MYSTERY of MANOR

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 18

MYSTERY of MANOR

"Oh, yes, we Sir. Drayton," said Lena. "It's Marjory that is so excited. We want to hear very much—don't we. Ethel?"' Etliel nodded her reply, and commenced stroking Tiger. "Well," said Mr. Drayton, "as I said before, I know all, and it's just as simple as ABC." He paused for a moment; the girls waited expectantly, and Marjory climbed on to Mr. Drayton's knee. Lena still eat at the table. "I must tell you first," continued Mr. Drayton, "that the burglar is very sorry that he frightened you all, especially Ethel. He had no intention of ehooting, and declares that Nip forced the pistol to go off." "But why did he come?" asked Lena. "How did he know?" "Why, he heard two ladies in a railway carriage. One was a' governess, and she was talking about her pupils, whose names were Marjory and Lena." " Miss Jackson! " cried the girlr together. " Miss Jackson, evidently," said Mr. Drayton. " She disclosed all the family eecrets, said that Mr. and Mrs. Lester were awav travelling, and that uncle was expected any day. The man, a professional burglar, simply listened. He learnt the name of the village,* and the name of the house, and that Lena was easy to manage if she were flattered euttieieiitly." " So the man," Mr. Dravlon went on, not heeding Lena's flushed face, " put two and two together, and came. He did not know about the birthday, nor did he steal the watch." " But why did he come like that ? Why didn't he break in at night if he wanted to steal?" asked Lena. "Because," he says, sometimes he likes a clean job; one where he can enter through the door and leave by it, instead of sneaking in at the windows. Anybody, he says, can enter a house at night. He was much amused at the way Lena disclosed where the silver was kept; it saved him a lot of trouble. Well, all is well that ends well, isn't it. Marjory, eh?" said Mr. Drayton. "We needn't be so solemn now it's all over. Look at Lena tl.ere." Lena was thinking how foolish slie had been. She bent down to hide tier hot face, ami picked up Xip. "I think." she said at last, "Nip and Tiger must each wear a medal." "What a splendid idea! " cried Marjory. " And we'll fasten them to their collars with nice coloured ribbon. Some off your chocolate box, Lena." " But where can we get medals ? " asked Lena. "I'll get them." said Mr. Drayton very willingly. " There's sure to be something that will do at the post office. I'll run across now." He seemed to have been gone only a few minutes when Jane entered carrying in her hand a telegtam. " See, Miss Lena," she said. "What! A telegram!" cried Lena. "But it is for father." " Yes; but you'd better open it, miss. It may be important."

HOLIDAY ADVENTURE

Lena opened it. and read: "Expect me this evening.—Tom." "Tom?" she said. "Who is Tom?" "Why I'iK-le Tom. of course, said Marjory, and Ethel laughed at Lena's dullness. " I wonder \\7jO will come first — mother or uncle?" said Marjory. "Oh, I "do hope that he'll be nice." "Who'll be nice?" asked Mr. Drayton, who at that moment returned with the medals and caught Marjory's remark. " Why, our real uncle," replied Marjory. " He's coming," she added, " he's really coming this time." " llow do you know?' asked Mr. Drayton. " We've had a telegram," said Marjory, and showed it to Mr. Drayton. He read it, raising his eyebrows in surprise. " Well," he said, "it never rains but it pours." "It is funny," said Ethel. "This time yesterday I didn't even know you had an uncle, and now he is mixed up in everything. I am quite anxious to see him." "So are we," said Marjory. " I'm glad the burglar wasn't him. I want him to be nice—as nice as you, Mr. Drayton." "Really, really! Now you are flattering," replied Mr. Drayton. " Come, let us fix these medals, and then. Kthel. you and I will be off, and leave these two to a loat over their surprises." "Oh, please, let Ethel stay," begged Marjory, "to see mother and father—and uncle." • "And the dogs, too. Let them stay," said Lena. "Father will want to see them when he hears about the burglar." "They, can stay, if you like," replied Mr. Drayton. "I think," lie added thoughtfully, "I shall go to the station myself to meet your father. Then I can give him a correct account of the burglary before old Piatt gives an incorrect account." "But you won't know father," said Lena. Mr. Drayton smiled. "Of course 1 will. I can tell him by his baggage, by the trap, by Piatt," he aid. Ethel laughed again. "You are dull, to-day, Lena," she said. "What is the matter?" But Lena made no reply. Instead, she helped Mr. Drayton to fix the medals on the two dogs, and then she hurried away. All day Lena remained more or less thoughtful, or, as Ethel put it, dull. Marjory said that she did not seem a bit glad that father and mother were coming home. "Yes, I am glad," protested Lena. "Come along, let us see if mother's room is ready." The three of them went upstairs, and Ethel began talking again about the burglar. "It looks now." she said, referring to the bedroom. as if nothing had happened, and only last night, everything was upside down." It was all that silly Miss Jackson," said Marjory. "I should think mother won't want her any more." "She didn't do it on purpose, Lena argued.