THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 126, 30 October 1936, Page 2

THE MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCES

[{BY A HODGINS)

Another knock —a little louder and

more imperious this time. John did not hurry himself, but calmly lit a cigarette. He moved the package on Ihe table to a more conspicuous position, puffing furiously the while. Suddenly the sound of someone trying the door came to his ears. “Gome in!” he called.

No one appeared. He felt his pocket; slipping one hand into it, then strode to the door, jerking it open. His body was tense and poised for action, lie frowned heavily at the man he saw confronting him. “Hullo, Ernest. I wasn’t aware that you were in London. I see you have a companion—two. Ask them to come in while you explain yourself. Your errand, I hope, is important enough to warrant this digression.” “It is,” the visitor hinted signific-

antly. He was not in the least abashed at being confronted by his employer. Quite to the contrary, his eyes seemed to gleam with a malicious kind of pleasure, and his manner indicated little respect that should attenuate to the deportment of a perfectly trained manservant.

Accepting John’s invitation he stepped into the room, his two companions, of the real shifty-eyed, bad villain type, followed him as dogs would tlieir master.

John indicated chairs for the trio. He seated himself in his own chair, and squashed the cigarette he had just been smoking in the ash tray, then prepared to select another. Suddenly he stopped as if he had remembered something. “Pardon me,” he murmured politely. “Would you care to smoke?”

“Thanks!” Ernest’s manner was

most graceless. He passed them on to his companions who seated themselves in utter

silence, and were erect like stuffed dummies.

“Now,” John hardened his voice. “Why this intrusion on my time. You are aware that your duties lie in attention to my household, not in taking such liberties as you now presume. Your presumption in the present instance, is backed, I imagine, by some very good reason.”

Ernest was in no way abashed. A distasteful sneer warped the corners of his mouth. “Let me tell you Mu Trent that you are quite aware of the reason of my visit.” John’s eyes hardened. Me knew new that he was up against a pretty tough proposition, nevertheless he noted with not a little satisfaction that Ernest and his companions were puffing vigorously at their cigarettes. Evidently their nerves were feeling the strain of the situation.

“I’m afraid I must plead ignorance Ernest, old man.” John looked at the ceiling and permitted a liny smile to flicker at the corner of his mouth. “I’m frightfully dense. You should never speak in riddles to me.”

“You have the impudence to plead ignorance.” All semblance of a servitor was gone now. “You place yourself in very grave danger. 1 may have, even yet, to persuade you forcibly to reveal the required information. We are here in search of a Miss Lydell who has been passing information to you.”

“How romantic.” John smiled again, a little more broadly this time. He detected a distinct weakening in his visitor’s voice, and a hesitant incontinuity in his speech. Without moving his eyes from Ernest he managed to detect that the other two men had acquired a peculiarly somnolent look. 1-Ie gained a moment by appearing to consider, and by the time he had arrived at that decision Ernest was beginning to mumble and nod io himself. John smiled grimly. The old dodge was working with amazing simplicity and efficiency. He addressed the drugged man:

“That’s a good boy, Ernest,” he said sol'lly, following with a little mocking laugh. “Go lo sleep, mother’s darling. I’m going to cut off your pretty curls when you’ve dropped off.”

The man silling opposite only glared, his effort to shout was ludicrous and purposeless. No sound escaped

(Copyright). j

his lips, then his head dropped for-

ward, and he slumped in his chair. John stood up and surveyed them as a horticulturist would his prize geraniums. “Three beauties,” lie muttered, rubbing his chin as if considering some grave problem that required the deepest and most concentrated of thought.

CHAPTER IX

“But how did you do it?” The girl interrupted John’s light-hearted chatter.

“Easy,” he said with a laugh. "But how?” she was insistent, and smiled at his inconsequential manner. “Try one of these.” He held up the cigarettes that his visitors had chosen from.

“Thanks, I’d rather not," she said. “As a matter of fact I don't.”

“Very proper and lady-like, I’m sure,” he commended. “But you see our friends did.” He waved his hand to include the three men who were slouched in their chairs, and were breathing stertorously.

“Yes, yes, I know; but tell me a about it.” “Sit down a moment.”' “Won't —not until you tell me a about what has happened.” “I won’t tell you until you s. down.”

She frowned thoughtfully and pursed her lips. “That’s awkward,” he said. “You won't tell me until I sit down, and I won’t sit down until you tell me.” “It is awkward,’ ’said John; his first embarrassment had left him entirely; he was with a kindred spirit. “What arn I supposed to do in a case like this —give in, or smack you.” “Smack me,” she laughed, and dived round the table. “Catch me if you can.”

It did not take John long to do that. He took a flying leap over the table and landed beside her. Before she could move she was imprisoned

in his arms. “Now?” she said, her dark eyes turned in daring up to his. “Now,” he said, and bent swiftly and kissed her full on the lips. For one ecstatic moment they remained thus; all the world stood still and was as nothing to them. Their response to the call of one another was perfect.

Presently lliey broke apart, anr slood a moment looking deeply, seriously into one another’s eyes. Suddenly she snatched up her hag I) was a frightened little gesture. I seemed to her that she was on tin verge of a great discovery, and dare* not lake the plunge to complete knowledge. “I must go now. Thanks for al the trouble you have gone to.” “Going?” he raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. “Oh no —and listen young lady—” he frowned fiercely “Never end your sentences on a proposition.”

“I never end them on anything,” she said. “They .just float off inhi the air.” “Oh, yes.” “Your sense of rhyme is all right, but rythm not so good, and your expressions are most plebian —but now I must really go. I can’t say when —when I shall see you again.” She strove earnestly to suppress the 'tears that stood out in her eyes. “.Just a moment longer,” he said earnestly, then as if a sudden thought struck him. “Have you a pair of scissors?”

“Scissors?” her eyes opened wid

in surprise. “Yes.” She searched in her bag and held up a pair somewhat doubtfully to him. “What are you going to do with them ?”

“Trim Goldyloek’s hair,’ ’he noddei towards the recumbent Ernest, wh( was now snoring in a very unmannerly fashion. “It annoys me.” He looked at the scissors in his ham and again at the fine head of hair thal was to be the subject of his attention “Strikes me they are rather small Never mind. Here goes.” ]n a few minutes the two stood laughing uproariously at the sight oE Ernest wilh one side of his head shorn of its hair and ihe other in all its glory.

]l vras not long before the work was completed, and the erstwhile Samson was shorn of his locks. “We’ll make him a present of this, said .John as lie collected up the curls and wrapped them in a piece of paper. “Now what would be a suitable inscription,” he thought for a moment and taking a little card from the table wrote on it. It, look him fully a minute to inscribe, ‘As Samson’s power fell with Ids'’locks so shall yours, in a neat precise hand. He looked at ii thoughtfully for a moment, then m.turned round to show it to the BJJ* ■ “Great Scott!” lie exploded. She s

gon.6. u n /i "been there him through .he half opened door had bee,, left line that to making a sound in elosing. In an

slant he was out of the room. Th. elevator had gone down. By th time he had brought it hack and wen down in it she would be gone. Muttering fiercely to himself h made for the stairs and rushed dow them about half a dozen at a time. A old gentleman who stood aside fo him to pass turned and looked at th Hying figure. “Dear me,” he murmured. *“H seems to be in a hurry.” He continued his upward cours with slow precision. John reached (be bottom floor in rush that caused consternation to number of ladies who were gatherin there. Silenlly they disintegrate! disappearing in several direction: John rushed to the elevator platform The attendant, was standing stiffly. “Going up, sir,” he asked wit automatic precision. “Rats,” said John. “Did you set her?” “Sorry sir. I didn't see any rats. Tlis eyes almost popped out of hi head. “Oh ” John gritted his teet impatiently. It was plain that th man thought him either a little raa or more than a little tipsy. “Did you see a lady—she cam down in the lift.” “A lady sir. Short —long —fat —c thin ?” “No —a lady. Just a lady.” “A young lady?” “Of course." “She got off at the first floor, sir. “Why—? Take me up there." (To he Continued).