The Winslow mail., 1923-05-04
CHAPTER XXV-Continued.

DrlafS they prick most accufSeuly.
Arkwrights inspection Of the cave
was brie.
at is empty, but the place has been
used, and recently" he reported.
"Strange they should not have chosen
1t; it is the best hiding place in the
pit"
perhaps they only recently discov-
cred this desirable residence, and were
about to shift their quarters" suggest
ed de Jussac. mo doubt, If few
watchful policemen ambush themselves
efficiently during the dark hours, they
will catch the amiable cOnsort of that
cutthroat yonder One hopes so. 1t is
painful to the law-abiding to know that
malefactors are at large. Particularly
when they are females"
Inspector Arkwright looked at him
obviously, and made no reply. Billy,
also, when the two rejoined him, eyed
de Jussac with extreme thoughtful
ness, and had some difficulty In sup
pressing his emotion. He was still
mounting guard over Jake, who lay
upon his improviSed stretcher and
gazed up at the sky with a singularly
beatific smile. De Jussac offered him
cigarette, which he accepted silently.
81 think" said Inspector Arkwright,
"Tll call on you two gentlemen to as
sist me and We'll get him out of this l
want the place cleared"
1t was not an easy matter to carry
the gate and it's burden out of the pits.
BY the time they had achieved it, the
car arrived from Jervaulx and wound
its way over the flat turf. Jake was
lifted into it.
81 must trouble you to accompany
me, Mr.. Spencer" said Arkwright.
Anything to oblige the police" said
Billy, squeezing himself into the front
of the car. 1t was tight fit.
The journey to Stanhoe was made
almost in silence. When the car ar
rived at the police station Jake was
duly disposed Of while Billy cooled his
heels in dingy waiting room that had
been whiteWashed some time during
the period when Sir Robert Peel was
recognizing the force. Presently In
spector Arkwright joined him. The in
spectOr closed the door, and regarded
lllIy with sphinx-like but family
Humorous eye.
4 think, Mr.. Spencer" he said
quietly, that you have no very high
opinion of my intelligence"
Wrong there" said Billy, politely.
81 don't know that. I'd class the Stan
hoe staff with the worlds great think
ers. But I've heard a lot about Scot
land Yard, and, if may say so, you
come fully up to sample"
There is no harm now in my telling
you that 1 know precisely what your
movements have been, Mr.. Spencer.
know that it was you, and not the pris-
Oner who stayed at Ivy cottage as the
tenant of Mrs. Summing. l know that
your companion, at the same time
stayed next door. I have also a fairly
accurate comprehension of the reasons
which led you to accept temporary en-
plOyment in the Jervaulx abbey house
hold. l did not, till now, know who
you were. But the papers you gave me
establish your identity. And that
makes all the difference"
Billy was silent.
Il am. you see, in possession of the
facts"
There's one recent fact" thought
Billy, that you're not wise to-
"Your affairs, Mr.. Spencer, though
somewhat complicated, do not call for
the intervention of the police" said
Arkwright, with the ghost of a smile,
"and no official cognizance will be
t:'ken of that matter; unless something
unforeseen occurs. I am thief hunter
and not a castigator of rash young
men. What l know, shall, doubtless,
keep to myself"
Billy felt an enormous sense of re-
lief, combined with sharp twinge of
conscience.
"The irresponsible couple who en-
sconced themselves at Ivy cottage
said Arkwright, with a dry smile, made
a good deal of trouble for themselves. -
Inspector" said Billy, Ibid you ever
do fool thing?"
Inspector Arkwright twinkled.
And, sometimes, even now. However.
] wish you good fortune. am not I'M
grateful to you for your share in the
running to earth of Mr. Jake. 1t Is the
duty Of the civilian to assist the police
The woman will still be brought to
book. And l shall call on your formi
dable employer before leave. Good-by
Mr.. Spencer"
Billy walked out of StanhOe police
station and made his way back to the
abbey on foot.
"Gcel' he said pensively. "But that
last stunt was awful dangerous! OF
course, | see well enough what han
pened, But it was just a lucky acct
dent neither Aimee nor that blamed
nuisance of q woman was seen getting
away. The luckiest sort of accident
Inspector Arkwright isn't the fool
took him FOR, by a long way. wonde,