SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 162, 11 July 1928, Page 22

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

NKW IIEADKKS BEGIN HEIIE. JOHN RELPH, an unemployed cxofffcer. meets HENRI- ZWEITT, a Swiss, whose life he saved during a post-war riot in Cologne. Zweitt takes Relph to London, promising to find him employment. Next morning, soon after Zweitt's departure, a mysterious Chinaman appears at his rooms. He declines to leave a message with Relph. who is later engaged by the firm for which Zweitt works. The same evening Relph has an appointment witli Zweitt at the shop of one SALVATORI. in Angel Alley, near Piccadilly, but tli? Swiss fails to put in an appearance. Salvatori is obviously in terror of something, and begins telling Relph a strange story when lie is interrupted. Kelph promises to return later, and as he is doing so observes a beautiful woman stealthily coming from the direction o* the shop. He tinds Salvatori stabbed, lying on the floor and gasping "/weict did not come—The end of the story—Sour milk." On the floor of the shop Relph discovers a soldier's identity bracelet bearing the name of an old friend "missing believed killed" in 1916. Zweitt vanishes, anda police officer left in charge of his room is chloroformed. Stuck in a mirror in his bedroom Relph tinds a slip of paper beaering the picture of a German steel helmet and the warning: "Mind your own business and live."

CHAPTER V. When T, awoke next morning, tlie sun shining brightly through my bedroom window dispelled much of the gloom of the night before. At the same time I was considerably worried. The warning note which I had found on the mirror brought the Salvatori affair home to me personally. I walked to the office and had been working for half an hour when Brantlon arrived. "Hard at work, eh, Mr. Relph?" His blue eyes twinkled humorously. "An excellent thing, hard work," he continued, unlocking the door of his room. "I've very nearly finished these invoices, Mr. Brandon," I said. "What shall I do afterwards?" "Let me see—let me see." he ruminated. "Oh, Mr. Relph, I think you had better read through those correspondence books which you will find on that shelf above Mr. Zweitt's desk " He stopped suddenly as the door opened and Inspector Jaffray. accompanied by another man, entered the office. Jaffray stepped forward. "Mr. Brandon, I believe?" lie said. "Precisely," said Brandon, "and what may I do for you gentlemen?"' "Well,. Mr. Brandon," said .Jaffray, "I don't know whether Mr. Relph here has told you anvthinp about the matter, but a murder was committed last night in Angel Alley. A man named Eustachio Salvatori was stabbed. There are sOme rather peculiar circumstances conjneeted with the case concerning a man we believe to be in your employ—Henri Zweitt. T should like to ask you a few quest-ions about this man."

"I will do my beat to help von." said Brandon. "But surely no suspicion is attached to Zweitt. ' He is a most steady and reliable man. and has been employed- here for a considerable time. I have the utmost confidence in his integrity." He opened his office door. "Will you come in gentlemen," lie said.

"'Thank you," said Jaffray. "I should like Mr. Relph to be present if you don't mind, Mr. Brandon."

Brandon looked from the detective to me in amazement.

"Of course." he said, apparci)' ly bewildered. "Of course " He led tlie way into his office.

"The position .is briefly this," said Jaffray. "Last nijzht Mr. Kelph received an urgent note from Zweitt asking him to meet Zweitt at Salvatori's shop in Angel Alley. Mr. Relph kept this appointment, but Zweitt did not appear. About ten minutes past nine Mr. Relph was requested by Salvatori to leave and to come back at ten o'clock. Salvatori was evidently expecting somebody. Mr. Relph returned to the shop at, ten o'clock and discovered Salvatori staplied. As far as we can see Zweitt did not return to his rooms last night after seven o'clock. We know he was there before that time as Mr. Relph returned home at six forty-five and the note from Zweitt was awaiting him. At what time did Zweitt leave this office last night, Mr. Brandon ?"

"That I cannot tell you." Brandon replied. "I left him working here at about four-thirty yesterday afternoon. You see I live at Surbiton, and 1 usually catch the four forty-five at Waterloo. Zweitt had a fair amount of work to get- through, and 1 expected that he would be working here till about seven o'clock." "Did you know anything of any friendship existing between the dead man and Zweitt?" asked Jaffray. "Of that I am afraid I have no knowledge," replied Brandon. "I know that Zweitt saw Salvatori occasionally. You see he was a customer in a small way. He served a few of the Italian houses in the neighbourhood with cheap G'hiantis and other of the lesser Italian wines. We supplied him with theie, and of course it is quite possible that in <l ( >;ng business they had become friendly." "What was Zweitt doing in a motor car at Frimley ?"

"At Frimley!" echoed Brandon in astonishment. "I ically cannot tell you. The day before yesterday he should have been at Kelsham!" Jaffray closed liis notebook. "Of course, Mr. Brandon," he said, "You have no idea where Zweitt is at the moment?" Brandon sniiled. "None whatever," he said. "How should I?" Jaffray took up his hat. "We'll be going," he, said to his colleague. "Thanks for your help, Mr. Brandon. We'll let you know if we want you again." Brandon rose and accompanied the dctective to the outer door. "I am sorry that I have been unable to help you more, gentlemen," he said. "If I can do anything else, please command me." I returned to my desk. Brandon stood in the outer office bv the window, hia hands clasped behind his back. He sighed. "Mr. Relph," he said slowly. "This is a very serious business. Can it be that Zweitt has anything to do with this awful crime. I cannot find it in my heart to hiistrust him. Yet why did he send you that note? A bad business, Mr. Relph—a bad business." He went back to his office closing the door behind him. In spite of his remarks he seemed remarkably unperturbed by Zweitt's disappearance and the fact that be was so closely associated with a serious crime. I was sorry that Jaray had gone without giving me an opportunity of speakwith him alone. The warning note which I had received the night before might possibly constitute useful evidence.

At half-past twelve Brandon came to the door of his office.

•'You may go to lunch, Mr. Relph," he said, "and you need not return until onethirty. I am surprised that we have heard nothing from Mr, Zweitt, but perhaps this afternoon will bring us some news." He went back into nis room leaving the door ajar so that he could hear if any customers came into the outer office.

1 went out and found a teashop near Brennan's Buildings. Opening a newspaper which I had bought, I looked for some report of the Angel Alley murder. There was a very brief report of the crime, and I was surprised when 1 read that "the police had excellent reasons for believing that the clues in their possession would enable them to trace the murdered man within a few days." This struck me as being extraordinary. What clues had the police discovered? 1 wondered if the astute Jaffray had inspired the Press report in order to lull the suspicions of someone who was connected with the crime.

Finishing my lunch 1 paid my bill and; made my way back to Brennan's Buildings. It was then about a quarter past ore. I walk fairly quietly, and I suppose I did not make very much noise when I opened the outer door. The door of Brandon's office was still open, and, as I walked to my desk I looked through. I saw Brandon on his knees by the side of his desk groping in the waste paper basket, which, as usual, was full to overflowing. I turned my back to the open door and gave a slight cough, then I turned to hang up my hat and coat. When I glanced through the door again Brandon was at his desk writing. Presently he went out to lunch, locking his office door after him. The afternoon seemed interminable, mainly, I suppose, because I was excited. Brandon returned to the office somewhere in the region of three-thirty, and remained in his room Until half-past five. He told me that I could close the office at six o'clock, and gave me instructions as to how I should jdeal with any customers who might come in. Then with a curt goodnight, he went off. At six o'clock I tidied up my desk, put on my hat and coat, and, unlatching the "Vale regulator on the door, pulled it to behind me. Dusk was falling as I left the entrance to Brennan's Buildings, and as I turned into Cannon Street I seemed to recognise a figure as it hurried past me. I stopped and looked back. It was the Chinaman who had brought the letter to Zweitt. When I saw b'im he was just passing Brennan's Buildings. I walked quickly after him, but the Barrow turning was crowded with clerks and typists hurrying home, and as I reached King William Street at the other end of the alley I realised it was hopeless to endeavour to find him in the crowd.

I walked to the Hank ftation. and took the Tube to Tottenham Court Koad, and in a few minutes I was in Conway's fiat Conway promptly suggested that as my present abode was not a particularly cheerful spot heaving regard to recent events, that I should move my kit and take up my abode with him, more especially as he was feeling a bit lonesomo himself in the long evenings, i I Was jrlad to agree, and went off to 1 oland Street, returning soon after with my few belongings. Conversation, soon turned on the Salvatori miu'der.

Wi think Jaffray'* a good man at ins job, Conway?" I asked.

He's about the best man at the yard, he answered. "He very seldom falls down on a case, and is highly thought of—" The telephone interrupted him, and lie picked up the receiver.

"It's Jaffray. He wants to speak to you, Relph," he said.

I took up the telephone and spoke to Jaffray.

"That you, Mr. Relph? I'd be glad if you could come round to Salvatori's shop at once. I'll be there when you arrive. \t>u'll find the shop door open." I hurried over to Angel Alley. A cold wind was blowing, and I turned up my coat collar. As I approached the shop I saw that a single l ; ght was burning inside. One or two portions of the wooden shutters had been put up over the shop window, but the right half was left unshuttered, and the flickering light inside cast fitful shadows on the dusty bottles and boxes in the window.

Pushing open the door, I entered. Jallipy was leaning against the counter, his hands in his pockets, puffing at a short briar pipe. His bowler hat was pushed well back on his head, and he seemed immersed in thought. He straightened himself as I entered and shook hands. There, was some quality about Jaffray which allayed the feeling of depression which the dark shop and the weather had produced. Without wasting any time I told him of the mysterious disappearance of the bracelet, and gave him the warning note which had been left in my bedroom the night before.

He read the note beneath the dim gas light which supplied the shop with its uncei tain light. His eyes were gleaming, and a little smile curved his mouth. He folded the note and put it carefully in his pocket book. Then he chuckled quietly. "That's a bit of luck, Mr. Relph," he said. -' It's a funny thing, but criminals are the most conceited fellows in the world, and the chap who tried to draw that steel helmet was letting his conceit run away with him. I rather fancy, too, that his own life wouldn't be particularly safe if the head* knew he'd done it." "The heads?" I queried. "Is it a aran<* then?" 60 "That remains to be seen," he answered. 'Except it's fairly obviousthat it isn't one man." He walked to the centre of the shop, his hands in his pockets, and glanced about him. He stood there for a moment or two, and then turned to me. "Will you step into the inner room?" he said, "I want you to show me just how Salvatori was lying when you found him." I lay down in the fireplace and showed Jaffrav as well as I could how : Salvatori was lying when I entered the room. When I had risen to.my feet Jaffray sat down in the dilapidated armchair and gq,zed thoughtfully at the floor, on which an ominous red stain still showed near the grate. It was raining hard outside. A strong wind had arisen", which howled dismally into Angel Alley. I glanced nervously round the shabby little room, lighte-i only by the dim light of a cheap- oil lamp. (To be continued daily.)