"The Freedom Company"

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7104, 13 March 1933, Page 9

"The Freedom Company"

(BY CARMINE GRACE.)

CHAPTER Vl.—(Continued.)

"Yes. Sir Frederick took the last of the shares. But I oan recommend tho Eureka Mines. That Is a later issue than the Phoenix. I believe Sir Frederick was very pleased with the shares —thoy turned 'out trumps. But the Eureka Mines should be more so. Wha,t sum do you propose to invest?"

"Two thousand. I have great confidence in my friend, Sir Frederick, and oan’t do better than follow his examplo." "Sir Frederick invested four thousand."

"Ah, Sir Frederiok is a wealthier and youngor man than I am. I cannot embark that sum."

"Will you give me a cheque now? Or would you like to think It over?” "No, I have weighed the matter and I will write the cheque now," Hylton drew his cheque-book from his pocket. Jcllloo passed a form to him. If you will kindly fill in and sign that form, the business will be settled," he drawled.

Hylton made a signal, that had been agreed on, to Temple, and simultaneously both pistols covered Jellioo. "Hands up—or we fire!” HyltOD said in hie usual crisp voice, and straightened himself to his full height. "The game’s up, Jelllco," ho continued. "If you come with me quietly your staff will know nothing about It.” Ho turned to Templo. "Keep him oovered, Temple, while I relieve him of his firearms." He knew the man with whom he was dealing; know that his pride and prestige wero paramount with him,

Jellioo’s eyes were like steel, and Ills faoe iiad a look of baffled rage. He grippod a ruler beside him as Hylton went round the table to search him, taking oare not to get in the way of Temple’s revolver. He quickly searched In hie pockets and drew forth two automatic pistole. There wero no other arms on him, but Hylton remained beside him. "Your disguise is excellent. May I ask to whom I have the honour of spooking ?” There was intense satire in Jellidti’s voice. “i am Sir Hylton Clive —and this is my secretary, Meyrick Temple.” JelUco nodded. "Vory cleverly doha indeed. YOU are the ahining light of th<J Yard! I heard you wero shadowing us—the yard gave it up. May l ajik also why you surmise that the Is tip—as you dramatically put ft?” "You had a letter this morning frortj young Walter Hanson." "Quite a Sherlock Holmes," drawled Jellioo. "He told you that ho had been successful with the work you gavo him." "Hanson'i letter is on the right of Mr Jpliiooi l Know his writing,” Temple 6a!d, quietly, “You are quite correct in your surmise- Here is the letter. What has th&f to do with the point?” Jellico demanded. Hylton gave a kwift smile. "It all turns on coincidence. Young Hanson mistook my oousin, Miss Clive, for a member -of your gang, Elsie Cross, by name. He gave her the password of Creme Trofle, and she made the correct answer, Plvor. It happened to be her favourite perfume and cream. He then told her of the mooting, and where it was to be held. She thought he was mad, and repeated the gist of the conversation to me. 1 at once realised the value -of the information, and have acted accordingly. Now you see how it bears on the point. Will you smoke ” he offered Ills cigaretta case.

Jellioo took one and lit it. "I see,” he said, slowly. "This is entirely my dwn fault. I should never have trusted the damped fool. I wanted to test him- He seemed Intelligent, though Bryant said he was a fool from the start. I was most careful to tell him the points to look out for—there was no excuse for him—but lie blundered 1"

“My cousin was wearing a little black patch that night ilka.Elsie Cross. Of course you told Hanson to watch for that. You were a'llttle too clover, Jellico. That wae where you failed. Did you mention the name of the lady to Hanson, whom he was to Identify by means of tho black patch?" “No, I merely described her accurately. I wanted to tost him—to sco If he would use his brains and wits. It’s our business, if they don’t use their wits, they're no good," was Jelllco’s defence.

“In mv business I never leave anything to chanoe. Had you mentioned the lady's name to Hanson, he couldn't have blundered. Ho carried out his work as well as he could. I told you it was all coincidence. All right, Temple, you can put up the automatic."

Temple had hardly put down his hand when jellico sprang up, seized tho ruler and aimed a blow at Hylton. With a lightning movement Hylton •was behind him and had pinioned his elbows, giving the arms a twist that renderod him helpless. “Fire if he moveß, Temple. The gams is up, Jellico, though you don’t know it yet. Now, will you oome quietly?" Jellico had dropped the ruler whioh Temple at once took, still keeping him covered with the automatic. "I knew when I am beaten, "he said sullenly. "I will come with you. I oonclude you have secured tho rest of the company?” he drawled. "1 have,” Hylton spoke cheerfully, anticipating that night's work. He slipped an arm into that of .Jellico, releasing his elbows. “Come," he said, J‘l am too inflrjn. you understandrio walk alone, in case we meet any of your staff." “Afh I permitted to give a message to my clerk before I leave?" "Cfertafnly. Follow us, Temple, and keep us covered.” Thoy walked down the passage, Temple following, and opened the office door, but remained in the doorway. Jellico spoke to the clerk from there. “Reading, I am going out with Mr Clarendon. If anyone comes sea them for me, unless Mr Wbitehouse arrives, when he will see'‘them. And you might see to the crimson blind in tho outer office. It’s mat at order," “Very good, sir," fMfatflßg replied, briskly, They \yent out into the passage and through the swing doors to the etreet, th*- dosed car was still waiting,

Instalment 11,

'the chauffeur boside It. JclHoo noticed that two men wore standing nearby. Hylton signalled to them and they came Quickly up. “Staines, ioek the doors of that office from which I have just come, and take the key with you. See that no one comes out or goes in. \Vatph the windows—especially those looking out on the Bide.” ”>Vo’d better have more men, sir. There are only two of us.” “I will ’phone for more directly 1 get to the police station. It’s just near. They won’t stir At present." They got into the oar and drove dm It only took a few minutes to rfcftCh the nearest police station. Hylton, still holding Jellloo’s arm, took him in

“I am Sir Hylton Clive,” Hylton explained to the officer In charge, as the man looked keenly at him on their entrance. "I want this man searched and put in one of the cells," he said. ‘‘l advise you to keep an eye on him until ho ia In. 'He is a iou#h customer. Mr Temple will go with you. I have to get on the ’phone at once." Jellico went with the man in silence, and waß locked in the cell. Hylton got on to the ’phone at once and was in touch with the Yard )n a few seconds. “Sir Hylton Olive speaking. 1 \vant ‘four men serit at once to the offices of The Freedom 'Company, In Corn Street. There are only two there now, and they oan * be all round the building. The place has to be watched until tg-night. . ♦ . •No, I don’t know how many arc In the building. 1 only saw two of the gang. I have had the doors locked, but they may try the windows when they find they are trapped. You tipderstand about to-night x I 'want Glooson to bo In charge of the Job. Yes—l have scoured the manager. ’ When he emerged from the telephone box he found Temple waiting. “ff'O trouble at all, sir. H© was like a lamb. It surprised me." “He wants his hands free. 'H®'s got something up his sleeve. 'He'll never face the trial—his pride Is at stake. I expect he has a remedy conocaled somewhere about him. A man Ilka that is never unprepared. I know I had him searched—but the ordinary man would never discover it. Gleeson would—but that's not Gleeson s job We’ll migrate to Park Street now and get out of this fanoy dress. I loatho dressing for the part! Thank Heaven I shall not be disguised tonight. I have changed my mind, Temple, and will take you with us after all, it you really want to come?" "Rather," Temple said, boyishly, "I wouldnt miss it for worlds!" While Hylton had been speaking to the two detectives, a slim mau, of medium height, with a small dark beard, entered the office of The Freedom Company unobserved by anyone, but his keen glance had taken in the situation. Ho went into the olerks' office rapidly. Reading came forward promptly. “The Chief has Just gone out, Mr Whitehouse. He said would you sea anyone in his absence? But I'm sure something’s wrong—he gave me the danger signal—and I can’t think why." ~ “I saw him. Who was the old man with him?" “A Mr Clarendon, who came about shares, and his servant.” “Don’t you believe HI That old man was talking to two men from the Yard. I know them —but they don’t know me. It’s a trap, Reading, and we've got to move quickly, There arc only two men at present, hut there will bo more." There was a sound of the outer door closing. Reading heard it and drew a quick breath. SVhitehouse nodded. "I thought S o—you see? They think they’ve trapped us!" He called to the office boy. "Jim, clip out of the side windows, but not that door. Gome to outside—l expect it’s gone to the police station. Send me word somehow. It's not safe to oomc back here. Cut along," the boy disappeared like a flash of lightning. "Reading—rig up a disguise with padding. You've got to ohange places with the Chief, and lie’s bigger than you are, tout about the same height. Wear a dark wig and take a duplicate for the Chief. And take a wig like the Chief, as you have to take his plaoo. It's lucky you have a long upper lip. 'Uso the winding passage when you go, and the slip door. It's beyond this building and they won’t know you belong here. They’ll watch our side windows, but not that door. Come to me quietly when you’re ready, and I'll give you a car, and a letter for you to present at the station. Quick, now.” “But what about you, Mr Whitehouse?” Reading paused to ask. “I shall wait here in the underground room till the Chief conies. Tell him to use the slip door wffi the passage, and lie’ll And me hero." “Right oh 1” and Reading vanished swiftly. \bout an hour acd a hair after Hylton had left Jellico, a thickset well grown youth arrived at the Police Station for Corn Street district. Ho had dark hair and a small dark moustache; lie carried a small handbag and wore a cap pullad over his eyes. The constable at the door looked him over. “Yes?" was bis laconic query. “I come from Sir Hylton Clive. Here is his card and a letter he gave me to present,” he handed the constable a letter. “Is Mr Gleeson here?” he asked & uniformed Inspector. “Ho, he won’t be hero to-day. What is it?" “A letter from Sir Hylton Clive, and his o&rd. Mr -Gleeson usually does hl» work." The Inspector took the letter which was addressed to the Police Station. “As Mr Gleeson Isn’t here, I had better deal with it,” he opened the letter and read it. The letter wag typed and read as follows:—“I want certain information from the prisoner, Jellloo, and have sent a messenger named Joe Congdon to interview him. Give him half an hour for the interview. It's important to get the information. I am sending a change of clothes for the prisoner. Got him have what food he wans to placate him, as I want that information." The letter was signed with Sir Hylton Clive's usual slgnatura.

(To tjc oofctinucd.?