by Sax Rohmer
CHAPTER XXXVII. SETON PASHA REPORTS
At about the time that the fearless Chief Inspector was entering theestablishment of Sam Tuk Seton Pasha was reporting to Lord Wrexboroughin Whitehall. His nautical disguise had served its purpose, and hehad now finally abandoned it, recognizing that he had to deal witha criminal of genius to whom disguise merely afforded matter foramusement.
In his proper person, as Greville Seton, he afforded a marked contrastto that John Smiles, seaman, who had sat in a top room in Limehouse withChief Inspector Kerry. And although he had to report failure, the grim,bronzed face and bright grey eyes must have inspired in the heart of anythoughtful observer confidence in ultimate success. Lord Wrexborough,silver-haired, florid and dignified, sat before a vast table laden withneatly arranged dispatch-boxes, books, documents tied with red tape,and the other impressive impedimenta which characterize the table ofa Secretary of State. Quentin Gray, unable to conceal his condition ofnervous excitement, stared from a window down into Whitehall.
"I take it, then, Seton," Lord Wrexborough was saying, "that in youropinion--although perhaps it is somewhat hastily formed--there is andhas been no connivance between officials and receivers of drugs?"
"That is my opinion, sir. The traffic has gradually and ingeniously been'ringed' by a wealthy group. Smaller dealers have been bought outor driven out, and today I believe it would be difficult, if notimpossible, to obtain opium, cocaine, or veronal illicitly anywhere inLondon. Kazmah and Company had the available stock cornered. Of course,now that they are out of business, no doubt others will step in. It is atrade that can never be suppressed under existing laws."
"I see, I see," muttered Lord Wrexborough, adjusting his pince-nez."You also believe that Kazmah and Company are in hiding within whatyou term"--he consulted a written page--"the 'Causeway area'? And youbelieve that the man called Sin Sin Wa is the head of the organization?"
"I believe the late Sir Lucien Pyne was the actual head of the group,"said Seton bluntly. "But Sin Sin Wa is the acting head. In view of hisphysical peculiarities, I don't quite see how he's going to escapeus, either, sir. His wife has a fighting chance, and as for Mohammedel-Kazmah, he might sail for anywhere tomorrow, and we should neverknow. You see, we have no description of the man."
"His passports?" murmured Lord Wrexborough.
Seton Pasha smiled grimly.
"Not an insurmountable difficulty, sir," he replied, "but Sin Sin Wa isa marked man. He has the longest and thickest pigtail which I eversaw on a human scalp. I take it he is a Southerner of the old school;therefore, he won't cut it off. He has also only one eye, and whilethere are many one-eyed Chinamen, there are few one-eyed Chinamen whopossess pigtails like a battleship's hawser. Furthermore, he travelswith a talking raven, and I'll swear he won't leave it behind. On theother hand, he is endowed with an amount of craft which comes very nearto genius."
"And--Mrs. Monte Irvin?"
Quentin Gray turned suddenly, and his boyish face was very pale.
"Seton, Seton!" he said. "For God's sake tell me the truth! Do youthink--"
He stopped, choking emotionally. Seton Pasha watched him with that cool,confident stare which could either soothe or irritate; and:
"She was alive this morning, Gray," he replied quietly, "we heard her.You may take it from me that they will offer her no violence. I shallsay no more."
Lord Wrexborough cleared his throat and took up a document from thetable.
"Your remark raises another point, Quentin," he said sternly, "whichhas to be settled today. Your appointment to Cairo was confirmed thismorning. You sail on Tuesday."
Quentin Gray turned again abruptly and stared out of the window.
"You're practically kicking me out, sir," he said. "I don't know whatI've done."
"You have done nothing," replied Lord Wrexborough "which an honorableman may not do. But in common with many others similarly circumstanced,you seem inclined, now that your military duties are at an end, toregard life as a sort of perpetual 'leave.' I speak frankly before Setonbecause I know that he agrees with me. My friend the Foreign Secretaryhas generously offered you an appointment which opens up a career thatshould not--I repeat, that should not prove less successful than hisown."
Gray turned, and his face had flushed deeply.
"I know that Margaret has been scaring you about Rita Irvin," he said,"but on my word, sir, there was no need to do it."
He met Seton Pasha's cool regard, and:
"Margaret's one of the best," he added. "I know you agree with me?"
A faint suggestion of added color came into Seton's tanned cheeks.
"I do, Gray," he answered quietly. "I believe you are good enough tolook upon me as a real friend; therefore allow me to add my advice, forwhat it is worth, to that of Lord Wrexborough and your cousin: take theEgyptian appointment. I know where it will lead. You can do no good byremaining in London; and when we find Mrs. Irvin your presence would bean embarrassment to the unhappy man who waits for news at Prince's Gate.I am frank, but it's my way."
He held out his hand, smiling. Quentin Gray's mercurial complexion waschanging again, but:
"Good old Seton!" he said, rather huskily, and gripped the outstretchedhand. "For Irvin's sake, save her!"
He turned to his father.
"Thank you, sir," he added, "you are always right. I shall be ready onTuesday. I suppose you are off again, Seton?"
"I am," was the reply. "Chief Inspector Kerry is moving heaven and earthto find the Kazmah establishment, and I don't want to come in a poorsecond."
Lord Wrexborough cleared his throat and turned in the padded revolvingchair.
"Honestly, Seton," he said, "what do you think of your chance ofsuccess?"
Seton Pasha smiled grimly.
"Many ascribe success to wit," he replied, "and failure to bad luck; butthe Arab says 'Kismet.'"