Produced by Al Haines BONES IN LONDON By EDGAR WALLACE WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED LONDON AND MELBOURNE 1921 CONTENTS CHAP. I.--BONES AND BIG BUSINESS II.--HIDDEN TREASURE III.--BONES AND THE WHARFINGERS IV.--THE PLOVER LIGHT CAR V.--A CINEMA PICTURE VI.--A DEAL IN JUTE VII.--DETECTIVE BONES VIII.--A COMPETENT JUDGE OF POETRY IX.--THE LAMP THAT NEVER WENT OUT X.--THE BRANCH LINE XI.--A STUDENT OF MEN XII.--BONES HITS BACK BONES IN LONDON CHAPTER I BONES AND BIG BUSINESS There was a slump in the shipping market, and men who were otherwise decent citizens wailed for one hour of glorious war, when Kenyon Line Deferred had stood at 88 1/2, and even so poor an organization as Siddons Steam Packets Line had been marketable at 3 3/8. Two bareheaded men came down the busy street, their hands thrust into their trousers pockets, their sleek, well-oiled heads bent in dejection. No word they spoke, keeping step with the stern precision of soldiers. Together they wheeled through the open doors of the Commercial Trust Building, together they left-turned into the elevator, and simultaneously raised their heads to examine its roof, as though in its panelled ceiling was concealed some Delphic oracle who would answer the riddle which circumstances had set them. They dropped their heads together and stood with sad eyes, regarding the attendant's leisurely unlatching of the gate. They slipped forth and walked in single file to a suite of offices inscribed "Pole Brothers, Brokers," and, beneath, "The United Merchant Shippers' Corporation," and passed through a door which, in addition to this declaration, bore the footnote "Private." Here the file divided, one going to one side of a vast pedestal desk and one to the other. Still with their hands pushed deep into their pockets, they sank, almost as at a word of command, each into his cushioned chair, and stared at one another across the table. They were stout young men of the middle thirties, clean-shaven and ruddy. They had served their country in the late War, and had made many sacrifices to the common cause. One had worn uniform and one had not. Joe had occupied some mysterious office which permitted and, indeed, enjoined upon him the wearing of the insignia of captain, but had forbidden him to leave his native land. The other had earned a little decoration with a very big title as a buyer of boots for Allied nations. Both had subscribed largely to War Stock, and a reminder of their devotion to the cause of liberty was placed to their credit every half-year.