Evening star., 1934-12-07

tered but famlllar n2ure
lurched into view. 1t was Bob HICKS
a genial old derelict who hung about
outside the neighboring pub, and
whom I sometimes employed to fetcf
me taxi.
Hello, Bob I said. waiting te
welcome me home?'
"Lorluvus! You could ave knocked
me down with a feather, you could!
He thrust out a grimy paw. If yol
don't mind, guv'nor, Id be proud to
shake you're and"
We exchange grips. Thanks
Bob" I said. Its nice to know thai
somebody's pleased TO see one
Pleased! Why. when the noo'
come along this AFTERNOON, was thai
there glad I could a turned bleedln
cartwheel. If it 'adn't been close or
openin time l don't know as 'ow ID a
carried on
l searched in my pocket and dis
covered a shilling. You look a bl
shakv even now" I said. Perhaps
YOU'D feel better after you'd drunk
my health
He took the coin and spat on it ex-
plosively. "Gawd bless yer, guy
It's a fair treat to see you back again
an 1 only 'ope the party as done the
dirty on yer will get it in the bhnkln
neck. Pinchin' a gentleman like you
and tryin to make out as e goes aoou'
corpsin folk. Never 'eard sucr
barsted fooliShnesS!"
l laughed. How have you beer
retting on out here?" I inquired
Anything exciting happened while
I've been away?"
He tilted back his cap and scratched
his head. "Nothin' special. guv'nor
Old AIRY, the noospaper seller, e!
corn. Ruined over by bus in Cam
den Town last Sunday, and did 'eal
tell that the stoodio next door u
yours been looked by lady
What sort of lady?' l inquired.
Il amt seen er meself. 1t was TIT
bloke at the milk shop as told me-
well it can't be helped" I said
"As long as she doesn't play the piano
! dare say we shall hit 1t on an rlsnt:
l paused. BY the way, Bob l aooeo
"if you're around in the morning vol
might give me a look up about nine
III probably want you to DO som'
shopping for me- w :,
Right you are, guv'nor. III d
there"
He shambled off into the dusk. ane
continuing my journey up the hill'
arrived at the narrow passage WMcl
led to nv retreat. I was just turning
the corner when a diminutive tele'
graph boy appeared from the opposite
direction. ,,,,
Beg pardon. sir" he inquired. ou'
does this 'appen to be Queen Stuoios!
Yes" I said, who are you look
Ing for?'
Name O. Trench"
That's me-" replied ungrammau'
cally.
He produced a buff envelope whicf
he thrust into my hand, and wishing
me good night, sauntered on WIFI
surprising trustfulness.
pushing open the gate in the fence
I found everything in complete oarK.
ness. The next door building sno"ee
no sign of life, and concluding thai
nv new neighbor had not yet taker
IN her residence. l unlocked my oWr
front door and switched on the electric
light.
The first thing that met my eyes
was a note lying on the hal moor
When I picked it up saw that II nae
been sent by special messenger. Ihe
envelope was addressed in type"rlt-
ing. and wondering who was IN sucE
a hurry to get in touch with me-
,.oll,od m into the studio
Ever since my arrest the place
had of course, been in the hands OF
the police. 1t was obvious, by Wha'
had come out at the trial, tnat tneS
must have ransacked my belongings
from top to bottom in the hope OF
discovering further evidence against
me. but of this laudable activity there
seemed at first sight to be practlcally
no trace.
Except for a neatly arranged pile Of
letters on the desk everything ap'
neared to be exactly as I had left 1t
Even the timetable in which l hac
looked up my train to Brightlingses
that fateful morning was still lying
on the table-a mute, but not un-
eloquent witness to the truthfulness OIL
my defense.
I glanced up the stairs that lee
to nv bed room. The door was shut
and without troubling to explore any
further for the moment, walked over
to the desk.
A brief examination of my CORE
spondence showed that it consisted
entirely of demands for money. Every
tradesman I owed seemed to have
taken the opportunity of presenting
his bill, hoping apparently that. in the
event of my being condemned te
death, I should employ my remaining
leisure in settling up my accounts.
Dropping the whole lot into the
waste paper basket. I slit open the
telegram. 1t had been dispatched from
Dover, and at the sight of the sigma
ture my heart gave quick Jump.
Just got in here and seen evening
paper million congratulations first
we heard or should have been back
before coming up late tonight will be
round early tomorrow cheerlo Jerry
With an exclamation of delight
crumpled the message into ball anc
tossed it across the studio. Tha,
Jerry was home and actually on nls
way to London was in truth the most
welcome news l could possibly have
received.
1 felt as if Providence had suddenly
answered an unspoken prayer, ano
hardly able to credit my good fortune
turned to examine the letter which
I had picked up in the hall. 1t was
dated from Treshafn House, Cornhlll
and ran as follows:
Sir William Avon & Sons, Ltd.
Engineering Specialists.
Private and Confidential
"Dear Sir,
Il think it very possible that We
may be in a position to render each
other a mutual service, which woulo
be of considerable benefit to both o.
us. The matter however, is one which
I fancy, you will agree with me coulc
be better discussed personally. II yol
will ring me up here tomorrow morn
ing I shall be pleased to make an ap'
pointment with you at any time con.
venient to yourself. have taken tn.