THE ENCHANTED PERIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 247, 18 October 1926, Page 18

THE ENCHANTED PERIL.

BY WILMAM J-~ QTJEUX,

CHANPTER X.\. A Point to Peter.

When Warringford entered the inner j room it was to find Sennett partly recovered from the effects of the drugThis was as lie wished it, and he congratulated himself on having timed the drug's action so accurately. The effect had" been to leave Sennett in a condition which just allowed him to be capable of walking with assistance. The doctor did not care to run the risk involved m transferring an unconscious man through London. "And now, friend Sennett," he said, going across to his victim, "I propose to fct you leave hospital house for that of some friends of mine. You will find them charming people."' Later, Warringford went to the door and beckoned Fetter and Cooke, who at once entered the room. Their appearance was a shock to Sennett. for, although he was not expecting his future hosts to be aristocrats, he never imagined that they would be of the type of the men now before him. He was especially repelled by Cooke, whose huge frame seemed utterly out of place in the aesthetic surroundings of Warringford's room. Cooke entered the room with a gorillalike lurch and looked around as a lion might have done when periodically introduced into an arena to devour Christians. Certainly escape from two such characters was going to he a difficult matter. "Here is your guest," said Warringford, proceeding to unloose the cords on Sennett, to whom he remarked: '•'There. I told you you would be free from your bonds before morning. If you behave yourself there should be no need for them to be placed on you again." Sennett made no reply. He could see no advantage in bandying words with Warringford, whilst he felt too ill to care very much what happened to him. Presently Cooke and Fretter took him by each arm and led him from the room, and in a short time he was in Fetter's "taxi," on the way to Shadwe.ll. He made many guesse6 at the doctor's reason for confining him. Could it be anything to do with Molly? She had been sent to Mrs. Paxman's in a taxi, having apparently given her secret to the doctor. Surely he had finished with her now! But the doctor had not finished with Molly. Had Sennett but known it, the cab in which he was now riding had, only a few hours previously, conveyed Molly from the doctor's house, though not to Mrs. Paxman's as it had seemed. By arrangement with Mellor, the manservant, the taxi was Fetter's, and, although Molly gave he-r destination as Queen's Square, Fetter took her to an entirely different place. Warringford, having got both Molly and Sennett in his power, did not intend to let them go before he had worked upon the information which he had so dramatically secured from them. This might take some time, Warringford had reflected, for, not only had he the cause of Sennett's mother's death to hide, but he had also to find Pierre Leroux on the Continent and obtain from him the packages left with him by Rodger Stanway. On these things Warringford pondered while Fetter's deceptive taxi bore Sennett to the dirty streets of Shadwell. Arriving at Rodd Street, the cab was stopped at a house in the middle of that disreputable thoroughfare, and Sennett was taken out and hurried across the narrow pavement. He was then taken to the rear of the premises and led into a small room. Here Fetter left him with Cooke, whilst he went to garage his cab. Cooke lighted an evilsmelling pipe and sat opposite him. "Take my advice, guvnor, and don't try any tricks. Then you'll be all right," he said presently. ''"We've had one of two here who try to get away, but it don't pay 'em. They've had mc to reckon with. There aren't many who can do it on Jim Cooke. I'm a fightin' bloke, I am." "Jim Cooke?" Sennett repeated the name. It seemed familiar. Then he askd: "You don't happen to be the Jim Cooke who beat Ted Simmons in that private match about three years ago, do you?" "The very same man, guvnor," replied Cooke, adding: "And I'm ready to beat him again. But how did you get to know 7 about that little job?" "Alt, I get 'o know a lot of things," replied Sennett, smiling. "Iv'e followed boxing myself." Cooke looked Sennett up and down appraisingly. He liked the look of him. There was a balance about his figure which made Cooke visualise him in boxing "shorts," fighting a pretty "mill." "P'raps you'll tell mc who you are," he asked- "If you know about the Ted Simmons affair, you've been mighty near things." "I thought you knew who I was," said Sennett. "Surely your old friend Warringford tells you the name of the guests he sends down to this hole?" As he spoke his eyes travelled round the room. It was plainly furnished, but contained several chairs which were not uncomfortable. These and a deal table comprised the total contents. The window, Sennett noticed, was boarded up, a few holes having been bored through the woodwork to admit air. It was not a room from which one could easily escape. "He don't tell us much," said Cooke, answering his question. "And it don't matter to us, so long as he don't doublecross us." "And pays you well," added Sennett with a laugh. "Do you know, I'm rather surprised that you have got yourself into the pay of a man like Dr. Warringford. From what I heard of you when you beat Simmons you were a clean fighter " "I used to fight claan in tliera days. I wanted to have a go at Simmoii3 in public, but they wouldn't have it, and tcing a bit hard up at the time I took money from them to keep out of the way till he'd won his big fight at OlympiaAfter that I got into a bit o' trouble and " "And that old spider Warringford got to know about it, I suppose •" .suggested Sennett. "You're not far wrong, guvnor," replied Cooke. He was taking a liking for Sennett against his will. A man who followed boxing and knew about the Simmons affair appealed to him. "How did he get to know about you?" asked Sennett. 'T wish I knew for certain," replied Cooke. "I had a feeling that Bill Fetter let something out when he was up at his house, but Bill says he never did. However, I've no right to be talking to you like this. You're a prisoner, and I'm looking after you. And mind you, I'm goin°to look after you. A tap from one of these, —Cooke raised his fists—-and youd be sorry about it." "And I don't suppose you'd be pleased if you got a tap from one of mine," retorted Sennett. "It took you nine rounds to put Ted Simmons down. It only took mc three."

A look of astonishment overspread Cooke's features-

"Are you pulling my leg?" he asked. "I reckoned I knew every fight Ted Simmons had." "You didn't know about this one," said Sennett. 'Tt was more unofficial than yours. It also happened to be without gloves on Newmarket Heath." "Was that—was that one September?" "It was," replied Sennett. "I happened to be there with a racehorse owner, watching an early morning gallop —not that I follow racing at all — and your friend Simmons was doing a bit of spying. There was a little bother, and—well, we settled it there and then." Cooke's astonishment was "increasing. "He reckoned he met with an accident about that time," he said. "I remember it veil. We believed it, because we never thought anyone could have given him the packet what he seemed to have got. That's true. He called it an accident." "It was an accident all right," laughed Sennett. "Well, by gum," exclaimed Cooke. "1 shouldn't have believed it." Then he suddenly closed one eye and held up a warning finger. "Bill Fetter's come back," he whispered. "Tell mc more to-morrow. I wouldn't miss hearing about it for anything. Beat Ted Simmons with bare lists. Blimey, but that's a good "un." A little later Fetter entered the room, and after trying the boarded window to see that it was safcj locked the door, leaving Sennett to sleep on a mattress which he had placed on the floor. The burly Cooke did not retire without giving deep thought to his conversation with Peter Sennett. If what he had heard was true, then Sennett was a man after his own heart—a sport, a toff. It went against the grain for him to be working for Sennett's enemies, but he could see no alternative. Only two years ago he had been concerned in the theft of a valuable pearl. Fetter had also had a hand in the business, having played the part of receiver, whilst Cooke had been the actual thief. Only one other person knew anything about it, and he was a half-caste sailor named Nialama, who sailed to and from Peru. He happened to be the man who brought to Dr. Warringford the tiny packages which he received from a wizened little man in Lima, the packages which contained no less an important substance than Arviata, the Enchanted Peril of the doctor's temple. It was Nialama who told Warringford that Fetter had had a hand in the theft of the pearl. After that it was simple for the doctor to gain what information he wished from Fetter. In this way he learnt of Cooke, the actual stealer of the pearl. In appearance Nialama was handsome, after the manner of so many half-castes though his features bore a sly expression which proclaimed him to be a rogue. He had a peculiar attraction for women, and on more than one occasion he had obliged the doctor by making love to them in order that he might introduce them to Warringford. At one period he had accompanied him to Mrs. Paxman's, but that lady, after falling in love with him, promptly fell out and forbade Warringford to bring him again. Warringford acquiesced, though not so much on Mrs. Paxman's behalf as she imagined. On the following morning Cooke again appeared in Sennett's room. "If you please," he said, "you might tell mc a bit about that fight. I'll promise not to tell a soul." .Amused at Cooke's admiration for his exploit, Sennett gave him some details of the battle, whilst the pugilist's eyes shone with delight. "And now I want you to tell mc something," said Sennett when he had concluded. "Why are you mixed up in all this dirty business? This isn't straight fighting—keeping mc here, I mean." "I agree with you, guvnor," replied Cooke, somewhat shamefacedly, "but I've kind of got to. I'm in his hands." "Yes, I understand that," answered Sennett. "But I want you to tell mc what it was. Look here. I should like you to trust mc, because I think I can help you. You evidently don't like the part you're playing, and it may be in my power to alter things. Tell mc the story." "How can you help me?".asked Cooke. "Well, I happen to have plenty of money, for one thing," replied Sennett. "Really plenty. I know money won't be everything, but it often does a lot." "Very well, then, guvnor, I'll tell you about it," said Cooke, "not only because you've got plenty o' money, but because you've got plenty o' pluck as well. Mind you, I'm not going to give away any names, though." "Fire away," said Sennett. "Well, I was mixed up in the stealing of the Malabar Pearl. I took it, in fact." Peter gave a low whistle of surprise. The Malabar Pearl was a famous stone, and had been taken from a house in Park Lane. The police had done their utmost to trace it, but had failed, thereby calling down upon themselves the wrath of a certain newspaper, whose proprietor happened to be a friend of the owner of the pearl. "So it was you who took it?" said Sennett. "You're taking a great risk in telling mc about it, aren't you?" "I suppose I am, but you don't seem the sort to give mc away, and you've promised to help mc if you can." "That's right," answered Sennett. "Now, can you tell mc where that pearl is to-day?" "I can, but I can't do it without giving somebody else away," replied Cooke. "You needn't be afraid," said Sennett, reassuringly. "Let mc tell you why I asked. If that pearl has not been cut into pieces I'm willing to buy it as a reasonable price and ask no questions. Now, then, can you get it back ?" Cooke was silent for a little time. Then he replied: "If you ask no questions, and don't give mc away, I wouldn't mind getting it back for you. The chap who's got it is afraid of it. But what do you w-ant it for?" "I want to give it to the police." "Then I'm not going to get it back." said Cooke, promptly. "Great heavens! What do you take mc for? Why, they'd never rest till they found out where you'd got it from." "Oh yes they would," answered Sennett. "You can leave that to mc. I know that if they could restore that pearl and make a certain newspaper eat its own words they'd never ask a question. Now, then. I'm willing to pay a thousand pounds for the return of that pearl. After that, you needn't be in fear of Dr. Warringford." Again Cooke sat thinking deeply. This was a big and sudden proposition. He knew that the present possessor of the pearl would be glad to get a thousand pounds for it, which happened to be the price he paid Fetter after the robbery At the same time, Cooke was a man of extreme caution in most matters, and he was wondering if he had not been wanting in that quality on this morning. What guarantee had he that he would get the money if he retrieved the pearl ? Sennett read his thoughts. "If you're on the straight", he said, "I'm willing to give j T ou a cheque which you can get cashed at my bank to-day within an hour. There will be a branch

near here, and I'll give you a letter as 9 well as a cheque. Then you won't have to answer any questions/ fl* g %k *t\ <**% "All right, then, guvnor," replied J H _\ 1 H ■ _\ fl fl fl __f * ______* Cooke. "I'll do it, but heaven help you tf_*jj__ BJI «k. -fl fl a ■ |_ if it isn't all square. I think you're a ™ / * ( sport, and I'm willing to take the risk. — lt isn't far from here. Then, if it's all Q 'fl 9 right, I'll see you get out of here before fl M fl _ very long." y*_ '&+**% 1 "I was going to ask you about that, m » fl H 4y"fl fl I 1 1 | 5 because when I've got the pearl and am J_\ g\__y J___ J kJ VJF out of this place, Warringford's power , «i over you will be finished. Further, when gi I am free I propose to give you five hun- || U g B ■- dred pounds for yourself." *W m mm-tßm— B .». I After having listened to Cooke's full Httfc #■!» ■ ■ fl #-* I comments on his generosity and sports- II Jfl Hi TO. Bra fl WA. fl O. BBi -B I B_____/ B raanship, Peter wrote out the cheque and A-m m**mr JU^B^"* letter and handed them to the pugilist. t |» "You'll be out of this place to-day, * Buick T-QW DTeSeiltS a ~!SW ——O tfflfir mark mv words," said the latter. ___ . ..i —i—.~ anlvr/ffi/MU "Then Heaven help Dr. Warringford," *. motor Car With OU engine. WWaHOiIJ said sennett. -^^■^«i^i««i«^i«^i^ e \ ess oil |>revious expcncJWX* (To be continued daily,. _ V . At CVOT pOlTlt in itS whole pOtTOT'; Influenza i. speedily relieved by \M !&>&&gS3k BBBiBaZI r #. -- I &&&£* ™is engine will remind you "heenzo" (Hean-. Essence). |J . smoothness and quietness o* Good for men, women and children. j\\ I fflfev Mt ! BL \M | . . °"~' % ' w ** Small bottle makes a pint. The cheap- 1". ' ■P ClCCttlCal Opd*3tlOn« est and most effective remedy you can Jl. V__JP °S2 ~ * ]_ iVT^&L ''""« lB Jl <«/• buy. Saves youi money, does you fErn " rftWtf HM fT B NO Other Car today, regCrOICSJ OJj good. 2/6 everywhere. 23 IBBM ?V \TMJ|I l°ißl bBBmB £30 Iff » "1 -L. „ «%«*%A rW>P> — )3Tv f*vi 11 f accomp ushcs the same iree» ft, I other closed car interiors are so di» HI mJ *8 A" LJUQc forced from mechanical roar. fipfiL <1t S9« Buick engineering has achieved tw over 7,000 tins sold c" "IiIUIPP result that all motor car engineer day—unequaUed for fhe have sought for years. deUcious Sandwiches. I ** ttW* Come in and take out one of tfc* Tiwgjft. -*--&& i cATk O i P^ 1927 Buick& for l orn Contains 5 ounces mm " Product of mm ß ..... _ AO+J 0* General Motor, " &YcR BUILT Stueorqe Potted MeatS Distributors: Sold from Auckland to the Bluff. HO YES MOTORS LTD .-.y.l«mm