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Fifty Candles

and wrinkles that even the best of makeups could not completely hide.

“If you will pardon me, Mrs. Drew—”

“I have already told you,” answered Carlotta Drew angrily, “I do not know whose birthday it is.”

“Well, no offense,” smiled Barnes. “That leaves me just one card—the card of the guest who for some reason or other has not come to the party, Doctor Su Yen Hun. The other partner in the Yunnan mine, I believe.”

“So I understand,” said I.

“Do you know him?”

“I met him four years ago—in Shanghai.”

“He was a partner in the fraud you claim was practised on you?”

“I understand he was a partner in all of Drew’s shady deals.”

“An interesting guest. I’d like to see him.” Barnes turned to the patrolman, who was still waiting. “Riley, before I let you go back to your beat, do this for

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