earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第12章

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　a　leather…bound　book　from　the　table。　〃Here　are　written　names　of　visitors　who　have　enjoyed　hospitality　of　the　house。　A　guest　book　is；　I　believe；　the　term。　You　will　find　that　one　of　the　earlier　pages　has　been　ruthlessly　torn　out。　When　I　make　discovery　the　volume　are　lying　open　at　that　locality。〃
　Captain　Hallet　took　the　book　in　his　thin　hand。　〃All　right；　Charlie；〃　he　said。　〃This　is　your　case。〃
　The　slant　eyes　blinked　with　pleasure。　〃Most　interesting；〃　murmured　Chan。
　Hallet　tapped　the　note…book　in　his　pocket。　〃I've　got　a　few　facts　here　for　you　…　we'll　run　over　them　later。〃　He　stood　for　a　moment；　staring　about　the　lanai。　〃I　must　say　we　seem　a　little　shy　on　clues。　A　button　torn　from　a　glove；　a　page　ripped　from　a　guest　book。　And　a　wrist　watch　with　an　illuminated　dial　on　which　the　figure　2　was　damaged。〃　Chan's　little　eyes　widened　at　mention　of　that。　〃Not　much；　Charlie；　so　far。〃
　〃Maybe　more　to　e；〃　suggested　Chan。　〃Who　knows　it？〃
　〃We'll　go　along　now；〃　Hallet　continued。　He　turned　to　Miss　Minerva　and　Amos。　〃I　guess　you　folks　would　like　a　little　rest。　We'll　have　to　trouble　you　again　to…morrow。〃
　Miss　Minerva　faced　Chan。　〃The　person　who　did　this　must　be　apprehended；〃　she　said　firmly。
　He　looked　at　her　sleepily。　〃What　is　to　be；　will　be；〃　he　replied　in　a　high；　sing…song　voice。
　〃I　know　…　that's　your　Confucius；〃　she　snapped。　〃But　it's　a　do…nothing　doctrine；　and　I　don't　approve　of　it。〃
　A　faint　smile　flickered　over　Chan's　face。　〃Do　not　fear；〃　he　said。　〃The　fates　are　busy；　and　man　may　do　much　to　assist。　I　promise　you　there　will　be　no　do…nothing　here。〃　He　came　closer。　〃Humbly　asking　pardon　to　mention　it；　I　detect　in　your　eyes　slight　flame　of　hostility。　Quench　it；　if　you　will　be　so　kind。　Friendly　cooperation　are　essential　between　us。〃　Despite　his　girth；　he　managed　a　deep　bow。　〃Wishing　you　good　morning；〃　he　added；　and　followed　Hallet。
　Miss　Minerva　turned　weakly　to　Amos。　〃Well；　of　all　things　…〃
　〃Don't　you　worry　about　Charlie；〃　Amos　said。　〃He　has　a　reputation　for　getting　his　man。　Now　you　go　to　bed。　I'll　stay　here　and　notify　the　…　the　proper　people。〃
　〃Well；　I　will　lie　down　for　a　little　while；〃　Miss　Minerva　said。　〃I　shall　have　to　go　early　to　the　dock。　Poor　Barbara！　And　there's　John　Quincy　ing　too。〃　A　grim　smile　crossed　her　face。　〃I'm　afraid　John　Quincy　won't　approve　of　this。〃
　She　saw　from　her　bedroom　window　that　the　night　was　breaking；　the　rakish　cocoanut　palms　and　the　hau　tree　were　wrapped　in　a　gray　mist。　Changing　her　dress　for　a　kimono；　she　lay　down　under　the　mosquito　netting　on　the　bed。　She　slept　but　briefly；　however；　and　presently　was　at　her　window　again。　Day　had　e；　the　mist　had　lifted；　and　it　was　a　rose　and　emerald　world　that　sparkled　before　her　tired　eyes。
　The　freshness　of　that　scene　revivified　her。　The　trades　were　blowing　now　…　poor　Dan；　he　had　so　longed　for　their　return。　The　night；　she　saw；　had　worked　its　magic　on　the　blossoms　of　the　hau　tree；　transformed　them　from　yellow　to　a　rich　mahogany；　through　the　morning　they　would　drop　one　by　one　upon　the　sand。　In　a　distant　algaroba　a　flock　of　myna　birds　screamed　at　the　new　day。　A　party　of　swimmers　appeared　from　a　neighboring　cottage　and　plunged　gaily　into　the　surf。
　A　gentle　knock　sounded　on　the　door；　and　Kamaikui　entered。　She　placed　a　small　object　in　Miss　Minerva's　hand。
　Miss　Minerva　looked　down。　She　saw　a　quaint　old　piece　of　jewelry；　a　brooch。　Against　a　background　of　onyx　stood　the　outline　of　a　tree；　with　emeralds　forming　the　leaves；　rubies　the　fruit；　and　a　frost　of　diamonds　over　all。
　〃What　is　this；　Kamaikui？〃　she　asked。
　〃Many；　many　years　Mr。　Dan　have　that。　One　month　ago　he　gives　it　to　a　woman　down　the　beach。〃
　Miss　Minerva's　eyes　narrowed。　〃To　the　woman　they　call　the　Widow　of　Waikiki？〃
　〃To　her；　yes。〃
　〃How　do　you　happen　to　have　it；　Kamaikui？〃
　〃I　pick　it　up　from　floor　of　lanai。　Before　policemen　e。〃
　〃Very　good。〃　Miss　Minerva　nodded。　〃Say　nothing　of　this；　Kamaikui。　I　will　attend　to　the　matter。〃
　〃Yes。　Of　course。〃　The　woman　went　out。
　Miss　Minerva　sat　very　still；　staring　down　at　that　odd　bit　of　jewelry　in　her　hand。　It　must　date　back　to　the　'eighties；　at　least。
　Close　above　the　house　sounded　the　loud　whir　of　an　aeroplane。　Miss　Minerva　turned　again　to　the　window。　A　young　lieutenant　in　the　air　service；　in　love　with　a　sweet　girl　on　the　beach；　was　accustomed　to　serenade　her　thus　every　morning　at　dawn。　His　thoughtfulness　was　not　appreciated　by　many　innocent　bystanders；　but　Miss　Minerva's　eyes　were　sympathetic　as　she　watched　him　sweep　exultantly　out；　far　out；　over　the　harbor。
　Youth　and　love；　the　beginning　of　life。　And　on　that　cot　down　on　the　lanai；　Dan　…　and　the　end。
　
　CHAPTER　VIII　
　Steamer　Day
　
　OUT　in　the　harbor；　by　the　channel　entrance；　the　President　Tyler　stood　motionless　as　Diamond　Head；　and　from　his　post　near　the　rail　outside　his　stateroom；　John　Quincy　Winterslip　took　his　first　look　at　Honolulu。　He　had　no　feeling　of　having　been　here　before；　this　was　an　alien　land。　Several　miles　away　he　saw　the　line　of　piers　and　unlovely　warehouses　that　marked　the　water…front；　beyond　that　lay　a　vast　expanse　of　brilliant　green　pierced　here　and　there　by　the　top　of　a　modest　skyscraper。　Back　of　the　city　a　range　of　mountains　stood　on　guard；　peaks　of　crystal　blue　against　the　azure　sky。
　A　trim　little　launch　from　Quarantine　chugged　importantly　up　to　the　big　liner's　side；　and　a　doctor　in　a　khaki　uniform　ran　briskly　up　the　acmodation　ladder　to　the　deck　not　far　from　where　the　boy　stood。　John　Quincy　wondered　at　the　man's　vitality。　He　felt　like　a　spent　force　himself。　The　air　was　moist　and　heavy；　the　breeze　the　ship　had　stirred　in　moving　gone　for　ever。　The　flood　of　energy　that　had　swept　over　him　in　San　Francisco　was　but　a　happy　memory　now。　He　leaned　wearily　on　the　rail；　staring　at　the　bright　tropical　landscape　before　him　…　and　not　seeing　it　at　all。
　He　saw　instead　a　quiet；　well…furnished　Boston　office　where　at　this　very　moment　the　typewriters　were　clicking　amiably　and　the　stock　ticker　was　busily　writing　the　story　of　another　day。　In　a　few　hours　…　there　was　a　considerable　difference　of　time　…　the　market　would　close　and　the　men　he　knew　would　be　piling　into　automobiles　and　heading　for　the　nearest　country　club。　A　round　of　golf；　then　a　calm；　perfectly　served　dinner；　and　after　that　a　quiet　evening　with　a　book。　Life　running　along　as　it　was　meant　to　go；　without　rude　interruption　or　disturbing　incident；　life　devoid　of　ohia　wood　boxes；　attic　encounters；　unwillingly…witnessed　love　scenes；　cousins　with　blackbirding　pasts。　Suddenly　John　Quincy　remembered；　this　was　the　morning　when　he　must　look　Dan　Winterslip　in　the　eye　and　tell　him　he　had　been　a　bit　dilatory　with　his　fists。　Oh；　well　…　he　straightened　resolutely　…　the　sooner　that　was　done；　the　better。
　Harry　Jennison　came　along　the　deck；　smiling　and　vigorous；　clad　in　spotless　white　from　head　to　foot。　〃Here　we　are；〃　he　cried。　〃On　the　threshold　of　paradise！〃
　〃Think　so？〃　said　John　Quincy。
　〃Know　it；〃　Jennison　answered。　〃Only　place　in　the　world；　these　islands。　You　remember　what　Mark　Twain　said　…〃
　〃Ever　visited　Boston？〃　John　Quincy　cut　in。
　〃Once；〃　replied　Jennison　briefly。　〃That's　Punch　Bowl　Hill　back　of　the　town　…　and　Tantalus　beyond。　Take　you　up　to　the　summit　some　day　…　wonderful　view。　See　that　tallest　building？　The　Van　Patten　Trust　pany　…　my　office　is　on　the　top　floor。　Only　drawback　about　getting　home　…　I'll　have　to　go　to　work　again。〃
　〃I　don't　see　how　any　one　can　work　in　this　climate；〃　John　Quincy　said。
　〃Oh；　well；　we　take　it　easy。　Can't　manage　the　pace　of　you　mainland　people。　Every　now　and　then　some　go…getter　from　the　States　es　out　here　and　tries　to　hustle　us。〃　He　laughed。　〃He　dies　of　disgust　and　we　bury　him　in　a　leisurely　way。　Been　down　to　breakfast？〃
　John　Quincy　acpanied　him　to　the　dining　saloon。　Madame　Maynard　and　Barbara　were　at　the　table。　The　old　lady's　cheeks　were　flushed　and　her　eyes　sparkled；　Barbara；　too；　was　in　her　gayest　mood。　The　excitement　of　ing　home　had　made　her　very　happy　…　or　was　her　happiness　all　due　to　that？　John　Quincy　noted　her　smile　of　greeting　for　Jennison；　and　rather　wished　he　knew　less　than　he　did。
　〃Prepare　for　a　thrill；　John　Quincy；〃　the　girl　said。　〃Landing　in　Hawaii　is　like　landing　nowhere　else　on　the　globe。　Of　course；　this　is　a　through　boat；　and　it　isn't　weled　as　the　Matson　liners　are。　But　there'll　be　a　crowd　waiting　for　the　Matsonia　this　morning；　and　we'll　steal　a　little　of　her　aloha。〃
　〃A　little　of　her　what？〃　inquired　John　Quincy。
　〃Aloha　…　meaning　loving　wele。　You　shall　have　all　my　leis；　John　Quincy。　Just　to　show　you　how　glad　Honolulu　is　you've　e　at　last。〃
　The　boy　turned　to　Madame　Maynard。　〃I　suppose　this　is　an　old　story　to　you？〃
　〃Bless　you；　my　boy；〃　she　said。　〃It's　always　new。　A　hundred　and　twenty…eight　times　…　yet　I'm　as　thrilled　as　though　I　were　ing　home　from　college。〃　She　sighed。　〃A　hundred　and　twenty…eight　times。　So　many　of　those　who　once　hung　leis　about　my　neck　are　gone　for　ever　now。　They'll　not　be　waiting　for　me　…　not　on　this　dock。〃
　〃None　of　that；〃　Barbara　chided。　〃Only　happy　thoughts　this　morning。　It's　steamer　day。〃
　Nobody　seemed　hungry；　and　breakfast　was　a　sketchy　affair。　John　Quincy　returned　to　his　cabin　to　find　Bowker　strapping　up　his　luggage。
　〃I　guess　you're　all　ready；　sir；〃　said　the　steward。　〃I　finished　that　book　last　night；　and　you'll　find　it　in　your　suit…case。　We'll　be　moving　on　to　the　dock　shortly。　All　good　luck　to　you　…　and　don't　forget　about　the　okolehau。〃
　〃It's　graven　on　my　memory；〃　smiled　John　Quincy。　〃Here　…　this　is　for　you。〃
　Bowker　glanced　at　the　bank…note　and　pocketed　it。　〃You're　mighty　kind；　sir；〃　he　remarked　feelingly。　〃That　will　sort　of　balance　up　the　dollar　each　I'll　get　from　those　two　missionaries　when　we　reach　China　…　if　I'm　lucky。　Of　course；　it's　rather　distasteful　to　me　to　accept　anything。　From　a　friend　of　Tim's；　you　know。〃
　〃Oh；　that's　for　value　received；〃　said　John　Quincy；　and　followed　Bowker　on　deck。
　〃There　she　is；〃　announced　Bowker；　pausing　by　the　rail。　〃Honolulu。　The　South　Seas　with　a　collar　on；　driving　a　Ford　car。　Polynesia　with　a　private　still　and　all　the　other　benefits　of　the　white　man's　civilization。　We'll　go　out　at　eight　to…night；　thank　heaven。〃
　〃Paradise　doesn't　appeal　to　you；〃　suggested　John　Quincy。
　〃No。　Nor　any　other　of　these　bright…colored　lands　my　poor　old　feet　must　tread。　I'm　getting　fed　up；　sir。〃　He　came　closer。　〃I　want　to　hang　my　hat　somewhere　and　leave　it　there。　I　want　to　buy　a　little　newspaper　in　some　country　town　and　starve　to　death　on　the　proceeds　of　running　it。　What　a　happy　finish！　Well；　maybe　I　can　manage　it；　before　long。〃
　〃I　hope　so；〃　said　John　Quincy。
　〃I　hope　so；　too；〃　said　Bowker。　〃Here's　wishing　you　a　happy　time　in　Honolulu。　And　one　other　word　of　warning　…　don't　linger　there。〃
　〃I　don't　intend　to；〃　John　Quincy　assured　him。
　〃That's　the　talk。　It's　one　of　those　places　…　you　know　…　dangerous。　Lotus　on　the　menu　every　day。　The　first　thing　you　know；　you've　forgot　where　you　put　your　trunk。　So　long；　sir。〃
　With　a　wave　of　the　hand；　Tim's　friend　disappeared　down　the　deck。　Amid　much　confusion；　John　Quincy　took　his　place　in　line　for　the　doctor's　inspection；　passed　the　careful　scrutiny　of　an　immigration　official　who　finally　admitted　that　maybe　Boston　was　in　the　Union；　and　was　then　left　to　his　own　devices　and　his　long；　long　thoughts。
　The　President　Tyler　was　moving　slowly　toward　the　sho