Evening star., 1932-07-04
INSTALLMENT XXI.

N YEXT door to Maj. Burnaby
N Capt Wyatt was talking to Mr.
Rycroft, who had dropped in.
i "Nice-looking girl, he turned
the conversation abruptly.
Whats she doing here? That's what
want to know. What does she want
here? Who's she going to talk to in a
place like this? All you old fogies will
bore her stiff. I had a word with her
this morning. Expect she was surprised
to find man like me in a place like
this"
He twisted his mustache.
She's James Pearson's fiancee," said
Rycroft. You know-the man who's
been arrested for Trevelyan's murder" "
Wyatt dropped glass of whisky he
was Just raising to his lips with a
crash upon the floor He Immediately
roared for Abdul and cursed him in no
measured terms for not placing table
at a convenient angle to his chair. He
then resumed the conversation.
$50 that's who she is. Too good for
a counter jumper like that. A girl like
that wants a real man"
Young Pearson is very good look
ing" said Mr.. Rycroft.
Good looking-good looking-a girl
does that sort of young man, who works
in an Office every day, know of life?
What experience has he had Of real
ity? Police sure he did it?'
They must be fairly sure or they
wouldn't have arrested him. Inspector
Narracott struck me this morning as an
able and efficient man."
Where did you see him this morn
ing?"
"He called at my house"
''He didn't call at mine," said Capt.
Wyatt in an injured fashion.
We'll, you weren't a close friend of
Thevelyan's or anything like that"
"All the same" the captain growled,
'if the police want to know about
Trevelyan, I'm the man they should
have come to. I've knocked about the
world, and I've got judgment. 1 can
size man up for what he's worth
What's the good of going to lot of
dodderers and old women? What they
want Is a mans judgment"
He banged the table again.
I'm not afraid of the police. Let
EN- come here. I'll show them. Do
you know shot a cat at a hundred
yards the other night?"
did you?" said Mr.. Rycroft.
The captains habit Of letting off a
revolver at real or imaginary cats was
sore trial to his neighbors.
What tea do you drink" asked
Wyatt. 81 don't know anything about
tea. Told Abdul to get some Thought
that girl might like to come in to tea
one day. Darned pretty girl. Must do
something for her. she must be bored
to death in place like this with no one
to talk to-"
There's a young man with her"
said Mr.. Rycroft.
THE young men of the present day
make me sick" said Capt. Wyatt.
What's the good of them?"
This being a difficult query to an
swer suitably, Mr.. Rycroft did not at
tempt it; he took his departure.
In No. 4, the Cottages, Miss Perce-
house was speaking to her nephew,
Roland.
IF you like to moon about after a
girl who doesn't want you, that is your
affair, Ronald" she was saying. Bet
ter stick to the Willett girl You may
have chance there, though I think it
Is extremely unlikely"
"Oh, say" protested Ronnie.
"And now" said Miss Percehouse,
closing her eyes, don't argue with me
any more. I'm tired"
Ronnie shuffied his feet and looked
uncomfortable.
"Well?" said Miss Percehouse, sharply.
"Oh! nothing-only-1 was wondering
if you'd mind if I. blew in to Exeter to-
morrow"
"Why?"
well, I want to meet fellow there" I"
IF young man wishes to tell lies,
he should do so well, said Miss Perce-
house.
"OhI say-but-it's all right then?
I can go?"
"I don't know what you mean by
saying I can go?' as though you were
a small child. You are over 81"
"Yes, but what I mean is I don't
want"
Miss Percehouse closed her eyes again
st have asked you once before not to
argue. I am tired and wish to rest. If
the fellow you are meeting in Exeter
wears skirts and is called Emily Ire
fusis, more fool you-that is all have
to say"
Charles Enderby was not looking for
ward with any relish to the prospect OF
his nights vigil. He privately consid-
cred that it was likely to be wild goose
chase Emily, he considered was pos
sessed of a too vivid imagination.
He was convinced that she had read
into the few words she had overheard
a meaning that had its origin in her
own brain. Probably sheer WEAKNESS
had induced Mrs. Willett to yearn for
night to come.
Charles looked out Of his window
and shivered. 1t was a piercingly cold
night, raw and foggy. Still he dared
not yield to his intense desire to
remain comfortably indoors. He re-
called the liquid righteousness OF
Emily's voice as she said, ITS wonder
full to have some one you can really
rely on"
She relied on him, Charles, and she
should not rely in vain. What? Fail
that beautiful, helpless girl? Never.
He effected surreptitious exit from
the cottage. The night was even colder
and more unpleasant than he had
thought. Did Emily realize all he was
about to suffer on her behalf? He
hoped so. His hand went tenderly to
q pocket and caressed hidden flask.
With suitable precautions he intro
uced himself into the grounds of Sitta-
ford House. A light in the gardeners
cottage showed that it was inhabited.
Sittaford House itself was in darkness,
save for one lighted window on the
first floor
Those two women are alone in the
house" thought Charles. II shouldn't
care for that myself. A bit creepyl"