Evening star., 1922-05-14

freed from-the thraldom of the we'd
ding ring. In the war It was daily
apparent in every rank Of the social
scale. The war widow eagerly mar
ried her choice and took her dead
husbands back pay. Yet was Mrs.
Eve really In secret correspondence
with that handsome young follow
whose friend had SO mysteriously ar
rived at Eastbourne. and TO whom he
had pointed out her husband?
I confess I returned to London on
the Thursday more than ever puzzled.
On the night Of the following Sat-
urdayA was passing along Leicester
Square at the hour when people were
going, to the. theater when we'll
dressed man, apparently up from the
country to see the sights Of the
metropolis, stopped and addressed me
by name.
In an instant I recognized him. It
was Inspector Thorold Of Scotland
Yard, chief Of the department Of the
C. I. D., which keeps ever watchful
vigilance upon the West End.
We walked together. chatting. and
turned Into a little foreign restaurant
in wardour street, where We had din
ner together.
Are you out with any special OBJ
ject tonight, ThoroldT I asked him
as we sat opposite each other eating
our hors-d d'oeuvre.
mo. Just a general look round to
see that all the sergeants are on duty
1.-The plain-clothes men, you know"
he replied
Then we began to chat about the
latest mystery Of crime-a case down
in Kent. which presented a very Curl
Gus problem.
Later we turned into the Empire,
and at the close of the show we
strolled along to the Criterion. for
supper.
As We came out told the link
man to get me taxi, and as I did
SO a man in evening dress brushed
past and made quick exit.
"Ah!" Thorold remarked. Did you
see that chap?"
YES" I said. Il know him we'll
DR.. Vaughan Fisher. Quite a good
fellow, hear"
HIN! That's one of his names. We
know him-a bad lot. can tell you.s
bad lot? why?'
Several convictions, that's all. He's
out on license now" -
/; At this I pricked up my ears.
what was he in for?" I asked.
You surprise me-"
~ don't wonder. A dinner Jacket
doesn't make q gentleman, though SO
many people. and especially women.
swallow the deception. No." he said.
Fly Fisher, as he is known to his.
pals is a very clever thief. He stole
the Countess of Dennington's jewels
years ago. and is suspected of a host
of other robberies. He's mixed up
with very dangerous and daring
gang"
A GAIN that whispered conversation
between the man and his friend
over the dinner table at Eastbourne
REQUIRED to me. Yet now that felt
convinced Joan Eve was sincerely
devoted to Dick, confess I was moro
than ever puzzled.
Months went on. spent several
pleasant week-endse with the Ewes at
Binthorpe Grange, but did not refer
to Vaughan Fisher. They had not
seen him lately, therefore there was
no need to tell them what Thorold
had revealed to me.
I, however, devoted some little time
to watching outside his club in st.
James street, and one evening had the
satisfaction of seeing him emerge
with his friend Ronny and drive OF, in.
taxi. The pair were, 1t seemed, still
i'm close association.
About a week later called at Rich
ard Ewes ONCE in Fenchurch street.
and while, sat chatting with him
for he had arranged to go with me to
Brighton on the following day-he
suddenly said: ,..s....... -.
i've had queer letter this morn
ing from an insurance company, send
ing me renewal notice Of a policy
which / have with them for six thou
sand pounds upon my life. And the
funny thing is that I've never insured
with them. Fancy a great company
making such mistakew
And he handed over the letter and
inclosure to me. The premium was
nearly two hundred and forty pounds.
that sum having been already paid in
tho previous year.
Tive naturally replied that know
nothing about it." Eve said.
reflected and laughed on the mat
tor lightly. Truth to tell, however,
I scented something in that letter,
and. noting the address Of the COM
pany, in Gracechurch street. and the
name. Of its manager. 1 called upon
the latter an hour later.
when-I explained that Mr.. Richard
Eve held no policy from his company
he rang and ordered the papers to
be brought.
When they came he showed me that
Mr.. Richard Edward Eve of Bin
thorpe Grange, Bedfordshire, and Fen
church street, London. shipowner, had
made proposal In July. 1917, for six
thousand pounds, with two references.
He was medically examined and
passed as flrst-class life by one of
the company's medical men In Harley
street., and the risk duly accepted.
The premium was paid, the correspond
ence. being sent to an obscure solicit
tor in Bedford row. and the policy had
been legally assigned to Henry Leth-
bridge, living in Ryder street. st.
James.
by error the renewal notice has
been sent to Mr.. Eve in Fenchurch
street and not to his solicitor" the
manager said.