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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1931-01-29, Page 3{ r E. EXETER TUM►IES.M VOCAATE +S,41, $ AV, WI:4RX WA, Eargeret I,eferre marries. Luke 1VIad- . 4ison, wealthy hanker, after he 'has transferred to her every dol. ' lar he has in the world. After the..ceretnony he .asks her for some money with which to' pay an bb. • ligation, 'Site refuses, declaring Pat he shall never have a cent of his money back. She •discloses to him the feet that her brother, Rex Who was Soiled, enure had left se, • cote saying that traddison had ' ruined him, and Margaret had • anaried Luke for revenge, She sloes not know that Rex forged Maddison's name tt a large check, Maddison leaves her and wanders about London, trying to under, ' stand what happened, when he meets Lewing, an underworld character who has previously bought him a message from Gun, • ager Mayne;;, a famous American o crook.. • The two are' attacked by Joe Conners' gang,',who think Luke .is a detective whom Lewing has put on their trial. Lewing is killed and Maddison seriously wounded. • He recovers conscousness two weeks later .end finds he is known • in the hospital only . as ".Smith." " He decides to retain that name. d! messenger from Connors calls at the hospital, gives him $25.00 and the address of a Mrs: Fraser, coPY4,IGHT "Of course ); did,.you poor sintp!" A taxicab was passing and she hail- ed It. Slowly his grip on her anti. relaxed. He watched the taxi recede like a man in a dream, too stunned evert .to .think. He could never Te - member that journey bads; to Lam- beth, He had cr essed Westminister. Bridge when he saw .a newsboy wiltb e placard; "Daring West Diad Robe bery," He stood dead still, gazing open -Mouthed at the contents bill, and then he felt to his pocket and draped a pepny from his trembling; hand Into. the newsboy's palet, He dared not look inside the news- paper until he was in .a quiet street. Then lie read: DARING WEST END ROBBERY Bearded Maxi and Pretty Girl Rob Taffanny's of $20,000 Diamond Necklace s, A daring robbery was cpmznitted this afternoon at 'Messrs. ';pa'tfanny's jewel shop in Bond Street. At about 3;50 a 'well dressed woman walked into the chop and 'asiced'to be shown some plain gold rings. Whilst the: assistant's 'back was turned, shentust. ay EDGAR WALLACE. naturally, Coxlnor wouln"t stand fox that. 'Connor says a gun's ell'.riglit for the heads but not for the tinders, Fraser was that a{1uc1-.. 1t slii lle tried everiithiug—•" "Had he been in pr'ison befar+s?" She smiled amusedly. "Wliy, ot course! H0 did two stretches," Luke did not ask• whist a stretch might be; he had a vague idea that it meant penal servitude. "He didone stretch," said the communicative Mrs. Fraser,' "for a swindle up in eranchester--lie Arid Darty were in it--» Luke's jaw dropped, "panty?" he said .incredulously. ,,Who is ire?" "He's a con man—you must have heard of hint. 1 think, lye's.• .straight now, but you can never tell. He lives up west, knows alb the swells, and has got a flat in Half Won Street. He and'Cunner Haynes used to Work together—" "Gunner Haynes—you lenow him?' asked Luke. quickly. From her expression and tone he gathered ethat aytxes was 'a •pei$on of some iniliortiince in the hierarchy have broken a'glass case with a rub of the .underworld. , ber-headed hammer. When he cams "No, I' don't know elm, I've only .back, he found not only the 'woman heard of him. But what de they but 'a valuable diai}iond necklace had call Danty now?" She frowned in an effort of memory. "I had et right on the tip of my tongue --a swell name. Denton Morell—that's' it! Connor told me only. the other day about hint," 'The room seemed to swim 'before Luke Maddison's eyes Denton Mor - ell ---a confidence roan, an ex -con- vict? It was incredible! And then suddenly he' had .the stunning realiza- tion that Dante, Morell was his. wife's explaining the there is a room for disappeared. He flew out into the g street and overtook the woman as him there and that the gang wants she was entering a motor car.• He to make amends for its mistake was immediately struck down by her in ittaeking him. Luke goes to companion, who is described as a the Ginnett Street address and man of great height, with a fair, well- finds a good room ready for him. trimmed beard, dressed In a, gray • Meanwhile Margaret has had a tweed suit . ; telegram from Paris signed 'Luke' saying he has found consolations ▪ .elsewhere and will let her havea divorce. She idoubts that it is genuine, Denton ,Mozell, a friend of her brother Rex, calls on her • to try to get some money. She horrifies, him by telling hmi that t she has given all the money which Luke gave her back to his trustee • who is making her an allowance to live on. She is• convinced that • Luke has gone to his favorite re- ' sort in Spain, and intends to join *rim there. Morell realizes that Margaret is in love with her hus- ' band and that his own schemes :are likely to. fall through. NOW GO ON WITiH THE STORY "That's me." groaned Luke MaddI- son, and almost swooned. * * * For a quarter of an hour he sat and watched his tea growing cold, his mind vacillating between horror and amusement. He, 'Luke Maddi- son, was a thief, a gangster, an ac- tive member ' of an organization which had robbed Telfauy's! 110 knew 'Taffany's well; he had bought Margaret's engagement ring over the very glass 'counter that had been smashed. He was helpless—the idea of• going to the .police and betraying his associates never ;occurred to him. There was_ only one thing to do and that was to steal away at the, first opportunity. He had written for his r,a,Y�ton<. Street, a "',.she /said, in check book to be sent to Ronda' and b`usinesslike toner "Pull up opposite it was a ,Simple matter to reach Mrs. Fraser •appeared. She cloy. the Rean Club. Spain Was it, though? the .door behind her, and from tier He thought she was testing his With a gasp he realized that he manner he gathered that something driving ability, for he had to pass had no passport] And without a serious had happened. through three traffic blocks before passport it was impossible to Teach,"Two of the Lewing crowd are: t'own below," she said in a low voice be bt�aught the machine to•a stand- Spain, of all countries,. where every ,,I haven't had a chance, to Call u� stili at a place she indicated. man and woman who passed across "Now you .understand," she .said, the frontier were closely scrutinized. Connor; the phone, is in the parlor!, and they came in. before I knew what 'was happening." She had something hidden under her apron, and when she withdrew her hand he saw that it was a small Browning pistol. • "Put that in your sky,"' She said urgently.. "Yon know what these fellows are after." "In my—?" he began bewildered. "In your pocket,"she said imps-' tlently. "Do as you're told." Mechanically he stook the pistol from her hand and slipped it into his, hip pocket. The' one thing 'he did not wish to challenge was `a scene with two members of the rival gang. It was vital that he should :get •away from Ginnett Street with the least possible delay, and if thIs pistol helped him it was welcome. "They want to see you—" she be- gan. And thee a voice .eatrie from the foot of the narrow ,stairs. • "Come on Smtith!" • There was menace in the tone. Mrs. Fraser flung ,open the door, "Wait!" she said sharply. "Who do you think you are?" Luke heard a grumbling voice and the slam .of the door which separat- ed the foot of the stairs from the parlor. And then., at the beckoning' jerk of the woman's head, he fol- lowed her dawn the stairs. !There were two Hien in the parlor, One stood with his back the fix hi to o, the other significantly near the door that .gave egress to the shop, They were respectably dressed, Luke realized that if ate had been then on the street he would have thought they weredecent artisans. There was certainly nothing sinister in either faee. One was tall and rather stout, the other a Slightly built man, 'who wore as his necktie the colors of a cavalry regiment. The big matt avho .stood with his back to the fire lowered his chin to his breast and looked at Luke from tinder his eyebrotws. "Is this Sntith?" .he asked. "That Is iVir. Smith," said Mrs, Fraser primly. "What's tate idea of your conning fibre and. pretending .Yoti're some body you're not?" asked the little man by the ,door with extraordinary rapidity, Ibis big Comltirniontl silenced him, "You shut up, int db all tate' talking, Ctarly," he said,"You did that job to -day, 'didn't you, Smith?" 'Tye, done many jabs," :said Luke coolly, "You're pretending .you're a fel best friend. "What is he like in appearance?" "Danty? ' I've . seen him two or three time .. . " She described Morell In her home- ly language. Theee was no doubt at all that this was the pian! Itwas more vitally necessary than. ever:that he should escape from the environ- ment and reappear as Luke Maddi- son. His vague plans became definite. He could leave"Cite house that night, seek out Huebert, and tell .hint the truth. At nine o'clock that night he was preparing to leave when an uneepect- ed difficulty 'arose.. He whit 'just alenit to turn ,put the tel'►t,, v*lte�tt dropping her voice and speaking ra- pidly, "I'm ,going in to see my hus- band" .Ohe looked .hip straight in the eyes. "If' he makes a fuss. I shall expect you to help me. . If he doesn't make •a fuss, we'll drive quietly away down Albemarle Street, make for Vaux- hail Bridge and Tooting Common." "Your husband?" he stammered. She gave •him one quick look ;of isuspicion,. "That is what you tell the flattie if there is any fuss." What a flattie was she did not ex - Vain, and was gone before he. could ask her, He kept the engine running according to her instructions. She was gone some twenty minutes. Pres- ently, looking out' he saw her turn tate corner froni Bond Street and walk with apparent unconcern to - '+ward hint. As she stepped into the t ar, a man in -his snlrt-sleeves dart- od'around the coiner, flew at her and gripped her by the arm, She tried to wrench herself free, and .be- fore•Luke realized what he was doing axe had .struck her assailant and sent rim tumbling to the pavement. "Drive!" she snapped, and mech- anically Luke Maddison stilt the`ma- chine leaping forward. 'They crossed Oxford Street, 'do'wn St, James's Street, through the park, and were over Vauxhall Bridge be - Afore -Afore he partly realized 'ivltat had hap - vaned, • `"Why did that fellow grab you?". 'ire asked. "My husband—T had a row with %ln," she said calmly. And then: "`[ knew Connor was wrong," sloe said, and Whistled, "If T hadn't had • my wits about me and started that "'lrnis'band story, I'd have been half- 1Way to Holloway!" He saw her look at every police - ;in= they passed, out of the corner ,of her eye, and his„ heart was beat- ing faster es they carne to the edge of Tooting Comttaon, and at her corn= *nails he stopped the ear. • • "Well ' get out here," 'she said, '`You can go back by bus, I'll take a 4axi. If Connor •comes• tonight, tell dine I've got the :stuff." Blte turned to go, but he „aught her arm. " 1vitat stuff?" he `asked sternly, And then he saw the flat case she tarried tinder the leather ebat. "My i#od!" gasped Luke Maddison. 4'Y citi 'stole Iliad" 'There wag amusement !teller fine Heyes as site nodded, If he had not dismissed his servant it would be easy to creep back tolls flat one night, pack a -,bag, and fade away into a Continental limbo. .But probably his solictor hadthe key of the flat. ',A new hope awakened. Hulbert had an apartment. in St. James's Street. He was a bachelor accessible. ,Luke dismissed `front his mind lois experience of the afternoon. That was something not to be thought of Without a shudder—lie was whistling cheerfully 'when . Mrs. Fraser came with a pair of bright new scissors to" collect the grey tweed suit he had discarded, and to bring him a pair of brown shoes, sp hideously bright that they dazzled him. "Conndr says you'd better leave your moustache," she suggested. "Where is Connors Is he on the premises?" • She shook her head. "No, he phoned rate." "I didn't know you had a phone," he said in. surprise. Mr•s. Fraser smiled :cryptically. "We've got lots of things here that people don't know "anything about," She said. , She came .back a little later with a tube of shaving paste, a brand new lather brush, and a razor which had evidently been purchased recently, for when he opened the case he found Shaving it still enclosed ]r1 '1 paper. Sl a s 1 of g rap was a painful 'process in .spite of this, but apparently the results were sat- isfactory; for when the woman came in with some food later she stood in the doorway and gaped her approval. "Well, .I should never have known you, Mr. Smith," she said, "and I.'Il •bet your best friend wouldn't know you!" As , to this Luke was perfecty con- vinced. What an extraordinary change a moustache Made in a man.'s appearance! To. him it lent a toad). Of the sinister—he stood :gazing, fes• cinated; at his reflection its the mir- ror, Mrs. Fraser seemed more inclined to be'converstional than site hacl been babies; asked him if he Was married, end before he could answer announc- ed herself as a widow. "At least, practically," she amend- ed the stateanent, "My husband got a lifer two years ago," She was quite cheerful about this ea1ahaity, and Luke gathered . that lite had net sitar any too smoothly for tile woman, "He asked for it," she said. "Shot it copper and nearly killed loin; and General Motors announces the new 1931.Pontiac. Notwithstanding its new beauty, its .refinements and its larger size, the 1931 Pontiac sells at lower prices. On 'seeing this car you will be cheered by the value which General Motors has made possible. You will find a larger car with longer, roomier .and more restful Bodies by Fisher. This added size ,makes possible more pleasing lines. Anew V shaped radiator with an in-built chromium'plated screen presents an unusually attractive front view. New, graceful one-piece fenders carry useful and decorative parking lamps. , Many mechanical refinements will make the 1931 Pontiac known for its riding ease, smoothness and quietness. For instance spring shackles are mounted in "Inlox" rubber bushing'§ so that the body really i • • • ON rides on rubber. These. bushings cannot squeak and they eliminate 12 points of bothersome Chas• , sis •lubrication. 'Altogether there .are .43 points of rubber. insulation' throughout the car. There are many other mechanical features, includ- ing a new air silencer. Pistons are electroplated, assuring better lubrication and d closer fit. The frame has been greatly strengthened. Lovejoy hydraulic shod' absorbers' assure smooth riding. Five wire wheels are standard equipment at no extra cost on all models. General Motors presents the 1931.Pontiac for your approval. We invite you to see it and to driv'e it. Purchase the new Pontiac on time payments through GMAC.: Protect yourself with.the liberal provisions of the General Motors Owner Service Policy. • Pf-ai . a fine car, a modern car, low named. Smith whom our govern- or •brought• over from Australia—no, I'in not; talking about Lewing: he was nobody.' Swank killed him, and he's well dead. 'But you're not Smith." He pointed a finger to the man at the door. ".That's Curly Smith." "I'll say I am!" The little pian waa,quivering with anger; he spoke in a shrill cockney whine. "You've been ,using my name"— he qualified the name with a violent adjective. The stout man by the fire rdbuk- ed him. "There are ladies present," he said, with such solemnity that Luke almost laughed at the incongruity of the reproach. "Tit_ a point is," said the big man, who, Luke discovered, was named! Verdi, "you was picked up when Le - wing was chived. and you got `yours too, and naturally Connor thought you were the ratan that Lewing was supposed to meet off the boat in the London Docks. And instead of go- ing to meet him, Lewing got cold feet,, because he thotignt the Connor lot were after hint for a squeal. But :■ you're not ;Smith, and I'll take nay oath you've never been in Australia.' "Him!" Curly Smith was quiver- ing with eontelept. "Thatat feller .couldn't get a living in Australia!" Ile :suddenly. tugged a newspaper from his side pocket. "Do you see what you've done for trio?" he 'hissed, and thrust the paper, tender Ltike's nose. Luke Maddison read the para- graph which the grimy thumb ot the man stabbed, lir connection with this rob- bery the police are seeking' in- formation concerning A. man named 4iiiith who landed a few weeks ago front the Orient liner ?outlet. "Do you `see 'what you've done?" t'eneoted ;Sinith savagely. "You've got' the dicks after me!" His hand strayed to his trousers packet. "Steady your mitt!" growled -the big man. "This bird's get it gat -- what tlo yeti tjtiiikt the old woman went up to eel hint about7„ firs. I?raser's taco flamed rat the insut. "dld, ant I, yea fat stied! We'll see what Connor says to that! He'll be here in fire minutes." Verdi :glanced uneasily at the ctoor. "131t11!f," he said. "Anyway, Con- nor can't complain If we come to make a few inquiries, We're entitled to a bit of information." "DO 'you want to. see me any mope?' said Luke, and moved toward the door. Curly Smith stood squarely in his way. "We want to know—" began Ver- di. "You know all you're likely to know," said Luke curtly. He took another step forward, but Smith did not miove. SteldenlY Luke's hand shot up, gripped the little man and swung him across the room. It was not a moment to com- promise or to argue; instinctively he knew he was taking' the right line as he pulled the door wide open. "Get outside, both of you!" he said. Verdi .shrugged his. broad :shoul- ders. "That's all right," he said. "'We don't want any unpleasantness." lee was :smiling! when he came abreast of Luke; but Mrs. Fraser had slipped to the other side of the table, and saw the IN preserver he Cb a : great value carried in his right hand. "Look ' out!" she cried shrilly. As the deadly little stick rose, Luke struck for the man's jaw,.. and. he went over with a crash .against the wooden partition which sepFat- ed the shop from the parlor. For a moment b!e was stunned, and in that time Luke had jerked the life preserver from th.e: man's hand (a leather cord attached to it, was twisted around his wrist) and had dropped it into his pocket. •"•Come on, you," He beckoned Curly (Smith, and the little titan sidl- ed nimbly past him. Verdi Was on his feet by now, a little dazed, blinking with his pale blue eyes at the roan who had; knocked, him down. "All right," he said, and went, heavily after his companion. (To be 'continued) A girl kept some milk bottles hides den under the porch. When she came home In the wee sma' hours she rattled them, to that Dad, if he heard; the noise, would think zt was the !milk man. . 1 The Times -Advocate Clubbing List The Times -Advocate $2.00 per year; to United States 22.50. ylr. 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