earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第17章

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　〃Yes；〃　said　John　Quincy　coolly。　Judging　by　the　conversation　in　that　San　Francisco　club；　the　blow　had　not　been　a　severe　one　for　Captain　Cope。　The　servant　returned。
　〃Sorry　to　run；〃　continued　the　captain。　〃But　I　must　be　off。　The　service　is　a　stern　taskmaster。　My　regards　to　your　aunt。　Best　of　luck；　my　boy。〃
　He　disappeared　through　the　wide　door；　followed　by　his　man。　John　Quincy　reached　the　street　in　time　to　see　him　rolling　off　in　a　big　car　toward　the　docks。
　Noting　the　cable　office　near　by；　the　boy　entered　and　sent　two　messages；　one　to　his　mother　and　the　other　to　Agatha　Parker。　He　addressed　them　to　Boston；　Mass。　U。S。A。；　and　was　accorded　a　withering　look　by　the　young　woman　in　charge　as　she　crossed　out　the　last　three　letters。　There　were　only　two　words　in　each　message；　but　he　returned　to　the　street　with　the　fortable　feeling　that　his　correspondence　was　now　attended　to　for　some　time　to　e。
　A　few　moments　later　he　encountered　the　All　American　Restaurant　and　going　inside；　found　himself　the　only　American　in　the　place。　Charlie　Chan　was　seated　alone　at　a　table；　and　as　John　Quincy　approached；　he　rose　and　bowed。
　〃A　very　great　honor；〃　said　Chan。　〃Is　it　possible　that　I　can　prevail　upon　you　to　accept　some　of　this　terrible　provision？〃
　〃No；　thanks；〃　answered　John　Quincy。　〃I'm　to　dine　later　at　the　house。　I'll　sit　down　for　a　moment；　if　I　may。〃
　〃Quite　overwhelmed；〃　bobbed　Charlie。　He　resumed　his　seat　and　scowled　at　something　on　the　plate　before　him。　〃Waiter；〃　he　said。　〃Be　kind　enough　to　summon　the　proprietor　of　this　establishment。〃
　The　proprietor；　a　suave　little　Japanese　man；　came　gliding。　He　bowed　from　the　waist。
　〃Is　it　that　you　serve　here　insanitary　food？〃　inquired　Chan。
　〃Please　deign　to　state　your　plaint；〃　said　the　Jap。
　〃This　piece　of　pie　is　covered　with　finger…marks；〃　rebuked　Chan。　〃The　sight　is　most　disgusting。　Kindly　remove　it　and　bring　me　a　more　hygienic　sector。〃
　The　Japanese　man　picked　up　the　offending　pastry　and　carried　it　away。
　〃Japanese；〃　remarked　Chan；　spreading　his　hands　in　an　eloquent　gesture。　〃Is　it　proper　for　me　to　infer　that　you　e　on　business　connected　with　the　homicide？〃
　John　Quincy　smiled。　〃I　do；〃　he　said。　He　took　the　newspaper　from　his　pocket；　pointed　out　the　date　and　the　missing　corner。　〃My　aunt　felt　it　might　be　important；〃　he　explained。
　〃The　woman　has　a　brain；〃　said　Chan。　〃I　will　procure　an　unmutilated　specimen　of　this　issue　and　pare。　The　import　may　be　vast。〃
　〃You　know；〃　remarked　John　Quincy；　〃I'd　like　to　work　with　you　on　this　case；　if　you'll　let　me。〃
　〃I　have　only　delight；〃　Chan　answered。　〃You　arrive　from　Boston；　a　city　most　cultivated；　where　much　more　English　words　are　put　to　employment　than　are　accustomed　here。　I　thrill　when　you　speak。　Greatest　privilege　for　me；　I　would　say。〃
　〃Have　you　formed　any　theory　about　the　crime？〃　John　Quincy　asked。
　Chan　shook　his　head。　〃Too　early　now。〃
　〃You　have　no　finger…prints　to　go　on；　you　said。〃
　Chan　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃Does　not　matter。　Finger…prints　and　other　mechanics　good　in　books；　in　real　life　not　so　much　so。　My　experience　tell　me　to　think　deep　about　human　people。　Human　passions。　Back　of　murder　what；　always？　Hate；　revenge；　need　to　make　silent　the　slain　one。　Greed　for　money；　maybe。　Study　human　people　at　all　times。〃
　〃Sounds　reasonable；〃　admitted　John　Quincy。
　〃Mostly　so；〃　Chan　averred。　〃Enumerate　with　me　the　clues　we　must　consider。　A　guest　book　devoid　of　one　page。　A　glove　button。　A　message　on　the　cable。　Story　of　Egan；　partly　told。　Fragment　of　Corsican　cigarette。　This　newspaper　ripped　maybe　in　anger。　Watch　on　living　wrist；　numeral　2　undistinct。〃
　〃Quite　a　little　collection；〃　mented　John　Quincy。
　〃Most　interesting；〃　admitted　Chan。　〃One　by　one；　we　explore。　Some　cause　us　to　arrive　at　nowhere。　One；　maybe　two；　will　not　be　so　unkind。　I　am　believer　in　Scotland　Yard　method　…　follow　only　essential　clue。　But　it　are　not　the　method　here。　I　must　follow　all；　entire。〃
　〃The　essential　clue；〃　repeated　John　Quincy。
　〃Sure。〃　Chan　scowled　at　the　waiter；　for　his　more　hygienic　sector　had　not　appeared。　〃Too　early　to　say　here。　But　I　have　fondness　for　the　guest　book　with　page　omitted。　Watch　also　claims　my　attention。　Odd　enough；　when　we　enumerate　clues　this　morning；　we　pass　over　watch。　Foolish。　Very　good…looking　clue。　One　large　fault；　we　do　not　possess　it。　However；　my　eyes　are　sharp　to　apprehend　it。〃
　〃I　understand；〃　John　Quincy　said；　〃that　you've　been　rather　successful　as　a　detective。〃
　Chan　grinned　broadly。　〃You　are　educated；　maybe　you　know；〃　he　said。　〃Chinese　most　psychic　people　in　the　world。　Sensitives；　like　film　in　camera。　A　look；　a　laugh；　a　gesture　perhaps。　Something　go　click。〃
　John　Quincy　was　aware　of　a　sudden　disturbance　at　the　door　of　the　All　American　Restaurant。　Bowker；　the　steward；　gloriously　drunk；　was　making　a　noisy　entrance。　He　plunged　into　the　room；　followed　by　a　dark；　anxious…looking　youth。
　Embarrassed；　John　Quincy　turned　away　his　face；　but　to　no　avail。　Bowker　was　bearing　down　upon　him；　waving　his　arms。
　〃Well；　well；　well；　well！〃　he　bellowed。　〃My　o'　college　chum。　See　you　through　the　window。〃　He　leaned　heavily　on　the　table。　〃How　you　been；　o'　fellow？〃
　〃I'm　all　right；　thanks；〃　John　Quincy　said。
　The　dark　young　man　came　up。　He　was；　from　his　dress；　a　shore　acquaintance　of　Bowker's。　〃Look　here；　Ted；〃　he　said。　〃You've　got　to　be　getting　along　…〃
　〃Jush　a　minute；〃　cried　Bowker。　〃I　want　y'　to　meet　Mr。　Quincy　from　Boston。　One　best　fellows　God　ever　made。　Mushual　friend　o'　Tim's　…　you've　heard　me　speak　of　Tim　…〃
　〃Yes　…　e　along；〃　urged　the　dark　young　man。
　〃Not　yet。　Gotta　buy　shish　boy　a　lil'　drink。　What　you　having；　Quincy；　o'　man？〃
　〃Not　a　thing；〃　smiled　John　Quincy。　〃You　warned　me　against　these　Island　drinks　yourself。〃
　〃Who　…　me？〃　Bowker　was　hurt。　〃You're　wrong　that　time；　o'　man。　Don'　like　to　conter　…　conterdict；　but　it　mush　have　been　somebody　else。　Not　me。　Never　said　a　word　…〃
　The　young　man　took　his　arm。　〃e　on　…　you're　due　on　the　ship　…〃
　Bowker　wrenched　away。　〃Don'　paw　me；〃　he　cried。　〃Keep　your　hands　off。　I'm　my　own　mashter；　ain't　I？　I　can　speak　to　an　o'　friend；　can't　I？　Now；　Quincy；　o'　man　…　what's　yours？〃
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　said　John　Quincy。　〃Some　other　time。〃
　Bowker's　panion　took　his　arm　in　a　firmer　grasp。　〃You　can't　buy　anything　here；〃　he　said。　〃This　is　a　restaurant。　You　e　with　me　…　I　know　a　place　…〃
　〃Awright；〃　agreed　Bowker。　〃Now　you're　talking。　Quincy；　o'　man；　you　e　along　…〃
　〃Some　other　time；〃　John　Quincy　repeated。
　Bowker　assumed　a　look　of　offended　dignity。　〃Jush　as　you　say；〃　he　replied。　〃Some　other　time。　In　Boston；　hey？　At　Tim's　place。　Only　Tim's　place　is　gone。〃　A　great　grief　assailed　him。　〃Tim's　gone　…　dropped　out　…　as　though　the　earth　swallowed　him　up　…〃
　〃Yes；　yes；〃　said　the　young　man　soothingly。　〃That's　too　bad。　But　you　e　with　me。〃
　Submitting　at　last；　Bowker　permitted　his　panion　to　pilot　him　to　the　street。　John　Quincy　looked　across　at　Chan。
　〃My　steward　on　the　President　Tyler；〃　he　explained。　〃The　worse　for　wear；　isn't　he？〃
　The　waiter　set　a　fresh　piece　of　pie　before　the　Chinaman。
　〃Ah；〃　remarked　Chan；　〃this　has　a　more　perfect　appearance。〃　He　tasted　it。　〃Appearance；〃　he　added　with　a　grimace；　〃are　a　hellish　liar。　If　you　are　quite　ready　to　depart　…〃
　In　the　street　Chan　halted。　〃Excuse　abrupt　departure；〃　he　said。　〃Most　honored　to　work　with　you。　The　results　will　be　fascinating；　I　am　sure。　For　now；　good　evening。〃
　John　Quincy　was　alone　again　in　that　strange　town。　A　sudden　homesickness　engulfed　him。　Walking　along；　he　came　to　a　news…cart　that　was　as　well　supplied　with　literature　as　his　club　reading　room。　A　brisk　young　man　in　a　cap　was　in　charge。
　〃Have　you　the　latest　Atlantic？〃　inquired　John　Quincy。
　The　young　man　put　a　dark　brown　periodical　into　his　hand。　〃No；〃　said　John　Quincy。　〃This　is　the　June　issue。　I've　seen　it。〃
　〃July　ain't　in。　I'll　save　you　one；　if　you　say　so。〃
　〃I　wish　you　would；〃　John　Quincy　replied。　〃The　name　is　Winterslip。〃
　He　went　on　to　the　corner；　regretting　that　July　wasn't　in。　A　copy　of　the　Atlantic　would　have　been　a　sort　of　link　with　home；　a　reminder　that　Boston　still　stood。　And　he　felt　the　need　of　a　link；　a　reminder。
　A　trolley…car　marked　〃Waikiki〃　was　approaching。　John　Quincy　hailed　it　and　hopped　aboard。　Three　giggling　Japanese　girls　in　bright　kimonos　drew　in　their　tiny　sandaled　feet　and　he　slipped　past　them　to　a　seat。
　
　CHAPTER　XI　
　The　Tree　Of　Jewels
　
　TWO　HOURS　later；　John　Quincy　rose　from　the　table　where　he　and　his　aunt　had　dined　together。
　〃Just　to　show　you　how　quick　I　am　to　learn　a　new　language；〃　he　remarked；　〃I'm　quite　pau。　Now　I'm　going　makai　to　sit　on　the　lanai；　there　to　forget　the　pilikia　of　the　day。〃
　Miss　Minerva　smiled　and　rose　too。　〃I　expect　Amos　shortly；〃　she　said　as　they　crossed　the　hall。　〃A　family　conference　seemed　advisable；　so　I've　asked　him　to　e　over。〃
　〃Strange　you　had　to　send　for　him；〃　said　John　Quincy；　lighting　a　cigarette。
　〃Not　at　all；〃　she　answered。　She　explained　about　the　long　feud　between　the　brothers。
　〃Didn't　think　old　Amos　had　that　much　fire　in　him；〃　mented　John　Quincy；　as　they　found　chairs　on　the　lanai。　〃A　rather　anemic　specimen；　judging　by　the　look　I　had　at　him　this　morning。　But　then；　the　Winterslips　always　were　good　haters。〃
　For　a　moment　they　sat　in　silence。　Outside　the　darkness　was　deepening　rapidly；　the　tropic　darkness　that　had　brought　tragedy　the　night　before。　John　Quincy　pointed　to　a　small　lizard　on　the　screen。
　〃Pleasant　little　beast；〃　he　said。
　〃Oh；　they're　quite　harmless；〃　Miss　Minerva　told　him。　〃And　they　eat　the　mosquitos。〃
　〃They　do；　eh？〃　The　boy　slapped　his　ankle　savagely。　〃Well；　there's　no　accounting　for　tastes。〃
　Amos　arrived　presently；　looking　unusually　pale　in　the　half…light。　〃You　asked　me　to　e　over；　Minerva；〃　he　said；　as　he　sat　down　gingerly　on　one　of　Dan　Winterslip's　Hong…Kong　chairs。
　〃I　did。　Smoke　if　you　like。〃　Amos　lighted　a　cigarette；　which　seemed　oddly　out　of　place　between　his　thin　lips。　〃I'm　sure；〃　Miss　Minerva　continued；　〃that　we　are　all　determined　to　bring　to　justice　the　person　who　did　this　ghastly　thing。〃
　〃Naturally；〃　said　Amos。
　〃The　only　drawback；〃　she　went　on；　〃is　that　in　the　course　of　the　investigation　some　rather　unpleasant　facts　about　Dan's　past　are　likely　to　be　revealed。〃
　〃They're　bound　to　be；〃　remarked　Amos　coldly。
　〃For　Barbara's　sake；〃　Miss　Minerva　said；　〃I'm　intent　on　seeing　that　nothing　is　revealed　that　is　not　absolutely　essential　to　the　discovery　of　the　murderer。　For　that　reason；　I　haven't　taken　the　police　pletely　into　my　confidence。〃
　〃What！〃　cried　Amos。
　John　Quincy　stood　up。　〃Now　look　here；　Aunt　Minerva　…〃
　〃Sit　down；〃　snapped　his　aunt。　〃Amos；　to　go　back　to　a　talk　we　had　at　your　house　when　I　was　there；　Dan　was　somewhat　involved　with　this　woman　down　the　beach。　Arlene　pton；　I　believe　she　calls　herself。〃
　Amos　nodded。　〃Yes；　and　a　worthless　lot　she　is。　But　Dan　wouldn't　see　it；　though　I　understand　his　friends　pointed　it　out　to　him。　He　talked　of　marrying　her。〃
　〃You　knew　a　good　deal　about　Dan；　even　if　you　never　spoke　to　him；〃　Miss　Minerva　went　on。　〃Just　what　was　his　status　with　this　woman　at　the　time　of　his　murder　…　only　last　night；　but　it　seems　ages　ago。〃
　〃I　can't　quite　tell　you　that；〃　Amos　replied。　〃I　do　know　that　for　the　past　month　a　malihini　named　Leatherbee　…　the　black　sheep　of　a　good　family　in　Philadelphia；　they　tell　me　…　has　been　hangi