The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1923-03-07
CHAPTER xlIi-continued.

Mr.. spencer, not Delng q ponce
man, uses his common sense" inter-
posed Lady Erythea with extreme
aridity. Are you suggesting that he
stole emeralds worth a fortune. for
the pleasure of returning them with
thanks-besides wounding himself on
the head?"
Mr.. Panke heaved a heavy sigh.
mo, my lady, am ~endeavoring to
collect facts that may help in the
tracing of the thieves" The inspector
ran through his notes. detailing the
information Billy had given him dur
ing the first part of the story. Full
name, William Spencer, on your way
from Beechwell to Stanhoe railway
station, intending to catch Jhe ia
a. m. mail train to London, when you
encountered the thieves about 1:30
a. m. Is that correct?"
Precisely" said Billy. annealing
the statements into his memory. 1t
would not do to forget any of them.
The thought of the work he was CIV
ing the Recording Angel caused him
not a tremor. He was thinking only
of Aimee, hiding in her cave behind
the bramble bush. do you want me
to come to the station house?"
"Not necessary" said the inspector,
after a moments hesitation. "but I
want to know where you can be found
Immediately in case anything further
transpires-and your testimony will
be wanted If We %apprehend the
thieves He avoided Lady Erythea's
eye.
Overseas club. London, will find
me. I've quarters there"
The inspector made a note.
"What is your occupations"
motor engineer
"Engineer?" queried the inspector,
glancing at his hands.
"Well, say motor mechanic" said
Billy grinning. land proud of it,"
Are o employed with my firm?"
81 am on MY OWL at present"
Inspector Panke closed his note
book with a snap.
81 must return to my duties, your
ladyship. l congratulate you on recov-
ering the emeralds." He bowed gloom
lily to Mr.. Lambe and darted at Billy a
parting glance that said Young man.
however little you desire to see me
again, 1 shall find you when l want
you. l am Inspector Panke."
The door closed behind him.
at is a pleasure said Lady Fry
thea grimly, ITO reduce the self
esteem of that very fatuous person."
She turned to Billy with increased in
terest. you are, 1t seems, a motor
mechanic. And out of employment.
Would you care for a situation as
chauffeur? / can offer you," said
Lady Erythea, -four pounds a week,
and all found"
Billy was submerged by two waves
of emotion. The first was a strangled
desire for laughter. The second, an
instant determination to clutch at the
offer, with its amazing possibilities
and advantages that opened before
him. Thought was a very. fluid thing
with Billy.
"Done !" he exclaimed.
Mr.. Alexander Lambe coughed.
"Say, yes, my lady," he murmured.
"Yes, my LADY," announced Billy,
into the ear-trumpet.
"very good" said Lady Erythea with
satisfaction, 81 engage you. l must
warn you,' she added with sudden eau
ton, that / had to discharge my last
chauffeur for dishonesty-an offense
that In your case is obviously impos-
sible-and also for one still more re-
voting; I found him philandering
most indecorously with one of my
maid-servants." She fixed Billy with
her eye. 81 trust you have no such
propensity as that"
81 should said Billy Indignantly,
"as soon think of drinking a gallon
of petrol"
precisely" said Lady Erythea with
approval. "Then l should like you TO
enter upon your duties today. Say
this afternoon. There are quarters
for you over the garage, and the uni
forms of the man | discharged. You
will only be required to go out once
this evening. At ive-thirty-" Lady