earlderrbiggers.thehousewithoutakey-第34章

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　〃Not　a　trigger　pulled。　I　imagine　that　was　a　big　bluff　…　nothing　more。〃
　〃What　do　you　say　…　bluff？〃
　〃I　mean　the　fellow's　a　coward；　after　all。〃
　Chan　shook　his　head　solemnly。　〃Pardon　humble　suggestion　…　do　not　lose　carefulness。　Hot　heads　plenty　in　hot　climate。〃
　〃I'll　look　before　I　leap；〃　John　Quincy　promised。　〃But　I'm　afraid　I　interrupted　you。〃
　〃Ridiculous　thought；〃　protested　Chan。
　〃I'll　go　along。　Let　me　know　if　anything　breaks。〃
　〃Most　certainly。　Up　to　present；　everything　are　intact。〃
　John　Quincy　paused　at　the　door　of　the　reference　room。　Charlie　Chan　had　promptly　opened　the　big　book；　and　was　again　bending　over　it　with　every　show　of　interest。
　Returning　to　Waikiki；　John　Quincy　faced　a　dull　evening。　Barbara　had　gone　to　the　island　of　Kauai　for　a　visit　with　old　friends　of　the　family。　He　had　not　been　sorry　when　she　went；　for　he　didn't　feel　quite　at　ease　in　her　presence。　The　estrangement　between　the　girl　and　Jennison　continued；　the　lawyer　had　not　been　at　the　dock　to　see　her　off。　Yes；　John　Quincy　had　parted　from　her　gladly；　but　her　absence　cast　a　pall　of　loneliness　over　the　house　on　Kalia　Road。
　After　dinner；　he　sat　with　his　pipe　on　the　lanai。　Down　the　beach　at　the　Reef　and　Palm　pleasant　pany　was　available　…　but　he　hesitated。　He　had　seen　Carlota　Egan　several　times　by　day；　on　the　beach　or　in　the　water。　She　was　very　happy　now；　though　somewhat　appalled　at　thought　of　her　approaching　visit　to　England。　They'd　had　several　talks　about　that　…　daylight　talks。　John　Quincy　was　a　bit　afraid　to　entrust　himself　…　as　Chan　had　said　in　speaking　of　his　stone　idol　…　of　an　evening。　After　all；　there　was　Agatha；　there　was　Boston。　There　was　Barbara；　too。　Being　entangled　with　three　girls　at　once　was　a　rather　wearing　experience。　He　rose；　and　went　down…town　to　the　movies。
　On　Saturday　morning　he　was　awakened　early　by　the　whir　of　aeroplanes　above　the　house。　The　American　fleet　was　in　the　offing；　and　the　little　brothers　of　the　air　service　hastened　out　to　hover　overhead　in　friendly　wele。　That　day　a　spirit　of　carnival　prevailed　in　Honolulu；　flags　floated　from　every　masthead；　and　the　streets　bloomed；　as　Barbara　had　predicted；　with　handsome　boys　in　spotless　uniforms。　They　were　everywhere；　swarming　in　the　souvenir　stores；　besieging　the　soda　fountains；　skylarking　on　the　trolley…cars。　Evening　brought　a　great　ball　at　the　beach　hotel；　and　John　Quincy；　out　for　a　walk；　saw　that　every　spic　and　span　uniform　moved　toward　Waikiki；　acpanied　by　a　fair　young　thing　who　was　only　too　happy　to　serve　as　sweetheart　in　that　particular　port。
　John　Quincy　felt；　suddenly；　rather　out　of　things。　Each　pretty　girl　he　saw　recalled　Carlota　Egan。　He　turned　his　wandering　footsteps　toward　the　Reef　and　Palm；　and　oddly　enough；　his　pace　quickened　at　once。
　The　proprietor　himself　was　behind　the　desk；　his　eyes　calm　and　untroubled　now。
　〃Good　evening；　Mr。　Egan　…　or　should　I　say　Mr。　Cope；〃　remarked　John　Quincy。
　〃Oh；　we'll　stick　to　the　Egan；　I　guess；〃　the　man　replied。　〃Sort　of　got　out　of　the　hang　of　the　other。　Mr。　Winterslip；　I'm　happy　to　see　you。　Cary　will　be　down　in　a　moment。〃
　John　Quincy　gazed　about　the　big　public　room。　It　was　a　scene　of　confusion；　spattered　ladders；　buckets　of　paint；　rolls　of　new　wall…paper。　〃What's　going　on？〃　he　inquired。
　〃Freshening　things　up　a　bit；〃　Egan　answered。　〃You　know；　we're　in　society　now。〃　He　laughed。　〃Yes；　sir；　the　old　Reef　and　Palm　has　been　standing　here　a　long　time　without　so　much　as　a　glance　from　the　better　element　of　Honolulu。　But　now　they　know　I'm　related　to　the　British　Admiralty；　they've　suddenly　discovered　it's　a　quaint　and　interesting　place。　They're　dropping　in　for　tea。　Just　fancy。　But　that's　Honolulu。〃
　〃That's　Boston；　too；〃　John　Quincy　assured　him。
　〃Yes　…　and　precisely　the　sort　of　thing　I　ran　away　from　England　to　escape；　a　good　many　years　ago。　I'd　tell　them　all　to　go　to　the　devil　…　but　there's　Cary。　Somehow；　women　feel　differently　about　those　things。　It　will　warm　her　heart　a　bit　to　have　these　dowagers　smile　upon　her。　And　they're　smiling　…　you　know；　they've　even　dug　up　the　fact　that　my　Cousin　George　has　been　knighted　for　making　a　particularly　efficient　brand　of　soap。〃　He　grimaced。　〃It's　nothing　I'd　have　mentioned　myself　…　a　family　skeleton；　as　I　see　it。　But　society　has　odd　standards。　And　I　mustn't　be　hard　on　poor　old　George。　As　Arthur　says；　making　soap　is　good　clean　fun。〃
　〃Is　your　brother　still　with　you？〃
　〃No。　He's　gone　back　to　finish　his　job　in　the　Fanning　Group。　When　he　returns；　I'm　sending　Cary　to　England　for　a　long　stop。　Yes；　that's　right　…　I'm　sending　her；〃　he　added　quickly。　〃I'm　paying　for　these　repairs；　too。　You　see；　I've　been　able　to　add　a　second　mortgage　to　the　one　already　on　the　poor　tottering　Reef　and　Palm。　That's　another　oute　of　my　new…found　connection　with　the　British　Admiralty　and　the　silly　old　soap　business。　Here's　Cary　now。〃
　John　Quincy　turned。　And　he　was　glad　he　had；　for　he　would　not　willingly　have　missed　the　picture　of　Carlota　on　the　stairs。　Carlota　in　an　evening　gown　of　some　shimmering　material；　her　dark　hair　dressed　in　a　new　and　amazingly　effective　way；　her　white　shoulders　gleaming；　her　eyes　happy　at　last。　As　she　came　quickly　toward　him　he　caught　his　breath；　never　had　he　seen　her　look　so　beautiful。　She　must　have　heard　his　voice　in　the　office；　he　reflected；　and　with　surprising　speed　arrayed　herself　thus　to　greet　him。　He　was　deeply　grateful　as　he　took　her　hand。
　〃Stranger；〃　she　rebuked。　〃We　thought　you'd　deserted　us。〃
　〃I'd　never　do　that；〃　he　answered。　〃But　I've　been　rather　busy　…〃
　A　step　sounded　behind　him。　He　turned；　and　there　stood　one　of　those　ubiquitous　navy　boys；　a　tall；　blond　Adonis　who　held　his　cap　in　his　hand　and　smiled　in　a　devastating　way。
　〃Hello；　Johnnie；〃　Carlota　said。　〃Mr。　Winterslip；　of　Boston；　this　is　Lieutenant　Booth；　of　Richmond；　Virginia。〃
　〃How　are　you；〃　nodded　the　boy；　without　removing　his　eyes　from　the　girl's　face。　Just　one　of　the　guests；　this　Winterslip；　no　account　at　all　…　such　was　obviously　the　lieutenant's　idea。　〃All　ready；　Cary？　The　car's　outside。〃
　〃I'm　frightfully　sorry；　Mr。　Winterslip；〃　said　the　girl；　〃but　we're　off　to　the　dance。　This　week…end　belongs　to　the　navy；　you　know。　You'll　e　again；　won't　you？〃
　〃Of　course；〃　John　Quincy　replied。　〃Don't　let　me　keep　you。〃
　She　smiled　at　him　and　fled　with　Johnnie　at　her　side。　Looking　after　them；　John　Quincy　felt　his　heart　sink　to　his　boots；　an　unaccountable　sensation　of　age　and　helplessness。　Youth；　youth　was　going　through　that　door；　and　he　was　left　behind。
　〃A　great　pity　she　had　to　run；〃　said　Egan　in　a　kindly　voice。
　〃Why；　that's　all　right；〃　John　Quincy　assured　him。　〃Old　friend　of　the　family；　this　Lieutenant　Booth？〃
　〃Not　at　all。　Just　a　lad　Cary　met　at　parties　in　San　Francisco。　Won't　you　sit　down　and　have　a　smoke　with　me？〃
　〃Some　other　time；　thanks；〃　John　Quincy　said　wearily。　〃I　must　hurry　back　to　the　house。〃
　He　wanted　to　escape；　to　get　out　into　the　calm　lovely　night；　the　night　that　was　ruined　for　him　now。　He　walked　along　the　beach；　savagely　kicking　his　toes　into　the　white　sand。　〃Johnnie！〃　She　had　called　him　Johnnie。　And　the　way　she　had　looked　at　him；　too！　Again　John　Quincy　felt　that　sharp　pang　in　his　heart。　Foolish；　foolish；　better　go　back　to　Boston　and　forget。　Peaceful　old　Boston；　that　was　where　he　belonged。　He　was　an　old　man　out　here　…　thirty；　nearly。　Better　go　away　and　leave　these　children　to　love　and　the　moonlit　beach。
　Miss　Minerva　had　gone　in　the　big　car　to　call　on　friends；　and　the　house　was　quiet　as　the　tomb。　John　Quincy　wandered　aimlessly　about　the　rooms；　gloomy　and　bereft。　Down　at　the　Moana　an　Hawaiian　orchestra　was　playing　and　Lieutenant　Booth；　of　Richmond；　was　holding　Carlota　close　in　the　intimate　manner　affected　these　days　by　the　young。　Bah！　If　he　hadn't　been　ordered　to　leave　Hawaii；　by　gad；　he'd　go　to…morrow。
　The　telephone　rang。　None　of　the　servants　appeared　to　answer　it；　so　John　Quincy　went　himself。
　〃Charlie　Chan　speaking；〃　said　a　voice。　〃That　is　you；　Mr。　Winterslip？　Good。　Big　events　will　e　to　pass　very　quick。　Meet　me　drug　and　grocery　emporium　of　Liu　Yin；　number　927　River　Street；　soon　as　you　can　do　so。　You　savvy　locality？〃
　〃I'll　find　it；〃　cried　John　Quincy；　delighted。
　〃By　bank　of　stream。　I　will　await。　Good…by。〃
　Action　…　action　at　last！　John　Quincy's　heart　beat　fast。　Action　was　what　he　wanted　to…night。　As　usually　happens　in　a　crisis；　there　was　no　automobile　available；　the　roadster　was　at　a　garage　undergoing　repairs；　and　the　other　car　was　in　use。　He　hastened　over　to　Kalakaua　Avenue　intending　to　rent　a　machine；　but　a　trolley　approaching　at　the　moment　altered　his　plans　and　he　swung　aboard。
　Never　had　a　trolley　moved　at　so　reluctant　a　pace。　When　they　reached　the　corner　of　Fort　Street　in　the　center　of　the　city；　he　left　it　and　proceeded　on　foot。　The　hour　was　still　fairly　early；　but　the　scene　was　one　of　somnolent　calm。　A　couple　of　tourists　drifted　aimlessly　by。　About　the　bright　doorway　of　a　shooting　gallery　loitered　a　group　of　soldiers　from　the　fort；　with　a　sprinkling　of　enlisted　navy　men。　John　Quincy　hurried　on　down　King　Street；　past　Chinese　noodle　cafes　and　pawn　shops；　and　turned　presently　off　into　River　Street。
　On　his　left　was　the　river；　on　his　right　an　array　of　shabby　stores。　He　paused　at　the　door　of　number　927；　the　establishment　of　Liu　Yin。　Inside；　seated　behind　a　screen　that　revealed　only　their　heads；　a　number　of　Chinese　were　engrossed　in　a　friendly　little　game。　John　Quincy　opened　the　door；　a　bell　tinkled；　and　he　stepped　into　an　odor　of　must　and　decay。　Curious　sights　met　his　quick　eye；　dried　roots　and　herbs；　jars　of　sea…horse　skeletons；　dejected　ducks　flattened　out　and　varnished　to　tempt　the　palate；　gobbets　of　pork。　An　old　Chinese　man　rose　and　came　forward。
　〃I'm　looking　for　Mr。　Charlie　Chan；〃　said　John　Quincy。
　The　old　man　nodded　and　led　the　way　to　a　red　curtain　across　the　rear　of　the　shop。　He　lifted　it；　and　indicated　that　John　Quincy　was　to　pass。　The　boy　did　so；　and　came　into　a　bare　room　furnished　with　a　cot；　a　table　on　which　an　oil　lamp　burned　dimly　behind　a　smoky　chimney；　and　a　couple　of　chairs。　A　man　who　had　been　sitting　on　one　of　the　chairs　rose　suddenly；　a　huge　red…haired　man　with　the　smell　of　the　sea　about　him。
　〃Hello；〃　he　said。
　〃Is　Mr。　Chan　here？〃　John　Quincy　inquired。
　〃Not　yet。　He'll　be　along　in　a　minute。　What　say　to　a　drink　while　we're　waiting。　Hey；　Liu；　a　couple　glasses　that　rotten　rice　wine！〃
　The　Chinese　man　withdrew。　〃Sit　down；〃　said　the　man。　John　Quincy　obeyed；　the　sailor　sat　too。　One　of　his　eyelids　drooped　wickedly；　he　rested　his　hands　on　the　table　…　enormous　hairy　hands。　〃Charlie'll　be　here　pretty　quick；〃　he　said。　〃Then　I　got　a　little　story　to　tell　the　two　of　you。〃
　〃Yes？〃　John　Quincy　replied。　He　glanced　about　the　little　vile…smelling　room。　There　was　a　door；　a　closed　door；　at　the　back。　He　looked　again　at　the　red…haired　man。　He　wondered　how　he　was　going　to　get　out　of　there。
　For　he　knew　now　that　Charlie　Chan　had　not　called　him　on　the　telephone。　It　came　to　him　belatedly　that　the　voice　was　never　Charlie's。　〃You　savvy　locality？〃　the　voice　had　said。　A　clumsy　attempt　at　Chan's　style；　but　Chan　was　a　student　of　English；　he　dragged　his　words　painfully　from　the　poets；　he　was　careful　to　use　nothing　that　savored　of　〃pidgin。〃　No；　the　detective　had　not　telephoned；　he　was　no　doubt　at　home　now　bending　over　his　chess…board；　and　here　was　John　Quincy　shut　up　in　a　l