earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第25章

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　〃Full　of　information；　as　usual；〃　smiled　John　Quincy。　〃Why；　here's　Charlie　now。〃
　Chan　came　briskly　to　the　desk；　followed　by　another　policeman；　also　in　plain　clothes。
　〃Automobile　act　noble；〃　he　announced；　〃having　fondly　feeling　for　night　air。〃　He　nodded　toward　his　panion。　〃Introducing　Mr。　Spencer。　Now；　what　are　the　situation？　Humbly　hinting　you　speak　fast。〃
　John　Quincy　told　him　Kaohla　was　waiting　on　the　lanai；　and　mentioned　the　unwieldy　package　carried　by　the　boy。　Chan　nodded。
　〃Events　are　turning　over　rapidly；〃　he　said。　He　addressed　the　girl。　〃Please　kindly　relate　to　this　Kaohla　that　Brade　has　arrived　and　would　wish　to　encounter　him　here。〃　She　hesitated。　〃No；　no；〃　added　Chan　hastily；　〃I　forget　nice　heathen　delicacy。　It　is　not　pretty　I　should　ask　a　lady　to　scatter　false　lies　from　ruby　lips。　I　humbly　demand　forgiveness。　Content　yourself　with　a　veiled　pretext　bringing　him　here。〃
　The　girl　smiled　and　went　out。　〃Mr。　Spencer；〃　said　Chan；　〃I　make　bold　to　suggest　you　interrogate　this　Hawaiian。　My　reckless　wanderings　among　words　of　unlimitable　English　language　often　fail　to　penetrate　sort　of　skulls　plentiful　round　here。〃
　Spencer　nodded　and　went　to　the　side　door；　standing　where　he　would　not　be　seen　by　any　one　entering　there。　In　a　moment　Kaohla　appeared；　followed　by　the　girl。　The　Hawaiian　came　in　quickly　but　seeing　Chan；　stopped；　and　a　frightened　look　crossed　his　face。　Spencer　startled　him　further　by　seizing　his　arm。
　〃e　over　here；〃　said　the　detective。　〃We　want　to　talk　to　you。〃　He　led　the　boy　to　a　far　corner　of　the　room。　Chan　and　John　Quincy　followed。　〃Sit　down　…　here；　I'll　take　that。〃　He　removed　the　heavy　package　from　under　the　boy's　arm。　For　a　moment　the　Hawaiian　seemed　about　to　protest；　but　evidently　he　thought　better　of　it。　Spencer　placed　the　package　on　a　table　and　stood　over　Kaohla。
　〃Want　to　see　Brade；　eh？〃　he　began　in　a　threatening　tone。
　〃Yes。〃
　〃What　for？〃
　〃Business　is　private。〃
　〃Well；　I'm　telling　you　to　e　across。　You're　in　bad。　Better　change　your　mind　and　talk。〃
　〃No。〃
　〃All　right。　We'll　see　about　that。　What　have　you　got　in　that　package？〃　The　boy's　eyes　went　to　the　table；　but　he　made　no　answer。
　Chan　took　out　a　pocket　knife。　〃Simple　matter　to　discover；〃　he　said。　He　cut　the　rough　twine；　unwound　several　layers　of　newspapers。　John　Quincy　pressed　close；　he　felt　that　something　important　was　about　to　be　divulged。
　The　last　layer　of　paper　came　off。　〃Hot　dog！〃　cried　Chan。　He　turned　quickly　to　John　Quincy。　〃Oh；　I　am　so　sorry　…　I　pick　up　atrocious　phrase　like　that　from　my　cousin　Mr。　Willie　Chan；　Captain　of　All　Chinese　baseball　team　…〃
　But　John　Quincy　did　not　hear；　his　eyes　were　glued　to　the　object　that　lay　on　the　table。　An　ohia　wood　box；　bound　with　copper　…　the　initials　T。M。B。
　〃We　will　unlatch　it；〃　said　Chan。　He　made　an　examination。　〃No；　locked　most　strongly。　We　will　crash　into　it　at　police　station；　where　you　and　I　and　this　silent　Hawaiian　will　now　hasten。　Mr。　Spencer；　you　will　remain　on　spot　here。　Should　Brade　appear；　you　know　your　duty。〃
　〃I　do；〃　said　Spencer。
　〃Mr。　Kaohla；　do　me　the　honor　to　acpany；〃　continued　Chan。　〃At　police　headquarters　much　talk　will　be　extracted　out　of　you。〃
　They　turned　toward　the　door。　As　they　did　so；　Carlota　Egan　came　up。　〃May　I　speak　to　you　a　moment？〃　she　said　to　John　Quincy。
　〃Surely。〃　He　walked　with　her　to　the　desk。
　〃I　went　to　the　lanai　just　now；〃　she　whispered　breathlessly。　〃Some　one　was　crouching　outside　the　window　near　where　you　were　talking。　I　went　closer　and　it　was　…　Mr。　Saladine！〃
　〃Aha；〃　said　John　Quincy。　〃Mr。　Saladine　had　better　drop　that　sort　of　thing；　or　he'll　get　himself　in　trouble。〃
　〃Should　we　tell　Chan？〃
　〃Not　yet。　You　and　I　will　do　a　little　investigating　ourselves　first。　Chan　has　other　things　to　think　about。　And　we　don't　want　any　of　our　guests　to　leave　unless　it's　absolutely　necessary。〃
　〃We　certainly　don't；〃　she　smiled。　〃I'm　glad　you've　got　the　interests　of　the　house　at　heart。〃
　〃That's　just　where　I've　got　them　…〃　John　Quincy　began；　but　Chan　cut　in。
　〃Humbly　begging　pardon；〃　he　said；　〃we　must　speed。　Captain　Hallet　will　have　high　delight　to　encounter　this　Kaohla；　to　say　nothing　of　ohia　wood　box。〃
　In　the　doorway；　Kaohla　crowded　close　to　John　Quincy；　and　the　latter　was　startled　by　the　look　of　hate　he　saw　in　the　boy's　stormy　eyes。　〃You　did　this；〃　muttered　the　Hawaiian。　〃I　don't　forget。〃
　
　CHAPTER　XV　
　The　Man　From　India
　
　THEY　clattered　along　Kalakaua　Avenue　in　Chan's　car。　John　Quincy　sat　alone　on　the　rear　seat；　at　the　detective's　request　he　held　the　ohia　wood　box　on　his　knees。
　He　rested　his　hands　upon　it。　Once　it　had　eluded　him；　but　he　had　it　now。　His　mind　went　back　to　that　night　in　the　attic　two　thousand　miles　away；　the　shadow　against　the　moonlit　window；　the　sting　of　a　jewel　cutting　across　his　cheek。　Roger's　heartfelt　cry　of　〃Poor　old　Dan！〃　Did　they　hold　at　last；　in　this　ohia　wood　box；　the　answer　to　the　mystery　of　Dan's　death？
　Hallet　was　waiting　in　his　room。　With　him　was　a　keen…eyed；　efficient　looking　man　evidently　in　his　late　thirties。
　〃Hello；　boys；〃　said　the　captain。　〃Mr。　Winterslip；　meet　Mr。　Greene；　our　district　court　prosecutor。〃
　Greene　shook　hands　cordially。　〃I've　been　wanting　to　meet　you；　sir；〃　he　said。　〃I　know　your　city　rather　well。　Spent　three　years　at　your　Harvard　Law　School。〃
　〃Really？〃　replied　John　Quincy　with　enthusiasm。
　〃Yes。　I　went　there　after　I　got　through　at　New　Haven。　I'm　a　Yale　man；　you　know。〃
　〃Oh；〃　remarked　John　Quincy；　without　any　enthusiasm　at　all。　But　Greene　seemed　a　pleasant　fellow；　despite　his　choice　of　college。
　Chan　had　set　the　box　on　the　table　before　Hallet；　and　was　explaining　how　they　had　e　upon　it。　The　captain's　thin　face　had　brightened　perceptibly。　He　inspected　the　treasure。　〃Locked；　eh？〃　he　remarked。　〃You　got　the　key；　Kaohla？〃
　The　Hawaiian　shook　his　head　sullenly。　〃No。〃
　〃Watch　your　step；　boy；〃　warned　Hallet。　〃Go　over　him；　Charlie。〃
　Chan　went　over　him；　rapidly　and　thoroughly。　He　found　a　key　ring；　but　none　of　the　keys　fitted　the　lock　on　the　box。　He　also　brought　to　light　a　fat　roll　of　bills。
　〃Where'd　you　get　all　that　money；　Dick？〃　Hallet　inquired。
　〃I　got　it；〃　glowered　the　boy。
　But　Hallet　was　more　interested　in　the　box。　He　tapped　it　lovingly。　〃This　is　important；　Mr。　Greene。　We　may　find　the　solution　of　our　puzzle　in　here。〃　He　took　a　small　chisel　from　his　desk；　and　after　a　brief　struggle；　pried　open　the　lid。
　John　Quincy；　Chan　and　the　prosecutor　pressed　close；　their　eyes　staring　eagerly　as　the　captain　lifted　the　lid。　The　box　was　empty。
　〃Filled　with　nothing；〃　murmured　Chan。　〃Another　dream　go　smash　against　stone　wall。〃
　The　disappointment　angered　Hallet。　He　turned　on　Kaohla。　〃Now；　my　lad；〃　he　said。　〃I　want　to　hear　from　you。　You've　been　in　touch　with　Brade；　you　talked　with　him　last　Sunday　night；　you've　heard　he's　returning　to…night。　You've　got　some　deal　on　with　him。　e　across　and　be　quick　about　it。〃
　〃Nothing　to　tell；〃　said　the　Hawaiian　stubbornly。
　Hallet　leaped　to　his　feet。　〃Oh；　yes　you　have。　And　by　heaven；　you're　going　to　tell　it。　I'm　not　any　too　patient　tonight　and　I　warn　you　if　you　don't　talk　and　talk　quick　I'm　likely　to　get　rough。〃　He　stopped　suddenly　and　turned　to　Chan。　〃Charlie；　that　Inter…Island　boat　is　due　from　Maui　about　now。　Get　down　to　the　dock　and　watch　for　Brade。　You've　got　his　description？〃
　〃Sure；〃　answered　Chan。　〃Thin　pale　face；　one　shoulder　descended　below　other；　gray　mustaches　that　droop　in　saddened　mood。〃
　〃That's　right。　Keep　a　sharp　lookout。　And　leave　this　lad　to　us。　He　won't　have　any　secrets　when　we　get　through　with　him；　eh；　Mr。　Greene？〃
　The　prosecutor；　more　discreet；　merely　smiled。
　〃Mr。　Winterslip；〃　said　Chan。　〃The　night　is　delicious。　A　little　stroll　to　moonly　dock　…〃
　〃I'm　with　you；〃　John　Quincy　replied。　He　looked　back　over　his　shoulder　as　he　went；　and　reflected　that　he　wouldn't　care　to　be　in　Kaohla's　shoes。
　The　pier…shed　was　dimly　lighted　and　a　small　but　diversified　group　awaited　the　ining　boat。　Chan　and　John　Quincy　walked　to　the　far　end　and　there；　seated　on　a　packing…case；　they　found　the　water…front　reporter　of　the　evening　paper。
　〃Hello；　Charlie；〃　cried　Mr。　Mayberry。　〃What　you　doing　here？〃
　〃Maybe　friend　arrive　on　boat；〃　grinned　Chan。
　〃Is　that　so？〃　responded　Mayberry。　〃You　boys　over　at　the　station　have　certainly　bee　pretty　mysterious　all　of　a　sudden。　What's　doing；　Charlie？〃
　〃All　pronouncements　e　from　captain；〃　advised　Chan。
　〃Yeah；　we've　heard　his　pronouncements；〃　sneered　Mayberry。　〃The　police　have　unearthed　clues　and　are　working　on　them。　Nothing　to　report　at　present。　It's　sickening。　Well；　sit　down；　Charlie。　Oh　…　Mr。　Winterslip　…　good　evening。　I　didn't　recognize　you　at　first。〃
　〃How　are　you；〃　said　John　Quincy。　He　and　Chan　also　found　packing…cases。　There　was　a　penetrating　odor　of　sugar　in　the　air。　Through　a　wide　opening　in　the　pier…shed　they　gazed　along　the　water…front　and　out　upon　the　moonlit　harbor。　A　rather　exotic　and　intriguing　scene；　John　Quincy　reflected；　and　he　said　as　much。
　〃Think　so？〃　answered　Mayberry。　〃Well；　I　don't。　To　me　it's　just　like　Seattle　or　Galveston　or　any　of　those　stereotyped　ports。　But　you　see　…　I　knew　it　when　…〃
　〃I　think　you　mentioned　that　before；〃　John　Quincy　smiled。
　〃I'm　likely　to　mention　it　at　any　moment。　As　far　as　I'm　concerned；　the　harbor　of　Honolulu　has　lost　its　romance。　Once　this　was　the　most　picturesque　water…front　in　the　world；　my　boy。　And　now　look　at　the　damned　thing！〃　The　reporter　relighted　his　pipe。　〃Charlie　can　tell　you　…　he　remembers。　The　old　ramshackle；　low…lying　wharves。　Old　Naval　Row　with　its　sailing　ships。　The　wooden…hulled　steamers　with　a　mast　or　two　…　not　too　proud　to　use　God's　good　winds　occasionally。　The　bright　little　row…boats；　the　Aloha；　the　Manu；　the　Emma。　Eh；　Chan？〃
　〃All　extinct；〃　agreed　Chan。
　〃You　wouldn't　see　a　Rotary　Club　gang　like　this　on　a　pier　in　those　days；〃　Mayberry　continued。　〃Just　Hawaiian　stevedores　with　leis　on　their　hats　and　ukuleles　in　their　hands。　Fishermen　with　their　nets；　and　maybe　a　breezy　old…time　purser　…　a　glad…hander　and　not　a　mere　machine。〃　He　puffed　a　moment　in　sad　silence。　〃Those　were　the　days；　Mr。　Winterslip；　the　days　of　Hawaii's　isolation；　and　her　charm。　The　cable　and　the　radio　hadn't　linked　us　up　with　the　so…called　civilization　of　the　mainland。　Every　boat　that　came　in　we'd　scamper　over　it；　hunting　a　newspaper　with　the　very　latest　news　of　the　outside　world。　Remember　those　steamer　days；　Charlie；　when　everybody　went　down　to　the　wharf　in　the　good　old　hacks　of　yesteryear；　when　the　women　wore　holokus　and　lauhala　hats；　and　Berger　was　there　with　his　band；　and　maybe　a　prince　or　two　…〃
　〃And　the　nights；〃　suggested　Charlie。
　〃Yeah；　old…timer；　I　was　ing　to　the　nights。　The　soft　nights　when　the　serenaders　drifted　about　the　harbor　in　row…boats；　and　the　lanterns　speared　long　paths　on　the　water　…〃
　He　seemed　about　to　weep。　John　Quincy's　mind　went　back　to　books　he　had　read　in　his　boyhood。
　〃And　occasionally；〃　he　said；　〃I　presume　somebody　went　aboard　a　ship　against　his　will？〃
　〃I'll　say　he　did；〃　replied　Mr。　Mayberry；　brightening　at　the　thought。　〃Why；　it　was　only　in　the　'nineties　I　was　sitting　one　night　on　a　dock　a　few　yards　down；　when　I　saw　a　scuffle　near　the　landing；　and　one　of　my　best　friends　shouted　to　me：　'Good…by；　Pete！'　I　was　up　and　off　in　a　minute；　and　I　got　him　away　from　them　…　I　was　younger　in　those　days。　He　was　a　g