A Rubber Of Bridge

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

A Rubber Of Bridge

WTTOW can we play bridge," 11 said Rachel Fatimer, "if we haven't any cards?" "Keep calm," said "Plum" Hateless. "I've bought a couple of packs. Put a cloth on the table, Rachel, while I open them up." Jako Mantiller looked at his watch. "We've time for about one rubber. Not even that, if Annette"'—he glanced affectionately at his wife —"insists on overbidding. Plum and I must be at the tram terminus by nine." "And what time is it now?" asked Rachel. "Twenty-five past eight." Plum Hateless and Jake Mantiller were old confederates in crime. In the old bachelor days they had cracked many a crib together; had done time together, too, at Maidstone. Sergeant Dumbell, on the strength of an imperfeet acquaintance with classical mythology referred to them as Demon and Pythagoras. But now the partnership consisted, not of two law-breakers, but of four. Jake had married the light-hearted (and light-fingered) Annette, whose speciality was handbags; while Plum, if not legally Rachel Eatimer's husband, was at any rate her recognised protector. The four shared a big flat in the neighbourhood of Shepherd's Bush, and, in spite of the .ispicions and occasional interference of Scotland Yard, found life, on the whole, agreeable. To-night Plum and Jake had a little job on hand in the neighbourhood of Chcrtsey. The girle were not in on this. They were proposing to keep one another company in the flat until —soon after midnight, it was hoped—the "breadwinners'' returned from their labour. At five to nine Jake took another look at his watch. "Game and rubber," he said. "Annette and I win five and six each. Come on, Plum; don't forget that new torch of yours." He tweaked his wife's ear. "So long, Baby. Back before one, with luck; if there's any change in our plans we'll 'phone you." "Okay, Big Boy," said Annette. The bridge game had been preceded by a scratch meal of cold meat and beer, and, as the door closed behind the menfolk, Rachel began to clear away plates and glasses. But Annette stopped her. "I wouldn't do that," ehe said cautiously. "Why ever not?" "Alibi," said Annette. "Always a useful plan to have one handy. If by any chance the cops come round —and one can't l>c sure, darling can one?—we can say that Plum and Jake have just gone out."

Providing Inspector Playfair With His 38th Case

"Xot much of an alibi," said Rachel. Of course not. But it might be better than nothing." Rachel Tawned. WhatTl we dot There's Gary Cooper at the Capitol.' "No, we can't do that. The boys mi"ht want us. And what's the use of bunding up an alibi if we're not here to put it over? We'd better play beziqne." "We can't," paid Rachel. "We haven't any bczique cards." "That's no problem, silly," said Annette. "We can make up a bezique pack from the bridge cards. Go on; you take the red cards and I'll take the blue ones. Wo remove all the cards below a seven." "And what then?" "Shuffle the two packs together." "Looks funny," said Annette, "having cards with two different coloured backs. Bnt I suppose It makes no difference to the play." "Of course it doesn't. Cut for deal; high deals first. We haven't any marker, so I'll 6core—on this piece of paper." Both girls liked beziqne and the hours passed pleasantly enough until midnight. Then they broke off for 20

minutes or so -while they made themselves a cup of cocoa. At half-pa*t twelve the telephone* rang. Rachel laid down the cards and rushed to pick up the instrument. "That you, honey t" said Plum Hateless. "Yes, Plum, where are your* "Never mind "that. The cops are on our track. That fool Oulew let us down. Fix up an alibi, quick —the bridge game or something. And leave the front door open. We oughta be with you in 10 minutes." Feverishly the two girls worked to set the scene for a police visit. Rachel washed and put away the cocoa cup?; opened and half-emptied another beerbottle. Annette reorganised the two packs of cards and, setting one aside-. left the other with ite cards scattered face upwards on the table. Then she carefully burnt the tell-tale be/.ique score. "That ought to be okay. - ' was her comment. "The end of a perfect evening. If the cops come snooping around before the boys get home. we can say they've just gone out for a breath of air." Actually, Jake and Plum—their safebreaking instruments satisfactorily disposed of —reached the flat five minutes before Inspector Playfair and his sergeant. "Bridge!" was the inspectors comment, on being admitted to the sitting room. "How are you. Plum! If 1 remember rightly, you taught them to play the panic at Maidstone" "What of it!" grinned Plum. "I don't know what you want, Mr. Playfair, but come and watch this deal. If cards interest vou, that is. It's a small slnm— about "the tenth we've had to-night." That's right," said Annette, quick to take up the cue. "I don't ever remember so manv slams in an evening. We didn't start the game until after simper." Playfair strolled over and stood behind Hatclcss' chair. "Prettily played." was his comment, as Plum collected his twelfth trick. "You're right, Plum. cards always interest me. At the moment, however, an attempted burglary interests me even more. I'm sorry to'spoil what is apparently an idyllic evening, but I must ask you and Jake here to come along to the Yard.* "On what evidence t" demanded Plum. "When was this alleged burglary! I've just told vou we've been playing bridge all the evening. It's a nice thing if one can't have a quiet rubber without von chaps butting in." * Plavfair laughed. "I'm surprised you should ask that question. As for my evidence —I've only a prima facie caw. But I'm fully satisfied that you and your j oung ladies here are lying." * Whv! ♦ ♦ * '♦ (Solution on fage nine)