I answered, my mind going at once to Colonel Hughes. “Later—say to-morrow—you shall have my decision.” “To-morrow,” said the boy, “we shall both be called before Inspector Bray. ”

“ That boy has the stuff in him.” “But what shall I do?” I demanded. Colonel Hughes smiled. “It makes little difference what you do,” he said. “Norman Fraser-Freer did not kill his brother, and that will be proved in due time.” He considered for a moment. “Bray no doubt would be glad to have you alter your testimony, since he is trying to fasten the crime on the young lieutenant. On the whole, if I were you, I think that when the opportunity comes to-morrow I should humor the inspector.” “You mean—tell him I am no longer certain as to the hour of that struggle?” ”

“ Not only the heathen Chinee so peculiar shuffles through its dim-lit alleys, but the scum of the earth, of many colors and of many climes. The Arab and the Hindu, the Malayan and the Jap, black men from the Congo and fair men from Scandinavia—these you may meet there—the outpourings of all the ships that sail the Seven Seas. ”

“ One's liberty is well worth keeping—and then, too, before the case ends, there will be wide publicity—” “Well?” said I. “That is why you are going to suffer a lapse of memory in the matter of the hour at which you heard that struggle. As you think it over, it is going to occur to you that it may have been six-thirty, not seven. Otherwise—” “Go on.” “Otherwise the letter of introduction you gave to the captain will be sent anonymously to Inspector Bray.” “You have that letter!” I cried. “Not I,” she answered. “But it will be sent to Bray. ”

“ You may not see fit to grant it. If that is the case we can not well reproach you. But if you can—” “It is a great favor, sir!” broke in the general. “And I am in the odd position where I do not know whether you will serve me best by granting it or by refusing to do so.” “Father—please—if you don't mind—” The boy's voice was kindly but determined. He turned to me. “Sir—you have testified to the police that it was a bit past seven when you heard in the room above the sounds of the struggle which—which— You understand.” ”

“ The truth is the truth—” The woman had moved to the door. She turned. “To-morrow,” she replied, “it is not unlikely you will see Inspector Bray. As I said, I came here to give you advice. You had better take it. ”