“My uncle,” stated Dave, “unquestionably wanted me to be his heir. Moreover, he knew that his illness would sooner or later cause his death.”
Jund nodded. These facts sounded right.
“I was in China,” resumed Dave. “A prisoner in Canton, possibly slated — through my own stubbornness — to remain in a Chinese yamen. Technically, I belonged there, although I was temporarily removed to the custody of the International settlement. You have been in China, captain. You know what frequently happens to prisoners in the native jails.”
“Sometimes they’re kidnapped,” nodded Jund. “That is, if friends of theirs have money.”
“Friends or relations,” agreed Dave. “Well, captain, I didn’t want it known that my uncle was a millionaire. More than that, I wanted to protect myself and him even if the fact did become known. The Chinese have a cute way of getting information.”
“That’s a fact, young fellow.”
“It is also why I wrote to Roger Mallikan, asking him to acquaint my uncle with the urgent need for caution. My uncle saw the answer. He disinherited me.”
“But still thought well of you, eh?”
“Yes. He wanted to place wealth where I could get it in the event of his death. He must have seen that the Xerxes was for sale; visiting you, he decided that you were trustworthy. He placed his wealth — my wealth — in your strong room.”
JUND was showing plainly that Dave Callard’s words had impressed him. The young man added further statements.
“My uncle decided to send clues to certain friends,” explained Dave. “He used those bits of ribbon from a sailor’s hat. He told no one what they were — not even his secretary — Basslett. He chose Mallikan as intermediary because he knew that the shipping man would recognize the name Xerxes, once all the ribbons were in his possession, ready to be shifted about until they formed the right combination.
“He chose the fifth of December as the day for his friends to assemble because I was scheduled positively to be released by the first of December. He wanted to be sure that I was clear; that if danger still threatened in China, I would be on my way home.
“Most of this is speculation, captain. But every word fits the facts. As it chanced, I gained an early release. I came home from China, firm in the belief that wealth would be awaiting me. I came here tonight because of the emergency.”
Captain Jund’s nods ceased. His broad face furrowed. His gaze was a questioning one. Dave Callard decided to add a statement.
“Someone guessed facts,” he declared. “I think that Basslett may have been a traitor. I believe, captain, that someone suspected the circumstances and took steps accordingly.”
“Who could that have been?” demanded Jund.
“Roger Mallikan,” returned Dave, bluntly. “There were murders committed, captain. They could have been his work. Facts came to light in spite of him. He turned yellow in the pinch. He started for Bermuda today. That was his story, at least; but he may be intending to come here.
“I have only one ribbon.” Dave produced the one marked R X and handed it to Jund. “Mallikan must have the others. He saw this one today. He has learned the name of this ship. He may visit the Xerxes, to claim the wealth that you are holding. That is why I came as soon as possible.”
JUND eyed the ribbon. He studied Dave. His decision came. With a short grunt, the captain of the Xerxes went to the big safe and began to turn the dials. Dave Callard’s fists tightened. He could no longer repress his eagerness. Jund was swinging open the big door of the massive strong box. A stack of metal boxes stood in view.
“There may be a message in the top one,” announced the captain. “Your uncle was kind of vague about it; but he said that when his friends came to collect, they’d learn all that was to be known. I’m taking your word for this business, young fellow—”
The captain stopped short. His hand shot toward his coat pocket. Dave Callard had already started to grab for a gun, wheeling as he did so. The weapons, however, were not drawn. Instead, the two men raised their arms as they stared into the shining muzzle of a revolver.
An intruder had stepped into the doorway of the lighted cabin. He had picked his goal by following through darkened passages, guided by the light from the open strong room. Behind this invader were three others.
The man who covered Jund and Dave was Courtney Dolver. The dignified importer was standing with shoulders upright; but his face had become the visage of a gloating evildoer. Close to him was Lessing, also armed with a revolver. His other henchmen were Partridge and Cray, carrying rifles.
No words were needed to reveal Dolver’s purpose. His face told the story. Dave Callard had been wrong when he had expressed the belief that Roger Mallikan had dealt in treachery. The real man of murder was Courtney Dolver.
CHAPTER XX. STATED CRIME
THE expressions of Captain Jund and Dave Callard were oddly different as they viewed Courtney Dolver. Jund’s was one of total surprise. He thought that the intruder must be Mallikan; but somehow Dolver did not fit the picture that Jund had made of Mallikan.
Dave’s face showed complete astonishment. It was plain that he had seen Dolver before; it was apparent, however, that he had not once suspected the importer as the man of crime.
“You know me, do you?” questioned Dolver, harshly. “Well, Callard, I recognize you from the descriptions that I have heard others give. I am glad to learn that you found your way here. That fact will add effectively to my plans.”
“You — you murdered Ralgood,” stammered Dave. “And — and Shurrick—”
“Also Basslett,” added Dolver. “Don’t forget him. I was prepared to murder Hungerfeld as well, had I been able to reach him. My part has been a most remarkable one.”
Indulgently, the self-admitted killer laughed. He was enjoying this triumph. Two helpless victims, an opened safe: those items pleased him. A master of crime, Dolver was pleased with his vile work. He wanted others to listen to its details.
“Basslett began it,” rasped Dolver. “I, too, was a friend of your uncle’s; but scarcely more than an acquaintance. After his death, I noted the fact that Milton Callard had died with the bulk of his wealth unaccounted for.
“I summoned Basslett. I talked with him; made promises. He told me all he knew: the names of three men, Ralgood, Shurrick and Hungerfeld, to whom Milton Callard sent the ribbons. Basslett, however, knew nothing more, except that the three were to meet at Mallikan’s on December fifth.
“Basslett was offered employment by Ralgood. I told him to accept it. Meanwhile, I planned to watch Shurrick myself. I took an apartment on the floor below his penthouse, while my home on Long Island was ripped apart for alteration.
“I was awaiting Hungerfeld’s return from Europe. But before he came, I learned through Basslett that you, Callard, had been released from jail in China. I decided that the time to strike would be the night of your arrival, particularly since you had written Ralgood that you would come to see him.”
DAVE CALLARD started to speak as Dolver paused. The importer silenced the heir with a vicious snarl; then resumed.
“Basslett admitted me to Ralgood’s,” explained Dolver. “I found them engaged in a contest over the bit of ribbon. I slew Ralgood; then watched the effect on Basslett. As I had supposed, he was yellow. He had not expected murder. So I killed him also.
“I took the ribbon and the letter that Luther Ralgood had received from Milton Callard. Ralgood: had kept the letter as well as the ribbon. I searched the room and removed Ralgood’s old-fashioned gun. But I left the cartridges; also the letter that Ralgood had received from China.”