International., 1925-08-17

vile, you VIII excuse me, please,
while deal with this fellow He
won't take more than a few min
utes." q
Sir Dudley led his obviously un
welcome visitor into the dining room
nrough an open French window
With studied brutality the baronet
went to the sid9board. mixed himself
strong whisky and soda and drank
it off
Now. Simon. reel it out" he said
Mr.. Trickey's parched tongue Glove
to the roof of his mouth at sight Of
that gurglng dlaught. but there
were bigger things in view and he re.
covered his poise. A gleam in his
bloodshot eyes even suggested that
he saw the funny side of Mr.. Simon
Trickey being introduced to whisky
decantcr merely as a bowling ac-
quaintance.
I've been reading the papers. Mr.
Glenister-I beg pardon, Sir Dud
ley" he began There seemed to
be-
"A damned good chance for black
mailing me. Sir Dudley cut him
short
Mr. Trickey ignored the Interrupt
ton There seemed to be" he per
sisted. more than a chance that you
might need my help"
What for2" demanded Glenister
roughly.
The, visitor glanced significantly at
the closed door and the open French
windows through which they had en-
tered Unless you are prepared to
talk on your fingers. sir. ! should pre-
fer to leave that to your magma
ton" he said. "Keyholes and garden
paths harbor listeners sometimes"
There is nothing more that you
can do to help me and you have been
we'll paid fo, what you have done al
ready" the baronet responded
angrily NO evidence that you
could give would amount to Il row
of pins SO far as easing the situa
tion goes. Nobody ought to know
that better than YOU"
Mr.. Trckey was thoughtful. YOU
were always one to catch OH quick
ly," he said in a tone Of real regret
ut must be the dull country life
that's taken the edge off your under,
standing. I wasn't referring. to evi-
dcnce 1 could give. but to what /
could withhold"
You internal scoundrel. now I've
got you out in the OPEN" retorte6
Sir Dudley Il Nnew you were
after blackmail. Just listen to me.
Simon. Not one halfpenny more
than the settled annuity will you
ever get from me, and at the first
sign of treachery 1 will kill you for
the faithless dog you are"
The ex-clerk began to breathe
heavily.
Il don't doubt you'd try." he
sneered. pretty good at killing peo-
pie. amt we? All the same"
Mr.. Trickeys speech was curtailed
by the entry of the old butler. Il beg
pardon, Sir Dudley" he announced
The Rev Mr.. Branson has called
t. SIC YOU"
Inspector Wragge, still clerically
stepped quickly into
the room in Hinkley's wake. prerlud
ing all possibility of refusal to re
ceive him. At the same moment
Ioctor Willoughby Melville entered
by the French window, his impas
sive countenance quite unmoVed at
finding his host doubly engaged.
Slowly and very thoroughly, from
The crown of his scantily covered
head, all over the loud check suit
and right down to the heels of Mr..
inadequate BOOTS the doc
tors remorseless monocle played,
The eX-clerk met the searchlight
with impudence rapidly yielding to
craven fear. and finally bolted
the open window.
Melville lifted his eyebrows to-
wards the clcrically attired visitor
Il really beg your pardon, sir, "
said the baronet What can l have
tn, pleasure of doing for YOU
Y am corresponding secretary for
the Mission to Blackfoot Indians.
said Inspector Wragge, "and l have
called to beg for a subscription.
have just been with Mr.. stephen
Colne Of Colnbrook Towers and h.
n entioned your name" a
III. d.