Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1923-03-16
CHAPTER TX
an arVelous!"

"MarVelous!"
Lady Erythea recoiled. There were.
after all, enough Mysteries in the house
already. Evidently nothing was to be
learned from her niece.
"Go back to your bed and don't be
silly. There is no DANGER" snapped
Lady Erythea. The sharp whirr of a
motor on the drive below drew her
attention, and she FASTENED down
stairs.
The car drew up at the entrance
with a Jerk and elected three police
men q constable, a sergeant n In
spector Panke Of Stanhoe, a man OF
enormous energy for his bulk, with
thick black eyebrows and a singularly
bitter expression. He ran up the
steps, but before he could open his
mouth Lady Erythea forestalled him.
"You are wasting your time here!
Go at once in chase of a motorcycle
that got away ten minutes ago by the
Stanhoe roadl"
"a motorcycle !" exclaimed the In
spector almost joyously, as n who
seems his theories confirmed. Ser
geant. get after them at nee in the
car-take Poison with you. AS we
didn't meet them they must have
taken the branch lane at the cross
roads-away with you, man-quick?
81 shall consider no reward too
great, If my emeralds are recovered! J"
exclaimed Lady ErytheA, as the car
Je.-. .o sCno no., A6lyaIy yorr man
will be successful, Inspector? My but
Ter allowed the malefactOr to slip
through his fingers in the most fatu-
Gus manner. Can you
"One moment !" interrupted the in
spector. 1.-THE thieves were seen then,
by your ladyship's servants! Was one
of them a woman?"
He had to bawl the question into
Lady E~rythea's e%ar-trumpet, which
Alexander brought. When she under
stood, Lady Erythea's eyes flashed
flercely.
"Yesl" she exclaimed, "a young
m You suspected "a woman then
before you came hereT'
81 do more than suspect, my lady,"
said Inspector Panke .grimly. II
know"
"Who was this woman, Inspector,
and when do you propose to appre-
bend her? We have a piece Of the
creatures skirt!"
"Hahl let me see it at once!" said
the inspector, his eyes lighting up. 1t
was brought to him and it's capture x
planned. Inspector Panke examined
the yard of cloth, tried its strength,
rubbed it, held it up to the light.
peered keenly at the torn edges.
Good! !" he said under his breath.
and turned upon Mr.. Lambe so sharp
ly that that gentleman jumped. "Your
telephone, sir-where is It'll"
"Who is the abominable creatureT'
exclaimed Lady Erythea. "And why
is she at large. a scourge upon the
country, breaking into"
"She won't scourge 1t much longer
said the Inspector grimly. sri very
soon give your ladyship news of her
1 want the telephone, quick"
"This way" said MI. Lambe, and
led him to the ballroom. Inspector
Panke remained at the instrument a
considerable time. He emerged tri-
umphant.
"If they get away now-well, may
l never handle another case" he said
quietly to Mr.. Lambe. 81 can't an
swer questions at present, sir; I've
got to get busy. If l might suggest
that you induce her ladyship to retire,
and come round with me yourself
it hampered me a bit, that ear-trum'
pet, and we've got to be quick-you
can explain to her afterward."
Alexander was successful in per
suading his aunt to retire from the
field, though she went breathing
threats of vengeance, and mourning
aloud for the emeralds. Inspector
Panke made a rapid examination OF
the safe, the wall beneath Lady Fry
thea's window, and the ground out.
side. He took a full description OF
the missing jewels, and briskly ques
toned the servants.
"T've only time to say this, sir, be
fore I CO." he said, turning to Mr.
Lambe. 81 recognize the work OF
Jack the Climber in this case, as plain
ly as if they'd left the name writer
on the walll 1t was him and Calam
ity Kate. l thought for a moment II