“A COIL OF ROPE”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6865, 23 May 1932, Page 9

“A COIL OF ROPE”

BY FRANK GILBERT.

CHAPTER IV.—(Continued.) , ' He walked reverently into the churoh and took a seat near the back, where he could command a good view of the whole building, with the exception of the rear gallery. There was a fair congregation, and the choir—a mixed one—began to file in. The minister mounted the steps to„the pulpit, and, after a brief interval, some of the deacons filed out from the vestry and took their seats. Instantly Brio recognised Button, and he craned his neck to see with whom the man sat. But there was no one else near him In the pew, and he was half disappointed, for he had expected to see Miss Waters. The service proceeded, and Erio was muoh struck by the earnest sincerity of the minister, who presently announced that, In the absence of the secretary of the churon, the usual notices would be read by Mr Button. The latter now mounted a rostrum and proceeded-to read In clear, ringing tones, intimations of forthcoming meetings. Eric gazed wonderingly at the man, trying to decide as to exactly what he thought of him. There was no doubt in his mind that Button was identical with Vincent, and yet, argued Eric to himself, surely a church deacon would not. he the leading spirit in a doubtful night club enterprise? A sermon followed the collection, and onco or twice when Eric gazed in the direction of Button, the deacon was sitting as if completely absorbed in the preacher’s eloquence. When the service came to an end Button made his way into the vestry. “He’s gone to count up the collection, 1 suppose,” ruminated Eric. ‘Til wait." He entered into conversation with an amiable old gentleman at the doorway, who endeavoured to interest him in the work of Foreign Missions. He listened attentively and offered a contribution, and having thus gained the sidesman's goodwill, he asked 'him a few carefully guarded questions about the gentleman who had read out the notioes that morning. The old man replied at once. “Oh, yes. That's Mr Button. He’s a splendid man. The church here owes a lot to him.” “Financially?" asked Eric quickly. "Well, perhaps, yes,” rejoined the other, “although I wasn’t thinking so much of that. He certainly did lend a large sum for the rebuilding fund some months ago, but in many, other ways Mr Button has helped a lot here”. “Has he been associated with the churoh long, then?" asked Eric. “Oh, nol A year or so, I suppose. Rather less, really, but he so Impressed everyone with his goodness and generosity In the Cause, that when a vacanoy oocurred in the diaconate recently, he was elected to fill it. Would you like to meet him, for here he comes " . . . . Erio swiftly decided that he would like to meet this Mr Button, and a moment later was being Introduced to him. "Ah, my young friend,” replied Button, "are you thinking of joining the church?” Eric nodded. There was something splendid about the man's manner which fascinated him. A sort of personal magnetism emanated from him, hut Instinctively Eric knew him to be a dangerous man, and one who was quite oapable of leading a double or even a triple life. "Well," went on Button, "we are always glad to welcome keen young men." . Then he said something which Eric perceived had a very real significance. "You ought to have been at our meeting last night, it was most inspiring." Erio looked for confirmation from the other old gentleman, but already he had moved away, and all Erie could do was to murmur confusedly: "Ah, that’s interesting.” Button was looking fixedly at him, but Erio recovered his nerve sufficiently to say, blandly: ,l That must have been the meeting I read in the papers." Button started slightly, but still continued to gaze at Eric. Then a man came up and whispered to the deacon: “Someone special to see you, sir," he said. Erio looked into the poroh and saw a Polios Inspector approaching. “Can I speak to you alone, sir?” said the officer. “Certainly," replied Button, evenly, and led the way Into the vestry. Yet for all his oaknness, Erio could see that this police visit was, to Button, a most disturbing affair. Suddenly Button stopped Ms progress, whispered to the Inspector, and then hurried back to Eric, saying crisply to him: “Would you mind waiting for me, please?" CHAPTER V. Erio, surprised not a little by this unexpected request from' Button, hesitated a moment before he sat down in a pew to wait. Wondering first of all what reason underlay the police offioer’s visit- to the Church, he turned to puzzle why 'Button wantod to see him again. But he had little time for thought for the be no vo lent-okl gentleman, who had Introduced him to Button, returned, and said half apologetically: “I am sorry that Mr Button was oalled away, but I expect R was to do with that terrible murder last night In Gradoross Street." Erio thought it quite' likely, but did not say so, for the other went on: "A very sad affair, and such a misfortune that. Mr. Button . should be connected with it.” "Was he then?" aiked Erio. "Oh, yes,”' replied'the other. "You see he happens to own the house where that poor man was • killed, and it appears that the- polioe have only lust found that. out. 1 They lost no time in coming here, and. although it Is a little disturbing, so soon after morning service,' yet,' of course, Mr Button owes a duty to do all in Ms power to try and aid'the law, even it such a time -§s -thie. Are you waiting for him? , For.you see he night be a long time, and even if rou particularly wanted to see Mm fou would be sure to find Mm here it evening service." Erio decided, however, to wait, al-

Instalment 6.

though he had not quite understood Button's request that he should do so. In a few minutes Button emerged and came up to Erio as the latter sauntered out down the steps into the street. t “Did you hear of a murder las> night In Gradcross Street, near there? he ashed. Erlo concealed his surprise at the question, and nodded. “Well,” continued Button, “I have got to go round there now with the Inspector. Would you care to come?” . , Eagerly he waited for Eric s reply, but not by the flicker of an eyelid did Eric betray that he observed the other's eagerness. In Button’s voice had been a something which would have made a refusal very difficult, but, nevertheless, he was the Church deacon, outwardly dignified, important, and yet anxious to have a companion on what promised to ( prove an unpleasant visit. Erio, of course, welcomed this sudden, unexpected opportunity of visiting the house where that mysterious crime had been comniitted overnight, and, moreover, of doing so in the company of a man he believed knew more about that crime than did the police themselves. So he replied quietly: ' \ "Thank you, Mr Button. it should he an Interesting visit, although, of course, In complete contrast to this morning's service here. (Button smiled, and at that moment the 'Police Inspector re-appeared. Erio, Introduced to the officer, whose name was Marker, said he was pleased to meet him, and the three men. set off, without further cl el a. y, in a police motor-car which awaited Harker. In a few minutes Gradcross Street was reached, and a large crowd of ourlous sightseers had gathered outside No. 247. The constables on duty cleared a palh for Inspector Harker’s party, and Eric came the second time into the mysterious house. He did so with mixed feelings, but conscious of 'Button’s guarded yet intense and constant scrutiny, he was very quiet and cafeful In his movements. Harker led the way upstairs, and Erie followed, not without a certain vague feeling of dread. His Journey up those same stairs in the eerie darkness of the night before was not forgotten now In the presence of the Police Inspector, whose solo aim In life, at the present moment, was the swift apprehension of the murderer. Eric wondered, with a -shiver, what Marker would say were he to confess that he had climbed those very stairs only a few hours before. Marker had accepted him as a friend of Button's, and It was only because of that -supposed friendship fihat Erio could again penetrate into the building. It was a marvellous stroke of luck, and when, in a few moments, the three men reached the top lan Ing, Eric’s heart was beating Here ]y. “The man was found murdered that room,” said the Inspector, impressively, casting a keen glance -tt them both, and indicating a clo.'Mi door which showed, now, signs of having- been forced. Eric remembered having tried the handle of that door, and that it.had been fast closed and had. remained so. Suppose that the handle had I turned in his grip last f night? Mis were, however, cut short by the Inspector leading the way into the room. The body had, of course, been taken away and there was nothing extraordinary in any .of the furniture. it was just a plain, drab room,‘with no single outstanding feature. The three men stood in perfect silence. Erie’s eyes wandered around, but he felt Inspector Marker’s keen glance on his face. He was also aware that the Inspector was studying Button searchingly, yet circumspectly. Button broke the silence at last. “Nothing special here now, is there?" he asked. “No?" parried the inspector, ques“Have they taken away the coil 01 -rope they found on the body?” continued Button. He seemed charged with Intense nervous aotivity, and the silence of the room of death was obviously unpleasant to him. Perhaps Harker knew this, for he paused quite an appreciable‘While before replying, and then only an affirmative, briefly. " Eric had the utmost difficulty in maintaining an outward calm, for he was most anxious to see the rope, but he dared not ask. Button did, however, and the Inspector replied. "Well, I’ll see,” and Eric could have sworn that he saw a glint suddenly appear in Button's eye—and as quickly vanish. “Have you anything to say? questioned Marker. “I am afraid I <jan tell you nothing beyond the fact that I am landlord of the house,” said Button. ( “When were you here last? queried Harker, softly. “On the first of the month," replied Button, swiftly. “I call monthly to collect the rent.” “And you have not been near the premises since?" pursued Marker. "Near?” reflected Button, ’On, yes, I hare been near.” "Yesterday?" snapped Harker. “Oh, no,” replied (Button, oalmly. Listening to and watching the duel between Hie 'two men., for Harker ■was —perhaps rightly—suspicious of everybody who nlight have even the slightest connection with No. 247, Gradoross Street, Erio was conscious only that he wanted to see the coll of rope. This talk of being near the house the previous day held more than a hint of danger for Brio This was proved the next minute, when Harker swung suddenly round to Erio and asked. “Are you interested in this crime ? “Well, yes,” responded Eric. "Why 3” challenged Harker, keenly watching. ' “Oh,” responded Eric, easily, I suppose everyone is. It is not often that a private citizen like myself can get so near to the scene of a crime, is it?" : Harker nodded, quietly, and then iisked •" "Do ■ you know Gradcross Street, or, perhaps, 1 should -say, do you live near here?" (To be continued.).