Evening star., 1927-11-15

- You were speaking of the
visit from Scotland Yard,
resumed the Frenchman calmly
You were at home, of course, wher
Capt Newcombe returned from the
club the night before last at-what
time was It. he said?"
"Oh, that's straight enough
Erunted Runnells. He came in about
half past IL. and we were both in
bed by 12. I've told you it amt that
What would he have to do with
sticking an old toff like Sir Harris
that never done him any harm?"
Nothing" said Paul Cremarre. u
was simply thinking that Sergt. Null
Inns theory reminded me of some
thing that you, too, may perhaps
remember"
whats that?' inquired Runnells.
"A rifle shot that was fired one
night in a thicket when a Boche
had us on the rum said Paul
Cremarre.
Runnells swung sharply in his
seat.
"Gawd." he said hoarsely. What
d'you want to bring that up for to-
night? damn it can see it out
there in the black of the road now!'
The Frenchman remained silent.
Runnells spoke again after a
moment.
Hes a rare 'un, all right. he is. is
the captain" he said slowly, "but it
wasn't him that did in Sir Harris
Greaves. Id take my oath on that.
We was both in bed by Il. as i
told you, and he was still sleeping
like babe when | got up in the
morning
"And you, Runnells." inquired the
Frenchman softly, 'you too slept
well?"
"You mean," said Runnells quickly.
shat he slipped out again during the
night?"
Not at ALL" said Paul Cremarre
quietly. "How should / know? l
mean nothing, except that Capt.
Francis Newcombe is a man like no
other man in the world: that he is.
as once had the honor to remark
incompatible"
Runnells grunted over the wheel.
81 shan't ask him." he said tersely.
"Nor l." said Paul Cremarre.
Again there was silence; then the
Frenchman spoke abruptly:
Slower Runnells. If ! am not
mistaken, we are arrived. The lodge
gates can't be more than quarter
of mile on. and the bit of lane that
borders the park ought to be just
Runnells stopped the motor, and
then with the engine running softly
backed 1t for short distance from
the main road down an intensely
black, tree lined lane.
That's far enough" said Paul
Cremarre. I'VE can't take any risk
of being heard from the hall. Now
edge her in under the trees"
what for?" grumbled Runnells.
"It's so bloody dark, I'd probably
smash her. She's right enough as
she is. There's a fat chance of any
one coming along this here lane at
o'clock in the morning. aint
there?"
"Runnells." said the Frenchman
smoothly. Il quote from the book OF
Capt. Francis Newcombe: Chance Is
the playground of fools Edge her
in my Runnells."
"oh, all right" said Runnells-and
q moment later the lane was empty.
Still another moment and the two
men. each carrying two rather large
sized empty travelling bags. began to
make their way silently and eau
tiously through the thickly wooded
park of the estate. 1t was not easy
going in the darkness. Now and
then they stumbled. Once or twice
Runnells cursed fiercely under his
breath; once or twice the French
man lost his 'urbanity and swore
softly in his native tongue.
Five, ten minutes passed. And
now the two reached the farther
edge of the wooded park and halted
here. drawn back q little in the
shadow of the trees. Before them
was q narrow breadth of lawn; and.
beyond, a great, rambling. turreted
pile lay black even against the dark
ness its castellated roof and points
making a Jagged fringe against the
sky line.
RunnelIs appeared suddenly to find
vent for his i'll humor in savage
chuckle.
what is it, Runnells?" demanded
the Frenchman.
II was just thinking that in the
five or six years since l was here
with Lord Section, you know, / amt
forgotten his nibs the Earl of Clover
ley. I'd like to see his face in the
morning. He's a Grabbed old bird.
My word! He'll die of apoplexy. he
will. And If he don't, he won't be
90 keen on his 'ouse parties to visit
ing nabobs and cabinet ministers.
He didn't send into London and get
his gold service out OF the bank tor
"Perhaps." said the Frenchman
gently, 'he did not know that you
were valeting Lord Section at the
time-or perhaps it was because he
did"
"Aw, chuck it," said Runnells
gruffiy. He stared at the black,
shadowy building for minute.
Then abruptly: IT'S O'Clock, amt
It? You looked, didn't you?'
YES" said Paul Cremarre. Il
looked when we left the motor. The
times right. 1t was just 10 minutes
of g."
matter now, then?" complained Rum
nells. "The place is as black as a
cat. They're all in bed. aren't they?'
That is not for me to say. re-
piled the Frenchman calmly. I'VE
will wait. Runnells."
Runnells. with another grunt, sat
down on one of the bags, his back
against a tree. The Frenchman re-
mained standing. his eyes glued on
the great house across the lawn.
AYE" said Runnells after mo-
ment, and chuckled savagely to him.
self again, "Td give bob or two,
would. to see the old boy in the
morning. A fussy. nosey. old fidge'
budget, that's what he is! A-pokine
of his sharp little nose into every
thing. and always afraid some ur
won't earn the measly screw he's
paying for work he'd ought to pay
twice as much for. It's no wonder
he's rich!"
You seem to have very pleasan
recollections of your visit. Runnells.
said the Frenchman slyly. II won
der what he caught you at?
HE didn't catch me!" said Run
nells defiantly. Though III sa!
this, that IL Id known then tnat
was ever coming back, I'd have KEEP