The Coolidge examiner., 1934-01-19
THE LITTLE
GOLD RING
g
g. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate
WNU Service
By COSMO HAMILTON
LAKEWOOD was startled by a
sudden urgent voice.

rs anyone awake? II so,
will he or she be good enough TO
speak TO me at once?"
There was something in the per-
emptory voice of the man below
which. although perfectly polite,
suggested the right to disturb
people, however late the hour.
He was standing on the border
Of bricks that divided a bed of ger
aniums from the path. His profile
was clear-cut against the sky and
there was something in it which
stirred the memory OF an offensive
incident in Harewood's retentiye
mind.
What's the trOuble?' he asked.
My wife and | are driving to Do
ver-or trying TO, rather. Trouble
all the way. We've now come to an
abrupt full stop at the bottom of
your lane. l saw a light in your
window and so I've stumbled up
to ask you to help US IL you will"
L IA NVht QOnu SdAu I1dAChOOhs
only too glad, OF course"
He made his way down the mar
row winding staircase to the flag
stone sitting room. Come in"
George Lamberhurst's my name.
What a charming place"
He shot a glance at the man
whose sleep he had ruined and
whose face was In the light
My God" he said to himself,
turning away quickly to hide an un-
easy flush. "Clive Harewoodl 9.
II he remembers me we shall spend
the night in the car"
HarewoOd's examination Of his
unlimited guest had failed to open
the chapter to which he seemed TO
belong.
Before, during and after the war
he had met dozens of similar men
and yet he felt pretty certain that
there was something not altogether
TO the credit of this one in a mental
pigeonhole. Where's your wife,"
he asked.
Relieved and not a little aston
ished at having been forgotten, the
confidence Of Captain Lamberhurst
came back to him.
Sitting in the car. Have you a
Ia NJ Of 80 -Nw
my neck coming up your jolly old
steps"
Harewood led the way down the
hill
The car. as dead as mutton, was
in the middle Of the lane, and there,
leaning against its near-side door
with cigarette in her mouth was
a most attractive girl. very young.
My wife" said Lamberhurst.
He added after a brief hesitation.
You forgot TO tell me your name.
"Harewood. Give. Major R. F. A"
A clear voice, round and warm.
HowdO-you-do? You must be ours
ing us. l am afraid it's frightfully
late"
The major has been kind enough
to open his cottage for us. II you'll
carry your dressing case, Diana, I'll
take mine. and our host, II he
doesn't mind. can bring up your
small trunk"
Thanks a thousand times"
She took the lantern and flashed
IL coolly at Hardwood. What she
saw she liked. She liked the cot
tage, too.
When Hardwood put down the
suitcase he noticed that the initials
on it were not d. L. but D. B.
Honeymoon, probably" he said
to himself. mo time yet to have
acquired married luggage. Lucky
fellow this"
He was therefore much surprised
when the young bride drew away
from her husbands affectionate
touch with a cutting expression of
scOrn.
"Will you have something to
eat?" he asked. I'm a wizard at
scrambled eggs. Or would you pre-
fer to go straight to your room"
Don't bother about food" she
said gratefully. land I'm far too
wide awake to attempt to sleep to-
night. I'll sit here and read one of
your books.
That's absurd" said Lamber-
hurst. May I explore your house.
Mr.. Hardwood. or will you lead the
way?"
Appearing TO accept the unspoken
suggestion that argument was
barred Mrs. Lamberhurst took a
cigarette from q silver box and
tapped it expertly on the nail of her
thumb.
Hardwood picked up the cases
and put his foot on the stairs.
He said, Bring a candle. will
you?" but stopped when he heard
the two quick questions which were
asked by his visitors.
Diana. what's the idear'
Did | never tell you how much
] deteSt a liar?"
Il must wait until you come" said
HaraunOd reripdfDO thop, Of hiS