The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-15
PAGE13

was le1t bchlnd and the Cllff road stretched in front of them, bis powerful car was driving along at top speed The night was not dark for the time of year; the wind ings of the road were visible some distance ahead; from the cliffs the rollers of the incoming tide could be seen breaking into white froth the rocks below.
 "It has occurred to me that, for a man who was afraid of German, invasion. old Lumsden selected a very bad hiding place for his money" said Marsland. .'He could not have known of the reputation the Ger man soldiers made for themselves in steal- ing French clocks in the war of 187O."
 Perhaps not replied Crewe. "But I do not think he intended to leave the money in the clock when the Germans came. If he had fled from the farm he would have taken it with him. His object in hiding it in the clock was to have it constantly un- der his eye''
 The car mounted the hill to the cutting ton, and as the road dipped downward Crewe slackened the pace Both of them were looking across toward the farm on the left. As it came into view Crewe exclaimed to his companions:
 Did you see that?"
 "A lightw said Marsland excitedly.
 "lt is gone now; it was probably match There must be some one there. I wonder who it could be-"
 Perhaps it is Gillett. We will soon see''
 "No, we will drive past. It may be some one who wants to escape being seen. We will run the car off the road little way down past the farm, then extinguish the lights and make our way back"
 He increased the pace of the car so that if there was anyone at the farm it would appear that the car was going on to Ash lingsea. They both kept their eyes on the house as the car sped past but there was no repetition of the flash of light they had seen Less than half mile away Crewe shut off the engine, and carefully ran the car off the road onto asgrassy path. He eKtinguished the lights and jumped out of the car He took an electric torch from his overcoat pocket and after turning it on to see if it was in order, set off in the di- rection of the farm. "We will not keep to the road, as there may be some one on the watch" he said. Follow me, know my way across the fields''
 He clambered over the gate of a field and set off at run, with Marsland fol lowing him closely. He led the way over ditches and across hedges and fences until they reached the meadow at the side of the farm. Before climbing the low, brick wall Crewe waited for Marsland.
 You watch the front of the house while l go to the back. If you see any one chal-- lenge him in loud voice so that I can hear you, and I'll come to your assistance. If I want you I'll call out
 They climbed the wall and dropped noise- lessly onto the grass. Crewe waited until Marsland had taken up his station behind a plum-tree in the garden, and then crept toward the door listening intently for few minutes but as he heard no sound he selected the right key from the bunch he had borrowed from Gillett, and turned the lock. He. waited to see if the sound of the turning lock had alarmed any one in- side the house. Slowly he turned the han de, opened the door and stepped noiselessly into the kitchen.
 A few minutes later Marsland heard him approaching him from the back of the house.
 ."Come quickly" he said. "Some one has been before us and found the money, but he is coming back again.
 Marsland silently followed Crcwe along the side of the house to the kitchen, and into the room where the great grandfather clock stood. Crewe flashed the torch on it, and Marsland started back with cry of ast&nishment The wooden case had been smashed beyond repair. It had been hacked