THE BLACK OWL

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 May 1926, Page 13

THE BLACK OWL

CHAPTER XV. Five minutes ago Marsden had been quite sure that his luck was out, and the feeling had engendered an almost savage fit of depression. Now, with a sure instinct, he felt that it was in. He must, however, be very wary in his handling of this crook, who was certain to be a man of infinite resource, and up to every move on the board. Assuming an air of indifference that he was far from feeling, the young man put the question: “What makes you think that I am curious about the lady and anxious to learn the history of her past?” Attwood was about to reply, when one of the members, a notorious club bore, sauntered up to them, and w'ith a slight nod to the American whom he hardly knew, engaged Marsden in conversation. He was an actor of the old mouthing school, who occasionally got a job in the provinces, and was full of lamentation over the decay of acting in the present day, and the indifference of managers to genuine talent. This person prosed away for some ten minutes on nothing in particular, 'in spite of the ill-concealed impatience with which his observations were received by the two listeners. At length, to the unspeakable relief of both, who were equally anxious to come to grips, he relieved them of his presence. “Infernal old bore. I wonder he isn’t turned out of the club,” grumbled

Attwood. Then sinking his voice, he said as lie cast a comprehensive glance round the crowded room: “It would be * impossible for me to say what I want to say here—a great deal too many people about. Have you any particular engagement for the remainder of the evening, or could you spare me an hour?” Marsden replied that ho was quite free. What did Mr Attwood suggest by his question? The man spoke hesitatingly, his furtive glance stealing ever round the room to make sure that nobody was within

earshot. “Well, I thought you -wouldn’t mind coming round to the place where I am putting up for the present. It’s not in a fashionable locality, for to be quite frank, at the present moment, I ’m more than a bit hard up:” This, of course, was only confirmation of what Marsden had already learned from the hall-porter. “ Where do you propose to take me to?” was the sharp question. Attwood explained not without embarrassment that he was at present lodging in a small boarding house in the vicinity of the Euston Hoad. If Marsden did not mind coming up to his bedroom, they could talk there in comp]etc privacy. The young man considered before accepting this invitation. He did not like the neighbourhood for one thing, and he had a deep distrust of his man. Naturally enough, as what he did know about him was so .greatly to his disadvantage. When he had pondered a minute or two he announced his decision. He had made up his mind that there was no need to stand upon ceremony with this crook who had wormed his way into a club of more or less honest men.

“I’m afraid your suggestion doesn't 'JL;uite appeal to me. Still, I should like fto 'have a talk- with you, and what I propose is this. I rent a couple of furnished rooms out at West Kensington; a taxi will take us there in no time. Como with me there, and we Can talk away as long as wo like. ’ ’ Mr Attwood was not, apparently, offended by this exhibition of want. of confidence; he rather admired his companion for his caution by the approving smilQ he bestowed upon him. “Delighted, I’m sure. I can see you are a very smart chap. You haven’t quite made up your mind to trust me, that is evident. But I can’t wonder at it, seeing you really know nothing about me. Well, I will repay good for evil—l’ll trust you, and put myself freely in your hands.” Marsden indulged in an enigmatic smile. Of course the American was greatly mistaken in thinking he knew nothing about him. But he was not going to disclose what he did know till matters prbgressed a few stages further. A few minutes later they got into 9 taxi, and drove rapidly to West Kensington. On their journey they exchanged very few words, and those only on indifferent subjects. Still, Marsden ■was tingling inwardly with excitement. He felt confident that his luck had changed: that this forthcoming interview with the American would be charged with the gravest importance. And he was pleasurably interested in anticipating how Attwood would open the duel between them. Arrived in his apartments, Marsden invited his guest to seat himself in a cosy easy chair on one side of the fireplace, in which burned a bright fire which had been kept alive during his absence by his attentive landlady. As soon as Attwood was safely disposed of, he went to the sideboard through the glass of which he could observe the other’s movements, brought out. a bottle of whisky, two glasses and a syphon. He filled up the glasses and handed one to Attwood, and then replaced the bottle on the sideboard. If they should ultimately come to blows, a bottle might be quickly seized by his opponent and •would prove a formidable weapon in the hands of a hefty man. He was rather amused with himself at taking these precautions, for he was pretty certain that the American .had come on a pacific, not a murderous, errand. .Still, it was well in the case of such a character to exercise vigilance. In the darkness of the taxi he had changed a very useful revolver from his hip pocket to one in the side of his jacket. With his gaze steadily fixed on Attwood ’s florid face, and his right hand caressing the formidable little friend in his pocket, he took a chair, a straightbacked one at some distance from his guest. If Attwood should make any alarming movement he could spring off that chair in the fraction of a second and cover him. “And now, sir, I repeat the question that you did not care to answer in the club, for reasons I can quite apprcciati. Why have you arrived at the conclusion that I am anxious to learn the past history of Mrs Wintcrton?” A slow smile spread over the American’s face. He no doubt had observed the little precautions taken by Marsden and was amused by them rather' than offended. “I’m going to lay mv cards very frankly on the table, Mr Marsden, ami let mo take this oportunitv of assuring you that you need have no apprehension of me, that my feelings towards you are of the most peaceable nature. Why do I suspect you of curiosity with regard to the lady in question? Carry vour mind back to a certain night .it Clanstone Park, when three people were

in a certain little scene. Recall the , open gate leading on to a somewhat dc- ' serted road, a motor-car standing beside f the hedge on the opposite side, Mrs

(BY WILLIAM LE QUEUX)

Winterton and myself talking through that open gate, you concealed behind a little clump of bushes watching us as you thought unobserved.” Marsden gasped with astonishment. “ You saw mo then all the time, and made no sign.” 'No, as it happens, L did not see you, and if I had I should certainly have made no sign, only got off a little quicker perhaps. No, it was she who saw you. After she had closed the gate and by rights should have been on her way back to the house, some instinct led her to peep through a rather big hole to make sure tne coast was quite clear. To her intense surprise she saw you emerge into the road, and at once in the bright monlight recognised you as a man she had met two or three times in the neighbourhood when driving.” ‘ Marsden bit his lip with vexation. Why had he left anything to chance; why had he run the risk of stepping out into the open road? It would have been as easy for him to creep back ,n the same stealthy way in which he had crept there till he was safely beyond observation.

‘ Did you know of my nocturnal watch when I met you accidentally in Torquay the next day?’ ? he asked. Mr Attwood’s smile grew broader. “Certainly I did. Mrs Winterton sent down a letter to me after breakfast by one of the outside men. Her description of you was so exceedingly minute and accurate that when you walked into the hotel I fixed you at once. If I had entertained any doubt, your admission that you were staying in the neighbourhood would have dispelled it. Then you will, of course, remember that on the night you dined with me at the Strollers’ you tried to draw me about Mrs W. without success.” There was a brief pause, broken first by Marsden. “Well, Mr Attwood, you certainly seem to know something of me.” ~ “Yes, and I must own I was greatly surprised. I had never expected to find in my fellow-member of the Strollers’ Club a quite clever and resourceful amateur detective.” “Well, Mr Attwood, you have guessed right, but I certainly made a fool of myself that night. , I thought by the secrecy with which the thing was conducted that Mrs Winterton would have scurried back to the house the instant she had closed the gate. Well, now let me put a card or two on the table, since you have been so frank. I saw a packet handed to you that night. It is a pretty plain inference that you have been subjecting this wretched woman to blackmail.” Attwood was certainly a smooth amt polished scoundrel. He frowned slightly, it was evident he did not relish this very blunt description of his conduct. He spoke with a certain dignity. <<x don’t like your rather coarse way of putting it, Air Marsden. It is quite tiuo that for a long time Mrs Winterton has paid me sums of money to ensure my silence upon certain episodes of her past which she does not wish known.” Marsden smiled sarcastically. “We Avon ’t quarrel over words, sir; put it your Avay if you prefer it, if it makes your conscience easier. Well, I have another card to put on the table wh.ch I think will astonish you. I knoiv very important thing about Air Attwood who is so reticent about himseu, and seeks to convey the impression Of being a gentleman of leisure. Aou Pave riot always been known under that name. I believe your most distinguished sobriquet is that of ‘ The Black Owl. ” Hardened as he had been by long experience of varying fortunes, it w r as not to be expected that the American would be absolutely crushed by this revelation of his past. ' But he Avas very seriously disturbed. A greenish hue spread over his florid face, and his eyes narrowed to slits. He was too nonplussed to deny the fact, to bluster out that it was a case of mistaken identity. He could only ejaculate in a hoarse voice: “How the devil did you find that out?” Being by now assured of his peaceful intentions, Alarsden crossed over to the bookcase, took out the volume dealing with the trials of famous American crooks, opened it at a certain page an l handed it to the astonished gentleman. ‘ ‘ Look at that portrait, Mr AttAVOod; it made a great impression on ine Avhen I first saw it. You haven’t altered very much since it was taken, you knoAV. ”

Mr Attwood looked at the picture with a painful interest, then closed the book and handed it back to its owner, and spoke with a certain mournful dignity. . , , “These wretched photographers do a lot' of harm. I suppose you are a very ardent student of criminology, and make a point of collecting these interesting curios. I have a great respect for you, Mr Marsden. I see you cultivate both sides of yotir profession, the scientific and the practical. Well, we are not here to discuss the identity of certain persons who have come into conflict with the law. What I want to know is whether you care to be made acquainted with Mrs Winterton’s history?” “Which you are prepared to sell at a price, I presume?” Attwood inclined his sleek, wellbrushed head. “I am, Mr Marsden, at a price. ’ ’ Ho spoke the last three words with emphasis. Marsden knew perfectly well that it was to his interests to propitiate this knave, but he felt such a. disgust fir him that he could not prevent liimscif from indulging in a sneer. “I gather then that this unfortunate woman has turned at bay at last; thxx she is unable, or possibly unwilling, to submit any longer to your extortions?” Mr Attwooil did not appear to resent these insulting words in the least. He spoke in a perfectly unemotional tone. “Mrs Winterton has declined to make any further subsidies; whether she has acted entirely on her own volition, or under the powerful influence of somebody else, I cannot be sure. Anyway, in reply to my request for a very modest sum, -which I fully counted on receiving, she writes me a cold curt letter of refusal. In other words she defies me. Well, there has, never been much love lost between us, and I have no hesitation in taking the only revenge open to jne.” “Am I right in saying that on that night I watched you, you received from her a very substantial sum which you have got rid of in some way, and that she is not unnaturally disgusted at your applying to her so soon?” It seemed impossible to ruffle Mr. Attwood’s composure by any amount of stinging remarks. He answered the question with the utmost indifference. < ‘ Very possibly this may be her point of view, but I do not consider it reasonable. Here is a woman who by the sheerest luck has come into the enjoyment of a big fortune, and possessing certain secrets which she wants to keep to herself. The amounts she has paid me, and which she would have been wise to continue paying me, are to her a mere bagatelle.'

The American had his own code of ethics, the code of a crook, and A\ r as a callous scoundrel. What was the use of trying to pierce that rhinoceros hide with the barbed arrows of sarcasm? Marsden gave up the futile task and tried other tactics. After all, it tvas not liis business to convert him, but to get what he could out of him.

“I expect that chap Pearson has been working against you,” he remarked, darting a keen glance at his man to see iiow the shot told.

Attwood gave a little exclamation of •surprise. “By Jove, you are smart; you seem to know a precious lot. I Avondcr how you got hold of that idea.” Marsden saw no reason Avhv lie should not be quite frank with him on this particular point. “I know there ss enmity between you and Pearson, pretty considerable enmity on his part, although, of course, 1 don’t know the cause of it. 1 witnessed your accidental meeting the other day, when you appeared to be making overtures to him,and he repulsed you in very strong language, threatening to hand you o\ r er to the police if you molested him again.” “You are a. very wonderful young man, Mr. Marsden. * I repeat you Avill go far. Yes, L have not the slightest doubt Pearson, due to his insnne hatred of me, has been working against me. But, pardon me, shall we come hack to the point?” “Of whether or not I AV.ant the information you can gi\ r o me?” “Precisely,’’ Avas the reply of the vimlietive blackuiai 1 er.

“Of course you will readily understand that T could not give an answer on the spot. The matter must be referred to my principals, and their decision will naturally be based upon the price you ask. ’ ’ “Quite so, Mr. Marsden, I fully appreciate that. The point with me is that time • presses, and T want that answer with as little delay as possible. In order to speed things along I am going to ask you something quite reasonable. If I were. not so pressed I should name a much bigger price. I am prepared to give you the ivliole history of Mrs. Winterton —and you will find it full of surprises—for the sum of”—he made an impressive pause before the final words—“one thousand pounds. ’ ’ Not such a very exorbitant sum-after all, was Marsden’s inward thought, for a gentleman of “The Black Owl's'- 1 antecedents. But, of course, his reception of the demand was very cautious. “It is a big amount, Mr. Attwood, to pay for what is really a pig in a poke. There may not be a single item in this information which will be of the slightest use to me in the researches on which I am engaged." The American spoke very earnestly. “Of course I can guess you are investigating the mysterious disappearance of Miss Winterton. with all the suspicious circumstances that may be attaching to it. Upon that mystery itself, I tell you frankly I cannot promise to throw any direct light, as it is not in mv power to do so. When you have heard my story I am convinced you will not find your money thrown away, for the clues it will give a man of your ability and resource." Marsden was decidedly impressed with the seriousness of those words. If he had possessed full power he would have closed with the man at once. “The history of Mrs. Winterton will involve her relations with certain other parties, notably those with .Pearson, who, I am given to understand, exercises a very considerable influence over her?' ’ A peculiar smile flitted over the florid face, which certainly bore no resemblance to the criminal type of countenance. “Pearson will occupy a very considerable part in the story, that I can promise you. " Marsden rose from his chair. “Well, we can get no further to-night. I shall see my chief to-morrow. I will tell you frankly I shall urge acceptance of your offer. ,1 will let. you have a note at' the club at the earliest opportunity to acquaint you with the decision." Perceiving that the interview was terminated, Attwood rose also. Marsden escorted him to the street door, and before he said good-night, the American spoke in a rather shamefaced voice: ‘ ‘ It goes terribly against the grain to have to ask you, but my necessity is very great. Can you lend me a few sovereigns to tide me over? Even if our deal doesn't come off I have other money coming to me shortly out of which I can repay you." Marsden felt pretty certain the man was telling a lie. If this transaction fell through it was a hundred chances to one ho would be at his last gasp. But it might be wise to propitiate him, if such a creature could bo propitiated. He handed, him five . treasury notes which Attwood pocketed witli profuse expressions of gratitude. As the young man watched the retreating form down the silent road, he reflected that there could be few bigger and more unscrupulous scoundrels outside His Majesty’s prisons than Walter James Attwood, pretended gentleman of leisure, and member of the Strollers’ Club. (To be continued.)