BIRDS of PREY

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 17, 21 January 1933, Page 10 (Supplement)

BIRDS of PREY

Author of " The Exquisite Lady," " Stone Blunts Scissors," " The Man Who Laughed," etc., eto.

CHAPTER XVII.— (continued.)

For the first time the chief seemed to show some fear. His face had become drawn and white. One hand, his right, dropped ever so slightly from the position above his head, but even as it did so Sherwood moved his automatic so that it was pointing directly at his victim's heart. "Keep that hand up," he growled, "and don't you move again until I tell you to." The. chief wjis making a brave effort to keep his nerve. "Two thousand of mine was what you got away with." "Well, scarcely yours," said the chief. "You know what I mean. I'd done all the work. You thought you'd get away with it." "I thought I would," said the chief. "In point of fact, I didn't." "You didn't?" , Sherwood feigned surprise. "No. The man who was; to have got a share of it for the part which he took in our activities absconded with the whole sum." Sherwood threw back his head . and laughed, the laugh of the brute, MeGrory. "I'm glad to hear that," ho cried. "That's the -first thing I've heard for some time that I've been pleased about. Serves you right, but it doesn't let you out, not by any means. You tliouglvfc it •would. < That's why you told me. It doesn't alter the fact that you told Scotland Yard about me;- does it? I'm going to put you where you belong, just for that very thing." He got uji, scowling cruelly. "I don't know whether you're in the habit of saying any prayers, but let me tell you this. If you are you'd better get them over and done with, for you haven't many more moments to live." The chief spoke, and his voice showed that his nerve was breaking.. ~ ~ "Look here, MeGrory," he said, "if it's just a matter of two thousand; that you're worrying about, well—l didn't get it, as I've just told you, but I could arrange for you .to it in .exchange for—

"Two thousand!" Sherwood said. "Two thousand wouldn't keep you alive one minute more than the time I've decidrtl you've ;got to live." ' - "I see," said the chief, gaining hope from the t cleverly modulated tone in which Sherwood pronounced the words. "I see, but it's possible that, say, a larger sum would interest you. " I am not a poor man. I acknowledge that. I have acted , tpwards .you rather badly, McGrory. The very- fact of' my not'being a poor man enables me to make reparation. If you will immediately remove yourself-from this -flat and. promise. never to annoy, me again—we might say' three thousand.'*

Sherwood sat down agaiii. A sigh of relief escaped the white-faced man against the wall. Involuntarily lie dropped his hands. With a scowl Sherwood was leaning forward. "Keep up thosff hands." Quickly the chief obeyed.

"Am I interesting you?" he asked. ''"Yes," said Sherwood, "but you're talking through your hat. What's three thousand to me ? You've got to make it up to me for losing the pleasure of killing you, the man who told the yarn about me. It's a duty that I've got, a duty to all the others who follow my profession. You're a squealer, and you know what that entails. It's death you've got to get unless you are prepared to talk reasonably."

"Three thousand," said the chief, quietly, "is a pretty big sum, you know. You could do quite a lot with three thousand, McGrory, and, as you don't seem to attach much value to my life; I think three thousand is reasonable."

"I don't think your life's worth much, but it's worth a good deal to you, otherwise you wouldn't have started this conversation.. You've got to pay. My price is five thousand." "Five thousand! Your demand's preposterous, McGrory! Say three thousand'five hundred."

"Five thousand," said Sherwood, rising to his feet, "or you know what,, I haven't time to waSte. Which is it going to be?" •"Come here tO-morrow, at ten o'clock. I will have the money ready." "Not On your life. Five thousand is the agreed and five thousand is going to be harlded to me in cash now." "I haven't got the money." "Liar!".said Sherwood. "You'have got the money and more than that, too. hurry up; get it out." Sherwood saw from the look in his eyes that the man was cornered. , "Very well," said the. Chief, "but I will have to move from here and drop my hands from my head, if I'm to get the money for you." "That's obvious. Don't talk so much. Get on with it. No monkey tricks, or I'll blow your brains put. - I don't think I'm right to take this money instead of your life. Still five thousand is . five, thousand. Hurry up." The chief.dropped his hand, moved to his desk, pulled out the bottom drawer on the right hand side and removed a false bottom, revealing a small recess which held a" key. . Taking the key, the Chief walked to a bookcase and inserted it in the lock, but instead of the door of the case opening as Sherwood had surmised, the whole piece of furniture- came away from the wall, disclosing a safe. He manipulated a handle until a code word had been spelt and the door opened silently. Withdrawing a packet from the safe the man placed it on the table and counted out five thousand pounds in notes. Sherwood was surprised to see no more money in it. He picked up the notes, and although they were for large amounts, even so they made a fairly bulky packet. These he - concealed in the inside of his coat and inwardly thanked. McGrory for the large pocket in the lining which he had previously noticed aind which served the the purpose admirably. Sherwood made the' chief lead him to the door and there turned to him.

"You quite understand that any nonsense like having me followed will cause a lot of trouble. Quite a few people know that I've been here to-night, men like me who a,re in a position to be squealed upon. Well, if anything liap.pens to me, you re for it good- and •proper, and no money will be taken in exchange for your filthy life. That's quite clear, isn't it?" "Yes, said' the chief, slowly, "quite clear."

Sherwood turned to go, but the other's voice arrested him.'

■ "Would it-be too much to inquire who gave you the key which admitted you, and who told you my little signal of bell rings? I think I can guess, but : l should like: to know for certain."

"I'll tell Fellow by the name of Ben Sherwood. Very nice chap."

He wasted no time, was across the hall in, a flash, through the outside door and 'lost.Ja jie. shadows....,, .Tie. exploit had

By GERARD FAIRLIE.

been even more successful than he had thought possible., He had scarcely expected to get so much out of the chief. Sherwood made his way back to the city. There was a certain place vv'hich he wished to visit, a place which would enable him, even though his call was unauthorised, to change his personality once more. There was 310 one about. The affair was really to.o easy. "Gosh," said Sherwood to himself, "you've only got to have brains to succeed in this line of business."

Which was a very similar thought to that which passed through the mind of Detective Inspector John Lynton, following Rim closely, but entirely unobserved, and highly delighted with his night's work.

CHAPTER XVIII. Estelle watched J<Jhn Lynton as he darted round the corner after McGrory, standing in the shadows into which the young inspector had drawn her. But with his going, she realised her position, .alone in London in the early hours of the morning. Then Lynton's last words came to her mind and she flushed as she remembered the tone in which he had called her "Estelle." His manner had not been jesting or familiar, the name had escaped his lips as though it were natural ■ for him to address her thus. A happy smile played about her lips. The girl started to walk back home along the deserted streets. She was no longer nervous. The mere thought of John Lynton suiliced to banish her fears. The young inspector possessed to an extraordinary degree' the power of impelling people's confidence trust. There was about him an entire freedom from pettiness, a simplicity and selfreliance, combined with an undefinable charm. \ Estelle's heart was . full of-thanks-giving. . She had' found a" friend where she had least expected to, in those, same upholders of'the r JaW against whose powers she had been working of late, and she'had gpt a job—not just a bread-and-butter one without prospects or interest —but a chance of making good in a way she loved. How thankful she was. She walked on swiftly; light of foot and heart. -Turning a corner she passed a coffee .stall drawn up by the kerb. There 'were 110' customers, and, as Estelle moved by, the cheery little owner, called tof her. f" ' "" ." ■ ' "What about a cup of coffee, miss?" The girl stopped. The appetising smell of newly-made coffee was most inviting, as were also the fresli-looking sandwiches. The sight • awakened "her .to the Jact that she was hungry. She decided to rest and partake of his wares. She was really feeling tired; After all, she had been wakened from a deep sleep in order to obey Lynton's summons; ha,d gone through a variety of emotions," dread, relief, joy and fear— on seeing McGrory once more—all "of which had contrived to tire her physically, although her brain was never more fresh and alert. She asked for a large cup of coffee and a sandwich, then leaning up against the counter she consumed them gratefully. "Did you lose your train, miss?" "Er —no. But I thought I might get a- taxi. I'm out of luck though. Anyway I haven't far to go and it's a lovely night." Estelle demanded another cup. The coffee tasted extremely good and she was enjoying her adventure Jkmazingly. But in a flash her thoughts were interrupted. She had seen a figure move round the corner, a figure she knew only too well—that of the man whom John Lynton was tracking at that very moment. She shrank back into the shelter of the stall as the man approached. He was on the other side of the street, .walking rapidly. She breathed a sigh of relief when he had passed, and gazing in the direction from which he had come, she waited for Lynton to appear. But there' was no sign of the young inspector. Suddenly Estelle felt that there was something very strange about the whole thing. Why should McGrory be here, in this part of London, when only 20 minutes or so ago he had been hastening in quite an opposite direction ? He couldn't be walking about all night— that was absurd. And what had happened to John Lynton? Was it possible that he had noticed the young inspector tracking him, that he had shaken him off and doubled back in order not to be caught ? Could he have harmed his shadower? t At the thought a great load seemed to fall on the girl. /She felt sick with apprehension and fear. Something had gone wrong, and Estelle realised instantly that it was up to her to do what she could. She had given her word to John .Lynton to assist him. Here was her chance. She had made a pro-mise,-and this promise she must not

break. It had taken less than a minute for these thoughts to flash through her mind, and now, jseeing that McGrory was rapidly •nearing the end of the street, Estelle hurriedly paid for the refreshment, bade the man good night arid hastened in pursuit. She felt desperately excited and strangely happy. To win Lynton's approval was what she most desired, and could she track this man, McGrory, to his .air and catch him, then surely lie would think she had done well. Estelle moved swiftly, her eyes fixed on her quarry. He had just reached the end of the street now, hesitated, and then turned down a side street. Estelle redoubled her speed until she approached the corner, walked softly round it and was delighted to see that he was still in sight. On the other side of the road a policeman looked at her curiously, and she wondered whether she ought not to enlist his aid, to tell him the identity of that figure moving rapidly along some way ahead, and thus effect the man's instant arrest. That was obviously the right thing to do—and yet—she hated the idea" of sharing the glory of his capture with anyone. A, certain pride or obstinacy forced'her decision; she would carry this thing through - single-handed. This : was her chance-rtyer one big.! chance— of securing r the respect, perhaps affec-tion-even, of the man whom she now realised was uppermost in her thoughts. She was not Absolutely certain "that John Lynton himself was not somewhere around,-engaged in the same wild chase. .If that were so he would not welcome any interference from other members of the force; lie also had his reasons for wishing to achieve an outstanding success. This decided her, and although she encountered two more policemen on the way she did-'not hesitate for one instant, but hurried quicklv along with averted eyes. .... -

The girl picked her way warily, making all possible use of the long shadows cast by the'buildings, and of any other cover that was available. Her quarry was no harmless animal unable to defend itself against attack. It was she, the hunter, who ran the greater hazard. Were she to he discovered, McGrory would show no mercy. To spy deliberately upon his actions he would consider to be the unforgivable sin. She knew that in this chase the peril certainly lay with the pursuer, and the •thought, in' some extraordinary way, pleased the girl. It appealed to some instinctive code of fair play. Never for one instant had Estelle removed her gaze from the fleeting figure she was dogging. Arrived at a corner, McGrory moved quickly round it, and was immediately lost to sight. The girl hurried forward. She had been compelled to let him get some distance ahead of her because there was so little cover in the street, and now was fearful lest he might have disappeared altogether by the time she reached the corner. She approached this with caution; McGrory might have realised he was being followed, might be . lying in wait, ready to pounce on whoever Was shadowing him. At the thought Estelle's heart, leapt to her throat in momentary panic, but she instantly controlled herself. There was no reason for her to suppose that the man was aware of her pursuit. He had not looked back once, hut had, indeed, seemed absolutely confident that his movements were unobserved.

Very cautiously she moved to the corner and looked round. She was only just in time. The figure she had been following so skilfully was standing just beyond a lamp-post, apparently deep in examination of a wall. The street she had now entered seemed to lie at the back of a row of imposing-looking buildings, obviously flats; and the wall, which appeared to afford McGrory so much interest, ran the whole length of it and was surrounding, she surmised, a communal garden. The girl watched intently to see what he was doing, and had not long to wait in order to find out. McGrory cast a quick glance round, and Estelle cowered into a doorway. To her relief he paid no attention to her; obviously she had nob been seen. Now, with movements remarkably dexterous and rapid for a man of his size, he leapt to the top of the wall, taking a good hold with his hands and drawing himself up. For a few seconds she saw him outlined against the sky, an ominous-looking figure, crouching on the wall on all fours. Then he had dropped, out of sight, to the other side.

Estelle ■ ran very silently along the street until she neared that part of the wall over which McGrory had disappeared. This elie examined carefully. As she had been approaching it, once more the thought of summoning the aid of a policeman had flashed through her brain, but she dismissed it immediately. She would carry her task through alone to its appointed end. To do this, however, it was necessary to scale that wall and as Estelle looked at it she realised that it was solely McGrorys height which had enabled him to jump up and get hold on the top. She was determined not to be baulked if it was humanly possible to avoid it. What would John Lynton think of her did she allow a brick wall to prevent her succeeding in h.er selfappointed. quest? Again she examined the wall carefully. At about the height of her waist a brick had heen broken, and there was a small groove big enough,' Estelle' thought, to support her foot. She looked up at the top and measured with her eye the distance which it would still be from her were she to support herself with one toe in that groove. The girl was determined to make the attempt. She might just manage to get a hold; if she did, ehe felt perfectly certain that she would be able to pull herself up; but that grip would have to be taken quickly, for she knew well enough that the danger of slipping from the groove was great, on account of its smallness.

She, also, looked round quickly. There was 110 one in sight. Stepping hack ehe placed the toe of her right foot firmly in the groove —thanking Providence meanwhile for having inspired the leaders of fashion to view with kindliness a certain shortness of skirt, which made the feat possible. Then? jumping with all her might, she threw her hands upwards. The first attempt was unsuccessful, for all she did was to graze the palm of one hand on the bricks; but she paid 110 heed to the small trickle of blood from the scratch. The fact had elated her, for she had grazed that hand on the top of the wall. She now knew that the thing she was attempting was possible. A second time she made the effort, and succeeded. Supporting herself by her foot, she gradually edged her fingers over the wall and obtained a really good hold, then, pushing with all her strength on her toe, she pulled herself up. It was a hard struggle, but, gasping for breath, Estelle suddenly found herself on the top. In a moment all her feelings of panic returned. She felt as she crouched there on all fours —just as McGrory had done such a short time before —that she was in full view of all the world; as, indeed, sliu

was, Lad. anyone been looking in her direction. ' JEsteHe quickly looked round and was immediately reassured; there was still not a soul in sight* She looked down in the direction in which McGrory had disappeared, and saw a fairly large garden running the length, of the block of flats. There was no sign of McGrory. Even as she realised thisj it dawned on Estelle that it was one thing to clamber up the wall and quite another to get down on the opposite side. There she was, perched precariously on the top, from which conspicuous position she must instantly remove herself, and yet the drop to the bottom looked enormous. True, there was a grass lawn on which to fall, but a grass lawn is as hard as a brick wall if fallen upon from a sufficient height. There was no other alternative, however. Estelle braced herself with the thought that the wall was only a few feet taller than she was; with any luck she would escape injury. She jumped towards the lawn. For a moment the girl lay quite <still, all the breath knocked out of her" small body and frightened more than she would have cared to admit. Then' she picked herself up and was relieved to find that she still had the use of all her limbs. She had succeeded in the attempt; and without harm. She looked round quickly' in order to decide in which direction it was most likely her quarry had gone. Aj she glanced at the great building, apparently comprising a block of flats, she saw a sight that made her cower to the ground for fear that she might be observed. From the windows of a ground floor room a light was shining into the darkness, and as she watched. a black shape suddenly arose

in front of one of them, which she instantly recognised as that of Grory. His actions were obvious to anyone who, like herself, might have been re ~ardin * him. She saw him place one leg over "the sill and very carefully pull himself through the window and stand up within the room. There was somethin* so cat-like in his movements that Estelle shuddered. She wondered just how much noise he had made and realised that the answer must be—none. Estelle ran to the shadows of th. house, then, working her .way quickly, but Still without the slightest noise, she moved to a position just below the sill of the lightened window. Ver> cautiously elie drew herself up until her eyes could see into the room. A man was seated writing at a desk placed sideways to the window, and- standing between him and the watching girl was McGrory, a pistol in his hand pointed unswervingly at the mans back. Estelle could do nothing but stare at that man writing so calmly, entirely unaware of the sinister and terrible figure lurking behind him, one finger on the trigger of'his death-dealing weapon. (To be continued Saturday next.)