“CAIN”

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11044, 18 February 1933, Page 4

“CAIN”

by JOHN MORRISS,

CHAPTER ll.—Continued. “Then open it.” The solicitor turned, furiously on the girl. He had not taken a couple of steps in her direction when Martha’s hand came out the desk-drawer, holding a small automatic. “I prefer you by the door, Mr Kempton.” “And I prefer the other side of the door.” The man laughed harshly; yet the girl detected a note of nervousness. “Have you gone entirely mad, girl?” “I should be mad to allow anyone to be in Mr Banke’s office without knowing his business and how he got there.” Martha spoke evenly. She waited a moment, watching the man, keenly; then a change came in her voice. “Mr Kempton, you have been Mr Banke’s legal adviser for quite a number of years—long before I came to this office. You know the strict rules that govern this establishment. How may of them have been infringed this monring?” Again she paused, but the man did not reply. “I have told you, there is over fifty thousand pounds worth of jewellery in the shop. The safes in Mr Banke’s office contain gems of, at least, twice that value. Here, on this desk . . . ” Her left hand covered the jeweller’s box. “. . . here are emeralds valued at over ten thousand pounds. When Mr Banke is absent, I am in charge—responsible for the safety of everything Her voice trailed into, silence; her eyes keenly watching the solicitor. A troubled frown now darkened his brows; his foot tapped, impatiently, on the carpet. “Do you think that I dare let anything pass me that is not quite clean and explainable.” The girl continued

when she realised that the solicitor did not intend to reply. I have to use what wits and discretion I possess. I cannot . . .1 dare not . . allow what has happened this morning to pass, unchallenged.” “What do you intend to do?” Kempton spoke, after a long silence. “Call in the police.” Martha spoke promptly. “Unless . .” “Unles, what?” “Unless you are prepared to answer my questions.” “And they are?” “First, who is the man in Mr Banke’s office?”

“Perhaps Mr Kempton would prefer me to answer that question.” Martha turned shai’ply at the sound of a voice at the door of the inner office. The door was open and on the threshhold stood the man she had seen in the senior partner’s chair. The girl glanced at, the corner of her desk where the solicitor had placed the key. It was still there. She stared up at the strange man, in astonishment. "Interested?” The man laughed lightly. "No, I am no magician, Miss—er—Tayne, isn’t it? I unlocked the door—just that!” He smiled. “But . . .the key?" Martha’s eyes went again to the key on the corner of her desk.

“The key.” The stranger laughed gently. He took a strangely shaped key out of his waistcoat pocked, tossing it in his hand. “Just so! The key! Mr Kempton locked the door, I believe, Confining me in the room. I released myself.” For some seconds he stood, watching the girl, a strange twinkle in his eyes; then strolled across the room to where the lawyer stood. “Coming with me, Alec?” His tones were studiously careless. “Good!” He caught the handle of the door. A glint of amusement shone in his eyes when he realised that the door was fastened. He turned and, surveyed the girl curiously; then turned to the door again, sweeping the surface and the wall with quick, inquisitive glances. Again he turned to face the girl, backing until he stood fiat against the lintel. “May I trouble you to unfasten the door, Miss Tayne?” The words were carelessly spoken. “You may not.” Martha spoke firmly. The automatic she held tilted to cover the man. “Then I must open it myself.” He spoke without anger. Again he turned and studied the face of the door.

“If you touch that door, I’ll shoot.” The girl spoke bravely yet there was a quiver in her voice. “Not necessary.” The man laughed. Three irregularly-spaced knocks came at the door. Instinctively, Martha’s hand went to the switch and threw it over. The door opened and Fred Fbrde entered. “You rang. Miss Tayne?” “I rang?” Martha showed surprise. “No Mr Fqrde, I did not ring.” „ ■ "But, I did.” The stranger was standing in the doorway, holding the door ajar, "A pin. Miss Tayne; a small thing but useful, sometimes. I Lesson One: A pin will ring an electric bell—and produce a Mr Forde.” Martha 1 sprang to her feet, anger flaming in her eyes. “Move and I fire.” Determination rang in her voice. She levelled the automatic at the man’s chest. “Now, close that door! : Tell me, who are you?” , “I?” Again the stranger’s laughter rang out. “My name is ‘Cain’—and you spell it with an T’.” His long arm swept out, catching the solicitor by the collar and drawing him before him. A moment and the door closed, leaving the girl in the room with tho two men. iS CHAPTER 111.

1 Martha closed the door of the inner office and sat do wn, suddenly, in her chair. For more than an hour she had been in the inner office, recounting her part in the sudden raid oh Luther Bauke and Co. by the notorious crook, ‘Cain-’ For more than an liour she had withstood the searching questioning by / Detectiye-Sergeamt! Davidson, Striving to answer intelligently and fully, while her brain hiad been in a Whirl and the keen e;res of the police officer had seem.ed to probe into her secret thoughts, almost accusingly. Now, in the semi-privacy of her own office she sntiled at the nervous tremors that had Jasailed her In the jeweller’s office. She had nothing to fear; In fact, the detective had complimented InW on the brave showing she had made against the notorious criminal.

“Cain” had got away hrith the Montgomery emeralds —anid that iri spite of the fact that the Toom had been full of people when he had taken them. She had not' seen the emeralds disappear. Title man’s long, acquisitive fingers had lifted them' from her desk during the few brief moments between widen he had come out of Luther Bai ike’s office and passed through the iddor into the shop.

If only she had fully i.-etained her self-possession! If only Alec Kempton, the solicitor, had gi yen her one hint of what had passed an the inner office, during the two h onrs he had ben closeted with the crook. Her lips■■"curled in disdain. What sort of pian was the stout lawyer? He had entered the inner room, t}o interview a client.—to find himself confronted by a criminal, disguised! as the jeweller. He" had allowetl himself to be overawed to silent;e —forced, almost, to take part in the theft of the jewels. (To be continued'!.