"X 14.”

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7194, 28 June 1933, Page 9

"X 14.”

I. GILBERT

CHAPTER XVll.—(Continued.) Some one had jumped or fallen, only It sounded as If the fall had been heavier than was intended. Thinking that ho saw how they had tricked him, Henderson sped hack towards the entrance, half expecting to see a figure making off down the hill. No one was in sight, so, holding hirevolver ready, ho rushed up Hie steps. Then he stopped dead. In the centre of the floor Wace lay in a crumpled heap, his head bent at a grotesque angle, a pool of blood rapidly forming round It. Above him the Hole in the roof gaped vacantly. Suddenly there was another noise. It came once more from the outside, hut now It was the unmistakable sound of running feet. In a flash Henderson understood the ghastly double bluff lie had been a victim of, and again hastened to the rear of the tower, only to find himself too late. The rope was dangling from tho window, and Xl4 had gone. Even the noise of his retreating footsteps was no longer audible on the soft turf on the hillside. The discomfited little chauffeur stumbled down to the path, and for ten minutes searched in vain. Pursuit, however, was hopeless, and finally realising this, he climbed back to the Keep, cursing his luck. It needed no thorough examination to show that Wace was beyond all human aid, for his neck was broken and his skull shattered. His hands and feet were still tiod, and he had been pushed head first through tho hole, unable to make a single movement to save himself. The cold brutality o-f tho murder is perhaps the most shocking part of it. The victim had been a scoundrel who deserved the gallows, but only a fiend could have hurled his companion to such a doom merely to create a diversion and because he was better dead. Henderson’s lemalning prisoner needed no further watching, so, having dragged the body to a corner, ho blew out the oandlc and made his way to Kilnookie village. Cameron knew him and let him Into the cottage at onoe, although by this time even he must have begun to doubt our story, especially as tho doctor's visit had complicated matters. That gentleman, while pronouncing Macnicol in no danger, had scoffed at the Idea of the wound being caused by a shotgun. As a result, the local constable had already Interviewed the sufferer, and taken from him an amazing state- < ment, in which the truth valiantly strove to shield Itself behind a hedge of highly unlikely flotlon. Maonlool was feeling much better, and the two men discussed the situation. Their obvious duty was to warn us of what had happened hut there being no telegraph office in the vicinity, Hendorson decided to take the car back to Edinburgh, and thence send a wire as soon as possible. Macnicol was well enough to accompany him, and they reached Moorflelds shortly after midnight. Next morning my aunt reoeived a telegram which deserves to be recorded:— “Wace dead other escaped Macnicol hurt am arranging hire boy cheaply dig flower-bed.” Later we were able to trace X. 14’s movements. We learnt that he stopped a private car and got a lift to the nearest railway station, from which lie sent the telephone message which nearly cost me my life. Afterwards he took the first available train to London. The owner of the car said the gentleman had told some plausible tale about having lost, his way. He thought him a pleasant fellow, but rather simple and unsophisticated. Meanwhile the corpse lay unnoticed and undisturbed in the old tower. It might have remained undiscovered for weeks. CHAPTER XVIII. When I made my dash from the room T knew nothing about the happenings at Lcthy Keep, but Schultz’s words warned me that things had gone wrong. The wood proved to be a particularly dense one, and before going many yards I found I had made a mistake In leaving the path, in spite of the man with the stick. I had the greatest difficulty in forcing my way through, for the undergrowth was very thick, and the trees close together. The place might have been all right to hide in, but as an avenue of escape It was worse than useless, because the noise of crackling twigs gave away my direction. Certainly my pursuers were quito audible, and they sounded desperately close. As I floundered along I heard on my left shouts and the patter of running feet. Some of my enemies were obviously hurrying down the path to cut me off, and they would get to the field well in front of me. Before the runners drew level 'I stopped so as not to give them a direct line to my position. However, the people behind were still coming on, and I daren’t remain where I was. •Feeling with iny hands, I discovered that the tree nearest me had a cleft stem at the height of my head. I stuffed Sillar’s letter into my pocket, swarmed up, and lay along the a thick branch about ten feet from tho ground. My trackers had also stopped, and not far off I could hear Brown givlnj instructions. His orders were brief and to the point. At least a couple of men had already gone ahead to the field. Three more were stationed along the path as stops, and another was sent on to the road to watch the wall. Those who had followed me Into the wood were recalled, and extended into a line, so as to beat more thoroughly. As far as I could make out fully a dozen people were taking part in the hunt. Finally, to my consternation, Brown sent for lamps. He meant to do the thing In style, and was in no hurry, for he knetv I must be concealed somewhere inside the ring. The wood was a veritable trap, and I hadn’t even the pheasant’s snorting chance of flying out of It. At first only three lamps were brought, and they were all given to the men on the path. One of them was almost abreast of me, and I could see It quite clearly through the branches. An ordinary table lamp, with a man standing close beside it. The flame flickered badly in the breeze, and I hoped it would go out.

Instalment 26.

More lamps were being sent for, bu* meanwhile Brown had wisely taken this precaution, to guard his hank. The path was straight, and the lights nade it impossible for me to slip cross It Into the cover of the trees ■n the other side. After a bit the ■lher lamps arrived —hurricane ones his time, I could see- from the way hey were being carried.. Then Brown said, “Are you all ready? Hemember wo want him taken alive if possible. Off you go.” A moment later the beat started. What a rotten thing a drive must he from the animal’s point of view. Its only hope Is to beat hack through the heaters, and this was my intention until I realised that Brown and another had remained behind on guard. I could hear them talking, and one of them had an electric torch, which he kept flashing near the edge of the wood. (I flattened myself along the branch and waited as the line, drew closer. My tree was not very far from the path, and the man on the extreme left advanced directly towards it. He had a long pole in his hand with which he kept prodding the hushes. As he came almost underneath me I recognised Jude, and held my breath. Fortunately he didn’t look up, and a second or two later he -was safely past. I gave a sigh of relief, hut I know the fun wasn’t over yet. When the searchers got to the field some one—the German it sounded ]i] ;e —called out asking what to do next. “Back you come,” replied Brown. “Slowly, this time, and keep your eyes open. He is probably up a tree.” Just then the table-lamp near me went out, 'and the man in charge, shouting that he hadn’t a match, ran off to get one. It seemed my only chance, for a fresh beat was just beginning. Letting myself down to the full length of my arms, I dropped to the ground and stole towards tho path. I daren’t move fast for fear of attracting attention, and before I had got half-way the man came racing back. Instantly I sank behind a bush, from where I could sceTiim- rekindling the wick, bending down to shield it with his body. My position was far worse than before, for discovery now seined certain. They oarrled out the second drive much more thoroughly than the first. Not a place of concealment was left unexamined, and the lino took several minutes to get really close to me again. I wondered if I ought to make a bolt for it, because the odds were a thousand to one against my being missed this time; but it was just on the cards, so I lay still. Then I saw that Jude was heading to come almost on top of me, for he Had swung out a littlo from his previous course. That settled it, and I was in the. very act of jumping to my feet when the wind came to my aid. The lamp on tlie path went out again, and Jude turned aside to help with it. By the time he got back I had crawled away from his direct track, and when he went ahead I rose and, keeping almost level, gradually edged deeper into the wood. Jude was intent on his search and never looked round, presumably thinking that any noise I made came from the man next to him. Actually I was between, but a little behind them. It was the old trick of the. hunted joining the hunters. I felt a tremendous relief to be moving again, though my nerves were tingling with excitement. We pushed on until only a few yards separated us from the edge of the trees. Most of the other beaters were already clear of them, and Brown wanted to know what had delayed the right. He came across to find out, flashing his torch. Now was my opportunity. Except for Brown I had a clear run, arid until I was almost up to him the undergrowth hid me. .Clenching my right fist, I sprang forward and hit him with all my strength. The punch knocked him clean off his feet, and sent his torch flying. Then I sprinted for all I was worth.

Down the path I went, past the house, over the lawn, and out on to tho road. No one tried to stop me, for they had all been taken completely by surprise. I had a fair start, and if it hadn’t boon for Jude with his lamp I might have got clean away., Unfortunately he saw the whole episode and shouted: “There he is—after him!” and before I was clear of the garden they were oil my heels like a pack of wolves. For some distance the road ran absolutely straight between the hedges. My ultimate objective was, of course, London; but once the houses began I felt 1 could dodge my pursuers, but I strained every muscle to increase my lead. That first quarter of a mile must have been run in jolly good lime, for although I wasn’t dressed for racing, my ankle was quite well again, and I had something much more important than a mere prize to urgo me on. Then, just as I began to feci safe, I heard the beat of an engine behind. I had forgotten the car standing at the front door, and hadn’t counted upon mechanical means being used to overhaul me. Glancing over my shoulder I saw the headlights sweeping forward like two hungry eyes. They lit up the group of runners, who scattered to let them through. My own figure must have been caught in the glare, for there was a shout of _ triumph. I tried desperately to increase my speed, but It was no good. Even a professional sprinter couldn’t have kept ahead of the car for long. ■On cither side rough pavements commenced, and the hedges gave plaoe to high brick walls. I had very nearly reached the first house, but I was too late. Pulling the letter out of my pocket I wondered what to do with it. Whatever happened, it must not he retaken. The envelope was addressed to Scotland Yard, and I only wished I could put it where some one might And and deliver it. 1 decided that, falling -anything else, 1 would throw it over the wall. To be continued.