The Third Man.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2804, 23 November 1931, Page 3

The Third Man.

By

C. K. THOMPSON.

(Copyright.)

CHAPTER Xll.—Continued. “Sounds like America or Italy where you can hire any amount of thugs to do your dirty work," sighed Basslngton. "Is Sydney coming to that?" "It’s come to it,” said Perry with decision. “You can pick up a cheap razor expert anywhere.” “The point is, did Izzy know Brierley? If he did, was he in Sydney on the night of the murder?" pointed outt Basslngton. "We can settle the second point easily enough by getting in touch with the Melbourne mob." It was decided to do this first thing on the following morning. A wire was sent and a reply received the same afternoon. It was illuminating. On the night of the murder Jzzy was in the lock-up taking out 48 hours. That morning he had been fined ten shillings In default the 48 hours for being drunk, and had elected to take it out. “Th|t's a Jew all over," was Perry’s only comment. CHAPTER XIII. Basslngton sat alone in the study that night and pondered deeply on lhe one subject occupying the minds of most of the high police officials of Sydney, and that was, the identity of the third man. Theory after theory had been advanced and discarded and (he police were at their wits end. The only man who might be able to lift the veil was safe from Investigation In an asylum and It was unlikely that he would recover his reason again. The list of suspects had been thoroughly probed but each and every one of them had a cast-iron alibi I The third man! Was there a third man? ’f there wasn't, that gave rise to another question: could Brierley have killed the Judge and then turned the weapon on himself? No. thought Basslngton, that was Impossible. Half of Brierley’s head had been siloed off, and it was asking too much to suppose that the man had deliberately chosen such a way to die. ' Now, If both men had been killed by the one stroke, who was It that had struck the blow? He would have had to be a positive Hercules to do it. If Brierley had cut lhe Judge's head off with a stroke and then had the weapon wrenched out of his hand by a third person, what then? This third fellow had taken ,the kukri and had aimed a blow at Brierley which the latter had only succeeded in half dodging. Perhaps the assassin had attempted to split Brierley's . head down, but Brierley had jumped aside and the stroke had only bitten into the side of his head. That might bo It. Certainly Brierley had been a strong man. but the man who had attacked him would have had to he stronger. No one person on the list of suspects was a strong

mtin - The inspector roused himself as the old grandfather clock struck ten and stored at It absently. Then he resumed his reverie. Funny, he thought, that poor Horace had only bought the clock on the day he was murdered. Basslngton wondered from whom ho had bought It. He would Have to make Inquiries with a view to getting the firm to buy It back. Now about the third man again . • Supposing after all that it was Broadway, the mad chauffeur . . • BANG! , , There came the sound of a loud explosion and a tinkling of broken glass and a bullet whined over his head and burled Itself In the wall behind. Quick as thought the detective flung himself from the chair full length on the floor. As he did so his hand leapt to his hip pocket and then, with his service revolver clasped tightly In hls hand, he suddenly sprang to his feet and took a flying leap through the broken window! There was the sound of a loud crash and the rest of the glass gave way under the Impact, but, except for a few abrasions and cuts, he landed intact on the flower bed outside. BANG! , , A flash of light slabbed the darkness and a second bullet buried Itself in the ground al hls side. His keen eyes noted that the hidden marksman, according to the flash, was hiding behind a thick bush a little to the left front. He raised himself on his elbow and sent a shot crashing into the bush. There was a sharp yelp of pain and In an Instant the Inspector Had launched himself through the air and into the middle of the bush, heedless of the sharp thorns which pierced the exposed portions of his body. He landed on top of a dark form which Immediately grabbed at him with one hand. The other apparently was out of action, a tribute to the inspector’s good shooting. Basslngton, realising that it was no time for half measures, drove hls clenched flat into the first part of the Intruder’s anatomy which presented Itself. The man gave a yelp and closed with him, but was greatly hampered by hls wounded hand. They wrestled for a few minutes and then the Inspector managed to get an arm free and he drove hls fist as hard as he could right Into the other man’s Jaw.

With a groan his assailant collapsed, and the detective climbed to his feet panting. Stooping down he grabbed the fellow’s collar and half-dragged halfcarried him to the window. Grunting with the exertion, he heaved him over the sill and Jet him drop on to the floor in the study, where he lay inert while the detective clambered through. He rolled the man over to get a view of his face and then whistled with surprise. Il was Stumpy Phegan. “Ah I So Stumpy has turned gunman,” muttered Basslngton as he went to the telephone. He called up the station and ordered the patrol waggon. Then he turned to Stumpy who was still out to it. He seated himself on a chair to await the arrival of either the waggon or of Stumpy’s return to consciousness. The waggon with two uniformed policemen arrived first. When the ex-jockey came to his senses again he was confronted with the spectacle of three police officers, all regarding him Intently. He groaned and closed his eyes again. Stooping down, one of lhe policemen shook him roughly. "Gome on you, no use playing doggo,” he said. Phcgan replied with another heartrending groan, but opened his eyes and sal up. •‘WhaCs lhe him J’hegaii trying lo murder me in my own silting room?” demanded Basslngton’ fiercely. He was not feeling al all kindly disposed towards Iho fellow. Stumpy remained sitting on the flocr still groaning and nursing his wounded hand. He had been shot clean through the wrist. “Are you gonna let me die here from loss of blood?” he moaned. Basslngton whipped oul his handkerchief and bound it round lhe man's hand. Then he nodded to the waiting policemen. “Take him to the station and charge him with attempted murder, he said. “Then have his wrist attended to. I’D go further into the matter to-mor-row." The two men led the still groaning Stumpy away. Basslngton grunted as he looked at the pool of blood on the floor and the broken window of the study. “This blasted room must be cursed," he said irritably, and swung round to confront Aycsha, who stood In the doorway In a highly-coloured kimono.

"What is the matter Uncle?” she said. In a voice that trembled. “I thought 1 heard shots.” "You heard them all right." retorted Basslngton savagely. "Some gink tried to murder me. Only I'm a police officer I would have murdered him. the little rat’” The girl looked at. him fearfully. "Oh Uncle BID. I don’t like to hear you talk like that I” she cried. Basslnglon’s anger died down a little and he forced a smile to hls Ups. He put hls arm around the girl and led her from the room. "There, my dear, run away to bed. I’ll tell you all about It in the morning,” he said with gruff kindliness. After she had gone off ho remembered something and, returning to the study, leaped lightly through the window and went to the scene of the scuffle. He wanted Phegan's gun. He searched around for over half an hour without finding it. He knew that it was not on the man when he was taken away by the "trawler.” Then where was II? He gave It up at last and returned via the window to the study and to his bedroom In a savage mood. Next morning he conducted a close search of the grounds without finding the gun, but he found something else. "Very damned funny,” ho said grimly, as ho made hls way to headquarters some little time later. "Now who was the cove with Stumpy—the cove who watched the fight and after It was over, calmly made off with the pistol?” He was told on hls arrival that I began would be In hospital for a day or two. ‘ ... "I’m going up there to see him anjwayhe said determinedly, and went. Stumpy was sitting propped up in bed when Basslngton arrived. "Look here Phcgan," began the Inspector without any preamble. "What was the reason of that attack on me last nlghl ? Now come across with it straight. Your greasy pal Is Inclined to talk but wo want you to talk too. "What do you mean, my greasy pal?” asked the ex-jockey In wonder. "You know who I mean. "tour little friend who was with you last night. After the trawler got you he tried to pot me on Ills own account, but he got hls all right.” "1 don't know what you're talking about,” said Phcgan in "you go to hell" tones.

"You don’t eh?" "No I don’t, and I ain’t going to say anything or make a statement either. “You’ll be saying next that you didn't pot at me,” sneered Basing-

"1 didn't," said Phegan calmly. "I deny It." "Just as you like," nodded Basslngton. "I’ll go now and sec how your pal takes It.” "You can go to blazes If you like,” said the ox-Jookey hospitably. Basslngton returned to headquarters In a blaze of anger. It was bad enough having an unsolved murder hanging around his neck without all these extra complications setting in. lie rang hls bell furiously and when a messenger arrived ho demanded that Green be sent to him. "Who did you put on watching Phegan?" he roarded as the detective sergeant made his appearance. "Westmacott," said Green In surprise as he saw the stalo hls superior was In. "Shoot him In here at onco" bellowed Basslngton. Green withdrew hurriedly and in a few minutes Plainclothes Constable Westmacott put in an appearance. "Westmacott,” said Basslngton with deadly calm. ‘‘Where were you about ten o’clock last night?" "At the talkies," replied the detective sweetly. "Stiffen the blasted crows I" exploded the Inspector furiously. "What in the hell were you doing there? Do you think I'm interested in your childish amusements? Why weren’t you trailing Stumpy Phegan?" "I only trailed him in the dayt'me," replied Westmacott with u gentle smile. "Nettleton was trailing him last night." "Please send Mr Nettleton Into me will you?” asked the Inspector with a heavy sigh, and Westniacolt departed chuckling. Nettleton arrived within ten seconds. The inspector asked him point

blank why he had not been on Phegnn's heels that night. "Superintendent Perry took me off him Inspector. Sahl It was no use wasting a man on Phegan," said Nettleton. "Of course It doesn’t matter If 1 gpt murdered or not does it?" said Basslngton with heavy sarcasm. "Perhaps the Superintendent did not anticipate hls trying to murder you sir," ventured Nettleton. "Get out!" roared Basslngton furiously, and Nettleton went like a scalded call . "If ever I felt like putting a bloke through the third degree, I feel like U now," said the Inspector some time later to the superintendent. Ho had calmed down considerably by this and events were assuming their proper proportion in hls eyes. He realised the waste of time having a man continually watching Phcgan who, up to that time, had censed to bo a factor in the game. Who would you like to third degree now?" asked Perry with no amused smll.e "Phegan dammit!" snorted the inspector. "He’s got the confounded hide to deny he shot at me after me catching him at it, dragging him into the house and exhibiting him to two flat-foots." "Pulling your leg, my dear man," chuckled the Superintendent. "He knows how easy it is to get you going ..." "Who's easy to gel going?" yelled Basslngton. "Now then Bnss. old>man, don't get off your horse," soothed Perry, still smiling. "This affair is getting yon down and worrying you like a dog worrying a rat."

To ibe continued.)