The Third Man.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2806, 27 November 1931, Page 3

The Third Man.

By

C. K. THOMPSON.

(Copyright.)

CHAPTER XlX.—Continued. "Cart him out,” said Bassinglon jerking his head towards the door. ‘‘l know now who did the shooting,” he said when the man had been removed. "It was Abicson himself. The gun never left his possession! He fired al me throhgh the window and after the second shot bolted. I fired haphazardly into the bush and winged Phegan who wasn’t able to get away." “You’ve hit it!” he ejaculated.

This subsequently proved to be correct for when Phegan discovered that the Jew hail tried to sheet the shooting home to him, lie made a statement to the police confirming all Basslngton’s theories. The upshot of the matter was that Ike Abiesmi was charged with the attempted murder. After a conference with the Commissioner a warrant was issued for the arrest of Izzy Samuels on a charge of conspiring to murder, and some days* later he was arrested in Melbourne and remanded to Sydney. BasslngtOn interviewed (he man at headquarters a week after the interrogation of Abicson and he denied all knowledge of the affair. He denied sending the note I® Abicson, and when Il was shown to him declared that he had never seen it before.

"One point has not been cleared up.’’ remarked Perry to the inspector, "and that is, how the note came to be in Phcgan's possession. Do you think that the Jew planted it on him? ' "Pliegan said he must have done so In’his Statement." "Oh. I never read the statement in detail,” confessed Perry. Bassington tapped the lop of the table with his pen for a few minutes, then:

•Tve got a brand now and* very farfetched theory about the murder of my brother," he said, “and I'm going to teat It as soon as possible. If I’m right I'll be able to tell you the murderer within twenty-four hours." "Well," said the superintendent cordially, "I’m sure I wish you oceans upon oceans of luck I" Basslngton paid a mysterious visit to a well-known jeweller’s shop that afternoon and later to an equally wellknown authority on antiques. From this gentleman he borrowed a large book and with it lucked under his arm returned to headquarters where Im issued orders that he was not to be disturbed for two hours. At the end of that time he left the station and went homo without saying a word to anyone.

That night he locked himself In the study and several times Ayesha tried to arouse hlrn, but each time she was curtly told to run away and p’ay with herself.

The inspector was still in the room when midnight struck and had anyone been In the passage when he emerged at about ten minutes past the hour they would have noticed by the Intepse look of disappointment on his face that something had gone wrong with him. Nor would they have been mistaken.

When Perry asked him during the day how ids theory was progressing, the inspector snapped out quite huffily that it was not progressing at nil.

“I’m back to laws again," lie confessed. "I had a great scheme sizzling In my knob which would have accounted for everything, but did It work out all right? No, H did not, and here I am still in the rut." “We arc all in the same boat yon know,” said Perry with an attempt at consolation, but Basslngton would not be consoled.

“Well I’m glad I’m not the only one at his whs end then” he said drily. The superintendent puffed al his cigar for a few seconds before he spoke. Then,

“What is this new theory of your’s, Bassington?" he inquired. “It’s fizzled out, so the least I say about It the better," said the inspector tersely. “Oh I say, is there anything fresh In connection with the Hammersmith appeal?" , Perry nodded.

"Do you know what I think?" he said mysteriously. “The powers are working to have thd Governor pardon him without a new trial."

Bassington looked incredulous. Noticing his look, the superintendent smiled.

"Hasn’t it occurred to you that, in order to save the name of such a distinguished judge, and to preserve and uphold the dignity of the Bench, such an extreme step might be contemplated?" he asked. “But the public won't stand for that!" cried Bassington. “If it is announced that s an attempted murderer, who was sent to gaol for ten years, who escapes from his escort and assaults a police officer at Maitland, is allowed to go scot free, there will be the devil to pay. The papers said some very nasty things about him being released pending his appeal a thing unheard of." “Questions were asked in Parliament, too," said Perry drily, "yet nothing has happened."

"Well I for one can't believe that Hammersmith will be pardon'd. Now if the public know the full facts it might turn round and demand a pardon. A funny crowd, the general public I”

"Yes but the point aimed at is to keep the thing from the public," Perry pointed out. "It can’t be done,” said the inspector briefly. “The whole thing will have to come out. I'm quite ‘resigned to it." "Mind you,” he continued. "I think this hushlng-up business would be the best thing for all concerned, but you mustn’t forget the public. They would rend us limb for limb if We did such a thing without explanation."

"Yet we can't explain .tiitl hush die thing up too," said the superintendent with a comical smile. "I don’t think there is any doubt that the Court of Criminal Appeal will uphold Hammersmith’s applie-i’ion and order a new trial," said Bassinglon. "Anyhow, he will know within a feu days. The grounds of appeal are based on the primary fact the! the presiding judge was prejudiced mmin-d the accused. With his knowledge, Horace should never have consented to try the case, but he was always « vindictive sort of bird."

"Women,” said the superintendent wisely, "have ruined better men than the late Mr Justice Bassington." inspector Bassinglon found the house deserted when he arrived' lioriw that evening. A note, from Aycsha Informed him that she was visiting friends and would not return until midnight, possibly later. Ik was vaguely pleased, with the news, and after fl lone dinner retired to the study. He settled himself at the table and immediately plunged into the large old volume which he had borrowed from the expert on antiques the previous day. One page In particular engaged hls attention and he read and re-read Il closely. Once he turned In hischair and shot a malevolent look al the old clock which was ticking placidly In the corner. The hours passed slowly and as midnight approached he arose ami locked the study door. At ten minutes to the hour he heard voice* m the hall and cursed. Hurriedly he arose, unlocked the door and went out, to be greeted by Hammersmith and Aycshn.

“Had a good time?" he asked with forced geniality.

"Gorgeous," confessed the girl wltti a radiant smile. "I know I am an awful girl running out to theatres when poor daddy has Just filed, but

Rasslnglon patted her shoulder. "Hun along and see if you cannot persuade the cook to dish us out some supper rny dear," he said, "and don’t worry.” He stole a look at his watch as he spoke. Il was live minutes to midnight.

When the girl had gone, he grabbed Hammersmith by the arm.

"Quick," he urged. "No questions but come with me. Time is short.” Wonderlngly, Hammersmith followed him to the study and was surprised to sec him lock the door carefully. “if what I think Is going to happen does," lie said grimly, "we don't want any interruptions." “What the devil ..." began Hammersmith in astonishment. His tones changed quickly ns the inspector hissed an explanation.

Ayeaha. coming down stairs a few minutes later heard midnight strike from the direction of the study. She paused idly to count the strokes, ami as the last one died away, she descended to the hall.

Suddenly she heard the sound of a loud crash and with fear clutching at. her heart, she rushed to the study door and pounded it with her clenched fists. She received no reply for several seconds and then suddenly the door was thrown opgn and she went in.

Her uncle and Hammersmith were staring fixedly al the old clock. Hammersmith looked pale and shaken and there was dust on hisj clothes as it he had been lying on the floor, (except for a look of Intense excitement in his eyes, Bassington was nearly normal. Both men were standing near the door.

"What Is it?" asked the. girl rapidly. "What was that nolse I heard?’ Hammersmith forced a laugh.

“Nothing Miss Bassington. The inspeetdr was showing me. an old book he had and in my eagerness to reach the table I fell over the mat.” "That was It," nodded the inspector.

“You have not been fighting with Unol.e have you?" she asked, turning on Hammersmith, who laughed.

"Not at all," he said, while the inspector chuckled. A few minutes after that they were seated at supper and although the girl plied both men with questions, they were mute. It must be confessed that when Hammersmith and the girl parted that night, there was a certain coldness on Ayesha’s side, but Ham-

mersmith did not worry I CHAPTER XV. Bassington arrived at headquarters next morning with a Jubilant step ami Immediately sought an Interview with the Commissioner. That official listened to tiic inspector's story In undisguised amazement, and when it was finished held out‘his hand. “I hope you are right, Bassington, and I see no reason why you shouldn't be," he said warmly. The Inspector then sought out Perry and told him the same, story. When is the show due to come off?" asked the superintendent eagerly. "I wouldn’t miss It for worlds I" ’"Phis Is Saturday, so the stage will be set at midnight on Monday, and, I hope, before a distinguished uummice. 1 have half a mind to get the Commissioner to Invite representatives of the Press along too." said Bassington. "A thundering good scheme," approved Perry. “Como along and we'll tackle him right now." v The) Commissioner was doubtful al first. "We don't want to turn this thing into a cheap publicity stunt," he demurred. "In my opinion, ’’ said Perry, "we want publicity over this. If, when it is over, we issue a bald statement to the papers, do you think they'll swallow It? No fear. My slogan Is, ‘show ’em.' "

"I'll do it," said the Commissioner bringing his fist down on the table with a hearty whack. “We’ll give ’em scoff at the police." About an iiour later, Bassington got in touch with Hammersmith and asked him to call at headquarters is soon as possible. When he arrived, the Inspector greeted him with an expression of mock gravity. “I want you to do an awful thing

for mo on Monday night," ho said, "and that is, lure my dear niece away from home and keep her away until at least 1 a.m. on Tuesday. Will you do It?" “Like a bird!" ejaculated Hammersmith, "but why?" Bassington quickly explained the reason, and Hammersmith nodded slowly. "I would like to be there myself," he confessed, "but duty forbids." "Call that a duty?" mocked Bassington. Hammersmith's pleasant smile gave him an answer. Hammersmith did NOT consider It a duly, by any-means, to spend delightful hours in the company of the sweetest girl in Sydney! There was a distinguished, but somewhat motley gathering at the Bassington mansion at 11.50 p.m. on that Monday night. The Commissioner of Police himself was there, Superintendent Perry rubbed shoulders with four newspapermen, all agog with excitement and wondering what the thing was about. They had been ‘told nothing. Bassington was there, as was Detective-Sergeant Green, who was keeping a fatherly eye on Izzy Samuels. The nine men filed into the Bas- - study, and under the inspector's directions, ranged themselves along the walls. One of the newspapermen placed himself in front of the clock and was pulled away and shunted Into a corner. The study was large, a fact for which Bassington was extremely grateful. He measured distances with his eye for some moments and was anxious. Then lie opened the windows and the door, and began to arrange the men again, his eye every few seconds darting towards th? clock face. To ibe continued.)