He carried a bulky
notebook, and, tapping his teeth with his monocle:
"Ladies and gentlemen," he began whimsically, "I will bore you with a
brief account of the extraordinary facts concerning the Kazmah case."
Margaret was seated in the rest-chair which her husband had vacated,
and Seton took up a position upon the ledge formed by one of the wide
arms. Everyone prepared to listen, with interest undisguised.
"There were three outstanding personalities dominating what we may
term the Kazmah group," continued Seton. "In order of importance they
were: Sin Sin Wa, Sir Lucien Pyne and Mrs. Sin."
Rita Irvin inhaled deeply, but did not interrupt the speaker.
"I shall begin with Sir Lucien," Seton went on. "For some years before
his father's death he seems to have lived a very shady life in many
parts of the world. He was a confirmed gambler, and was also somewhat
unduly fond of the ladies' society. In Buenos Ayres--the exact date
does not matter--he made the acquaintance of a variety artiste known
as La Belle Lola, a Cuban-Jewess, good-looking and unscrupulous. I
cannot say if Sir Lucien was aware from the outset of his affair with
La Belle that she was a married woman. But it is certain that her
husband, Sin Sin Wa, very early learned of the intrigue, and condoned
it.
Pages:
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402