OTHER NOVELS
The Black Scorpion. By Alastair Shannon. (Bles. 7s. 6d.) —Grey mist at the India Dock—an Indian shadowing Jack Calthorpe, late of the Madras Criminal Investigation Depart- ment through the swirling fog—a meeting with Calthorpe's double in a sailors' public house—talk of a sect of murderers in India, whose victims are branded with a black scorpion ; here is the beginning of an honest-to-goodness mystery yarn, with Scotland Yard, knifings, hangings, kidnappings, terror in India, intrigue in London, a charming heroine in the clutches of swarthy conspirators, and plenty of double- Scotches for the principals, who certainly need strong stimulant to meet their nerve-shattering adventures with the necessary nonchalance, Calthorpe's fiancée, Kathleen, is abducted by the Indians, also his valet. Needless to say, he rescues them both, and the villain, who opens the large trunk in which he believes he has smuggled Kathleen away, discovers therein one of his own minions, much the worse for drink. The author knows his London well, and Madras even bettei. The plot, although fantastic, is not impossible and has been planned with a knowledge of secret societies and police methods. A curious feature of the conclusion is that we do not learn what happened to Azeem, the chief villain, although the other conspirators are duly punished. Perhaps Azeem will live to fight another day. We hope so, for this story, while pretending to no subtleties of characterization, is full of atmosphere . and adventure ; it is a thriller of the best sort, written with pleasant streaks of humour and to be enthusiastically recommended.
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