Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

8 "Say, where c'lid yon fellows get all this drivel from?" Philip frowned. "I never found any diamond or solved any murder." "That's just his modesty," spoke Peter Dean, very close to Philip's side and one hand in iiis jacket pocket. "He doesn't want to take credit for it." "Ho hates publicity worse than he hates poison." Alert Morgan was all grins. "I'll brain you—if that's possible!" angrily cried the star. " I wish you'd all leave me alone." "Fine work, fine work!" boomed the voice of Chief Gibbs, who had managed at last to get across the room. "I've told the captain to dismiss the passengers as there'll be no X-ray examination. Smart work, Trent." "What is all this?" Philip demanded, and a startled look came into his eyes as Mert pushed forward Hymie and his camcia. "Now what's the gag?" "I want a pict^iue of you handing over the diamond to the chief," answered Mert. " Take it out of your pocket, Phil, and give it to the chief." The triumph in the publicity man's eyes made Philip even more suspicious. He put his hands in his pockets and then he felt the diamond. Slowly he took it out, and there was loud handclapping. He would have liked to have miu-dered Mort tlieie and , then—another cursed publicity frame-up, Philip realised that he could not do or say anything; after- wards he promised himself the pleasure of sockmg Mert Morgan. Chief Gibbs had no objection to hav- ing his picture taken, and some time was Avasted before Mert was satisfied with the pictures he had secured. " One last picture, Phil, of you taking the diamond out of the. case," he begged. Philip opened the case and took out not the White Dragon, but a piece of coal. What an uproar! Everybody talking and shouting at once. Finally Chief Gibbfi obtained order and heard from Peter Dean how she had paid Donovan two thousand dollars only u few minutes before the ship docked, and that she had done it to help Philip Trent. . She had put the case in his pocket. "You've got to find Donovan—he's got the diamond!" she cried. An olhcer pushed through the crowd. "Sir, a message from the Los Angeles police—urgent!" Chief Gibbs read it out: "'Body of Sergeant Ponovan found floating in San Pedro Harbour. Believe his murderer impersonating him on boaid s.s. Brunei.— Nolan, Chief of Los Angeles Police Department.' " He folded the message. "He murdered Van Mier." "I don't think so," said Peter. "But he did get the diamond." Cokey Joe Talks PHILIP TRENT sat at a table in the sitting-room of his suite at the Hotel, Splendid. He was busy playing patience. Standing behind him was Kelvin, who had flown from Holly- wood. Sitting in a chair and looking far from happy was Peter Dean. Lean- ing against a mantelpiece and scowJ- ing was Mert Morgan. There had been a spot of bother. Kelvin was hoarse from shouting at them. "Trent Fooled by Fake Sleuth!" "Trent Victim of Hoax!" "Movie Star Flops in Real Life Mystery!" How could he start another Selby James pic- Jlareh 27th, 1037. BOY'S CINEMA tvu'e when the papers had headlines like these? All the while he shouted and raved Philip played patience. "Why can't you say something?" Kelvin bellowed. "I will!" Philip placed a Jack on a Queen, and then looked up at his audience. "You, Kelvin, almost wept when I went on vacation, and, I pre- sume, conspired with Miss Dean and Mert to get me back in your toils. A fake crime of the ' Murder in the Mud Bath ' was staged for my benefit, and act one went mostly according to plan. Then a real stiff came into act two, and that upset all your plans. It wouldn't have been so bad if Mert hadn't tried to get a publicity angle on the affair, but he not only tried, but concocted situa- tions to bring mo more in the public eye. He succeeded with a vengeance, and then Peter Dean has to try some of this chief publicity racket. I know she is sorry, and I've told her there's nothing to forgive. I'm glad "—Philip jumped up—"and I'll tell you why. This has killed this Selby James business for ever. That it has probably finished me makes no great difference, because I can always go round with a circus on show as the prize mug. You, Kelvin, have told me I'm through, you've insulted Miss Dean, and you've no more business here!" He pointed to the door. "We'll call off our contract and you can get out!" "That's okay with me!" Kelvin cried. " Now that everything is settled, go before my patience works out and 1 leave this patience to sock you! Imshi!" He pointed authoritatively. "That is an Eastern expression meaning to go and quickly." Ben Kelvin opened the door and fell over a body. "Tliere's a man here!" cried Kelvin. " He looks dead—he's been struck on the he.ad!" "It's Cokey Joe!" gasped Philip. " The murderer must have found he was going to spill something, and fol- lowed him." Ben Kelvin, who had no real intention of severing his connection with Trent, pushed the star, Peter and Mert back into the room. He closed the door. "I'm going to 'phone the police," said Philip. "No!" Kelvin gripped his arm. "You can't afford to have another body discovered in your room. We've got to get rid of it." " Are you proposing that we destroy or hide this body?" demanded Philip. "Just so it won't upset my value with the public, so you can go on turning out your cheap thrillers and otiier slush? Well, there's nothing doing. The police are going to hear about this. If I can't 'phone them, then I'll fetch them." Philip jerked open the door and reeled back—the body of Cokey Joe had vanished. The three men went bundling down some stairs to see if there was any sign of the corpse. Peter was about to fol- low, then there came a tinkle on the 'phone. "Hallo! Yes?" " Linen-room—down hall—come quick —nobody else—just you!" croaked a voice—the voice of Cokey Joe. "No sign of him," panted Philip, when the three men got back. "Did 1 hear the 'phono?" "Just a C.O.D. package," answered the girl. "I'll be right back." In the linen-room she found Cokey Joe. The little crook was white and Every Tuesday shaken and had a terrible, bruise On his forehead. "Didn't see who it was," Joe stam- mered out in weak tones. " Just crept up behind and hit me on the head." "Why did you disappear?" " Heard Ti-cnt saying he was going to call the cops." "I'm calling a doctor." "No, stay here." Weakly he put out a hand to detain her. " Stay here— must tell you—Donovan sent for me— afraid to go out—offered to split if I'd help him sell Dragon." "To Madame Li 'Tai?" questioned the girl. "Yes," Cokey Joe answered. "'Fraid of Donovan—bad egg. So camo to you." "Where is Donovan?" "Hiding in Chinatown. Wanted nic to have Madame Li Tai 'phone him seven o'clock to-night." "Give mo his 'phone number." Peter Dean tore off a strip of sheet and bouid up his head. "And I'll see that there's no tiouble for you with the police. There's a revv-ard out for the capture of Donovan and the recovery of the Dragon —I'll see you get your share." Philip got rid of Kelvin and Morgan and finished his game- of patience. Against his will he had lieen persuaded not to 'phone the police. Why wasn't Peter here for him to ask her advice? She had a s\iite in the hotel, and ho decided to go along and see v. hy she had not come back. Her door was slightly ajar and he was about to Iniock when he heard her voice, but speaking in brolven English. "Yes, yes; this is Madame Li Tai speaking. Is this Mr. Donovan? Good. I received your message and am most happy of the news." Philip opened the door a little wider. " Is it true you are willing to sell me the Dragon?" Brazenly Philip entered the room and Peter Dean gave him a startled glance. He nodded his approval. "You will sell. Vei-y good." She held the receiver away so (hat Philip could also hear Donovan's grutf tones. "Sure, I'm ready to sell. A hundred thousand. You got the money, I know, because that's what your husband offered Van Mier." "1 am most willing {o pay the money," lisped Peter Dean. "You will have the man—Mr. Cokey Joe—bring the diamond to mo, jes?" "I don't trust that dope—I'll have to take a chance myself." " Where is safe place I may meet you?" answered Peter. " I'll meet you outside the L'^'nion Ter- minal at eleven to-night." Philip took the 'phone from Peter. "Hallo! This is Li Yat speaking," ho said in silky tones. "The husband of Madame Li Tai. My wife, she has told me everything. Naturally wo aro anxious to avoid the police, but what you suggest is not .safe. Excuse, please. I speak to my wife." Philip kept his hand over the mouth- piece. "Terminal's too open—easy for him to make a getaway. We've got to get this diamond back, and no more mis- takes." "Don't keep him waiting too long, ' she warned. "Very sorry. Mister Donovan, we keep you waiting," piured Philip. "Cut out the gab. I'm in a hurry," came back the snarling tones of the crook. "What aiwut the Chinese Theatre? You're playing there to- night, aren't you?"