Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1937-11-09
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CHAPTER Is


PRESENTLY an elderly woman
came into the solicitors Office, and
after a word with the clerk, Joined
Tim on the bench. She soon be-
gan fretting and showing signs of
impotence.
At 10 past 10 heavily built
man with black mustache
burst in as if he had heard
there was a fire, barked out to
the lady on the bench, Morning,
Miss Jupp, won't keep you a mo-
ment." shot a swift glance at Tim,
and vanished into a private Office.
In a few minutes the clerk called
the elderly lady away, and for 40
minutes nothing further hap
pened. Tim smoked three more
cigarets, making a mess of the
floor; there were no ash trays.
But the lady came out at last,
and a little later the clerk ap-
preached Tim. "Mr. Kay will see
you now, sir" he said, and led
Tim through.
Mr.. Kay had Adams note in his
hand. you're Mr.. T. J. Ken
nedy, I take it," he said briskly.
He put Tim into chair and gave
him a cigaret. AS he held his
pocket lighter to it, he gave him a
rather curious glance.
"You a friend of Mr.. Adams ?"
he said.
I'm his employer" Tim replied.
"Oh. Has he been in your
service long timer"
about Is years.
"Good servant ?"
Excellent" Tim stirred I'M
easily. II needn't keep you, Mr..
Kay. 5. It's only a question of
this letter. I told him I was COM
ing to London today, and he asked
me to collect it."
so see. You don't happen
to know what's in it?"
II haven't the slightest idea."
"NOr have I. Reason I asked,
he made such a fuss about it the
other day, was surprised he
wanted it again so soon. We don't
know much about him; haven't
seen him since that case seven
years ago or so. -. I suppose you
know all about that?"
Tim hedged. "I don't know the
details. know he got into
trouble, but I didn't care to press
him about it. He saved my
life in the war, you know
'That explains things. It
was larceny, actually. We got
him off, but he was damned
lucky"
Tim did recall an occasion when
Adams, who had been on holiday,
wrote from London asking for an
extension of leave Of absence.
There had been an excuse about a
dying relative, and Adams had re-
turned in a chastened mood which
Tim had attributed to grief. Ac-
cording to his custom, he had
asked no questions.
81 shouldn't be telling you about |
this" said Mr.. Kay, land I'm sure
you'll regard it as confidential. |
But to tell the truth I haven't |
been happy about this secret
d o u m n ito be-opened-a after
my-death film stuff. Specially
with a man whose record was
doubtful. Smells of monkey bust
ness. It was my partner, Mr..
Major, who saw him this time-I
wouldn't have handled it without |
an explanation. However. I'll be
glad to let you have it."
He rang a bell, and the young |
Jew came in. "Just rout out that |
Adams envelope and bring it to
me, Davis" said Mr.. Kay.
II think Mr.. Majors got it, sir"
said Davis.
'Mr. Major arrived 2"
"Just come, sir"
"Well, ask him. Here, give |
him this note"
There was a pause. Mr.. Kay |
drummed on the desk with his |
fingers. Hope you'll forget what |
I mentioned just now" he said
abruptly. 1--WE really no reason to
believe Adams isn't running
straight. You ought to know bet
ter than I. But I wouldn't like to
have anything I've said prejudice
you against him." |
"Of course not" Tim answered. |
II know Adams isn't all he should
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