Adventure, July 1, 1928 — page 168: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

162 blue sacs that made him resemble some sort of loathsome reptile. He had, also, the cadaverous complex- ion of a corpse, high cheek-bones, ‘thin lips half concealed by a straggling and very thin mustache, the few hairs of which drooped downward to the corners of his chin, He did not appear to have anything definite to do. He was smoking a cigaret in a holder, which it appeared to be too much trouble for him to hold in his teeth, for the thing hung down so far that the lighted end was in danger of touching the lapel of his coat. Both his hands were thrust deep into his trouser pockets. His whole attitude suggested indolence; and yet Eade had not failed to notice that he was regarding Cartwright’s bungalow in a furtive, suspicious way. At that moment Charles himself ap- peared on the steps, carrying Madame Scala, whose slim body he had wrapped around in a sheet taken from his bed. “Come on! To Headley’s!”’ he ex- claimed, as he brushed past. “His bun- galow’s not more than half a mile away.” He was down the steps in no time, and turned to the right upon the road. That took him to within'a few feet of the man who stood loitering between the two bungalows; and no sooner was Cartwright abreast of him than he stopped stone dead. ss HAT the devil do you want here?” he asked savagely. The man took his cigaret from his mouth. Still leaning against a post, he exerted himself to the extent of shifting his balance from one foot to the other and removing a hand from his pocket. “You,” said he. He pointed at the white, shapeless object in Cartwright’s arms. “Who’s that?” he asked. “Mind your own damn’ business!” cried the other, with an oath. “And be off! You're the last man on earth I want to see at any time, and least of all now.” With that Charles hurried on, moving from the center of the roadway to the CHARLES GILSON grass at the side, under the shade of the palms. And as he walked he hurled questions over a shoulder to his cousin, who found it was as much as he could do to keep up with him. Cartwright was told the bare facts of what had happened: the discovery of Liu Tang on board the Chauve-Souris; the stranding of the paddle-boat; the escape of the Chinese, and Madame Scala’s pursuit of him, clad only in pajamas. By that time they had reached a big bungalow standing in a well kept and spacious garden. Passing up a drive that formed a semicircle, they came suddenly within sight of the house, before the veranda of which stood a high wheeled gig, with a Malay syce holding the pony’s head. ‘‘Headley’s there himself,” said Cart- wright. “He tiffins early and then drives round the estate in the heat of the day, the idea being—from what I know of him —to cultivate a thirst.” The manager of the Nolak Estate, a little bald headed fellow who had run to fat in the East, met them on the steps. Cartwright hastily explained so much as he knew of the situation. A lady he had known in Singan had tried to find her way alone to Nolak through the jungle, the boat on which she had come up- river being stranded some way down- stream. She had fainted from exhaustion, but had recovered consciousness before he left his bungalow. All he wanted was to ask Mrs. Headley to look after her; if necessary, some one could be sent to Bukit Tirah for the doctor. Headley, who looked as mystified as a man with a cheery, almost circular face can, declared that his wife would un- doubtedly do everything in her power. And no sooner were the words out of his mouth than Cartwright went straight into the bungalow, leaving John Eade to introduce himself. There followed further interrogations, Eade using his discretion as to what ex- tent to confide in his cousin’s superior. Headley, however, appeared to be a man who took life as he found it, who had comlicloooks.com