Evening star., 1925-04-19

Thrills, Mystery and Action in Detective Story.

4 you've got it, guv'nor," was the
prompt response. I've had a fort.
nights holiday. and this is my last
day but one. Name of Harry Dawson
I've a berth with Townen & Gillard,
wholesale diapers in st. Paul Church.
yard"
II trust" his temporary host re
marked, that you have enjoyed
your tour"
Pretty fair Mr.. Harry Dawson
acknowledged. "A cycling tour ain't
what it used to be. though. These
cars have come along, and the prices
of everything's gone up on the road.
IL will have to be the roadhouse for
yours truly tonight. unless I can find
a cheaper pub.
How much farther did you think
of going before you put up for the
night?" the other inquired.
Another ten or dozen miles" was
1.-The unenthusiastic reply. place called
Bruntingford. a bit farther on,
thought / might get to"
v
THE tea was a wonderful success,
and after the tea came a whisky
and soda. The visitor rose to leave
with the utmost reluctance.
"Im have to toddle on bit" he an
nounced. Its almost dark now.
! w nat the udIHd6c.
The woman with the wonderful
eyes laughed at HIM.
my dear young man." she re
Imonstrated, I'VE don't want any
money. We've plenty of our own. It's
lonely here and we're glad TO see
any " one" me- n,,t IL .,ot wsv ma.am."
Mr. Harry Dawson acquiesced
promptly. "it suits me down to the
ground"
why not stay with US for the
might" she suggested. We'll give
you some dinner and a bed and
charge you nothing"
"Is this on the square?" the young
man asked. -.
Absolutely" she laughed. You'll
Ienjoy it, / promise YOU"
The invited guest unslung his knap'
sack.
declared. This is the biggest stroke
lof luck I've had these holidays"
The statement was, in view OF
later events, a little rash, but, new
lertheless Mr.. Harry Dawson Jared
well that night. He ate food which
was strange to him, ate 1t with appe-
tite and in prodigious quantities. He
drank wines which had been only
dream. He smoked cigars. When he
soda he was most certainly unsteady
on his feet He slept at first deeply.
lAfterward he must have had night
tmare. He fancied that he awoke TO
find himself being carried by the
dark, strong looking man who had
lbeen his host, across the landing into
another room-a bathroom.
He was stretched upon long
trestle, and before he knew what
-
1T. Even for a nightmare this was
too much. He began to scream. Then
he felt something pushed into his
mouth and the screams were choked.
His host was standing over him IN
a long white coat. He held something
in his hand which he had taken from
a case-a short knife. The lamp
light flashed upon its blue blade.
You need not be alarmed his host
tassured him courteously.
You have something which 1 need
and which is of little use to you
Better close your eyes for moment
1t was a very horrible nightmare
ANN was standing by the side of
"A her employers desk. The fingers
that clutched the newspaper which
she laid down before him were trem'
bling little.
us this still only a police job?''
she asked.
Daniel adjusted his tortoiseshell
trimmed spectacles and read. The
Tragedy on Salisbury Plain-Second
Undiscovered Murder Within a
Month"
1t went on to describe the finding
of the body of Mr.. Harry Dawson,
the youth whose disappearance had
been recorded a few weeks ago. par
TALLY dressed, and with terrible in
juries to the head, recalling in . most
amazing manner the conditions of the
man Bryan, whose corpse had previ
ously been discovered within few
hundred yards of the same spot.
The body was found under clump
of bushes, some distance from the
road, in one of the loneliest parts OF
the Plain, visited only occasionally by
shepherds or cattle tenders. 1t might
have remained there, indeed. for
months, the paragraph went on to say,
but for the intelligence of a sheep dog
which, by prolonged bowling, brought
his master from a quarter of mile
away to the spot. Daniel took Off his
spectacles and reached for the tele-
phone.
This must be investigated from our
point of view at once" he admitted.
please step out TO the bookshop next
door, Miss Lancaster. and buy me a
map of Wiltshire. 1 will telephone for
the car"
Shall you communicate with Scot.
land Yard?" she asked.
IT think not?" he decided: mot just
at present. I shall just look round
myself first"
we" Ann murmured.
Daniel frowned.
Salisbury Plain is a very lonely
place." he objected, ''and the man we
are in search of is dangerous. I think
1t would be better for you to wait
here
THAT is a pity" she remarked, ''be-
cause am coming with you
81 am starting in half an hour" he
warned her.
"E shall be ready in less than half
that time" she rejoined.
X X X
ITHEY lunched at Amesbury, and,
after a further inspection of the
map, Daniel decided to make it their
headquarters. There were few trav-
cling Americans and English tourists
in the room, and a sprinkling of ar.
cheologists, of all of whom Daniel
took note with interest. After lunch