W. A. Fraser

“ When the circumstances had been repeated to the detective, Creighton said: "It seems quite clear that this Hansen has disappeared with the pearls; there is not the slightest evidence of any one having broken into the place. If we can locate him, we shall find the pearls. He has yielded to the temptation, I fear."
"It wasn't Hansen," declared the manager firmly. "I would trust my life with him. There's been foul play, I'm sure."
"Whom do you suspect?" Teck clicked in a soft, gentle voice.
"Perhaps the durwans. ”

“ Dodd arose, went to the clock, which consisted of the works, a dial plate, and the weights and pendulum hanging down the wall without an enclosing box. He swung the pendulum and the clock started off.
"It is not run down—odd it should have stopped," he added. "Well, we'll meet here at twelve again."
"I will go to my office, send out Detective Thorns on Hansen's track, and return at twelve," the Chief said.
"And I will be upstairs, Mr. Teck, if you wish any information," the manager added. "That will give you the whole lower floor to yourself. The durwans and assistants are at your command." ”

“ Then he hailed a gharry and drove to the municipal offices, where, for five minutes, he consulted a city map. At twelve o'clock he was back waiting for his Chief, and together they were ushered into his private office by the Manager.
"What was Hansen like, Mr. Dodd?" Teck asked as soon as they were seated. "Was he athletic—would he fight if cornered?"
"Yes, he was a Birmingham man; he would be a tough customer to overcome." ”

“ A wrong move and you're a dead man. Now, Runjeet, the darbies, please."
The Baboo's guard raised his tulwar. As he did so the Chief's pistol crackled and a bullet ripped through the giant's shoulder. He spun around like a top, reeled, and fell across the iron box.
"Oh, it's you, Mr. Bloomin' Teck!" said Ives Holborn. "I'd know your bloody fat voice if you was dressed like a coster. Wot's the little gyme? Here, Straddles, y'u swipe, behyve. These gents is visitors from Scotland Yard—wot's the gyme, Teck?" ”

“ Yes, Teck is the man; I'll send for him at once. I'll have a look about, myself, in the meantime."
"Thank you, Mr. Creighton. I do hope you are successful. I have a feeling that there has been foul play. I'll give a reward—yes, ten thousand rupees for the recovery of the kasaba."
Again Burns was dispatched in a gharry to police headquarters, and presently returned with a short, chubby round-faced little man who looked quietly at Dodd out of mild blue eyes.
"We had better go into your office, Mr. Dodd," the Chief said, "and you can explain the case fully to Mr. Teck." ”

“ The longest-living author of this work died in 1933, so this work is in the public domain in countries and areas where the copyright term is the author's life plus 90 years or less. This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works. ”