Mystery of Darling Point

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 89, 1 August 1932, Page 7

Mystery of Darling Point

BY ROBERT KNOCK,

“The police are inclined to exaggerate. However, I don’t suppose there’s any harm in admitting that I have a slight interest in jewels.” The Whisperer’s eyes were glittering through the narrow openings in the hoode'd mask. Vance guessed, that the other was passing judgment upon him.

“You know something about jewels, do you?” The Whisperer took out two strings of pearls from his pocket and tossed them on to the table. “One of those necklaces is worth several thousand pounds. The other —a few shillings. Which is which? Vance scrutinised them.

In adopting the role of jewel-thief he had not relied on his acting abilities alone to carry him through. As a Secret Service agent he had naturally come into frequent contact with international criminals who were thor-ough-going connoisseurs. In his time Vance had learnt quite a lot about jewellery.

“This,” he said, after a minute, holding out one of the necklaces, “is an imitation.”

Silently the Whisperer returned the a pearls to his pocket. Then abruptly he asked another question. “What kind of gun is this in my s hand?” 1 Vance gave a prompt and accurate a reply, though the weapon was of the a most modern and uncommon make. s The other was again silent for a while. “I am going to make use of you,” j he announced calmly at last. > “How generous,” Vance murmured. “You had better be careful,” came j the soft menacing tones. “Yes, I r am going to make use of you. From j now on you will recognise me as your employer. Your duties will be to , obey my commands. Refusal, fail- ( ure, betrayal, will be adequately pun- ] ished, I assure you. Remember, I , have only to speak in one direction , and you will find yourself behind the bars. And never forget, my dear , Barnaby, that I have only to say a word j in another direction to have you completely removed from this very pleas- , ant world.” > The Whisperer backed to the steps. “You will remain here a little longer while I make arrangements for your well-being,” he continued. “Now —turn and face the wall. If you value your sMn don’t look round for several minutes 1” , In a second there came the dull thud of the trapdoor closing. Vance turned round and found himself alone — alone to consider just what a fantastic perilous situation he had plunged into I CHAPTER VII. Returning to the library immediately after Detective Chaytor and his companion had taken their departure, Josephine discovered that in her absence the door had been locked from the inside. 4 “M l After knocking twice she was answered by the muffled sound of her father’s voice. “Who is it?” he called. “Only I. May I come in, daddy?” A full minute passed before the door opened. Her father was alone in the room. Josephine entered without , speaking. Almost at once she noticed that the French windows swung half open to the cold night air. Silently she went over and closed them. Her father stood watching, frowning darkly. Josephine faced him with steady eyes. “Who has been here, father?” she asked quietly. He started perceptibly. His lips twitched and he made a nervous gesture with his hand. “Who else could it have been, but—”

“The Whisperer?” Somehow she knew without having to ask. Beverly Doyle nodded jerkily.

“Oh, why doesn’t he leave you alone!” Walking to the desk her father wearily seated himself. “He came this time about young Barnaby,” he said hesitatingly. Josephine felt her heart give a sudden leap.

“About —about the wallet?” she questioned breathlesly. “The wallet?” Her father did not seem to understand. I “The one that was stolen from 1 Vance Barnaby on the Otiosa. I gave it back to-night. I put it in his overcoat. He won’t know where it came from.” “No, the Whisperer did not come about that,” said Doyle. He looked at his daughter queerly. “Josephine, is it true that Barnaby is a crook wanted by the police?” Her eyes were downcast. “Yes,” she responded in a low tone. “The detectives came just a few minutes ago. I managed to hide him safely in the secret room. He is there now . . . But what are we to do? Only one thing I know — we mustn’t let the Whisperer find out I” Her father passed a white hand across his eyes. “It is too late, my child, too late.

(Copyright)

The Whisperer already knows.” Josephine went pale. Oh, could nothing he concealed from this diabolical fiend? Was it possible that his eyes and ears saw and heard every episode in the house —that his sinister shadow must always darken her existence?

‘‘What has happened, father?” she asked at last.

Speaking disconnectedly, he explained.

“A little while ago I came into the library and found the Whisperer waiting here. By some means or other he had overheard the detective telling you that Barnaby was wanted for jewel robbery. The Whisperer is always in search of —new talent. He interviewed Barnaby in the secret room —and apparently took a fancy to him. Before he left he gave me certain instructions ... I must carry them out.”

Beverly Doyle stood up. Walking to his daughter, he put his arm about her shoulders.

‘My dear, hadn’t you better return to your guests now? They will be wondering what has become of you.” The girl hesitated.

“But what about —about —” “I will take care of Barnaby,” he said gently. “Go now, my child, and I will join you later. Meanwhile, I would like you to tell Johnny that I wish to see him here as soon as possible.” Slowly Josephine went out.

Vance Barnaby halted in his restless pacing up and down to glance at his watch.

Essentially a man of action, he found the four close walls of this underground hiding-place becoming more prison-like every moment. He had made a minute examination and ascertained that there was no exit other than the one through which he had entered. He was securely bottled up—entirely at the mercy of the strange people of this house. The time was now approaching midnight. He had been waiting here for practically two hours. How much longer would it be ? Suddenly he heard a sound-at the top of the stone steps. The trapdoor had been opened and a face was peering down at him.

“Aha there!” the face called. “You are cordially invited to step out of the dungeon!” It was the cheery voice of Johnny Warren.

Vance needed no second invitation. Mounting to the library he found the immaculate Johnny Warren smiling at him. Then he saw Beverly Doyle—and behind him, Josephine. Beverly Doyle came, forward. “I hope you have not found it too uncomfortable down there?” Remembering he was playing the part of a crook just saved from detectives, the Secret Service man introduced a grateful note into his reply-

“I can assure you I found it one of the most agreeable places in the world,” Vance said with a smile. “Well, it is safe for you to leave the house now,” Doyle told him. “We are just making arrangements.” “But, I say,” Vance exclaimed, “I’m afraid I’ve been an awful bother to you this evening, and I mustn’t trouble you further. I’ll be able to And the way back to my hotel quite all right.” “You hotel?” repeated Doyle. “But you are not going to your hotel. In the first place, it would be most unwise on account of the police. In the second and more Important place, I have been ordered to see that you safely reach a certain other destination.”

Vance’s gaze became a little more intense. “Afraid I don’t quite understand,” he said quietly. The other gave a slight shrug. “Evidently the Whisperer has omitted to explain to you ...” “The Whisperer?” exclaimed Vance. I Beverly Doyle did not allow his fea- ■ lures or voice to change in the smal- ' lest degree as he replied: j “I happen to be the Whisperer’s ' first lieutenant.” j Vance took a deep breath. I So the suspicions of the Criminal In- ■ vesfigation Branch were correct!

1-Ie found a hundred questions hammering on his mind. And the foremost of these was the enigma of Josephine. What was her place in the

lawless organisation controlled by the Whisperer? ! The young Secret Service man determined that somehow or other he would make an attempt to find out the truth about Josephine before midnight , hour passed. i Beverly Doyle was speaking again, j “No doubt you are aware of the vast operations which the Whisperer directs. To execute his plans he has j at his command a highly-skilled group of specialists, to which he is constantly adding. You, Barnaby, have had the good fortune to be selected for a certain place in the organisation. I might say that for faithful service you will be handsomely rewarded —but, as you have probably l been warned already, not the slightest mercy is shown those who attempt to 1 double cross.” | (To be Continued).