The Birthday Adventure

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 30, 3 August 1940, Page 19

The Birthday Adventure

TIEATHER pulled the cover off her xx typewriter with a sigh, then gazed at the little sign above*her which said "Smile and the world smiles with you." She started to hum a little so that Vivian, a tall solemn girl who sat near her, remarked, "What have you to hum about on a Saturday morning when it looks like rain at any minute?"

"Well, you see," answered Heather. "It's my birthday, and even if it is a. working-day at least I can be cheerful. I've all this afternoon free. "But I would have liked to have done some shopping." Her face clouded. "Aunt Clare gave me ten shillings this morning." She glanced down at the neat little gold watch which had been given her and brightened again. "H'm," sniffed Vivian. "Just wait till you've been in here doing two hours' solid typing. You won't feel so bright." Heather, however, tossed her curly head and started her work, with.'her thoughts racing to the little tea she. was giving. "Fifteen years," she breathed. "I am getting old."

About ten minutes later the buzzer went and the manager's voice was heard, "Miss Clifford, come into my office, please." Heather jumped up while Vivian smiled.

"What do you think he wants me for?" she whispered. "You've probably typed some letters wrong or something terrible," replied Vivian. "I knew you wouldn't be cheerful long." Heather walked over to his office and having been told to enter looked wonI deringly at him. Mr. Withers glanced, at her bright face and said briskly, "Ah, Miss Clifford, I want you to go a message for me." Heather's face relaxed. Mr. Withers then explained he had received from America a valuable necklace, a copy of one worn in a film just released. He wanted her to deliver it to a jeweller in the town. After giving her instructions he also explained she was to be very careful. The reason he had picked her, he told her, was because she would not be suspected if anything happened.

(Written by "Mischievous," 14, City.) Part 1.

Heather swung out of his room and hummed even more loudly as she buttoned up her coat. Vivian looked in surprise and Heather laughed. "What did I tell you?" she said,.and with the parcel wrapped up carefully in her purse, which she slung over her shoulder, she ran down on to the street.

The weather was clearing, and Heather beamed at the black, shining streets.

She soon found the jeweller, but decided she'd walk up the stairs instead of using the lift. It was the eighth floor and.by the time Heather had reached the top. she stopped, exhausted. Opposite the aoor with the jeweller's name engraved on it, was the lift, and lounging against the open gates was a man. "They must have a new lift-man," Heather thought, and was about to walk over when something struck her. The man wasn't wearing the usual uniform of the liftman and his face was dark and scowling. Then a thought flashed through her mind: supposing he was a thief.

Heather felt her knees knocking violently and chided herself, "Don't be a silly," she thought. "This is 1940, and broad daylight." • '

Heather, with heart pattering, opened the door. The little office for the typist was empty and through the glass window Heather saw a scene which caused her to stifle a cry as she gazed, wide-eyed. , :

Mr. Banks, the jeweller,: was seated on his chair, while a frightened typist stood behind him. Both seemed' halfdazed* but the' two < men in front of them didn't.. One, a tall, thin man, was levelling a gun at Mr. Banks. !

Heather realised she must act quick* ly. The supposed, liftman would suspect and would probably come charging in before she had time. Quickly she seized the telephone and dragging it down behind the wall she rang with trembling fingers her office number. Then in a suppressed whisper she spoke to Mr. Withers, just managing to say, "Come to Mr. Banks's with police quick—" (To be continued.)