Evening star., 1932-07-04
S''AAURDERe HAElMWR E1|
%Sdn hAeArHA CHRISTIE sS|| |
BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

| L WOnuer, ne JnOuBnC 10 nlTnSel1,
'if they mean to do a flit2 Well,
whatever happens, little Charles Is go
/ ing to be here to see it."
] He circled the house at a discreet
| distance. Everything, as far as he
/ could see, appeared to be as usual. A
| cautious visiting of the outbuildings
showed them to be locked.
Il hope something does happen"
said Charles as the hours passed. He
took a prudent sip from his flask
I've never known anything like this
cold"
He glanced at his watch and was
surprised to find that it was still only
20 minutes to IL. He had been con-
vinced that it must be nearly dawn.
An unexpected sound made him
prick up his ears excitedly. 1t was the
sound of a bolt being very gently
/ drawn back in its socket, and 1t came
from the direction of the house
Charles made noiseless sprint from
bush to bush. Yes. he had been quite
right, the small side door was slowly
| opening. A dark figure stood on the
threshold. 1t was peering anxiously
out into the night.
Mrs. or Miss Willett," said Charles
| to himself. "The fair Violet, I think"
After waiting minute or two, the
figure stepped out on the path. closed
!
walk away from the house in the op-
posite direction to the rront drive. The
path led up behind Sittaford House,
passing through a small plantation Of
trees and SO out on to the open moor.
The path wound quite near the
bushes where Charles was concealed,
60 near that Charles was able to rec
ognize the woman as she passed. He
had been quite right, it was Violet
1tf 11O a1,.s~. I@x-e n anlr
coat and beret.
She went on up and as quietly as
possible Charles followed her. He had
no fears of being seen, but he was
alive to the danger of being overheard.
He was particularly anxious not to
alarm the girl. Owing to his care in
this respect, she outdistanced him. For
a moment or two he was afraid lest
he should lose her. but as he in his
turn wound his way anxiouSly through
the trees he saw her standing a little
way ahead Of him. Here the low wall
\ which surrounded the estate was
| broken by a gate. Violet Willett was
standing by this gate, leaning over it,
peering out into the night.
Charles crept up as near as he dared
and waited. The time passed. The
| girl had a small pocket torch with her
and once she switched it on for a
moment or two, directing it, Charles
thought, to see the time by the wrist
watch she was wearing, then she leaned
| over the gate again in the same atti-
| tude of expectant interest. Suddenly
| Charles heard a low whistle twice re-
| peated.
He saw the girl start to sudden at
| tention. She leaned farther over the
| gate and from her lips came the same
| signal-a low whistle twice repeated.
Then with startling suddenness a
mans figure loomed out of the night.
! A low exclamation came from the girl.
| She moved back pace or TWO, the gate
| swung inward and the man joined her.
She spoke to him IN a low. hurried
voice. Unable TO catch what they said,
/ Charles moved forward somewhat i'm
| prudently. twig snapped beneath his
feet. The man swung around instantly.
Whats that?" he said.
He caught sight of Charles retreat
ing figure.
"Hie, you, stopl What are you doing
here?"
With a bound he sprang after
| Charles. Charles turned and tackled
| him adroitly. The next moment they
were rolling over and over together in
a locked embrace.
/ The tussle was a short one Charles
assailant was by far the heavier and
/ stronger of the two. He arose to his
| feet jerking his captive with him
Switch on that light, Violet" he
said. Lets have a look at this
fellow"
The girl who had been standing ter
| rified few PAGES away came forward
and switched on the torch obediently.
| 1T must be the man who is staying
| in the village" she said. "A journalist"
| "A journalist, eh?" exclaimed the
| other. II don't like the breed. What
/ are you doing. you skunk. nosing around
| private grounds at this time of night?"
The torch wavered in Violet's hand.
For the first time Charles was given
full view of his antagonist. For few
minutes he had entertained the wild
idea that the visitor might have been
the escaped convict. One look at the
other dispelled any such fancy. This
was young man not more than twenty
four or five years Of age. Tall, good
looking and determined, with none of
the hunted criminal about him.
Nov, then" he said sharply, what's
your name?"
Charles. you haven't told me yours"
he continued.
"Confound your cheek!"
A sudden flash of inspiration came
to Charles. An inspired guess had
saved him more than once. II was a
long shot, but he believed he was right.
Il think. however" he said quietly,
that can guess it,"
"What?"
The other was clearly taken aback.
Il think" said Charles, that have
the pleasure OF addressing Mr.. Brian
Pearson from Australia. Is that SOP"
There was a silence-rather a long
silence. Charles had a feeling that the
tables were turned.
How the devil you knew that can't
think" said the other at last, 'but
you're right. My name Is Brian Pear
SON."
I'm that case" said Charles. Sup
posing We go to the house and talk
things oyerl"
Ito Be Continued.)