"Out Of This Nettle-"

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 99, 29 April 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

"Out Of This Nettle-"

W rvUMBELL," said Inspector ] LJ Joshua Play fair, "this inr fernal Pimlico case has got a hole in it." if "You don't say so, sir," said Dumbell, registering concern. "But 1 do say so," answered 1 Playfair, not without a hint of irritation. He tapped a file of papers with his . pencil. "Just pay attention, Dumbell, ( for a moment, an<l I'll show you where . it comes unstuck." "I'm all ears, sir," said Dumbell. ] "Very pood." Playfair repressed an inclination to laugh. "This then, my otn|.h;i nous friend, is the point. (I'm assuming—don't look pained —that the Greeks luii] a word for it.) We have to • establish a connect ion between the Sliebmann gang and Penckwi»h. We know—a ml 1 think wo can prove, to the satisfaction of a jury—that Mrs. Sliebmann iiiid those amusing friends of hers in Clove .Street are receivers of stolen goods. "\Ve know—and. once again, we c;i n produce reliable witnesses—that that popular figure, Gregory Guy Penckwieh, lias from time to time dealt in gold and silver bullion of which the origin ii>, to say the least, suspicious. "But what we onn't prove—and it's the one point. Dumbell. upon which counsel for the defence would insist—is that Penckwieh and the Sliebmann crowd ever meet. He's been asked about it and hen denied, categorically, that lie's ever heard of them." "And he's been tailed," said Dumbell disconsolately, "over and over again." "Tailed?" Playfair laughed. "I should jolly well think so. I believe, you know, that lie positively enjoys being followed —just as foxes are said, by the morons that after tlieni, to enjoy the music of the hounds. However, Dumbell, I mean to get Penekwich'a brush, if it takes me a year to do it." As luck would have it, it was not a year but a few days after this that Gregory Guy Penckwieh was reported to be heading for Clove Street. There had recently been burglaries in the Wimbledon district, and the Sliebmann gang was thought to be involved. The haul included, for example, Sir Jeremy Twine's famous plate. Joshua Playfair. in his mind's eye, could already see Penckwieh, in some as yet undiscovered hide-out, happily engaged in melting it down. At any rate, as soon a« he received Detective Jnman's report, Playfair determined to go into action. "Wait outside the Sliobmanns' block of flats, Inman." he ordered. "Dumbell and I will be right along, and I'm bringing a search warrant with inc." <8> —

Inspector Playfair's 40th Case i

"Very good, sir," said Inman. Penck- ] wich, he was eure, had already entered the building where the Sliebmann flat , was situated. . < Meanwhile Gregory Guv Penokwich was, indeed, being entertained by the Sliebmanns. He was. a tall, loosely-bunt, cheerv young man, with prominent front , tooth obscured by a flowing moustache. (No one, on a casual acquaintance, would have taken him for a "criminal type. ) The door of the flat, when Mr. lenckwicli arrived, was oj>en; quickly enteiing, he shut it and slid the bolt behind him He was vociferously welcomed l>v a party of four or five, who were just sitting down to supper. "A little less noise there,' responded Penckwieh, in the manner of Peter lan. "Children, children, I'm surprised at you. There's a flattie down below. One Inman—no, my dear Dorothy, not the snooker player." Mrs. Slicbinii im laughed. have something to cat and drink. Guy, won't vim ? Plenty of time to make a getaway—oven if tiiey come with a search warrant." She jerked a thumb in the direction of a. cupboard, the other side of the room. "The stuff's all ready for you, Guv. You've only got to pick it up as you go." "I'll have something to eat, with pleasure, Dorothy," . said Penckwieh. "That is, if vou'lf excuse my gloves. I don't trust that nosey Play fair a yard." He held out his hands, which were elegantly encased in grey suede. He had rightly deduced that a raid on the flat was contemplated and that it might well include an investigation into

He had eaten a wing of a chicken &a* some cheese, and was toying—as he put jt witli a banana, when there was a loud ring at the bell. Mr. Penekwich, unhurried, emptied the glass of Beaujolais in front of him. '"Here thev are, folk," he 6aid. "Joshua Play fair, I expect, with that credulous sergeant of his." He put his unfinished banana down on his plate. <S X won't star to meet them; good-bye all; you'll be "hearing from me next Thursday." He crossed the room and entered a cupboard in which coats, golf clubs and tennis wore kept. At the back of this was a sliding door, cunningly contrived. It led to another flat, in another part of the building; this had long bee* Penckwich's hideaway. From the other side ho was able I*o to fix the door that it was impossible to open it. On his way through the door he collected the booty which was waiting for him to take it away. Playfair, meanwhile, had been admitted bv Mrs. Sliebmann. His proposal to search the flat was received with such hilaritv that he knew at once hi& bird had flown. Nevertheless he did his job conscientiously, even going through the farce (as he mentally described it) of testing plates and glasses for Penckwich's fingerprints. "You don't mind if we leave you," Dorothy Sliebmann asked, "and go into the other room? Then you'll have a clear field. You can come and look under the bed and up the chimneys when vou've finished playing with the plates. the way, inspector, if you'd like a drink, the* Bcaujolais is fine. Th© sergeant, I expect, would rather have beer." "Thanks," grinned Playfair. "But you know the regulations, Mrs. Sliebmann. I deplore them as much a» you do." Half an hour later he and Dumbell left the flat, pursued by much goodhumoured badinage.- On the way back 1o the Yard Playfair suddenly asked: "Where docs Peliekwich usually dine?" "In Solio, as often as not," said Dumbell. "At the Picardy." "Then that's our next port of call." So saying. Playfair laughed aloud. "It's a funny trade, Dumbell, ours ifc. To adapt—is it? —Hotspur, 'out of this nettle, suspicion, we pluck this flower, discovery?' Anyway, I hope so." Three days later he arrested Penckwich. + * ♦ ♦ On what evidence? * * * ♦ (Solution on page nine.) O