By ALLAN HAWKWOOD
(Henry Bedford-Jones)
Author of
"Solomon's Quest" "The Seal of Solomon," etc.
London: HURST & BLACKETT, LTD.,
PATERNOSTER HOUSE, E.C.
1925
Contents
CHAPTER
I. The Cattle-Wharf at Deptford
II. John Solomon
III. The Road to Melindi
IV. Who Murdered Hans Schlak?
V. The Adventure Begins
VI. The Lady Professor
VII. Hammer Starts Something
VIII. In the Open
IX. Hammer Begins to See
X. At Melindi
XI. Solomon Prepares for Action
XII. Under Suspicion
XIII. Accused and Accuser
XIV. Off At Last
XV. Dr. Krausz Proves Obstinate
XVI. The Place of Skulls
XVII. The Pit of Adders
XVIII. "Thahabu!"
XIX. The "Daphne" Again
John Solomon—Supercargo
Frederick L. C. Harcourt, Viscount Ratcliff,was extremely natty in his flannels, buckskins,and yachting cap, and consequently he arousedtremendous excitement, plainly being nothing moreor less than a "toff" of the first water.
As he strode along the cattle-wharf at Deptford,he looked as much out of place as would a royalhighness if suddenly dropped among the habituésof Sally Tucker's pub.
Nevertheless, because of the Royal Yacht Clubinsignia on his cap, and also because his face wasvery brown and square-chinned and his shouldersrather broader than most, his "sunfish" proddingthe long-horns down the gangs kept their commentsstrictly to themselves.
Harcourt, who was strolling along in a ratheraimless fashion, nodded quietly to the astonishedS.P.C.A. inspector, replied to the latter's flurriedgreeting that it certainly was a fine day, and passedon. His dark-blue eyes settled on an ancient anddishonorable well-deck cargo tank of some threethousand tons, from which the last batch of cattlewere being driven into the wharf pens.
As he passed down beneath her counter, on theedge of the wharf, his sauntering ceased ratherabruptly. From somewhere came a well-directedstream of blue, evil-smelling, pipe smoke, whichshot down with the wind squarely athwart hisface.
Harcourt looked up to see a man, obviously a"sunfish" or cattle-boat hand, leaning lazilyupon the rail above him and grinning amiably atthe intruder.
Foul beyond the ordinary foulness of the bullockwaiter was the man, his clothes a mere mass oftattered rags, and dirt; but there was a twinkle inhis grey eyes, and his face and neck were brown andrough and muscled. His tousle of black hair wascrowned by a battered felt hat, whose brim flappedat