The Sun Is God Read Online Free PDF Page A

It was a big loss to the colony.
    â€œFischer’s in Apia, Beyer’s off his rocker, who does that leave?”
    â€œThe native Polizeitruppe.”
    â€œThat bunch of tripes? They’d turn tail at the first sign of a Ju Ju Man from the jungle.”
    Kessler took a piece of paper from his trouser pocket. A by now very damp piece of paper. “Herr Prior, I am come on a mission of some import. I do not know how to ask you this without it appearing as an insult.”
    â€œI am as hooked as a Humber trout, I assure you.”
    â€œWhen you came here a little over two years ago you were made to provide a number of referees and affidavits.”
    â€œAh, about that, listen, those references, now, some of them were rather elderly gentlemen so if you’ve had trouble—” Will began.
    Kessler had taken a pair of gold-rimmed glasses from a case and placed them on the end of his nose like an apothecary. He unfolded the piece of paper and read: “From March 1899 until May 1903 you were a member of the British Army’s Military Foot Police, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œAs a military policeman did you look into ordinary crimes?”
    â€œThat was part of our duties, yes.”
    â€œDid you ever investigate a murder?”
    In the Military Foot Police, Will reflected, a murder was one drunken private bashing another drunken private over the head and then crying about it until the MFPs came to arrest him.
    â€œI’ve looked into the occasional murder. What’s all this about?”
    Kessler nodded. Yes, Will Prior would do very nicely. He was an ex-military policeman and had undertaken murder cases. He was not a fool and neither was he so scrupulous that he would run to the Fathers or the newspapers if he found scandalous goings on. He was therefore the only man in the entire colony who could investigate the suspected murder of Max Lutzow on Kabakon Island.
    Kessler stood. “You are to get dressed. We must see Governor Hahl immediately.”
    Will smiled and shook his head. “I am not getting dressed for the Governor on this or any other fine Sunday afternoon.”
    â€œNo?”
    â€œMy dear Klaus, Sunday is a day for contemplation and relaxation, even in a German colony.”
    Kessler shook his head. “Twenty guineas says you will come.”
    Will’s eyes widened. “Twenty English guineas?”
    â€œDo you accept?”
    â€œIf you put it like that, yes, I accept.”
    â€œThen attend to your toilet, Herr Prior,” Kessler said, already assuming the mantle of command.
    â€œSiwa!” Will yelled. She appeared in the doorway, arms folded and frowning. “Where’s me kit, lass? I have to go out.”
    She nodded and went into the back room.
    â€œAnd one more thing, Will,” Kessler said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œIt is Tuesday.”

4
    THE IMMORTAL IN THE MORGUE
    I t was fortunate that Siwa had had Will’s shirts, flannel trousers, and Norfolk jacket washed and steam-ironed by Lee and sons, otherwise he would have had nothing to wear but his cricket whites. While Kessler waited on the veranda, Will got into his trousers, pulled on his Liverpool Rubber Company plimsolls, and buttoned his collarless shirt. He did not possess a tie or cravat, but with the cleaned and ironed jacket he felt that he looked presentable enough. Captain Kessler thought otherwise. “Do you even possess a button collar?”
    â€œWhy would I in this bloody heat?”
    â€œWhat do you wear at the club or the bar of the hotel?”
    â€œThis,” Will said.
    Kessler sighed. “If you are unable to change your toilet, at the very least you must shave,” Kessler said with a trace of exasperation.
    Will made a face. “Siwa! Shave!” he yelled. Siwa had obviously anticipated this exigency for she appeared a moment later with a bowl of water. Will adjourned to the porch and