Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1930-04-17, Page 3THE EXETER tImes-advocate by ie-g SAPPER _ lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllM THE STORY SO FAR JHugh Drummond and I’eter Dar­ rell are interested in Mr. Grang­ er, who lives at Temple Towers, which is strpngly fortified. Miss Verney accepts a position as pri­ vate secretary to Mr. Granger and her friend (Freckles) Tom Scott is staying with Hugh. At the Dolphin Inn when Hugh is stand­ ing on dhe doorstep someone knocks a large chimney-pot down ’• ’but it did not hit him. That night they visited Spragge’s Farm where a r-oomer is staying. They seen a very disreputable character of a man in the workshop making a rope ladder. On their return to the car they.found someone had left a note and had removed all ' . the spark plugs, Hugh visits his friend John and finds that some­ one has stolen the plans of Temple Tower ajid- the means of finding ’the secret passage. Someone had stolen the plans out of the room. ■Peter and Frecklqs go to Temple Tower where they receive a letter from Miss Verney. Vandalis and the girl drive up and after talking with Granger discover that Peter and Freckles have been listening. NOAV GO ON Till RSDAY, Al’RID 17th, 1080 BENEFITS IMPEL NURSE TO SPEAK "I’m a practical nurse but the ac­ tion of this new Sargon certainly surprised me, and I’m giving this statement out of gratitude for what has done for me. but for tlw next few days do not for­ got my warning.’ (To be continued.)’ nervous condition,’ I said to her. "She was a fnrtiye-eyed creature and very ijihcommunicative. " 'So would you lie if you never stirred outside the house/ she mut­ tered morosely. 'Herd’s your room/ **‘She flung open, a door, and walk­ ed in in front of me. And then Gaspard brought in my box, and the pair of alone, fortable, very pin room in bars over "I got terwaros some tea. “ •When you have finished, ring the bell and I’ll take you to Gran­ ger,’ she said, » "I noticed the omission of the 'mister,’ but • said nothing. As a matter of fact, it only confirmed what I’d thought ever since I got into the house, that they were all of much tiie same class. However, I finished my tea and went off to visit the gentleman. His room is at the top of the house, and is, if possible, more heavily barricaded than the rest. The door is about three inch­ es thick, and you -can hardly see out of the sitting and I which than I’d been able to up to He is the most terrible little Tom: perfectly frightful, like some kind of insect with a rash on it, and but for the fifty quid I think I should have left then and there. “However, he started explaining what he wanted me to. do. And af­ ter a time I had’to stop him; he was so incoherent and rambling that I could not make bead or tail of what he was saying. Ji? addition to which ho kept popping up .to have a out of tlie window, until I could shied (he inkpot at his head. “ ‘You must forgive me, Verney,’ lie said several times, ‘but I have had a great shock lately.’ “I said nothing, of course, but presumably he was alluding to the signals Captain Drummond was talk­ ing about. And quite obviously the man is in a pitiful condition of nerves. However, to get hack to the point. After lie had hummed and hawed for some' time, and told me that he would want me to write let­ ters and that sort of thing for him, he suddenly asked me if I knew any­ thing about jewellery and precious stones. 1 said I new very little. “ ‘I have one or two beautiful bits of stuff,’ lie rambled on. ‘I have been an ardent collector for years.’ “Which, of course, was very nice, but what it had to do with ray duties as his secretary was a obscure. I brought him back to the point. “ ‘I should like to know, Granger,’ I said, ‘what will be tlie arrangement over going out. There seemed to be a great deal of diffi­ culty over getting in; I hope it don’t apply to getting out.’ “ ‘That we will arrange,’ he cried. ‘Just at present it would be better, I think, for you to take your walk in the grounds. Th.ere are reasons, important reasons. But one thing, as you value y,our life, yu must not forget—do not go out after dusk/ “ ‘You mean tile dog?’ I said. “ ‘Yes—and other things, too. Soon I hope the danger will be over, his siesta. He hoped that we were not as hot as we looked, whereat we cursed Mm for a lousy knave, and demanded beeir in tankards. But all his air of laziness vanished when w-d began to tell him what had hap­ pened. “You are absolutely certain about this peculiar thing you saw in the wood?” he said. " you must be. You have imagined it. very strange indeed. He lit a cigaret thoughtfully. “I wouldn't be surprised if you are not right, Scott," he went on, "and it is not our friend from Spragge’s Harm.” “AVhose name would seem, from what Vandali said, to be Marillard/’ I yi^t in. “But Impression of the thing we saw in the wood was that it was considerably taller." "Anyway,” it is him or two definite is frightened frightened of fore it would dalis are working separately, right or wrong?” “Don’t ask me,” grunted Freckles. "The whole thing at the present time is Completely above my form. But there is one point that sticks out a bit, and that is the fact that the Vandalis know about Marillard, and "that Granger is frightened of him. So that if°the “it" ibi Maril­ lard, even though they .may be work­ ing separately, the Vandalis are using him as a weapon for their own ends.” "Life is certainly a trifle compli­ cated,” murmured Hugh. “However, let us hear what your perfectly good girl has to say on the matter." “Great Scott! She has written a 3 volume novel," said Freckles as he opened the letter. “Er-and the first paragraph, chaps, does not, seem to bear directly on the subjecK” “You surprise me,” -said Hugh gravely. “The first paragraph may therefore be omitted.” "It certainly will be,” laughed the other. “Here is where she really gets going.” settled himself comfortably in liis chair. ••“.This is the most amazing house­ hold,” lie began. “I’ll start at the beginning and try not to leave out anything. The first excitement 'oc­ curred the installt^the gate was shut —and you heard it. The dog^ I mean, if such an animal can be call­ ed 'fl. dog. It is the size of a calf, and I suppose it saw a stranger-. In­ stantly it hurled bars of its cage, no other word for eyes were red, its showing, and the front of the cage shook so much that I feared it might give way:" “ ‘AVhat an awful brute,’ I said to the man who had opened the gate. His name is Gaspard, and he and tile dog are a pretty pair. “ ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘Ai he runs loose at night. Don’t fo get that.’ "He flung open the f. and then I really thought for-- moment or two T had come to madhouse. A nasty-looking man, who subsequently turned out out to be my employer, was coming downstairs as I stepped into the hall. The instant he saw me he started shouting, ‘AVho’s that woman? AVho is that woman?’ at the top of his voice. _..I stood there wondering whether’to laugh or be angry, while the servant man said something to him which seemed to reassure him. At any rate/ he came shambling for­ ward, and muttered some sorb or an apology. “ ‘You must excuse me, young lady,’ he said, ‘but great recluse, all they might ‘‘ ‘So I see,’ sume you are " ‘Of course, tered. forgotten^you were coming—'that is from Checker Tournament 1' But, of course, couldn’t both Very strange; On AVednesday evening of last week a number of checker players from. Crcditon visited Exetei* and a checker tournament was held in J. Taylor’s Tire Shop, Each player played two games and then changed until he had played siz players or eleven were a specta- Mr. A. Brintnell carried off ; the •some ahead in the was much en­ joyed by both players and spectators. The Exeter players are visiting Crcd­ iton this (AVednesday) lowing are the results in Exeter; it score. Creflitoji Won Drav; Total Miss Total shortly •ought af- me look have evening. Fol- of the games every other were from fully date, man, He is window for bars. He was at his desk when I came in, took a pew opposite, I could study him more itOPl Exeter [owMK, 426 Clendenari h » obtained in Exe- prlowev’s. Tsement) foints felped conn notia ever® them went out and left me The room was quite com- , though the furniture was tin. And like the. house, there the window. unpacked, and the woman b dou’l think you’d make at -all a I suitable companion l'or ine, In fact i I knoSy my age.d mother would ob­ ject most strongly. “Percy,” she would say, "have nothing to do with that rude man. Give him tho rasp­ berry at once.” The veins were beginning'to sttynd out on Arandali's forehead, but lie mana'ged to control himself, and turned to me. “Since this boy seems partially in­ sane,” 'he said, “might he good enough to tell great idea is?” "AVliat the devil lias you?” I said curtly. ‘ know we have as much right to lie in his wood, as you have to drive your car along the road.” “I see,” he answered slowly. “AVell I hope you have profited by eavesdropping." "Immensely, thanks," said boy. “And nbw don’t let us you any more. I would fail Slime my studies -of nature." “Come along, Paul,” cried girl imperiously; “You are wasting time.” “Aladame,” said Freckles tragical­ ly, "you wound me to the very core. •Surely, surely, to engage in playful badinage with one countenance cannot wasting t-ime. But get, him to cut the his face. That’s ; once-over,” he continued with a grin 'as tlie car drove orf. “But there is no doubt, laddie, that the girl is a decided pippin/’ “I wish you could have controlled your nose,” I said it! People in Rye | Nrmi I I ask you to me what the i it got to do “As far as I your the keep re- the only said Hugh, ‘‘whether not, we’ve arrived at conclusions. Granger of it, and he is not the Vandalis. There- seem that it and Van- Am I twelve games. There were tables in action and there large number of interested tors, the medal made especially for occasion by Mr. AV. Kuntz—-: medal, Exeter was The evening AV. Mots .... I. Hirtzej ... Herb Falinei Roy Schenk C. Morlock . Otto Ewald I’1. Morlock E. Wenzel Chris. Rau M. Telfer Hy. Trick MRS. EDITIM BROWN “I had awful patfis in m^Fright side and in"my rigjt should/ that extended all my wrist and the Nothing I took 1 took Sargon. Its .came my pain, ffi am stronger ids worlds of new fsner: joint, 'he wayjffown to offflniy hand. Jse until I lately oVer- p too that I way with and vitality. Sargon Pills regllatdl me perfectly.” —Mrs. Edith Bj Ave., Toronto. | Sargon may | ter at Wesley | (advi A. Brintnell . E. Treble ..... J. S. Grant .. J. Elliott ..... J. Triebner .. Cliff Brintnell Hy. Elworthy C. Sweet ... Mr. Buttler E. Westcott W. Banders of the engaging ; be regarded as I do lUish you’d grouse moor on given him the AVITH THE STORY that is a certainty," impatiently. “My ■dear Paul, look ajt the house, look at the precautions he has taken against anyone' getting in. Of course it is tire man.” * "I suppose* you? are right,” he -agreed. “Anyway, Ave can but try the bluff.” He lit a cigarotte, and stood loan­ ing'against the car. , .“And if the .bluff doesn’t succeed?’ jshe remarked, ‘‘what then?” ."I seeuiothing in it,” he said, the police.” The panel Suddenly opened again; that we now ooze back to the house, .and he swung1 ground. And framed and read Pat’s letter.” for a moment in the hole'in the gate was an' unpleasant-shifty-eyed face, object The owner himself,. I decided, and, and I was on tlie point of agreeing .evidently Vandali had come to the when suddenly the panel in the gate .same conclusion. . {was cautiously opened, and Granger, ■“Mr. Granger, I believe,” lie said again looked out. We were stand- ajjjietly. s_ ling in the middle of the road,, so it But if he expected any further was useless to try and conceal our- conveysation he was doomed to dis- selves. He stared at' us with ut- tappoin’ti^ent. A querulous ’Voice most hostility, but Freckles, coin­ raid; “T '‘I""" ' and then the , panel slammed to Again. ; "Wait a. moment,” called out Van­ dali. “I know you don’t know me, .hut I know you.” ■“Go” away,” shrieked tlie 'voice .from tlie 'other side of the wall. /.‘Listen to. me, you fool,” snarled Vandali, losin^his temper he the worse fbr . you. consent to see me, tilings,, I will pu< the polie .A peal of cackling laughter ithe only reply, and I saw the put hcb hand on Vandali’s arm •whisper .something. t "Look hero, Mr. Granger,” lie “‘Guess-work ■she answered irritably. “Damn must have lieh rdit! you.' “It was a bit of mitted.’ “Still I do not see that ft bu!; lias done much harm. We've had a | pleasant little chat, and I .suggest AVife (putting on 'dress)— “Oh, bother! The^r' haven’t put enough hooks’ omiois dress!" Husband—s$Never mind. Thcre’lL be plenty eyes on it!” a break,” he ad-- There certainly seemed to be no in staying . where we -were, v______ ’Voice most hostility, ____ _ ___ ‘I don’t know you: go away,”’ (pletely .unpreturbed, seized the op­ portunity. “Qood-afternoon,” he cried cheer­ ily. “Do you mind telling Vernery that .1 am here, my name.” “Are you friend,s of Drummond ?” answered with a look of relief replacing the Miss Scott is Captain Granger, itself against the roaring—there is it—-with rage. Its great l’angs were i’, “or it will1 anger. Unless you ' ‘ " .and . discuss m on you.” was girl and said more calmly, “we’ll give you a- day ;to think it *„over in. To-morrow at Mihut this time we will return. And then I advise' yott, I’cfr your own sake, to see me.” But there was no.reply, and after .a time, with a shrug of his shoul­ ders, Vandali got back into the car^ Aijd the girl, was just leaning for- . ward' to press the starter;, whep a noiSe like a young explosion occurr- ■ed at niy-; elbow. As I pointed out to Freckles afterwards, . ho ■•' might have jibiitrollpd himself that half a second, but he merely retorted that half a second can, be longer than an eternity if a fly goes up your hose. Anyway, the bald fact remains that the uproar of Freckles’ .sneeze liter- ,aYly shook the countryside. And the Sgirl drew back from tlie self-starter, ,-and then they both stared straight Pt’ us'. '"Botanising?” said Vandali quiet­ ly- ‘ » “No. • OnlyAstudying the habits of Hid lesser carnivora,” burbled the hoy. “Is say laddie/-he didn’t seem to like your face, did he?” -Vandali got out of the car, and sldwly ’crossed, tlie road. “Spyinsr, I see,” ho remarked curt­ ly. Freckles grinned amiably and sat up. , ‘"Blessed if* it isn’t my old friend from tho Dolphin,” he said. “And what are you doing in the fragrant ^countryside this afternoon?” "May I ask wliat you are doing ■lying there?” said Ahuidali angrily. ■ -"Tush! Tush!" said Freckles, ‘and likewise pisli, pish!. I must buy you ■a. little .brochure'on Manners for M$n pnd’Beards. Can you advance any reason why I an.d my dear old friend Abrahft’fti de Vcre Potbelly should not Ho Tn tlie yerdant hay, studying the beauties of nature?" "Look here/my young friend, said Tandali quietly; "I would strongly uidvise you not to play the fool with me/' ’ "Gnd forbid, my dear old lad of •.the village/’ cried Freckles earliest- My, "that I should ever play any- ijtMhg *U’ith you* I’Sliotild hate to* I And then there occurred the most extraordinary thing. Granger’s ex­ pression changed suddenly. And it changed so suddenly that we could do nothing but stare at him blank­ ly. His jaw dropped, and a look of terror appeared on hjS face, such as I have never seen before on .since. For perhaps a second he stood there: then the panel clanged to. “AVhat tlie devil is the matter with the mail?” stammered Freckles. “It wasn't us,” I muttered. “He wasn’t looking at us.” AVe swung around, quickly, and peered into the ’ wood, the ■' same thought in both our minds. And this time I, too, saw it—a great black shape that seemed to flit be^. tween the trees until 'it vanished. For a moment or two wo stood there undecided, then we pulled ourselves together and gave chase. But it was hopeless. Once. I thought I saw him in the distance between two trees, but when we got there, there was nothing. And after a while we gave it up and returned to the road mopping- our-foreheads. “So it wasn’t my. imagination after all,” said Freckles. “What is it, Darrell?".. Ask me another," I answered.1 '‘’‘But whatever it is it put the fear of God into our friend Granger. I’ve never seen a man look more terri­ fied in my life.” “I wonder .if it is that swine from Spragge’s Farm masquerading about In disguise," he said as we strolled back to tlie house. “AVhat defeats me is that it seemed such a' rum shape.” He stopped, struck with a stRlden’ thought. “I suppose it is human, isn't it?” “Good Lord, man!” I cried irrit- .ably. “there are enough complica­ tions in this affair already Without introducing ghosts do break’ them "That is itp really w ary object, a face.” AVe’walked reached tlie every single produced a new development, and i fully expected to find that something more had happened in our absence. But in that I proved to be wrong. Hugh was taking his ease in a long chair on the* verandah, and assur­ ed us that nothing had disturbed front door, a a little SOLD IN EXETER BY my dear I am a are not T pre- M.v nerves be.’ I answered, expecting me.’ of course,’ he mut- ‘Just for the moment I had all. Lot mo see—you come Miss Mudge’,s. bureau, don’t you? Now' you would like to see room, I’m sure. ' Gaspard—-tell your'wife to show this young lady to her room. And then later we will go into your duties. Tell me, as you came in, did you see anyone outside in the road?” “‘I.camp with my fiance,’ I said. ‘And there were two gentlemen who told us which the house yas/ “I could hardly get" tlie sentence out before he was shouting for Gas­ pard. " ‘Did you see tlie men?’ lie stut­ tered. 'The two men outside?’ “ ‘Only Drummond and a friend ,of his/ said Gaspard. " 'AVho was tlie " 'If you want coldly, ‘hi,s. name “He stared at your *ires at the price you want to pay —each the best value obtainable in Canada ■— Royal Masters Dominion Royals, Endurance Royal Heavy Service. Prompt, efficient service, Do­ minion Tire Depot experts will see that your pressures are cor­ rect, and inspect your tires for injuries which will surely cause trouble if not checked in time. a bally ghost. .Besides, not step oil twigs and so,” he admitted. “But as the most extraordin- It didn’t seem to haVe oon in silence until we house. Up to date • hour seemed to have. friend?’ ho cried, to know/ I said was Darrell/ me suspiciously, and I supposed he noticed I was looking a bit surprised, made an attempt to pull ge ther. 0 " ‘I don’t encourage Miss . ■. . .’ "I told him my name. "‘Ah! yes* of course, •her now. No, Miss Verney, I don’t encourage strangers, As I told you, I am a recluse, and I keep myself to myself/ "I forbode to make the obvious retort that no one was likely to ob­ ject) aiid he went rambliiig on, evid- efitly trying to put me at ffiy And then at last tlie woman arriv­ ed, and I escaped upstairs. tlrangel' seems in a very Anyway, he himself to- strangers, I remem- Reliable repair work honestly and '•? promptly executed at a fair, price. ,<If yo< want mileage at lowest Cost, stop at any orange and blue Do­ minion Tire Depot.