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Page 36
The long eyes grew a little more narrow--the only change of
expression that Zani Chada allowed himself.
"As you wish. I have no occasion to detain you long."
In that queer, perfumed room, with the suggestion of something
sinister underlying its exotic luxury, arose a kind of astral
clash as the powerful personality of the Eurasian came in contact
with that of Kerry. In a sense it was a contest of rapier and
battle-axe; an insidious but powerful will enlisted against the
bulldog force of the Chief Inspector.
Still through half-closed eyes Zani Chada watched his visitor,
who stood, feet apart and chin thrust forward aggressively,
staring with wide open, fierce blue eyes at the other.
"I'm going to say one thing," declared Kerry, snapping out the
words in a manner little short of ferocious. He laid his hat and
cane upon a chair and took a step in the direction of the narrow,
laden table. "Make me any kind of offer to buy back the evidence
you think I've got, and I'll bash your face as flat as a frying-
pan."
The yellow hands of Zani Chada clutched the metal knobs which
ornamented the arms of the chair in which he was seated. The
long eyes now presented the appearance of being entirely closed;
otherwise he remained immovable.
Following a short, portentous silence:
"How grossly you misunderstood me, Chief Inspector," Chada
replied, speaking very softly. "You are shortly to be promoted
to a post which no one is better fitted to occupy. You enjoy
great domestic happiness, and you possess a son in whom you
repose great hopes. In this respect Chief Inspector, I resemble
you."
Kerry's nostrils were widely dilated, but he did not speak.
"You see," continued the Eurasian, "I know many things about you.
Indeed, I have watched your career with interest. Now, to be
brief, a great scandal may be averted and a woman's reputation
preserved if you and I, as men of the world, can succeed in
understanding one another."
"I don't want to understand you," said Kerry bluntly. "But
you've said enough already to justify me in blowing this
whistle." He drew a police whistle from his overcoat pocket.
"This house is being watched."
"I am aware of the fact," murmured Zani Chada.
"There are two people in it I want for two different reasons. If
you say much more there may be three."
Chada raised his hand slowly.
"Put back your whistle, Chief Inspector."
There was a curious restraint in the Eurasian's manner which
Kerry distrusted, but for which at the time he was at a loss to
account. Then suddenly he determined that the man was waiting
for something, listening for some sound. As if to confirm this
reasoning, just at that moment a sound indeed broke the silence
of the room.
Somewhere far away in the distance of the big house a gong was
beaten three times softly. Kerry's fierce glance searched the
face of Zani Chada, but it remained mask-like, immovable. Yet
that this had been a signal of some kind the Chief Inspector did
not doubt, and:
"You can't trick me," he said fiercely. "No one can leave this
house without my knowledge, and because of what happened out
there in the fog my hands are untied."
He took up his hat and cane from the chair.
"I'm going to search the premises," he declared.
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