COUNTY CLUB

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 300, 2 October 1939, Page 7

COUNTY CLUB

By HOLLOWAY HORN.

HAS SADIE A HUSBAND? It was Dollimore’s turn to grin; but he said nothing as he rose from the table. “Have a cigar.” Blaunberg suggested when they were alone. “1 saw that you were on that ease at that County Club. And that you managed to have a good time there.” “Yes. I’ve come to you in connection with it.” “I didn’t kill her,” Blaunberg said, solemnly. “You’re sure? I expected to have to ask you to pack two of everything in your little bag and toddle along with me.” “No. We keep well on the sale side of the law, my boy. I can’t vopch lor my patrons. Borne of them may be a little careless at times; but we are very careful. It is the basis' of the business.” * “Did you recognise any of the names which came out in the Mosslord case?” Dollimoro asked as- he blew out a series of perfect smoke rings. “Yes. Your own, Dolly. I was quite thrilled to see how nicely you were getting on.” “No kidding, Monty. I’m dead keen on getting away with the case. It was a particularly brutal murder. You don’t stand for that kind of thing, I know.” “I do not,” said Monty Blaunberk, in. a very different tone. “It struck me that they were the class of ci'ook who might qsc a place like this until you rumbled them,” Dollimore said casually. “I had your chief in here the other evening,” Blaunberg said quietly, after a momcntai-y silence. “1 happen to know him quite well.” “He’s got it above'the ears, Monty.” “Ho has, indeed. I thought of mentioning that I knew you but decided that it might not be wise.” Dollimore nodded: “Was it in connection with Falsh C'ardew he came?” “It was.” “And could you help him?” “In a way. CJardew had been in here the evening before, as it happened. I’d told him quietly to keep away. He’s the least bit too well known for us—broadminded as we are.” Again Dollimore nodded:, “You’ve no idea where I might run into him? I should very much like a chat with Mr C’ardew.” “Yes. The© Mossford County Club—as I told the Chief,” Blaunberg said, with a smile. “That was evidently why I was sent down there. He’s not there now.” “I don’t suppose he will be there for a while. You’ve made it too hot for him. “What about his friend Rolliter ?” Dollimore watched his old acquaintance closely as he asked the question. Blaunberg held his visitor’s glance for a moment or so in silence before lie asked: “What do you know about him?” “Hardly anything. But I •want to — I’m exceedingly anxious to.” ■ “He’s a solicitor, I’ve heard,” said Blaunberg. “And apparently a very able one, too. I like a man who knows his job, don’t you?” “Very much—if the job is one that I like. Go on, Monty, I can see you know the bird. You know that anything you do to help me—to help us—will be treated, with absoluto confidence.” “He’s been hero from time to time, but always as a friend of some member or other. He acts for some of the cfookedest people in London. I don't like him. Much as he would like to, he does not and,has never acted for me.” “He’s not actually a crook?” Blaunberg met the other’s eyes and quietly smiled. “I thought so too,” said Dollimore. “But watch out, Dolly. He’s a clever man! Most people who know him are frightened of him. Watch out! When my dear father retired he gave me a list of people who were dangerous. And one of the first names on the list was th'o gentleman you mentioned. But I cannot givle you any. more definite information.” “Fernandez? Is he a boy-friend of yours?” Dollimore went on. Again Blaunberg smiled: “He’s been in here from time to time, and lie’s a close friend of Rollitcr’s—at least, they work together.” “Where does he get the money from to run the club?” “Mr Rolliter could tell you. You know what Fernandez is?” “No.” “A blackmailer. The club wasstarted for that purpose. An indiscreet week-end there has cost certain individuals far more than the prices stated in that artistic little booklet they send out.” “And Sadie Pachmann?” “No. Not in that name, anyway.” “It’s the name on her passport.” “What is she like?” Dollimoro told him. “She has,” he went on “An interest in that club. She isn’t merely a dance-hostess there. She’s ono of them.” “So!” said Blaunberg and Dollimore waited. “There’s not much doubt about it.” Monty Blaunberg said at length. “Her name, I believe, used to /bo Pachmann, but now it’s C'ardew —that is, if they are actually married and from what I can gather they are.” “That’s interesting,” said Dollimore. “It links things up.” A pretty little plot! —the Chief’s words came Lack to him. “I’m very much obliged to you, Monty,” he said. “You have helped me a great deal. If you ’phone me—and if any of these birds blow in, please do so at once —you know my private number?” “In Westminster?” . “Yes.” “Surel will. This place of mine is doing very well, and we don’t want dangerous neople here at all. But if you cut ’em out altogether you might as well close down. And, after all, business is business.” Dollimore nodded. Blaunberg accompanied him to the entrance: “Look me up again, Dolly,” lie said. “It means a lot to talk to one from the old days. I sometimes feel very lonely-here.” “I will. But I’m not altogether my own master.” He felt the need of exercise and walked up Cornhill and through the deserted city. At Ludgate Circus he turned to the Embankment and walked the length of it to Westminster. His . mind was at work the whole time.

:: (Copyright)

Mystery lurks in an ancient home which has been converted into a County Club, and it interests a modern detective.

MR GLINSHE REAPPEARS

A jig-saw puzzle, Ducros called it, hut the pieces did fit. And, curiously enough, the result of his thinking left him feeling very sorry for that bad hat—the son in Paris. He stood about as much, chance in the hands of the bunch of crooks Dollimoro had just been 'discussing with Blaunberg as the proverbial wax cat chasing an asbestos mouse in Hades. Ho might, nominally and legally, get the money, but lie wouldn’t keep it very long. Although it was getting late the House of Commons was still in session, be noticed. He was tired, and turned into the little square where, bis flat was situated, with relief. Instinctively be glanced up at the window as be turned the cornier and, to bis surprise, saw that the light' in his own sitting room was on. Ho was so surprised that-he pulled up and stood contemplating the light from the silent square. As he opened the door, Mrs Ralley, file woman who looked after the three flats the house contained, came from her room in the basement. There’s a gentleman waiting for you, sir,” she said, “I. hope I did right. His name is Glinshe.*” “Quite right, Mrs Ralley” Dollimore said and went up the stairs three at a time. Ronny Glinshe had made himself comfortable and was sitting reading in the. door. - “Oh, hallo, Dolly!” he greeted him. “Hallo! What’s brought you up?” “I turned my job in to-day and walked out on them. And there’s something I want to tell you.” “Go ahead! Have a drink. I’ll pour ft out while you’re talking.” “Thanks. I was in the dance-room when Rolliter and Fernandez and the Pachmann woman returned from the inquest, feeling, as you can imagine, jolly fed up. I had been in charge of the whole place all the afternoon and when the bunch returned they went at once to Fernandez’ office. The whole thing was unmistakable; they’re acting together. " “The office opens on to a small terrace and I strolled round there. I’m not in the habit of eavesdropping but this evening what I did, I did deliberately. Fernandez and Rolliter were both vary angry and their voices came out on to the terrace through a window which was slightly open,. Fernandez -has got something belonging to Mrs Lewin which Rolliter wants. At least Rolliter is certain that he’s got it. Fernandez denies it. Sadie Pachmann was doing her best to pacify the two men. I heard Rolliter say** 1 quite clearly: “The will was in her jewel case.” It’s a will apparently that is missing. Rolliter thinks Fernandez has it and judging, from his vehement denials I should think that h© has.” (Dollimore nodded. “That’s another piece filled info the jig-saw,” lie said, “I’m very much obliged, to you, Ronny. ” : . “I slipped away and they didu t know that -I had overheard. I felt somehow that the whole matter' was important. Mrs Lewin’s name was not mentioned, but inferences to the old woman were appareptly to her. I’d had enough and went upstairs and packed my bags and just sheered off. I’d got a" calamitous two-seater there —I paid ten quid for it —and I went out iby the side' door and came back to town.” “Fernandez will probably report youv disappearance to the police,” Dollimore said with a smile; “He has a sense of humour, that gentleman!” “I suppose I should have reported my intention to them ? But there was only one bobby there and he seemed half asleep.” . “Ducros will be back there in the morning. Where are you staying?” “With my brother in Charing Court. Unlike me, lie’s a very prosperous person.”

“Was Miss Stenning there ?’ ; “I didn’t spo heir after she came in with you. You disappeared pretty quickly, too. You’ve got some wonderful publicity in the paper to-night. I g£o^ 5 •* ‘ ‘Rather—confound them! ’ ’ “Well, I’ll toddle along, Dolly. I’ve got a part in the new' play at the Coronet Theatre, by the way—my brother fixed it for me. Rehearsals start on Monday so I shouldn’t have been there much longer in any case.” The following morning _ Dollimojie called at Rollitcr’s office in Goweril Street. Solicitors’ establishments have an unenviable reputation of being stuffy and uncomfortable, but Rolliter’s ideas, in many respects, were not in harmony with the traditions of Ins profession. The office itself was a flat in a very modern and efficient building. It avas one of those spotlessly clean, chromium-plated places one associates Avith sharepushers and people Avho Avisk to create at atmosphere of unjustified confidence rather than with an ordinary professional man. In accord with the regulations of liis department, 'Dollimore Avas accompanied by a felloAV official —Detective Sergeant MurrayfielcL The Avindow marked “Enquiries'” Avas opened by a peroxide blonde Avho Avonld have been more at home in the atmosphere of a saloon bar than a solicitor’s office. Her fingernails AA r cre vermilion, her attitude confident to the point of boldness. “Good morning. I Avant to see Mr Rolliter.” “Then I’m afraid you Avill be disappointed,” the blonde said Avith a smile as she looked Dollimore up and down. “He’s not in. What name?” “Dollimore.” “Dolly More?” she repeated in surprise. “No. Inspector Dollimore, of Scotland Yard,” Dollimore said sharply. He disliked all peroxide blondes and this one more than most. “He’s not in, anyway. He’s cloaa'U in the country on the ease in the paper. Oh! I reniembe/r. You’re in the case too.” _ “When do you expect him back? “I can’t say.'ls there anything I can do? I’m his confidential secretary.” “I’m afraid there isn’t. He’s still at the Mossford County Club you say?” “I didn’t,” she said sharply, for it Avas obvious that the Inspector avas not impressed by her. “All I know is that he Avent cloavii there yesterday —to the inquest—and has not yet returned.” “Please tell him that I called and ask him to let me know Avheh he returns.” “Wliat’s your number?” “Whitehall 1212,” said Dollimore. “Quate!” said the peroxide blonde, and closed the windoAV that Avas marked “Enquiries.” (To be Continued.)