THE ENCHANTED PERIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 251, 22 October 1926, Page 16

THE ENCHANTED PERIL.

BY WILLIAM LE QUEUX.

CHAPTER XXIV,

The Morning After.

Conrad Pears felt a sense of relief when at last he found himself in tlit comfortable seclusion of Sennett's ilat. On the table was a cold roast pheasant, whilst within the fender stood a bottle of vine, delicately "chilled." Not until they had partaken of a meal did Seniieu return to the u;iliuhhc-:l conversation of Pelling Common.

"Now first of all I want you to tell mc something about Mrs. Paxman," he said presently. 'I believe you spent a good deal of time at her house. I also think she is a great friend of Dr. Warringford's."

"I'll tell you as much as I can," answered Pears. "It's true I spent a lot of time there. I happen to be very fond of her, but. although she was always willing to be a close friend of mine, T never got any furthsi. Sometimes 1 wondered whether I was allowed so much in her house because sli.? liked mo cr because she had to."

"What do you mean by that* War ringford, 1 suppose ?"

"Yes, you can never tell where his influence begins or ends. Still I like to think; that she has been friendly to mc for my own sake. She's an attractive woman and has had plenty of suitors."

"1 can quite imagine that," said Peter. "What I should like you to tell mc first, however, is your reason for thinking Dr. Warringford has influence over her. Come along. Don't keep anything back."

"Very well." said Pears. "I wasn't going to tcir you because —well, one doesn't talk in this way about a lady.' You see, Warringford knew something about her."

"Look here," said Sennett, with sympathy. "I should be the last to try to extract any lady's secret from you or anyone else, but in this case there happens to be another lady concerned—a lady whom I think a good deal more of than Mrs. Paxman. Therefore, as I happen to be in authority over you at present I'm going to ask you to tell mc what Warringford knows about Mrs. Paxman. This much I'll promise you. I'll not tell anyone what you impart to mc. . I'll be as loyal to Mrs. Paxman as you are. if only because I have a certain amount of sympathy for anyone -who gets into Warringford's power."

"Very well, then," said Pears. "Mrs. Paxman's secret is that she committed bigamy some time ago."

"And you were hoping she'd fall in love with you?" exclaimed Sennett.

"Well, she didn't really intend to do it." said Peers-. "She thought her first husband was dead. He had deserted her sonic years before, and had deliberately let her think he was dead."

'•'And what about her second husbapd?" . He really is dead, but that doesn't stop her being a bigamist. She might have braved it out, but she's so sensitive thtit the scandal would have killed her. And she feared it might be shown that she didn't inquire deeply enough into the story of her first husband's death, which is partly, true, but she happened to drugs at the time, and was hardly responsible to that degree."

"Poor woman/ commented Peter. "I'm very sorry for her. What happened when the other husband turned up? And who is he?" '

."I've mentioned him once before to-night.", said Pears. "He's the Sonth American ■ named Xialama. He was furious' ariel threatened "to make a scene. Got it lot of money out of her, I believe, and then he seemed to fall in love with her again. Anyway, he suddenly left her alone and ceased going to her place. On the other hand, it may have been that Warringford had finished with his services, for Nialania used to introduce people to him at Mrs. Paxman's/'

"I'm getting siok' of the name Warringford." said Peter, with a smile. "He seems to be. mixed' up in everything which isn't right! However, I'm glad isdeed to know what you've told mc, and I promise to keep it "to myself. Now I want you' : to tell mc something else. Wliat was behind all that scurrying to Paris a. little time ago, and why is Waningford there now 2 I. didn't ask you much when I caught you in Paris, because I expected to meet Miss Merton almost immediately. But Waningford proved too good.for mc, and I've never had a satisfactory talk to her even yet." "I'm afraid you've got to thank mc in some ways for that," said Pears.

''What do you mean?" asked Sennett,

"I mean that I was working against j r ou and Miss Merton under Warringford's directions. You ask about the visits to France. Well, the truth is that there is something there which Warringford would- like to get hold of. I opened a letter addressed to Miss Merton and showed it to; him. I also opened one of yours to her as well. The doctor threw it in the fire and Miss Merton never got it."

"A pretty pair of rogues," said Sennett. "However, I'm glad to know she never got it, and that was the reason for my getting no reply. Now about the Paris matter?"

"Well, the letter was signed J.R.. but who that was we couldn't tell. I believe Warringford h'ae since found out from Miss Merton."

"Yes, I believe lie has," agreed Sennett grimly, thinking of Molly's ordeal at the doctor's.

'There was something in the letter about two packages. It's these the doctor wants to get hold of, and r that's why he's gone to Fiance now."

"Thanks, Pears," said Peter, "and now you can tell mc something else which I expect you know. Who killed Reginald Lovell?"

"You're wrong this time," said Pears somewhat sharply as though scenting an accusation in Sennctt's words. "I don't know who murdered him. They thought I'd done .it, as you probably know, but they were wrong." "I believe you," said Peter, "but I think I could make a good guess if I wished to. However, we'll say no more about it at present. Now, tell mc, Pears, what are" you going tc< do when you get out of here. I mean after you have returned the ear to its garage?" "I've been wondering that myself," replied Pears. "So long as Warringford is in France I'm all right, but heaven knows what'll happen when he comes back and finds I haven't succeeded to-night. r You see, Mr. Sennett. it isn't going to be easy for mc to defy him as I intend to. I've got that charge hanging over mc."

"I think I should advise you to be missing when he comes back," said Sennett. I leave that to vau But keep in touch with "mc. I think I can gave you from the trouble you fear; ißißgnie up at noon and six o'clock each day for the present. I may not be in each time, but dent let that sfcbp^yoifc ,, "-=*-- :

A little later Sennctt bade Pears goodmornipg—for the sky already wore^the

greyness of dawn-—and retired to his room, where, once in bed, he fell asleep immediately despite the excitements which had been his lot. He was awakened a few hours later by his servant, who brought him his morning tea and newspapers. "There was a caller for you last night, sir," said the man. "A lady of the name of Miss Merton, sir." Sennett sat suddenly upright in bed. "What?" he cried.. '■Yes, sir," replied the manservant, by name Benson, "I told "her you said you. mightn't be back till to-day, and she said she'd probably call again. There's nothing more you want, sir? Your bath's ready." "Er—no, nothing elso, Benson, thanks," said Peter absently as the man withdrew. Then he lay back upon his pillow in exasperation. He felt that he would almost have sacrificed his coup of the preceding night to have seen Molly and to have held her in his arms. He was unable to understand her reappearance so soon. Did it mean that both she and Warringford had returned from France, or could it have been that the doctor never took her there at all? And where was she now '! It was with these questions surging in his mind that he sprang out of bed and hastily dressed. Then he took up the telephone in his bedroom -and asked for Mrs. PaxhianV number, only to learn that her telephone was out of order. He therefore made a hurried breakfast and then ordered his car to be brought round immediately. Shortly afterwards he was at Mrs. Paxman's door, which was presently opened by a maid. But Molly was not there: nor had she been seen* since "her disappearance. Sennett believed the girl, and without asking to see her mistress he returned to his own flat, there to await Molly, should she come. He was unable to decide upon any plan of action in his present uncertain state. It had been his intention to fly over to Paris in the hope of picking up the trail of Molly and Warringford. but now it was useless to do so. There was nothing to do but to wait. At noon he heard a peal upon hie door-bell, and he immediately sprang from his chair, only to recollect that he had asked Jim C'ooke to come round again at that hour. He found himself almost hating the ex-pugilist for his very existence. At sight of the cheerful, battle-scarred face, however, his spirits rose. • "Sit down, Cooke, and have a cigar," he said cordially, "or would you rather have your pipe '!"

"Pipe for mc, sir, thank you," said Cooke, producing a pipe of doubtful, though obviously extended, ancestry. Then he asked, "any news about anything,- sir?"

"I was just going to ask you the same," said Sennett. "As for mc, I haven't very much to tell you except that I spoiled the exhumation game." "I'm glad to hear that, sir," said Cooke. "It seemed to be a low-down game. Who was it they were going to dig up?"

"My mother," replied Sennett briefly.

Cooke sprang from his chair and put out his massive jaw.

"D'you mean "that, sir? Why I'll go and knock Pears and his lot half-way into the next world, if you haven't <lene it for 'em yourself."

Peter smiled at thctjpugilist's effgrvescont loyalty. .. r ».

"Xo, you mustn't do anything of the kind," lie said. "I can deal with them all right. And if you see Pears,, which I don't suppose you will, you mustn't say I've told you anything about it."

■ "Very well, sir, if you say so," said Cooke. "but it'd have done my heart good to have handed 'cm a nice full packet apiece."

"There's something else I want to mention to you," said Sennett presently. "I want you to have a look at a photograph I've got and tell mc what you think of it. It's in this drawer."

So saying, Peter unlocked a drawer in his mahogany desk and took out. the photograph of the knife which had been used to murder Reginald Lovell, the photograph which Inspector Perry had given to him on the preceding day.

"Have you ever seen a knife like this in your various experiences V he asked.

Cooke took the photograph and examined it closely for a few minutes.

"It's a likely looking weapon," he murmured. Then he said. "No, I can't say I've ever seen one quite like it to ray knowledge. And yet, somehow, it seems familiar, like. Tell mc a bit more about it, sir, so as to give mc some sort of a guide. "I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about it," said Peter. "Not yet, at" any rate. But I want you to examine the photograph very carefully, so that you'll remember it. Then if you can dig into your memory and call to mind if you or any of your friends have seen one like it, well, I can promise you a nice little addition to the money I've already given you."

Cooke made no reply. He was closely studying the photograph, looking up at the ceiling occasionally with his blue eyes which at times had an out-of-place look of innocence in their depths.

"No, sir," lie said at last. "I'l give it up. Can't you really tell mc something to help my memory a bit. It ien"t what it used to be before my last fight."

"Very well, then," said Sennett. "I think I may tell you that I've got a feeling that that knife came from South America. I may be wrong, of course, but that's where' I think it came from." "Thank you, sir," said Cooke. "I'll think it over and have a talk with one or two pals o' mine. They may remember it or one like it. It won't be the only one In the world. shall I see you again, sir?"

"I think we'd better make it this time to-morrow," said Sennett, "unless you find out anything about the knife," in which case yon can telephone mc."

Whilst Peter was speaking the sound of the door-bell was heard, and almost immediately Benson appeared.

"A lady to st?e you sir." he said. It's the one who came yesterday." "Bring her up, Benson, bring her up," cried Peter unconscious of the scrutinising eyes of Cooke. Then he turned to the latter and said: :"I'll have to ask you to go now, Cooke. You're a great fellow." .Cooke stood in silence for a moment, his eyes meeting those of Senuett. Then he said: "And so are you, sir, and, if you don't mind my saying it, it does mc heart good to see you looking as 'appy as you do now." A moment later ■he was gone, and Molly Stanway entered the room. (To be continued daily).