THE KING OF GREENHAVEN

Evening Star, Issue 21317, 23 January 1933, Page 3

THE KING OF GREENHAVEN

A Story of Modern Smugglers [By Richard Wayne ]

(The characters in this story are entirely imaginary, and no re fcrence to living persons is intended.)

CHAPTER XX. A WAV INTO TO i: NKiHT. Wcdlakc’s forecast of an early cargorunning did no more than confirm Merriman’s intention of devoting himself steadily to the bird sanctuary and the opportuntics of observation which it afforded. He felt himself in a very delicate position with Wodlako, and was very anxious not to he indebted to the king of Greenhavcn for any piece of information which he might have to uso iii fulfilling his official duty. _ Ho wished to discover lor himself the date of the next smuggling adventure, because ho had arranged that the lorries which carried away the smuggled goods should be I allowed by another agent, and traced as lar as their final destination. Since information from Wodlako was supplied under a tacit understanding of personal confidence, |{ogcr considered it an actual necessity that be should bo able to forestall the news from his own observation. His relief was the greater when, on the second day after his excursion in Wodlake’s power boat, he found the lorries once more hidden in the remote corner of the woods, where ho had fiist discovered them. Once more, too, a close observation was being kept, from this distant spot, on Reger’s movements in the sanctuary, as he had expected would bo the case. That meant that it was necessary to spend the ■whole day in the usual fashion—making nso of tlic camera and making an excursion across the landspit among tbo seabirds now busily picp a ring for'their spring mating. There was plenty to do, and it was almost dusk before Mcrriman drove away m Ids car. As bo passed Shell Cottage Wodlako stepped out from the gloom and stopped the car. “Ell take you out to-night u you are still in tbo mind for it,” bo said. " All the arrangements for running a cargo have been made. \ou had better come down here about 9 o clock and smoke a pipe or two, and be on tbo spot when J’m ready.” “ That will suit very well, Roger agreed. “ About 9, then.” “in his own cottage be found a rarity for Greenhavcn in the shape of a telegram, and as ho tore open the brown envelope wondered who could have been so thoughtless and troublesome as to bother him in that way. But his eyes widened as he read: . “ Ring mo up when you get tins. Urgent. Joan.” The telegram also gave the number in London' which he was to call, and to drive three miles to the nearest available telephone outside that controlled bv bis landlord, Ben .load, iio bad no desire to advertise to urecnbaven the fact that Joan had made this call upon him, though he rather suspected that the nature ot his telegram was being discussed in the pillage even before it bad come to bis hand. , , ~ There was a long wait while Ino trunk call to London, was being put through, and Roger tortured himself with useless speculations. The time on the telegram showed that it had been despatched early in the day. mul he wondered what emergency had arisen for Joan, which ho had encountered with such apparent neglect. At last he got through to London, and on inquiring for Miss Wodlako had only to wait a few seconds before hearing" Joan’s voice, reassuringly calm and Cl V"j s that vou, Roger? You’ve been away all day at the sanctuary, of course. J was afraid that would be the case when I sent my wire, hut 1 vc been waiting here ail day for your call.” • , ... „„ “ Where have you been waiting.' Joan named her hotel, adding: « I’ve left Muriel, and decline to return on any terms. And it might make trouble for other people if 1 had come down to Greenhavcn. Don t asL me why if you cannot guess for yourself.” , . “ I think T can make a correct guess, or nearly. But yon cannot stay at that place alone.” „ ... “ Whv not. Roger? It is not the place whore thov would look for mo, and f have plenty of money.’ “But look, Joan, I would come at once, hut it is impossible for me to leave Greenhavcn on this one night of all nights in the year. But if you were to ring up my aunt, -Mrs .Hent'“‘‘Xo!’ Joan cried with startling vehemence, “ f met Isobcl Heritage, Rof'cr, at the house of a friend. bho is not sure that she approves of me, and I cannot blame her in any nay lor that. ] n any case, J do not want strangers to me to know that .1 have left my mother.” “ Of course,” Roger agreed. J see that, hut ” , , “ Ul| be very comfortable here tonight now that J’ve spoken to yon, Joan went on. ” Can you come tomorrow? I want somebody to consult; somebody who understands. J here is

nobody hut you, Roger, because dad happens to be out of the question.' “ 111 be there early,” Roger said. “ And it is an arrangement with Wedlako which prevents me leaving now. When 1 am able to explain, you’ll approve.” 1 think 1 would approve anything you did, without needing an explanation,” Joan said, softly. That confession sent Roger away, warm at heart on his own account, but sorely distressed on the score of the girl. Ho added one more score to his account against Wilfred Chance, and wont to keep his appointment with Wedlake, making what show of unconcern he could. “ You are punctual, Merriman, Wedlake said, pushing a decanter across, and backing it with a jar of tobacco. “Do you know that some follow has been hanging about the village, asking questions about Joan? Ho pretended to bo a hiker, and made the blunder of inquiring at the Lobsterpot the name of the pretty girl be bad seen in the village.” “ What was he told? •• Nothing at all. The Sharman's fell back on their usual disguise of invincible stupidity, and ho was seen out of the neighbourhood without a word or act of his having been missed. Coming on this particular day, he ran risks which he probably never realised.” “ You think. . .

“ I think that ho came from Mrs Chance or her husband; and I am concerned about Joan for that reason. I've rather been expecting tbo girl to turn up, since I heard the news. If .she catches the last train from London, she may still come. I’d an idea that she might fall out with those people, all along, and this makes mo think it has happened.” “ Shall 1 take my car and meet the train?” Roger asked, fooling unpleasantly conscious of duplicity as he proposed the useless act. “ Oh, no.” It’s just guesswork on my part. In any ease, Joan can got a "conveyance without any trouble. If she had" wished to be met, yon see, _it would have been easy for her to advise ns.” “ I suppose so, and it is always possible. ... I mean to say that Joan is supremely capable of looking after herself.” “ That is why I assume that she is no longer a guest with the Chances,” Wedlake said stolidly. “ Have yon boon among your birds to-day? They are wonderfully plentiful this year, I notice.” For some time the talk ran on these lines, and then Wedlake deliberately shifted it to the smuggling activities of the villagers. “ They’ve always been concerned in contraband trade, ever since I’ve known the place,” he said. But at one lime it was conducted ou old-fashioned lines. Mostly brandy and wines, with a good deal of tobacco. Since the first safeguarding duties wore imposed ou silk goods, Merriman, with a prospect of more protection to follow, the business lias been conducted on very methorlicc.l lines.”

“ And very openly,” Roger commented. “ Those fellows arc audacious to the verge of recklessness.” “ You will say so, after our run tonight,” Wedlako agreed. “Suppose wo make a start. There is nothing to hinder us.” Ho began to dress himself very warmly as he spoke, and pressed on Roger a thick coat, and heavy waterproofs to be worn over it. “ A wet, cold business it is,” he said musingly. “ But I have the feeling, if ever 1 should absent myself, that something untoward might happen. As yon said, the men arc reckless. 'They are also very resolute, as anybody who ventured interference would discover. If that should happen, 1 should blame myself.” “ How could you prevent it? ”

“ That 1 propose to explain, when you have witnessed their operations for .yourself. And, in case anything should over interfere with mo, Merriman, I hope yon will stop into the gap. The king of Greenhavcn, you see, is concerned about the succession of the title.” “ Id bo at some pains, I confess, to stand bclwccn those fellows and trouble,” Roger said. “ 1 know.” They walked through the village; which was dark, but buzzing with activity, just the same. At the pier, a group of dark forms loomed against the black nighty but though the two men passed within a few feet of them, no word was exchanged and no notice was taken on either side. When they came to the boat, and Wedlake stepped aboard, asking Roger to oast off when ho gave the word, Merriman was conscious of apprehension. as well as excitement. Would the men of Groenhaven permit him to take observation of them so openly, without making any kind of demonstration?

(To be continued.)