| Show r ClAW THE YELLOW By SAX ROHMER ROHMER 1 A Cosmopolitan t Story of of err Airs Mystery Adv Adventure x xA and ld C Crime J SYNOPSIS Henry Leroux is disturbed In bis bla London studio by a a. strange woman He rushes upstairs for tor or Dr c- c and andis IR is Joined by John Exel M M. I 1 Together and find the they go in his hs apartment Dumbar Dumbat ar arrIe arrives ar- ar woma woman dead Inspector rives rIe and his examination Soam s Leroux's butler comes in and andla la ill lold kAd to remain in his Jils room Dumbar questions Leroux dUling which the cook and maid come in Dumbar wants to question and the they tin find l 1 him gone Dr Cum goes upstairs up up- stairs lairs and finds his daughter up She thinks she knowS know who the woman is n upon uon u on peeing Feeing her her identifies her hel a as Mrs Vernon inspector Dumbar gets to work and tr tre s Ms Mrs lIra Vernon to the door o 01 o. jalice Val Val- v ice w Mansion where here the Leroux studio is actuated ct He no learns that the taxi driver lad had been bribed to 10 lea leave e by a man i With an Oriental air er about him Before I when I-when when I was wasI I I I traveled in the East Can you ou place him hirn any closer than that No I t can venture to do so so Brian's Brians manner mariner was becoming mom nio- nio mo 1 m more mor nearly th that t of or a 1 gentleman I r might be leading you ou astray ir if I ventured a gu guess ss but if ir irY Y you U asked mo me to do so I should say he was a 8 Chinaman A Chinaman 1 Dunbar's voice oice tose rose excitedly lr iy What occurred next I r turned my cab and drove rove ot off out of or the square V VAnd 1 And now no nos s std said id Dunbar speaking very ry slowly where did you pick up your our fare areT 7 In Gillingham street near Vicioria VictorIa Vic Vic- Lena ioria station From a a. house Yes Yes from Nurse Proctors Nurse Proctors Proctor's Who is Nurse Proctor Brian shrugged his shoulders Most of ot her dents clients are society ladies who stay there periodically Who hailed you The woman di did the did the the woman Inthe in inthe inthe the fur coat I 1 was Just passing the thedoor theor door or very slowly when It was flung open pen with a bang and she rushed out threw herself Into my cab and I screamed ame Palace mansions mansions' West- West I reached IrE back and shut the door and drove right away When did you see ee that you were I wed folio 2 We W were were held up Just outside the music hall hail and looking b back I saw I that my ny fare tare was dreadfully excited Jt t didn't take me nie long to find ou out that the ca cause se of ot her excitement was wasA A big limousine three or four tour back in jn rt the block of ot traffic The driver was some kind of or an oriental too too Good snapped Dunbar Important int But you saw law nothing more of ot this car carT carr i iI I saw It follow tallow me Into the I square Then where did It wait watt I I dont don't t know I didn't see It I again Have Hav you ou ever driven women to from or-from m this Nurse Proctors Proctor's beo before I Yes they the never take a cab from the the- thed d door or They always walk to the corner of the street with a nurse and andR anda R a portel porter belonging to the house brin brings s their luggage along of or these other Did you ou know any women No N but they were obviously members members mem ment- bers of good society A And Aud hd you drove droYe them One to St St. Pancras and one to j I Waterloo said Brian dropping back bacle I j somewhat t Into his coarser style I To catch trains no doubt Not a bit of ot it US IU To meet trains trains' Their own private cars were waiting for them at the arrival platform asI as asI asI I drove em up to the departure plat platform nd nd they simply marched through the station aid pretended to by train Inspector Dunbar scribbled busily Then Thee You have done well wel to make a clean breast of it he said Take Tale a straight tip from me Keep of off the drink CHAPTER VIII The The Great Great Gret Understanding It was waR the a afternoon of this same day day Ii a day so m momentous In the lives Jives of ot more more than one of London's millions mil mil- lions that lions that two travelers might have been seen to descend from tram a a. first class cIss compartment of the Dover boat tr train ln at Charing Cross The traveler first to ascend and gallantly tp tO offer his Ii hand and to to his companion In order to assist her to the platform was a man built bunt largely I but hut on good line linES a man past hi his j youth and somewhat too fleshy but hut for for- all aU his bulk there was nothing ungraceful in his bearing or carria car car- ria 11 e. e The face was clean shaven and andin in in inclined inclined dined to pall pallor 01 The hirsute blue tinge about the Jaw and lips Ups helped to accentuate the virile virilA strength of the long flexible mouth His Ills dark brows were ere heavily marked and his cl close se cut hair hall was splashed with grav Y The companion who o accepted his white gloved hand and who sprang alertly onto the platform beside him was waR a woman bordering on the forties with a face of masculine vigor re redeemed re- re deemed and effeminized by splendid hazel eyes the kindliest Imaginable Her athletic figure was clothed in a sensible tweed traveling dress and she TV wore vore ore a tweed hat pressed well onto onto her her head and brown boots with th the flattest heels c conceivable Add to this a Scotch woolen muffler and a pair of ot woolen gloves and you have havea a mental picture of the second trav tray eler 1 Outside the station statton her I luggage having be been m stacked upon a cab the 3 parted from her companion with assurances a which were returned that she he should hope to improve the ac ac- ac- ac The address to which the gentleman gentleman gentleman gentle gentle- man politely requested the cabman to jo drive was wa that of ot a sound and old established hotel in the neighborhood of or the Strand Then having ha stood bareheaded until un un- I til the cab turned out into the traffic stream of ot that b busy sy thoroughfare the first traveler whose baggage consisted of a large suit case hailed a second cab and drove t tc to the Hotel Astoria the Astoria the usual objective of or Americans T Taking leave of or him for the moment moment mo mo- ment let Jet us follow rollow the lady Her ller arrangements were very soon made at the hotel and having removed re removed removed re re- moved some of the travel stains from her person and partaken of at one one cup cupor of or tea she walked down into the Strand and mounted to the top of ot a Victoria bound bus That she was WL- not intimately ac ac- ac 4 with London was a fact readily observable for as the bus went ent rolling rotting westward from the large pocket o of ot her Norfolk Jacket sho she took out a book provided with numerous numerous nu nu- nu- nu maps and began gau composedly to consult its complexities When the conductor came came cameto to collect her fare she had made up her mind Put me ins down by the Storis Storks Victoria street conductor she directed and handed him a penny the pennY the correct fare S SIt It chanced that at about the time time of or the American ladys lady's leaving the hotel Helen laid toWn down aown her herpen herpen herpen pen with a sigh She he stood up mechanically mechanically me me- rearranging her hair as as- she dl did so and crossed the to her hel bedroom bedroom- th the window whereof overlooked o looked the sq square are Almost unconsciously for it was an established custom she sprinkled crumbs from the tE-a tE tray beside her upon the ledge while two tears dropped upon a page and two more appeared in iii turn upon her lashes S The supped enthusiastically ly bei being Joined in his repast by two talkative companions As As- the last fragment fragments dropped from the girt girls girl's s white fingers she withdrew her hand band and aner slowly very slowly cry slowly slowly her her head sank down down pillowed pillowed upon her arms For some five minutes she slie cried silently Then Tiie very resolutely as inspired by bYa a settled purpose she stood up and the corridor to her hr be bedroom She She rapidly re removed removed re- re moved the traces of ot her tears and and- going out onto onlo the landing descended descend descend- ed to the door of or Henry Leroux's flat In reply to her ti ring g the maid Ferris Ferris Fer Fer- ris Is opened the door She wore her hat and coat and beside her her on on the floor stood a tin trunk Why Fer Ferris Ferris' ls cried Helen Helenr are you Ou leaving I r am Indeed miss miss' said the girl independently Cooks goin- goin t tCo O r S The The French g gentleman t stood toad bareheaded until J t the cab departed 5 S S c S I I i f i I i g I t- t I I p iG t S i. i f r 4 t LJ I J J II U am amii ann announced a deep female voice And Ari tl tIle the e cook appeared beside the maid Helen said aid I will announce myself She passed the t e. e servants crossed the Io lobby b aI and rr rapped upon the study study- door h Come in ill said the said the voice of or Henry Leroux Helen opened the door The place was in sem ss Lero Leroux x satin sat satin sat satin in his usual seat at at the writing table fable Helen pressed the switch lighting the two lamps Leroux at last seemed in his his' prop proper r element he exhibited an unhealthy unhealthy unhealthy un un- un- un healthy pallor and it was obvious that no razor razor- r had touched his chin for at least three days ays Ills dark blue eyes the eyes the eyes of ot a dreamer dreamer- were WE're heavy and dull with shadows shadow below helow them A biscuit Jar a a decanter and a a. stood half balf burled buried In papers on n the table c Why Mr Leroux said Helen with a deep a-deep deep note sympathy of In h her r voice I thought I 1 should find you here but I did not anticipate she anticipate she shein in Indicated the chaos about this about this The insolence the disgraceful ungrateful ungrateful un un- un- un grateful insolence of those women Dear dear dear murmured Laroux Lerou Leroux Le Le- roux rou waving his hand Vaguely never mind never mind never mind I I You should not be In this tn-this this room at all In fact you tact you should go right I away a 4 nl A i cannot my wire may return at return at an any any t m moment ent l His voice I shook Helen n turned fler head d aside Si 1 ing deeply and striving for tor com corn Garnham shall shall come come down and and tidy up for tal yo you she said eaid q quietly and you you- must dine dine- w us You ar are much too good good- whispered whispered whis wills a again air and the we weary ry eyes glistened d with a sudden moisture mois mols- ture i I Henry Leroux rested one hand upon the table down at the tile carpet He had known for a long Jong time in a vague vigue fashion that the comfort of or h his s home Wasa Was vas a 11 purely burely- monetary product lIe He had schooled himself to believe that he liked loneliness loneliness lone lone- liness and that in marrying a pretty but pleasure loving Joving girl he ne had In Insured insured in- in an Ideal menage Further Further- nore he honestly Relieved that he be worshiped his wife wire an and with his present grief at her hel unaccountable silence was mi mingled no atom of re reproach re- re But latterly he had begun to Wonder Won Won- der la der in his is peculiarly indefinite 1 way ay he had begun to doubt his ow own philosophy i iNo Noa Now No No a a anew new tope tone in the voice of Helen set Iet his poor his poor anxious heart thrumming like a lute Is that a a. a bargain 1 asked Helen sweetly God bless you he said I willo will do o anything you wish CHAPTER IX Presenting g M. M Ga Gaston ton Max Not venturing to look lok upon her town face In the mirror Helen Cum Cum- j berly sat before tore her dressing table trembling wildly She wanted t to laugh and wanted to cry but the he daughter daught l' l of Seton knew I what those symptoms meant and kneW how to deal with them At the end end of an all interval of or some four lour or five minutes she rang The maid opened the doors door Merton Werton she said composedly I want you ou to tell Garnham to go godown godown godown down to Mr Leroux's and put the I place in order Mr Leroux is dining with us Five more minutes passed in a si silent silent silent si- si I lent conflict A knock announced ced cedI the return of ot the maid and th the th girl I re-entered re placing upon the table a 8 a visiting card DENIS RYLAND teller Atelier 4 Rue nue d du Coq Coci dOr d'Or i Montmartre Montmartre- Paris Helen startEd stalled to her feet with a stifled exclamation Denise n Ryland land she muttered Why that's Why that's Mrs Leroux's friend with whom she had been staying in Paris Whatever can It mean Shall I show her in here Pleas please asked the maid 0 4 S Y Yes Sf In here replied Helen a all ab- and scarcely aware that si sh she had given instructions to that effect she Bhe presently found round herself confronted confront confront- ed edby by the lady of at the boat train Miss said the the new hew arrival ar ar- ar- ar rival in a pleasant American voice Yes Yes l 1 am Helen Oh T r am so gO glad to know you know you at last I have often pictured you for Mira Mrs Lero Leroux Leroux x-ls' x talking t about bout you and about the glorious times you you have have- had is-d tad together t I I have sometimes longed to join you in beautiful l Paris Fans Hm Um said sald Miss Ryland I have come from Paris esp especially to see you you I am m glad i to find that S you are the thor thoroughly sensible bl bl ble of girl that I had Imagined tr fr from m the accounts which I have had of you you Had of or me from Mira asked Helen Heien Yes from Mrs Irs Leroux How delightful it be must be for tor you to have her with you so often Marriage Mar Man as asa a 0 rule role puts an ans end to that particular sort of good time doesn't It It does very pr properly pert No man ian nian In his right senses would permit his wife wire to gad about in Paris Pals with another girl she presumably referred to toiler toiler- her herself seIO self whom he had only met casually C C and did not like What do you you m mean an that Mr l Le Le- Le- Le roux like you you 1 I 1 cant can't believe Then the sooner you be believe believe believe be- be lieve it S the better It can only be that he does not know you properly lIe He has no wish to know properly and I have no desire to cultivate C C c the friendship of ot such a a. silly being Helen was conscious that thata a a 11 flush was was' rising from her face to her brow Poor Mr Leroux she said I think it awfully good of him and sporty to allow his wife so much liberty Sporty said Miss Ryland nyland Idiot Idiotic Idiotic Idi ot otic I should call call It Why Helen Cum berly perfectly composed I again raised be her clear eyes to her visitor My dear Miss 1 Ryland stood up crossed to Helens Helen's side aide and rested her artistic hands the looking u upon uon on girls girl's shoulder er Harry larry Leroux stands upon upon the brink rink of or a great tragedy tragedy tragedy-a a alife's alifes alifes alife's lifes life's tragedy Helen was trembling bling sligh slightly Oh Oh I know she whispered S You know There was surprise surprise- In ln Miss Ryland's Rylands nyland's fly Ry- lands land's voice t Yes I have seen seen them seen watched watched and them I know that the police think S v Police V What hat are are you talking about the about the police Helen looked Up The murder she began Miss Ryland dropped Into a chair with a face race ly set in an n ex expression expression expression ex- ex of horror Then you have not heard You Yau dont don't know that a h a murder has murder has s been committed 1 Murder Not Not not S Scot Not cot ot any one connected connect d with Mr Leroux no no thank God but It was done in n his fIat Hat flat 1 Miss Ryland 1 brushed a Ro whisk whis of or straight hair back from her brow My 1 |
