JILL OF THE FIELDS

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 3

JILL OF THE FIELDS

A ROMANCE

[By KENNAWAY JAMES.] (Author of “ Hers to Command,” “ What Hargreaves Knew,” etc.)

CHAPTER XIII. The Incredible Clue. From speculation about the identity of the dead man, Mark’s mind, after a time, turned again to Jill and to their conversation which had been interrupted so dramatically by the tragedy. She had insinuated that she loved this Phillip Barbour, so he supposed that he might give up all hope of ever winning her. He hated the idea of surrender, but ho bad to be honest with himself. Only one thing seemed likely to turn the situation in his favour, and that would be for it to be proved that Barbour had something to do with the burglary and the murder. Mark was not a malicious man, but he could not help' hoping that something of this kind might be discovered. Jill had told him that he had asked to sec the papers in her father’s desk, and that fact, combined with someone’s obvious effort to do the same thing, showed conclusively to Mark that Barbour was in some way mixed up in the strange affairs which had descended upon the peaceful farm of Stone Town. ,He knew that very soon he and Jill, and no doubt everyone else at the farm, would be cross-examined very closely by the police. He could not see how mention of Barbour could be avoided. The prospect pleased him. He told himself that if he loved Jill his duty was to shield her and hope, that if Barbour was really the man on whom her love was centred he would not be implicated. But Mark’s' jealousy refused to let his mind run in such altruistic channels. Meanwhile Inspector Norton, of the Denbridge police, together with a colleague, was making an examination of the body of the murdered man. Several photographs were taken Before he allowed the body to be moved. An improvised stretcher had been made of a hurdle, and presently two stalwart constables lifted the body from where it lay. Suddenly there was an exclamation from all who were watching the grim work, for beneath the body lay a round metal tobacco box. “ Ah.” said Norton, “ this looks like something which will help_ us.” Then he gave instructions for it to bo removed without any finger-prints being spoilt. “ Of course,” he added importantly, “ it may only belong to the dead man and not to the man who killed him. Even then it may help us to identify the fellow.

“ Now, the nest thing is to find his clothes. He’s not a local man, or some of the farm men would have identified him. and if he comes from away he could hardly travel about in that scarecrow’s rig-out. Seems to mo that he had some object in watching the house, and substituted himself for the scarecrow by night, putting on its clothes.”

On the inspector’s instructions a search was made, and soon the man’s' clothing was discovered in a giant yew tree which stood at the farther end of the field. A cursory examination failed to provide a clue, for the pockets contained no papers. No doubt, if the dead man had any, he would take them with; him*on his masquerade. Perhaps a search of the clothing in the barn to which the body was being taken would he more helpful. This hope, however, was not justified, for beyond a _ certain amount of money and such things as a knife and some keys there was nothing in the pockets. And here’s a remarkable thing,” said Norton to his colleague, ‘‘we find a tobacco box, but in none of the pockets of either suit of clothes do we find a pipe. This looks as though the box belonged to the man who killed him.” “ Yes,” said the other. “ Find the owner of that box and we may have the man who did the job.” Presently the pair made their way to the house, having given instructions for the field to be kept clear of strangers. Their first request was for Jill. She was talking to Mark, who had returned from his walk, and he accompanied her into the room where the officers were waiting. He had met Norton before. “Morning, Miss Merridew; morning, Mr Hanson,” said Norton briskly. “ Nasty business we’ve got here, blit we’ll soon clear it up. Now I want to ask just a few questions.” Whereupon he reeled off a number of almost formal questions, such as inquiring if any of the farm hands were suspected and who made the • scarecrow. Then he came to a point which caused Jill to quake inwardly. “ ft looks to me like a crime which has its real background in London. You have no idea, I suppose, what anyone would want from this house? I refer to the burglarv. Yes, I’vo heard of that from one or your men. Why didn’t you send for tno police at once, Miss Merridew?” “ Well, Mr Hanson did suggest it,” said Jill. “ but I thought that as the man had made such-a complete escape, through the stupidity of mv men, that it was not worth while sending for the police.” “ The police are always worthwhile,” said the inspector. “ Now, 1 have made other inquiries and find that only one stranger has been seen in this vicinity of late. Would you mind telling me who he is?” “ He’s a friend of mine.” said Jill. The inspector looked at Mark for corroboration of this, and Mark found himself nodding affirmatively, much to his dislike. “ Js the friendship one of long standing?” Norton shot the question at Jill with the look of one who already knew the answer. “ Er—no,” said Jill. “ Quite recent ” “ Where does your friend live?” “ In London, but just at present he’s staying at the King’s Arms in Denbridge.” “ I know him then,” said the inspector. “ Tall and very good looking?” Again Mark had the mortification of giving an assenting nod. Then the two officers held a mumbled conversation, and the other rose to go. They made an allusion to his destination, but Jill knew in her heart that he had gone to find Phillip_ Barbour. “ There is only one more question 1 wish to ask at the moment,” said Norton when the other officer had gone. “ Do either of you know who is the owner of this?”

He produced from his pocket a small cardboard box such as are taken by the police to the scene of a crime for the reception of small articles which may be found. In it reposed the tobacco box—a cheap thing, made, no doubt, by the hundred.

“See.” Fortunately, the inspector was looking intently" at the box, and thus missed a quick exchange of glances be tween Jill and Mark, for they had both recognised the box as the kind of tin used by old George. But, of course, they were not certain. The thing was not unique. Mark was quick to give a negative answer, and Jill, taking her cue from him, also denied any knowledge of the ownership of that particular box. The inspector then left to pursue his inquiries among the men on the farm. “Phew!” exclaimed Mark when he had gone. “ That was a surprise. Old George’s tobacco box, or at least the type of thing he uses. Now I wonder what the old devil’s been up to.” Jill seemed too astonished to hazard a guess.

“ For heaven’s sake don’:, say you think he’s committed the murder. I just couldn’t boar it. There must be many other owners of tins like that,_ or I should not have answered Mr Norton as I did.”

“ Well, George is a funny old bird,” said Mark, “ and he’s not so weak as he pretends. I didn’t tell you, hut I’ve caught him out after hares, as spry ns many a young poacher would be. Found under the ‘body, the inspector said, didn’t he? ” Jill nodded. “ Then I can see old George having a sick time with that inspector—if it ends there.” “ Oh, dear,” exclaimed Jill, “ what have we done to deserve all this? ” It was here that Mark made one of the worst blunders of his life. Again his jealousy was the cause, for he looked angrily at Jill, and insinuated ; “ Perhaps, Jill, if you had let your friend see your father’s papers and get properly whatever it was he came up here to steal, all this might not have happened.” Jill's reply was short and direct. “ Mark Hanson,” she said, rising from her chair, “ you are a cad.” Then she pushed her chair away with a vicious thrust, and walked out of the room. Mark had no time to retract, even had he been disposed to do so. He made a gesture of despair, and went towards the hall. “ That finishes it,” he muttered as he heard Jill mounting the stairs. “ 1 shall have to leave the farm. What a hell of a state everything’s got into here. The place must 'be cursed.” Quietly, be left the house and encountered the unpleasant sight of Inspector Norton examining a group of the farm workers, including old George, who was stamping his feet unconcernedly to keep them warm. Curiosity compelled Mark to join the scene. Norton had asked numerous questions in a bullying manner, and Mark came up just in time to hear old George say audibly; “ Growls like a dog, don’t he?” The inspector turned a fierce glare upon him, which had as little effect upon the old man as though he had glared at the barn-door behind him. Then he produced the tobacco box. “ Can any one of you say whose this might be? ” be asked. He hardly expected a ready answer, but he got one, and it was from old George. “ Why, it’s mine, to be sure,” said George, “ and I’d like it hack, young man.” “ Well, you won’t get it back,” snapped the officer. “ Give me the baccy out of it, then,” said George. “ You’ve no right to pinch baccy from an old man. Ought to he ashamed of yourself.” The inspector noted the expansive grins which, greeted this remark. He was being made a fool of, tout he would soon stop that. “ Look here, my man,” he said, “ you had better “be civil. The box was found under the body.’’ “ Fancy that, now,” said George. “ Me looking for it all the morning, and there it was all the time. Well, I never I ” Inspector Norton grunted. “ How did-it get there? ”he asked. “ Danged if I know,” said George. “ I’ve got four or five of ’em, and I’m always losing one or other. That one you’ve got is the best. Give it me back and I’ll give you one of the others.” “ Look here,” said the officer. “ 1 warn you very, very seriously that you are likely to be arrested before the day is out and charged with murder. Now perhaps you’ll speak properly. How did that box get there? ” “ Don’t know? ’’ replied George unexpectedly laconic. “ Where did you lose it? ” “ Don’t know.” The inspector gave it up after that, deciding to discuss the matter, with his colleague before taking any further steps in the direction of old George, who was now hobbling away from the group, muttering to himself. Norton turned to Mark. “ Do you think that man’s telling the truth? ” he asked. Mark, who had been enjoying the incident. gave George a glowing testimonial. Well, if I were you 1 should advise him to behave very differently when he comes before the coroner, or he may got into trouble.” “Mr Norton,” said Mark. “ you’ve just had an experience of advising old George how to conduct himself in the presence of his betters.” And that was the end of the matter, for the inspector changed the subject and started on another line of inquiry. (To be continued.)