Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-12
INVITATION BY HAND
COME WHEN YOU PLEASE

INVITATION BY HAND
COME WHEN YOU PLEASE
"A foul business, major" said Bloor.
The fellows devil incarnate.
Number 10, Eldon street-that's the
district. My men are in there by now"
"A lot of good that will do U.S." 1
said bitterly. You don't suppose he's
waiting there TO hand out refresh
mentS."
Bloor came over to my side and
rested his hand upon my shoulder.
Pull yourself together. major" he
enjoined kindly. "Of course. it was
a shock. I don't mind admitting /
felt a bit squeamish myself. but in a
month she'll be singing again as hap
PLY as ever 1t was brutal. foul thing
to do, but-he killed the men who
squealed. It's all in the game, major.
She'll be we'll in a month"
That child-that poor child" NUT
tered. You are right, Bloor. of course,
but what she must have suffered"
We are all put through it, now and
then. What's thatl Thunder?"
There was faint drizzling rain fall
ing. but not a breath of wind. l had
been looking over the Green Park
towards the river. and it seemed to me
that sudden flash of light had shot
across the sky. Even while we stared
at 1t, there was low, rumbling sound
like peal of thunder. For a moment
or two we remained silent and without
comprehension.
Thunder" I exclaimed. And light
ming. too! But it couldn't have been
lightning"
I stood at the window and listened.
Nothing else happened. except that a
dozen fire engines from Kensington
came rushing past the park. Then at
last the telephone tinkled.
Superintendent Cassells speaking"
inspector Bloor. Go ahead"
Il took a small force down to the as
Slstance of our men and surrounded
Eldon street as directed We broke into
the house simultaneously from the back
and front. A few minutes after we
entered there was an explosion. There's
very little left of the house, and the
next two are on fire"
ANY of our men hurt?"-
'P. c. Harrison killed. Sergt. Rush
left arm blown off-on his way to hos
pital, A few burns among the rest
Nothing else"
What was it? Dynamite?"
"A timed machine. Some of us heard
the kissing. Harrison. himself, gave the
alarm, and we Just got clear. The house
pied within the last hour. Very lux
uriously furnished. Heaps of books and
three sets of private wireless-all des-
troyed"
Keep the uninjured men down there"
BloOr ordered.
Prepare a report and be in my
room at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning"
Very good, sir"
Bloor hung up the receiver
IF I can't get Joseph first" he said
flercely, well smash the gang. I'm
going to treat them rough
I heard him with eXultation. I knew
perfectly well that, night or day, there
would be no rest for me now until
the day of reckoning between Joseph
and myself had arrived.
1 made my plans for the following
but they were shattered be-
fore I had finished breakfast. BY II
O'Clock l was in the train, bound for
Breezeley. Martin Hews' message al
lowed me no room for argument.
sent note to Bloor, received an en-
tirely favorable report from the hos
pftal concerning Rachel, and started
off on my dreary mission.
I seemed fated to see Breezeley Man
sion under awesome conditions, and
this morning was no exception. I
a brisk run as soon as I had reached
the old cinder-path, for there was no
doubt whatever as to what was coming.
There was one narrow cleft of clear
sky between two great masses of pur-
ple-black, sulphurouS clouds. That
shaft of light seemed. as entered the
gates, to be descending upon the great
house. 1t stood out unnaturally clear
in its fantastic setting.
The first peal of thunder sounded
as the door swung inwards before me;
the second as I passed into the up
stairs room. The lightning almost
blinded me for moment. Then the
rumblings of fresh thunder began, and
there was moments peace. The
door was closed behind me and ad-
vanced toward the table, but at my
accustomed chair I stopped short in
amazement. It seemed impossible that
this covering figure was Martin Hews.
Don't look at me as though l had
gone out of my mind" he snapped.
This house is mass of electric wiz
ing. We shall get no news, although !
am expecting the most important
telephone message of my life. We shall
probably have all our alarms and bells
destroyed. Heaven knows what is 60
ing to happen to U.s."
There was a flash of lightning, an
other crash of thunder, and his head
disappeared between his convulsively
twitching hands.
"Owston," he moaned, you are see
ing me in one of my weakest moments.
I hate thunder. have hated it all
my life. IT brings evil, Already there
is trouble. Lookl"
His tiny forehnger shot out towards
the wall. Immediately opposite him
was small blank space. remember
ed well the pastel that hung there--a
girls face, copy of great master.
1.-THE Madonna of Deptford," Martin
Hews~had once called her.
whats happened to your pastel?"
I demanded.
"Gone in the night" he replied,
with a little shiver mot bell rang,
not a key was turned. The room is
inpregnable. held in the bonds of the
greatest power on earth-elec tricity.
Yet, look! 1t is gone in the night"
I glanced around the room.
"One never knows who Is listening
here" I hesitated.
He leaned over the table and touched
switch.
ssThe place is sound-poof now" he
confided. What was it you wanted to
"only something you'll probably
turn me out of the house for" !