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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1933-06-22, Page 6THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1933 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE ^IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN’-**** ' *•—** j TINY CARTERET | = BY SAPPER 5 SYNOPSIS Tiny Carteret was a free easy going young man extremely popular with both men and women and and -with his income of five thous­ and a year enabled him to live in an up-todate apartment in the city of London. He received a letter one morning from a friend, Ron­ ald Standish, which bore a post mark Grand Hotel, at Territet, on the Lake of Geneva. Standish appealed to him to meet him at once as he needed someone who had steady nerve, could use a re­ volver and could use their fists if necessary. Gillson from the Home Office calls Tiny and he goes there before leaving. Here he is instructed by Gillson to appear at a certain restaurant in Paris and after receiving instructions there to proceed to Switzerland, Just as Tiny was about to leave word came that Jebson, a mem­ ber of the force had been mur­ dered, he being the fourth officer to be done away with in the same manner. Dexter came in and des­ cribed the facts. Tiny finds that his friend Lady Mary is connected with the case. Lady Mary and Felton Blake are working to­ gether. Tiny calls on Mary but gets no satisfaction from the in­ terview CHAPTER III Tiny weighed his words carefully. “I believe that your conjecture is right. I believe that the lady is act­ ing for someone whose name T won’t mention. But it’s only belief: I haven’t a vestige of proof.” “I see. Well, my dear fellow we­ ’re moving in deep waters; and un­ less I’m much mistaken you shortly will be moving into deeper ones. Good night and good luck to you.” Tiny replaced the receiver, and went back to the smoking-room. A bunch of members hailed him as he came in, but he was in no mood for club back-chat. He wanted to get things straightened out in his mind so making many excuses ne went in­ to the coffee-room and ordered din­ ner. And during his solitary meal he attempted the straightening pro­ cess, though it would be idle to pre­ tend to go very far with it. The whole affair was such a com­ plete upheavel, and such and ex­ tremely rapid one. In the course of twelve hours he had been transport­ ed from the even tenor of his ways and landed on the centre of an at­ mosphere of murder and blackmail And one of his companions was Mary That was the most, staggering part of {he whole business: Mary mixed up with such a bunch! It seemed incredible: almost as incredible as it would have seemed to him this morning if someone nad told him he was going to propose to her. There was no doubt about it: he had done so. And now he tried to think how he would be feeling if she hadn’t turned him down. To depart from the habits of a lifetime and propose to a girl was clear proof of what an upheaval had taken place And yet he wasn’t at all 'certain that he had wanted to be turned down. Mary was unquestionably a darling and that kiss she had given him. . “Give me my bill,” he said sav­ agely: the thought of Mary alone in a private room with any man, let alone Felton Blake, had suddenly become unspeakable. “’ll write her,” he reflected, as he strolled back to his rooms. “Write her to-night and tell her I meant it That it wasn’t a spasm induced by a desire to help her.” And because he was very busy with his thoughts, he failed to no­ tice a man, who was lingering aim­ Household Drudgery The Bane of Woman’s Life Nature intended women to be strong and healthy instead of weak and sickly, but how can a woman have good health when, day in and day out, she has to go through the household drudgery without any relaxation. Is it any wonder she becomes nervous and irritable,, has hot flushes, faint arid dizzy spells, shortness of breath, sinking and smothering sensations, and can’t sleep at night* Women who are weak and run down will find iff Milbum’s Heart and Nerve Pills a remedy to strengthen the system and bring back the much desired health. lessly not far from his front door, and who vanished rapidly as he en­ tered. Nor could he possibly have known that shortly afterwards the man expended the sum of twopence on a telephone call to Hampstead. He sat down at his desk and pull­ ed a sheet of paper towards him. From the next room came the sound of Murdoch finishing his packing and for awhile he remained motion­ less gnawing the end of his pen­ holder. Then he began to write. Mary Dear: Ever since I saw you this after­ noon I’ve been feeling distracted I know you’re in trouble; I know I could help you if only you would let' me. You pulled my leg about pro­ posing to you, but believe me, Mary I meant it. I know I’m every sort and condition of an »ss, "while you’re just—Mary. No need to say more It think I’ve always loved you dear: but it was seeing you up against it to-day that made me cough up. However, let all that be for the time. Can’t I do anything to help? Please let me. You can tell me as much or as little as you like: I’ll go into it blind if it’s for you. his let­ ter should arrive first post to-mor-.> row and if you telephone me on it’s receipt I’ll cancel all my arrange­ ments with regard to Switzerland Or a letter to the Ouchy Palace Hotel at Lausanne will bring me back at once. One can get through in a day, and if necessary I can al­ ways fly. Mary dear, I beg of you to think very deeply. Are you being wise to tackle this business—■whatever it is —alone? Can’t I help you? I know I’m repeating myself, but, my dear, I do feel so terribly strongly about , it. We’ve played a lot together in tihe past Mary: we’ve always been dam­ ned .good pals. And if you can’t turn to a pal when you’re up against it it’s a pretty hopeless state of affairs Yours ever, my dear ona, I TINY. He re-read it: then slipped it into an envelope and stamped it. | “Murdoch,” he called out, ‘take this out and post it at once.” “Very good, sir: ana the packing is practically finished.” , The man withdrew, and Tiny flung himself into a chair and lit a cigarette. Would the letter have ahy effect, or would she still go on playing the hand alone? And even as he asked himself the question there came the faint purring of an engine through the open window. He rose idly, and crossing the room look ed out. Drawn up by rhe kerb was a yellow Rolls limousine with an aluminium bonnet. “Well. I’m damned,” he muttered. “Things move.” The door opened behind him and he swung round. Standing in the entrance was Felton Blake. For a moment or two they eyed one another in silence: then Tiny spoke. “May I ask who you are, and what you are doing here?” "I think you already know who I am, Mr. Carteret,” answered the other. “But to prevent any possib­ ility of error I will introduce myself. My name is Blake.” “How did you get in?” said Tiny curtly. “I walked through a door which your ’man had considerably left open. “Then would you be good enough to walk out again, and pretty damn­ ed quick at that.” Felton Blake put his hat and gloves on a chair. “You disappoint me, Mr. Carter­ et,” he said suavely. “I thought you were sufficiently a man of the world not to adopt such a foolish attitude. It can lead us nowhere, and I have come round here express- teret—I am going to put my cards on the table.” “How many of them?” said Tiny with a short laugh. “All that I can,” answered the other, I can hazard a pretty shrewd guess as to its source. That, however is neither here nor there. To be brief then, I am not acting, as you seem to suppose, against Lady Mary: I am acting on her behalf. I too have sources of information at my dispos­ al, and it so happens that I am in a position where I may be able to render tier a considerable service. But in-order to do so it is essential that she and I may be able to be left —if I may put it that way—alone. Come, Mr. Carteret—I’m going to ask you a straight question. Your information came from colonel Gill­ son didn’t it?” “I refuse to say who is came from,’ said Tiny. ‘And he sent you round to Lady Mary to find out what you could?” “You seem to have everything cut and dried,” remarked Tiny. “Now I solemnly warn you and him as well that any outside interference at the moment may prove fatal. I speak in all earnestness. I am, believe me, on your side, and I there­ fore beg of you to remember what I say. If you don’t the consequences will be on your head—apd on Lady Mary’s.” Tiny stared at him thoughtfully: on the face of it the man was sin­ cere. And yet . . . “Touching the little matter of the waiter who was murdered,” he re­ marked. “I can assure you, Mr. Cateret, that I have never been more sur­ prised in my life than when Lady Mary told me about it.” He gave a! short laugh. “I hope in addition to being a blackmailer. I am riot sus-i pected of that. Because, unfortun-j ately for your kindly suggestion, I have a perfect alibi.” | “When did Lady Mary tell you I; had been to see her?” “She rang me up as soon as you left: you had alarmed her so much. Hence my visit to you to-night. Mr.j Carteret—I beg of you be guided by me in this matter. The issues are al­ together too serious.” He rose, and glancing through the open door into Tiny’s bedroom he saw the half-packed suitcases. I “You’re going out of Town?” he, asked. “Didn’t Lady Mary tell you that also?” said Tiny .sarcastically. “No, returned the other. Her mind was too much occupied with other things.” , “Yes, Mr. Blake: I’m going out of Town. I’m going for a walking tour ■—in Bessonia.” Just for an instant Felton Blake stood aS if carved out of stone. Then he spoke. “Bessonia,” he said. “A most in­ teresting country. I trust you will have a good time. Good night, Mr. Carteret: I have enjoyed your chat greatly.” He went down the stains and crossed the pavement to his car. He, had given his chauffeur the night off, and now he felt rather relieved that he had done so. For Felton • Blake was one of those men who could concentrate better when quite alone. Why on earth had Lary Mary said nothing about this trip to Bess­ onia? And was there any special significance in it? For Gillson’s knowledge of all sorts and condi­ tions of things he had the most pro­ found respect, and his reason for sending Carteret round to see her was clear in view of the friendship between them. But surely if . he sus- pected anything he would not send an untried man like that to Bessonia Anyway, what could he do? What could anyone do? The thing- was fool-proof as far as he could see: moreover it was within the law. Felton Blake smiled gently to him­ self. The soft purr of the engine Sodthed him With Its hundred per cent, efficiency-— he liked efficiency because It engendered success and success was his god, The mC^ns by Which it was attained mattered nothing: the fact that at the moment he whs engaged in driving one of the most infamous bargains a man can drive troubled him not at all. The Ohly thing that concerned him ly to have a talk with you.” “I have not the slightest wish to talk to you in any place or at any time said Tiny icily. “I can’t say from the standard of your conversation,” answered Blake, “that I have much desire to talk to you either. But sometimes these boring entertainments necome re­ grettable necessities.” Tiny mastered his anger, which was rapidly rising, it occurred to him that u to date he had not shone in the interview. “It would be interesting to know what possible necessity there can be for a conversation between you and me,” he remarked. “That sounds a little better,” said Blake. “And since this isn’t a stage melodrama—shall we sit down?” “As you like. There is a chair. I prefer to stand.” “Now, Mr. Carteret—I must ask you for an explanation. You called on Lady Mary Ridgeway this after­ noon, did you not?” Once again Tiny began to see red. “Give you an explanation,” he cried. “Why the devil should I.” “Assuredly there is no reason at all,” said the other sauvely, “if you had confined yourself to calling. But It becomes a different matter when during your call, you slander me. I understand that you alluded to me as a notorious blackmailer.” Tiny stood very still: that Mary would pass on his remarks to Blake' was a development he had not an­ ticipated. “I am waiting, Mr. Carteret, for an explanation—and an apology.” And suddenly it dawned on Tiny that the position was undeniably awkward. The man confronting him, as Gillson had said, might have been a successful lawyer: certainly he looked the acme of respectability. “You have proof, of course, of your astounding statement,” contin­ ued Blake. Which was exactly what Tiny had not got. “You seem very silent, Mr. Carter­ et. Come, sir, I insist on an explan­ ation.” “No explanation Is necessary for speaking the truth,” saic Tiny, light­ ing a cigarette. “So you adhere to it,” remarked the other softly. “And your proof?’ ‘Is there any good in prolonging this discussion, Mr. Blake,” answer­ ed Tiny. “It bores me excessively. Of proof in the accepted sense of the word I have none. Nevertheless I repeat my assertion: you are a no­ torious blackmailer. And there is the door.” “Not quite so fast my young friend,” snarled the other. “Have you ever heard of the law of libel?” “Cut it out, you poor fish,” laugh­ ed Tiny. “As a bluff that is un­ worthy of a child of ten. You go in­ to a law court to defend your liy- white character! I think not, Mr. Blake—somehow. Besides, where is your own proof? Even you would hardly ask Lady Mary to go into the witness-box, I presume.” For -a moment Blake was silent: in a sudden fit of rage lie had put up a bluff, and no one knew better than he that the bluff had been call­ ed successfully. Some other line would have to be adopted with thia Very direct young man. “Mr. Carteret,” he said, “you are perfectly right. Nothing, of course. Would induce me to ask Lady Mary to do such a thing. At the same time I think you will agree that it is a little disconcerting, when I am doing my best to help her over some ex­ tremely ticklish negotiations, for me to be libelled in such a way.” “Leaving out the question of libel for the moment, Mr. Blake, may I ask the nature of these negotiations? “I regret that I am not at liberty to pass that on,” answered Blake. “Leaving that out too then for a moment, I would be greatly obliged if You would tell me why it is neces­ sary to take her to such an impds- poslble place as a private room at the Fifty-Nine Club?” Felton Blake eyed him narrowly. “Your information is good Mr. Carteret.” “Damn my information,” cried Tiny angrily, “What I want to know is how you dare compromise a girl In her position by doing such a thing.” Blake raised his eyebrows, “Dare! Rather a strong word. You don’t suppose, do you, that I drag­ ged there against her will? Nor cam you really suppose that with her knowledge of the world she didn’t know what she was doing.” “I refuse to believe that she went there willingly,” said Tiny doggedly. “Did she tell you so?” asked Blake quietly^ “No: I see she didn’t. Mr. Car- was whether he had bluffed Tiny Carteret sufficiently, There was no doubt that his inter­ view with Lady Mary had caused him a distinct shock. Even he had not suspected that the information on the other side was as good as evidently it was. Ana one point struck him as being so important that it would have to be cleared up. Was it he personally who was being watched—or was it the Fifty-Nine Club? And since so far as he knew there was no reason yny he should be honoured with such an attention it rather pointed to the latter as be­ ing correct. Which was annoying: distinctly annoying. Almost as- an­ noying as this extraoreinary murder of the waiter. For one of the few truthful remarks he made in his in­ terview with Carteret had been when they talked about it. He had been absolutely amazed When Lady Mary had told him about it. At first, in fact, he had refused to believe it —had assured her that she must be mistaken. And then when she had still persisted he could only come to the conclusion that it was an extraordinary coincidence. Unless. . . He frowned slightly: the train of thought .suggested by that word did not please him. For if it was not a coincidence, it could only mean one thing—the presence in England of the last man he wanted to see at the moment. And even then it was hard to understand. Why should he have murdered an inoffensive wait- ter? He ran the car iyto iiis garage: then he let himself into his house. And the first thing tie saw was a black Holmburg hat lying on the hall table. For a moment he stood very still: that hat was the answer to the question. ,His “unless” had been justified. He opened the door of his study and went in. Seated in an easy chair smoking a cigarette, was a peculiar­ looking individual. At first sight he appeared to be a man of f-orty, .but on closer inspection he might have bedn considerably more. He had a high domed forehead rendered "the more noticable because of his absol­ ute lack of hair, and from beneath it there stared two unwinking blue eyes. And to complete ’the picture on his shoulder there sat a small monkey which chatterec angrily on Blake’s entrance. “Good evening, Xavier,” said Blake “This is an unexpected pleasure.." “Be quiet, Susan,” said the other in a curiously^ gentle voice. “Don’t you know our friend Fe’lton by now? He turned to Blake. “So you are sur­ prised at seeing me?” “I thought you were still at head­ quarters,” remarked Blake. “What brings you over here?” “A desire to see fou my dear fellow, asnongst other things. All goes well?” “Very., well. Though i am bound to confess, Zavier, that* the intelli­ gence of our English police has been sadly underrated. They know too much.” “And to-day they would have known considerably more save for my presence. You’re a damned fool Blake—and I have little use for damend fools. All I c«n say is— that I trust you stop short at fool­ ishness. Otherwise. . .’ “What do you mean?” Blake’s lips were strangely dry. “Is it conceivable,” said the other and his voice was softer than ever, “that you did not realize that your waiter of last night was a police spy?” “Good God,” muttered Blake “So it was you, then?” ‘Who removed him? Oh! yes—it was I who did that.” “But why?” stammered Blake. ‘What wa.s the object?” “It was nothing to do, I assure you, with your conversation with the young lady. There were bne or two indiscretions, but nothing sufficient to warrant such a drastic step as that.” “What do you mean?” said Blake slowly. “What do you know of my converastlon with Lady Mary?’ “My dear fellow, I listened with interest to every word.” Zavier smil­ ed faintly. “Charming? Charming! But I fear your suit does not pro­ gress as rapidly as you wish.” At last Blake found his voice. “You listened,” he shouted angri­ ly. “YOU cursed spy. Where did you listen from?” “You are exciting Susan again,” remarked the other gently. “I must really beg of you to control your­ self.” He pacified the excited little ani­ mal, while Blake with a great effort pulled himself together. (Continued hext week.) Exrter aJinira-Afcnnratr Established 1873 and 1887 Published every Thursday morning at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION—$2.00 per year in advance. RATES—Farm or Real Estate for sale 50c. each insertion for first four Insertions. 25c. each subse­ quent insertion. 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