Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-05
Death Treasure
By R. A. J. Walline
toopyrisht. 1898. VIM. Morrow co.,

afternoon to meet Laxton and hear Q
paper being prepared by Pell on the
progress Of the excavations.
On Saturday morning ], too, received
letter from Laxton, and O queer mes.
sage 1t was. He expected 10 motor to
Blackwater Sunday, asked the privilege
Of staying with US at Woodcot and
about his presence.
The letter was typewriter, Including
the heading British Museum" BY
chance noted the envelope and dis.
covered that the letter, ostensibiy orig.
mating In the British Museum, had been
posted at Tavistock, In Devon, 200 miles
away.
At Pell's inn I learned he had gone
for the day and would be back Sunday
evening. I had barely returned to
Woodcot when Marling and DR.. Eastley
came to see me.
"That fellow Pell's fitted" Marling
blurted out. "The whole things blown
up, Mr.. Grenofen. As soon as q real
archeologist butted in Pellis bubble was
pricked."
I stared amazed at Marling.
I'm that case" said I, at seems
rather q good thing he's fitted"
Without answering me. Marling con-
tinued:
would you think it a good thing
If Miss Seabroke were involved in Pell's
fiitting?"
I felt a Jump of nerves, but Marling
babbled on about the CHASTITY farce
Mondays meeting would be. He asked
that I intervene to keep Prof. Laxton
from attending. This ! refused to do,
and then Marling asked that I get in
touch With Miss seabroke. Again I de-
clined.
II thought" Marling said then, "you
possibly had enough interest in Miss
Scabroke to prevent her name being
mixed in scandal"
What scandal?" demanded.
"You force me to a thing I didn't
want to say. Pell is an ex-convict."
So Markings bombshell burst
Why was he dragging me into this
business and using Veronica for the
purpose? Unwillingly. he admitted. he
had made the same charge to Eastley,
Seabroke, Royle and Somerfield. He
but convincingly disclosed himself as
the source Of all the anti-Pell feeling.
Marling spoke so confidently that for
some moments did not doubt his
statements. Then the thought processes
began to function again and realized
that mystery man Pel was, but could
not believe him criminal. had only
Markings word and was thoroughly
prepared to doubt that.
After further futile pleas that head
OF Laxton they left. On sudden Inn
pulse, ferried to Passage and went to
see Royle at his cottage and found
Somerfield with hiM-both in O state Of
AFFECTION and, as I guessed, because of
Veronica.
Veronica had left Blackwater a week
before to spend a fortnight with Mrs.
Fairfax, friend, in Kensington. Royle
and Somerfield, at loose end. had
phoned Mrs. Fairfax to invite Veronica
to q new crook play that night. Mrs.
had left for home that morning when
young man called for her. She
thought him one of them. They
thought 1t was I.
"You thought of me. Next guess
Pen?"
HE must have been one Of EN-"
lone of whom" I asked, surprised
Didn't I tell you that soon after
she'd gone another man called with
that Brighter, young Fotherbury."
why not call on Veronica this eve
ming" said I. land ask what sort Of
a trip she had on the road today?"
Bully ideal" they both shouted.
did not, however, put the question
to Veronica that Saturday evening, for
she was not at home and Mrs. Sea-
broke told us she was not returning
until the following Wednesday or
Thursday.
sat at woodcot later gazing down
to the sea, so distracted and for so long
that my mother made startling state
ment:
"Ton-you're in love!"
passed 1t of, and for once had
not been thinking of Veronica's blue
eyes, a thought that always brought
had been thinking of Veronica's
ride in a motor car and possible cir
cumstances of the Seabrokes' connec-
ton with Roger Pell.
There was Markings assertion that
Pell had been in prison. Like fash
there came to mind Pell saying some
thing about the Romans being humane
to their prisoners.
X \
At supper time the next night Lax.
ton had not arrived, but about 9 In the
evening Royle and Somerfeld came
to talk of Veronica. Royle had some
startling news-Veronica was not at
Kensington. He had just telephoned.
They fingered until after 10-myseh
On tenterhooks lest Laxton should turn
up and his elaborate plan for secrecy
thus be spoiled. was so relieved when
they prepared to 60 that said would
walk down to the main road with them.
Just after we had come in sight OF
the road we saw first one and then an
other figure fit by the bottom of the
lane. running.
"Hello!" said Somerfield. and loped
down the remaining yards, Royle and
following. =
Somebody in deuce Of q hurry"
said Royle.
Listening. We heard quick footsteps,
which suddenly stopped. Then a mans
voice. then a woman's. Then . little
squeak as Of alarm.
instantly we all three sprinted. In
hundred yards we came upon her Lean
ing against the bank and painting.
"Veronica!" Royle cried.
There he goes!" exclaimed Somer.
field, dashing after shadow.