Henderson daily dispatch., 1934-05-26
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CHAPTER AZ

LADY IDA looked profoundly de
turbed. Then she rang for Gravan
Craven. this detective of8oa,
wants to see Mr.. George. To be cor
tain that he hasn't been attacked =,
killed by that snake or bv SOM
housebreaker. I am taking him No.
to see Mr.. George. and I want Won
TO come too"
Very good, my lady" Craven
looked bleak Indignation.
Lady Ida led the way to the sac-
Ond floor-on which. her own rooms
were Passing down the broad matn
corridor. she moved a little switch
box beside the mirror that closed one
end. Opening the flap. she inserted
IA key into the keyhole inside. turned
IL. and then opened the mirror door
by merely pressing il away from
her II was private door. hnt
kArdly a secret one.
Following her. Pointer stepped into
. large. bare. but clean room Cravan
shut the mirror door behind himself
as the last of the three After thar
the further door of the room was
unlocked.
"All this is terrible. but necessary
Lady Ida said quietly. Not that
Jacky-we call him Jacky-is ever
dangerous. but he's as curious as an
animal He might escape. and thai
would mean unbearable grief for all
OF u.s." Craven now gave n little
whistle. and, after a second. turned
hs handle OF the door.
There's a sort of cage built round
the door on the other side" he ex-
planned. still holding the door closed
so that he can't run out. as no
might otherwise"
He flung the door open and stennad
aside. All entered a wired-off pOr-
ton of the room which. Pointer saw
would serve just the purpose Craven
had mentioned. Craven now nm.
locked the grating door leading an
snto the room proper. but Lady Ida
stayed him.
"All the detective wants Is to see
that Jacky is alive and wen" which
was precisely what Pointer could NOT
see. The room was bare of furnj-
ture. The floor was piled in places
with straw. A stack of it was built
against the opposite wall Around
tne one large window another cage,
similar to the one in which they
stood, mad been made. The room
was very airy, and warm, and light.
Something rustled in the straw, but
nothing showed itself.
"Jacky!" Lady Ida coaxed. "It's
AL right, Jackyl He is terrified of
strangers" She turned to Pointer
Teproachfully. when the doctors
some and have a look at him he's
like a mad thing for hours after
wards. hiding and shivering."
Sorry" Pointer said, but I must
have at least a glimpse of him" She
nodded to Craven, who now onenad
the cage DIOR and stepped on into
the room.
Now then, Master Jacky." he said
In CHEEKY. kindly voice. I've got
some bananas for YOU"
Out was thrust a wild matted head |
OF hair. and pair of rat-like eyes
peered at the visitor above a perfect
bush of beard. He gave a sound
like a yelp and clutched at the
banana.
Now are you satisfied?" Lady
Ida asked bitterly. turning to Pointer
Can I offer him a banana too?'
The chief inspector had already
taken one from Craven as he spoke.
md was now holding it out by its
extreme end as though he feared that
Jacky would bite his fingers.
large hand darted out with ape-
hke speed and clutched the fruit. but
Pointer held on.
Come out. Mr.. Jacky," he said. as
one might wheedle a shy animal.
But Jacky let go the fruit and re-
treated further into his heap.
I'll try him with ball" Craven
said. picking up something that
looked as though IL might once have
been an old-fashioned small, wooden
croquet ball.
He'll bite and scratch at it like a