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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1930-07-31, Page 2* nTKllSDAY, JULYftlst, 1930 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE femple &ower SAPPER ■lllllllllllllllllllll^ THE STOltY SO FAR | iiligli Drummond ancl Peter Darrell .are interested in Mr. Granger, who lives at Temple Tower, which £s strongly fortified. Miss Verney accepts a position as private se­ cretary to Mr. Granger and her friend (Freckles) Tom Scott is staying with Hugh. John, an old friend of Hugh's lias the plans of fPemple Tower, but someone steals them. Gaspard, Granger’s ser- want, his big watch dog and a boarder at Spragge’s Farm are all tfound strangled. Th? men meet Victor Matthews, a member of the jNew York police, who also retuns with them and tells the -history of De Bossu Masque. While at the Dolphin Inn Peter noticed some­ one watching them through the fireplace and goes upstairs to in-' vestigate and someone nearly strangles him. When he recover­ ed lie discovers the lost plans ly­ ing beside the bed. Before leav­ ing the hotel Vandali and Madame 'Vandali were found strangled, the man hanging from the ceiling and the woman in a cupboard in the jrooin. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY “The only point,” said Freckles doubtfully, “is this. Now we know Picot is Le Bossu, oughtn’t we to JShy something -to tne police?” • '“The'old, old difficulty,” answer­ ed Matthews.“ The difficulty which confronts us at ev|yy .stage in our -career. I speak as a policeman my­ self'. Wo know-—or we think we □know; but can we prove? And at Shis stage of the proceedings we lay ourselves open to xi’ove censure for ■siot having spoke sooner. C-atch him jin the act, and it becomes a very different matter. We have a de­ finite result to show: a tangible as- jsst. Besides”—his voice sank a JjWe, and the dreamy look I had 2:•X p's? face presswet against the His features were distorted age; his eyes were fixed on Matthews. For a second I ,hen it seemed to me that seen before icame on his face—*1 lie is my jneat,” “Your meat lie shall remain, old Jad,” laughed Hugh. “We’ll juist come along and help in the mincing.’ And at that moment Pat Verney screamed, She had been staring nt the window, and as I swung round I had a momentary glimpse of Jean Picot’s pane, with r Victor saw it, un the crack of a revolver and the sound of breaking glass were simultaneous with the lights going out. A bul­ let went past my head with a wicked pink, and a further crash of glass showed that no one was hit. “Le Bossu,” shouted Matthews. “After him.” “Who put out the Tight?" came Hugh’s, quiet voice. “I did,” cried Matthews. “I’m be­ side .the switch now. Somebody stay with Miss Verney: come on the rest,’ “No earthly use,” said Hugh, “The night is too dark. But I wish the damned fellow wouldn’t break my glass, at you, “I’m wered. “Good God! the door is opening,” yelled Freckles. And even as he spoke, there came a. half-strangled shout which# turned into a hideous gurgling noise. It ceased abruptly as it had begun, and then the door shut again. “Lights,” said Hugh curtly, “And Peter, keep your gun handy.” But the light revealed nothing ex­ cept an almost incredible sight. Vic­ tor Matthews, with his hand to his throat, and his eyes staring, was half crouching, half lying against wall. His -lips were moving, only inarticulate sounds came them. And on his face was a I think he was having a pot iMatthews.” quite certain of it,” he ans- the ibut from look of utter terror. Hugh sprang to the door and flung it open. The hall, which was dimly lighted, was, empty, but the after u room. “Our out,” ) “Undoubtedly a gentleman of nerve.’ “Two hands—-got me—by thoat,’* gasped Matthews, and still the ter- rar remained on Ms face. He was peering fearfully round the room, as if he expected Le Bossu to teriallze once more, and every and then a long shuddering shook him, “Spot of whisky?” said Hugh. Gad! that’s calm, you know," he went on as he crossed to the side­ board, shot at you; to the bally d’you do?’ ” “Do you Denny had thought I heard a shot.” “Just go and say ‘shoo’ at front door, my trusty fellah,” Hugh. “But mind you don’t Strangled or anything. If you think it is likely, call me. “Very good, sir. after that?” “Yes—lock up. two or three times, it. And then bring some more glasses. And beer. .. You know,’J, he continued 'as Denny left the room, “this bally fellow is growing on me. Peter—for .sheer nerve—lie’s' »got Carl Pederson beat to a frazzle,” “At any rate,” I «aid, “it lias de­ finitely .settled one thing. Picot is Le Bossu.” “That is so,” he agreed. “And it seems to me that the thing to do now is to lay out our plan of campaign provided, that is to cay, Matthews is feeling fit enough.” I’m all right now, thanks,” said Matthews. “The thing was so com­ pletely unexpected that it shook me for a moment.” “I’ll bet it did,” said Hugh. “Deuc­ ed nasty business having a 'bird like that keeping liis hand in on you. Did you say ‘shoo’ Denny?” “Three times, sir,” answered the butler, putting down the beer. ‘Only ■a cat responded to the threat.” “Good,” said Hugh. “We may not cut much ice with old Picot, but with cats we’re perfect devils. Now the next move Denny, is with Mrs front door was open. And •time lie came back into the .old pal He Bo&su going all he remarked thoughtfully. ma­ llow sigh "By 'First of an he has a pof and then he comes in­ house, and says, ‘How require anything, sir?” quietly materialised, “I the said get M Shall I lock up But say ‘shoo’ as if you meant some You I secure extoa cost Brantford Roofing Co., Limited, Head Office and Factory: Brantford, Ont» Branches and Warehouses at; Toronto. Windsor, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax, Saint John, N.B. wftd St. John’s, Nfld. Dew Ask few to S° bnd ferret around in Mrs. Drummond's gear and get the necessary wherewithal for Miss Verney for to-night, Miss Verney will sleep in the green room. .Now, what about yoy Matthews? I think yo^'d better stay ias well. You can sleep in my dressing-room—- afraid it is the only one left. .. And you can sleep soundly, because the only way into it is through my wife’s and my room, returns we can between us.” “Thank you, said Matthews, kind offer with pleasure.” He had quite recovered, and the color had come back to his face. He now appeared almost amused at the whole thing: Hugh’s very matter-of- fact conversation seemed to have pulled him around. “Splendid ny—that’s everything, in, Now,” ] the room, ‘ dawn, somewhere round about ten o’clock, Miss Verney, accompanied by Scott, will repair to Temple Tow­ er. Having arrived there, while Miss Verney gets her kit, Scott will wander round the grounds, get the tower and the eastern turret in line and then mark the tree so that we shall know it again. That clear?” “Absolutely. Then I suggest, Miss Verney, that you should push off to bed. ” ’ ‘ ~ ‘ — exhausted, you’re quite “I’m not answered.. last night was not restful one,’ “I’m for the short, too,’’’ said John. “Any chance of that coming back?” “Always “But we’ll floor, > and as well as in, Off you push; there mighty little sleex» for anyone to- morrow night. How’s Matthews?” he went on, other three had gone. “Quite recovered. But I meet Picot / . .” He paused ex­ pressively. “And that will not be till to-morrow night. Our friend, I am open to a small bet, will not be evidence by day.” “No,” agreed Hugh. “Probably not. Dell, would you like me to show you your room?” He led the way upstairs, and I mixed myself ds I was to moods, there him to-niglit undersand. and nonchalance under the most un­ usual circumstances I was accustom­ ed to, and his manner, since the at­ tack on Matthews, had been just What I should have expected. But there was an underlying something that beat me. No one else would have noticed it, but then no one else in the room knew him as I did. And when he came down the stairs again I tackled him. He gave a lazy grin. “It’s his gall, old Peter, his gall, that tickles me to death. Plaster­ ing notices on my trees, and then doing, target pratice amongst the ■crockery. Damn the fellow, it might be his house. And then to come ih and give poor old Matthews the once over.” “But why the devil didn’t you go after him?” I cried. “Nerve shaken, old boy,” he said earnestly. I assure you I was all of a tremble.” “Confound you, Hugh,” I laughed, “don’t talk such appalling tripe to me. There’s something at the back of your ugly face.” “A desire for beer, Peter. More beer. Much more beer.” He lit a cigarette, and, with his eyes half closed, he lay back in his chair blowing smoke rings. And now I knew I was right: it was the atti­ tude he invariably adopted when he was thinking. Absolutely motion­ less, save for the movement of arm as he lifted his cigarette to mouth, he sat there staring at ceiling. Then, quite suddenly, began to laugh gently to himself. “That’s it Peter. Gali to the nth degree. But, by Gad! old boy, a dangerous man to play with—damn­ ed dangerous. I wouldn’t miss to­ morrow night for a thousand pounds. As Matthews says—it all fits in. As far as I can see, there isn’t a flaw up to date—'but wha do when he entrance to be too easy “My own do nothing,’ reason that there will be nothing do.” “Think so?” he laughed. “Well —-we shall see. Another pint, old boy, and then what about a little shut-eye?” “What are you doing to-morrow?” I asked. “This and that, Peter,” he answer­ ed. “As a matter of fact, I think I shall take it easy. Do accounts, or something of that sort.” “Do accounts?” I gasped. “If you weren’t so damned large, Hugh Drummond, I should welt you good and hearty.” I stood up; I. was beginning to feel infernally sleepy. But when I had reached the top of the stairs Hugh Was. Still ill the same attitude> with a fresh cigarette between his fingers. And from what I knew of him It was iSo that if old Picot give him a thick ear Caplain Drummond,” “I’ll accept your I. Very well {lien, Den­ ali settled. .Lock up and then you can turn he went on, as Denny left “to-morrow, at crack of more than likely that he would re- fimin there for hours. Something was worrying N»» though for the life of me I couldn't see what. The one big problem—the identity of Le Bossu—-was solved. And the only thing that I couldn’t see—as I said to Hugh—was that Le Bossu could <to do. against five of us the follow­ ing night. I slept like a log, despite the stiff­ ness of my neck, and arrived down to breakfast before anyone except Victor “Le to be said. “Yes,” he laughed. “And some­ body else was up pretty early, or stayed up mighty late. Your report­ er friend has spread himself.” He passed over a copy of the Folk- st'one Courier, and I glanced at it. Undoubtedly Matthews was right: Ferret-face had wallowed in It, AMAZING CRIME ON ROMNEY MARSH Matthews. Bossu’s neck treatment seems conductive to early rising,” I Incredible Triple Murder and Suicide Mystery of the Walled House The headlines sliieked at one, and ran my eye down the page. It con- Y-ou must be completely And don’t feel alarmed; safe.” a bit frightened,’ she “And I think I will go: a particularly bally fellow a chance,” shutter all unless lie’s a strangler, said Hugh, the ground a cat-burglar he won’t get will be the neck, when the when next another drink. Used Hugh’s, methods and was something about that I couldn’t quite His complete calmness I _ __ . .. tained nothing that we did not know already, but one point became in­ creasingly clear, as I read on. Be­ fore many hours were out, would be hordes of people on spot, armies of reporters. The count in the London papers brief—just a summary of what happened. But with the Folkstone Courier giving, tongue as jt had, the other papers would be sure to fol­ low suite. “Get off as soon as you can, Miss Verney,” said Hugh .after breakfast. “It .strikes me that this road is short­ ly going to look like Egham on Gold Cup day.” She started off whith Freckles five minutes later, and he turned to Mat­ thews. "What’s your programme?” he asked. “Jean Picot,” answered Matthews tersely. “There is no other pro­ blem. And though I don’t think there is tile smallest chance of my seeing him to-day, there is no harm in trying. 'There is nothing to do until to-night, and so I shall go. into Rye and nose around.” “Good,” said Hugh. “As it can do no harm.” And when John cecided would go back to Laidley the same arrangement as the pre­ vious day was fixed up. He would drop Matthews, in Rye, and pick him up again on his return in the even­ ing. “That leaves only the old firm, Peter,” said Hugh, as John’s car disappeared through the gates. “And what does the old firm do?” “Accounts,” I grinned. He was staring thoughtfully over the sun-baked marsh. “Quite right,” he .said, “accounts. To settle accounts is always- an ex­ cellent thing to do. But in view of the fact that you bore the- burden and heat of the day yesterd'ay, I would like you to take a rest to-day. I want you to stay here. You can knit yourself some underclothes, or indulge in any form of dissipation you like. But stay here—and keep your eyes skinned.” “What are you going to do your­ self?” I demanded. “Settle accounts,” “Or, at any rate, do bookwork. 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If his words had any significance at all, he -was implying that Le Bossu had dropped the plan on purpose: that it was no accident and he had in­ tended me to notion was so I must minutes ley had drive. All of us, and most certainly I per­ sonally, had assumed that the drop­ ping of the plan had been a slip. We had based our plan’of action in that theory; we had, in military parlance, appreciated the situation from that point of view. And here was Drum­ mond quietly suggesting to me that the whole of our foundation was faulty. (To be continued) pick it up. And the completely novel that stood for quite five the' roar of the Bent- have after died away, .staring down the J.‘4 Remember, the man who wants a garden fair, or small, or very biff with flowers growing here and there must bend his -back and dig. Aug. Aug. 1—Exeter at Hensail1—Clinton at Goderich /' ALLISON^ BROCK )N DO'WT ONNEW- CTSBORNE & HIBBERT MXWJft FIRE INSURANCE COMP Head Office, Farquhar. President SI Vice-Pres. 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