WAS IT MONTELLI?

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 5, 17 October 1941, Page 7

WAS IT MONTELLI?

by LESLIE CARGILL. (Copyright).

CHAPTER XIV

CLEWTHERS BECOMES SUSPICIOUS.

“Apologies for the- intrusion,” Superintendent- Clewthers’ entrance was decidedly inopportune-. His- eyebrows elevated as he caught sight of Mrs Montelli.

‘'Dropped in for a chat, quite casually, eh? 1 ’ Clitheroe said drily. . “Not exactly! As a matter of fact I was. worried about you, with Tony hanging about” ‘‘Tony? What here?”

“Perhaps! Up to now I haven’t quite grasped his operational..scheme, except that he’s getting you involved somehow or other by trying to* ring the changes on identity. ‘‘Hadn’t, you better make quite sure who I am?” Jerry suggested. Clewthers chuckled. “So far as I'm, personally concerned there won’t be any more mistakes. I’ve got you-thor-oughly sized up, especially the voice. No matter how excellent a mimic may be he can't get the full range of light and shade of the original. Mind you, I’m something of an expert. Others may be deceived,” “What- are you afraid of, or rather what do you anticipate?” “Heaven alone knows, unless Tony hits on a mad notion to get you out of the way temporarily and take your place as Mr Clitheroe.” ■ “Say!” Slim- Annie- said indignantly* "that poluka aint no strong arm thug. Why, he wouldn’t harm a fly.” “Ha! I was leaving you out of account There’s always the original theory that the three of. you- are. workings a. gag together. Mind it I take a look at your place?” “Go ahead,” Jerry replied easily. The superintendent shook his head. “Maybe I Won’t bother,” he announced.

"Isn’t that bad, psychology? If I’d anything.; to* hide wouldnit you expect me to welcome an inspection?”

“Not you, sir. Tony Montelli would be a different- story; I-know a gentleman when I see one, although I’ll admit an interest in the lady's presence.” Jerry told him, only omitting reference to the discovery of the stolen emeralds in his pocket. At the conclusion! the detective looked* grayei

ffis acceptance of it as a truthful narrative was complimentary* but he was quick enough to see that there was something 1 lurking in the background. "You’re getting yourself tied up into all sorts of knots,” he saidt “in spite of my better judgment I- feelthat you’re trying ttr tell the truth, at any rate.”

“Tryingto?” “That's what r said. Yotr wouldn’t like to. be more frank with me> would you?” v ',“.

Jerry stared. “Sounds as if there’s a warning: behind that remark,” he hazarded;

“There- is!” Superintendent Clewr thera returned, the stare* with deliberate intensity, and was manifestly disappointed* whan the other’s? gazes did not waver: “Pah!” he exploded; “Getting anything out of you is like getting blood out of' a stone/' Slim Annie, provided a. diversion bycomplaining that it was time she got some beauty , sleep.

“If you like I’ll- escort the lady to more suitable quarters,” the superintendent offered. Mw* Montelli declined to stir •abroad at such an unearthly hour, insisting that she was free te make her own arrangements. “For the present,* Clewthers; retorted. “But don’t count on that being permanent it you decide to stay in. this country much longer.” The detective was stilt grinning when he took his departure, but it might have been noticed that he left two men on guard outside: instead of the customary single sentinel. “Phew!” Jerry gasped when, they were alone. “That was a nasty situation.”

Mrs Montelli turned towards the bedroom. “Why didn’t you tell him about the emeralds when you had the chance?” she demanded. "Think I ought to have done?”

“Maybe youfd have got away with it. That smooth talk; of yours comes in migtty useful.” “Thanks! But the truth would have wanted a lot of swallowing. No, my best course is to return them to the rightful owner—which ought to suit you.”

“Bunk!” “Nothing of the sort. It will keep you out of trouble as well.” “I ain’t in no trouble,” she said indignantly. “What do you think we planned the sunt for? Amusement? No, sir! There ain’t going to he no giving back.” “Yes there is. I’ll fix that.” “No there ain’t. Tony’ll do all the fixing. Keep your hat on, and don’t catch cold.” With the nearest effect of a flounce possible from one wearing borrowed pyjamas and an ill-fitting- dressing gown she turned on her heel and slammed the door in his face. Jerry cursed feelingly, and went to lock the jewels away in the safe. MINTEY’S STRANGE BEHAVIOUR. An early morning cup of tea was welcome after a troubled night. J err y also found the bright sunshine induced a more optimistic outlook. While he was still trying to collect his senses the astounding behaviour of Mintey attracted attention. For no accountable reason he was walking about on tip-toes, occasionally halting to- place a finger to his lips and uttering a warning “Hush I” ■ possible that the excitement of the affair had affected his mirtd, and Jerry asked him as gently as possible if he felt well. “H’im in the pink, sir; H’l find my

? ftrst K- experience in- crime* most thrilling. For years h’l ’ave ’ad a secret h*ambition to be h’intimatoly h’associated with a master cracksman.”

‘•Oil, you ’ave, ’ave you.” “Begging, your pardon, sir, h’l do not h’appreciate my misuse of the h’aspirate being treated li’as ‘amusing. H’it. is a defect which h’l ’ave tried’ ’ard to remedy, fully.” “My sincere apologies, Mintey. I wouldn’t hurt, your feelings for .anything, but you are a bit contagious. Getting back to this unholy admiration of. Raffles ...”

Mintey beamed. “Ah, Raffles!” he said- in- the manner of one paying reverence to a minor deity. “H’l li’am a- ’umble ’ero worshipper. H’it will give me- great satisfaction to serve ’is counterpart 1 , in real life.” This was a- now side to the man, one that had never been suspected. Honest •as the day in his running of the household, Mintey could still have dreams ,of engaging in major crime. “Come, come!” Jerry said, putting liis cup carefully down on a side table. “You’re making a; tremendous mistake. Pm not a crook, you know.” “H’l ’ad the privelege of h’inspecting the swag, sir.” “Swag? Oh-yes, of course.” At the thought of the emeralds he grew glum. < “There li’is no call to dissemble with me, sir.”

“Mintey, you. old. rogpe, I shall bo angry soon. You heard what Mrs Montelli said as well. That’s also true.” How was he going to return them to Mrs Featherstonby-Mawson without arousing suspicion? Before retiring for the night he had carefully locked away the precious string in his wall safe, wondering at the time what Superintendent Clewthers w r ould have done had he decided, to search both place and person. “You, er, must know that what I told the officer was absolutely. accurate.” “H?as you say. H’of course, h’if you do not wish, me to co-operate h’l ’ave no cause for complaint.” Behind his stolid acceptance of relegation to the background was a wistful yearning, the pent up desire of a respectable citizen to embark on- a career of crime. (To he Continued.) >