THE ONE GIRL IN A MILLION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

THE ONE GIRL IN A MILLION.

BY LOUIS TRACY.

CHAPTER IV.—(Continued). It was not market-day, so Ilverton produced no crowd. A couple of flappers stared hard, and a butcher's boy nearly fell off his bicycle in the effort to turn (liis head and jam on the brake simultaneously. Then the gloom of an ancient <!nn shrouded its secret, as it, lmd done (lor many other patrons during bygone Oenturies. While they were waiting to be served, (Lawson thought he might inquire casually (ibout tho local sensation. Mr. North tyas brimful of news. "I shall probably be foreman of the {Jury to-morrow," he said, " and, stiictly Speaking, am not supposed to discuss the Uffair at all, but there is no harm in telling (jrou what everybody knows. It has been Established almost beyond doubt that Tony (Burke shot his uncle. The weapon has tbeen found—a rather remarkable one, because it's an old duelling pistol. Ihe (»ea!ly delicate point at issue, therefore,, lis the degree of complicity which can bo fastened on to Tony's sister, Joan. You 9-emeniber her, Mr. Lawson? She neaily (ran over you yesterday." " Yos. I saw her later, too, as I found flier on tho road after the accident " You don't say it was you!" gurgled [Korth, almost admiriugly. "Well, I (hever! Now that I come to think of it I 'wondered why Mr. Grainger, our superintendent of police, wanted somo paititulars about you early this morning. By /gum, he's closo is Grainger —close as wax! Wot a whisper out of him as to your connection with the affair." Lawson was nettled by tho assumption 'that Joan Burko could have possibly have borne any share in the crime, either by prior knowledge that it had been planned, or as an accessory after tho event. " I was going to add," ho said stiffly, 'that from tho little I havo seen of Miss Burko sho is tho last person on earth I wotdd suspect of any sort of participation in a cold-blooded murder." Mr. North trimmed his sails instantly feo meet this unexpeected change in tho Wind. Lawson ho could 'som Hp accurately enough, but he was wholly at sea in regard to Mr. Knapp. Anyhow, the man reeked of money, and the firm of North and East stood to gain a fat commission and a good deal of repute on the prompt sale of Moorlands. It would indeed be a calamity if the man who had brought such a prize to Ilverton were to be annoyed by a casual remark. " You've taken the words out of my mouth," he declared. "I said that very thing to my missis not an hour ago. M.ss Joan is a sweet girl, and it's dreadful to think of her being in such trouble. Why, only yesterday, when Sir Robert Manning was alive and well, I spoke Jighly of her to you, even though she bad rapped me on the tummy with the handle-bar of her bike." . " How old is the young lady ? " inquired Knapp. . "Tweny-one next January, sir. I was talking to her old nurse this afternoon, «Uid I put that very identical question. "Does tho nurse live in this burg? " "Yes." " Will you oblige me by asking her the fcjuiu, date and place of Mis 3 Burke's tiiith?" " Certainly Mr. Knapp. If you really mean to sleep at Moorlands to-night I'll post the facta in time to reach you by the first delivery to-morrow." Then Lawson ceased to struggle. Did not the fiitars in their courses fight against Sisera? Moreover, he was reminded of his duties rather sharply by North's testimony to Mr. Embery's splendid work that day. The senior partner seemed to have forgotten nothing; it certainly behoved the junior one to dismiss sentiment and stick to business. Knapp was delighted with Moorlands Irom the moment he passed through the gate at the main lodge. He chortled with glee at the sight of rabbits scampering across the drive and deer browsing in the open. He shook hands with a stout butler and dug a pompous footman in the ribs. " You remind me of Thackeray," ho grinned. " Ever read Thackeray ?"• " No, sir," said the man. " Or, Dickens ? " " No, sir." " Ah, well. You've no need to. You live 'em. Gosh! I little thought I'd ever hire the real, thing like you. You sit tight on your job for umpteen years. D'yo get me ? " The em harassed footman could not help smiling. "I hope, sir, I shall continue to give satisfaction to you ami Mr., Simmonds," ho said. "Mr. Simmonds! Who in tho name of Sam Hill is Mr. Simmonds ? " " The butler, sir." " Ah, yes—Mr. Simmonds. I guess you're some pumpkin in this palace. Can you dish up a steak or a chop for Mr. Lawson an' me at 7.30?" " Yes, sir," said Mr. Simmonds, recovering speedily from tho shock of temporary oblivion, "We can do better than that, sir. .A full dinner will bo served. 11 ay I ask your wishes about the wines? " Mr. Knapp beamed on the butler. " I liko that line of talk," he said, joyously, " but if you give me the once over you will probably observe that any sort of rum wouldn't agree with my cOnstitooUon, Now, it's different with Mr. Lawson. He's an honest-to-God Britisher. Givo him the wine-list. And Mr. North. Gee! I was nearly forgetting you, Mr. North. You'll stop and pick a bone, of course ? " North said he would be charmed. " You still have a good half-hour, or even an hour, if—er—you gentlemen are not going to dress this evening ? " said Simmonds. . ' lake 'em as read, Simmonds. Fix things for my chauffeur, and just load the ; way to that observatory at the end of the £ terrace. I d like to got tho hang of it be- < fore going along in the dark. If it's a ( ( ear night I shall most likely remain there i V™. * or ,\' v ,y 111 tlio morning. How , hours? 1 " 1 Ij ° adrnittecl at those f " That can be arranged, sir, James will < Bit, up to-night. •Tames signified tho same by a sicklv grin. As he put it a little later in the ' servants hall: • T !"' s is „ a l ueer 8° an ' no mistake . 3 ins ere American h mad as a March 1 arn. • /: 1

Mr Knapp jerked himself suddenly and rapidly down a flight of stone steps 'to his car. f iio _ had forgotten those precious hooks! The butler took advantage of a free moment to inquire anxiously from Mr North if it was " all right." tt yes, so far as I know," said North. lake my/tip and play up, Simmonds. If you do; you've got the sort of job you dream of but seldom find. But mind your-p s and q's. Don't imagine you can throw dnst in Mr. Knapp's eyes, You'li fell if you try any monkey-tricks on him." It was a cryptic remark, but Simmonds seemed J.o understand. And oddly enough, North rose in Lawson's utilisation, because it was difficult to know how the man had arrived at such a definite opinion, though he, Lawson, shared.it fully. The local agent had his own doubts, ho wever. He drew his London confrere aside and; muttered : . . " Look hero, Mr. Lawson, do you think cur friend Js sound in the upper storey? " "Ho may be a faddist, but he's an extraordinarily clever man, and . lull of money, which ho made by his own efforts," .was the candid reply. "Then why won't he look at the furniAnd what's this stuff about want* J° au 's birthday and the rest of ■ ; '

FASCINATING STORY BY A LEADING WRITER.

(COPTRIGBT.)

" wishes to cast her horoscope. " Cast her what ? " v Tc When ho receives your letter ho will look up the planets and zodiacal indiea'9.0 s - Then ho will know, or thinks lie will know, something as to her probable fortune in life—at any rate for the time being." "Much good may it do her, poor girl! My partner, Mr. Last, at a sale held a year ago, sold her the very pistol with which her uncle was shot That's private. It may not come out till the adjourned inquest next week, if then. Mind you. She must have admitted it to the • super ' last night, or how could Grainger be able to tackle East about it this morning? " Mr. Knapp camo skipping up the steps with his reference library under his arm. (( " As I was saying," went on Mr. North, ' one of the best features of this estate is the fine type of tenants on tho farms. Two of 'em arc judges at several agricultural shows in the Midlands, and I'll back the whole twelve against any other dozen in the kingdom when it comes to rotation of crops." Knapp had overheard the remark, as North had intended. He smiled largely. " They'd do a heap better if they paid attention to the rotation of tho spheres." he cooed. "As though any liay-seed in creation can guess what kind of weather is coming down the pipe next harvestBut I'll show 'em a thing or two. They'll eat out of my hand when I tell 'em that if thev follow my advico (hev can collar all tho profit and I'll stand all the loss. Come right along now, friends. I'm itching to have a look at that telescope." In the result Lawson had somo difficulty in persuading the American to leavo the observatory at twenty minutes past seven. Knapp took an intelligent interest in the Chippendale chairs, the Sheraton sideboard and some excellent engravings. North, thinking ho might play up a little, telephoned his wife and bade her seek Joan Burke's nurse. Half an hour later tho lady supplied full details as to when and where the girl was born. Gee!" cried Knapp. "I sure like quick action. Simmonds, vou've sure got a map of Somerset in the library. Bring it along! James, scoot to tho observatory and fetch three small books you'll find fastened together with a strap on a table just inside the door on the left. Get a move on, an' may be I'll not keep you settin' up ali night. I feel kind-a tired, so bpd's the best place for me." Within a few minutes he was going through tho process with which Lawson was becoming familiar. North, of course, purple now after his third glass of a marvellous port, watched critically, so he was correspondingly disappointed when Knapp closed his books with the air of a man who was puzzled. " I've had a long day, gentlemen," he explained, " and all three of us are due in court to-morrow at eleven "

" Are you coming, Mr. Nnapp ?" cried North.

" Yep. I've got to be there now." " Well, I'll give the tip to the policeman at tho door, and he'll keep a seat for you at the solicitors' table. Mind you, the proceedings will be quite formal." "Will Miss Burke bo there?" " I imagine not." " Surely she will give evidence as to her brother's death ?" put in Lawson. "Ah, I had forgotten that. .1 can't get that blessed murder out of my'mind. Yes, she must be called. You see, gentlemen, to-morrow's inquiry merely . enables the coroner to issue the burial certificates. The real business starts a week later." "Oh, is that it?" commented Mr. Knapp. " I wonder why I doubted ? An old hand like me, too! Say, Simmonds, I like the colour of that wine. D'ye think a small dose would do me any harm?" The butler had never before heard of '4l port described as a dose, but he rose to ( the occasion. " Sir," he said, " this vintage is worth nearly its weight in gold." " Gee!" exclaimed Knapp, after emptying a glass at a draught, " I always thought prohibition was a dud, though ! don't imbibe myself. I'll try another of those."

Simmonds filled up once more, and his employer disposed of the second supply in the same way. " Singular thing," mused the novice. " I had a ncrtion that alcohol of any sort was fiery, but that stuff goes down like new milk. How far can one go with a decanter, Simmonds?"

Much too far, sir, if, as I take it, you are not accustomed to wine of this quality." " I've never in my lifo tasted a drop of hard liquor until to-night," protested Knapp. Some imp of mischief prompted Lawson to break in.

(( " Don't forget, Mr. Knapp," he said, "that Saturn is well up by this time." "Great Ccesar's ghost! You're right, young man! You've, said a mouthful! Well, well! If I'm a physical and moral wreck in the morning you'll know why." lie was nothing of the sort, however. Rising early, he made tho full round of the park before breakfast. He ate a good meal, too, though he scandalised a neat parlour-maid by mixing two boiled eggs in a tumbler. Ho was well aware of her silent disapproval. "Say, young woman!" ho murmured with ono of his compelling smiles, " you folk over here don't know the first thing about eating a boiled egg. You try tho American way, and you'll never again fiddle around with an egg in the shell, and begin by swallowing all the salt and pepper with tiie first spoonful. And kindly tell the great Chang—l mean Mr. Simmonds—that I prefer grapefruit to oranges, hot biscuits to damp toast) and Chineso tea to Indian. He's a whale on port wine, and his dinner was fine, but when it comes to breakfast foods America has got Great Britain skun a mile."

A few minutes later Lawson was waylaid by a flustered and angry butler. Beg pardon, sir," came the explanation, " but I must know the facts, because there's some things no man can stand. Did Mr. Knapp really tell Margaret, the parlour-maid who waited at, breakfast, that I drank like a fish ?"

For a. moment Lawson took the man seriously. <> "No," lie said. "Air. Knapp said nothing that could even remotely suggest such an opinion on his part. Ho spoke very highly of you. Let mo say—what did ho say ?" Ho tried to recall the American's exact words. Then ho laughed loudly. Margaret had given her own version of her employer's testimony that Simmonds was " a whale on port wine." Ho cleared up that doubtful point, and the butler's annoyance vanished. Still ho sought guid- " I understand about the grape-fruit and the tea, sir," lie went on, " but I'm fairly beaten by 'hot biscuits.' What arc they ?" Ivo never been to America," confessed Lawson "As it happens, however, L" "ent n s , on T lO American troops during the V'' ' nd 1 " oem remember that to begin fiuJX hked smal1 ' P lai « buns better taan hot rolls or toast. I suppose they are made of a thick batter of seifraising flour and probably some milk, and baked quickly, being turned over, as thev are flat and brown on both sides To save yourself any trouble, however,'whv not telephone my partner, Mr. Emberv and ask him to post you an. American cookery book? Ho can get one in London.

After a stroll through the gardens and greenhouses, which were in perfect condition., and were evidently the life's work and last pride of a grizzled, old .Scottish gardener, Knapp and Lawson entered the car on route to Ilvei'ton.

What beats me to a frazzle," mused Knapp aloud, surveying his estate with the eye of possession, " is why any poor boob should put up a place like this at such a price. What's wrong with it ?" Nothing, I assure you," said Lawson. A few years ago it would have changed hands at twice or three times the figure. There are no direct heirs, and the trustees airft afraid of tho upkeep. Taxation and

ikigh wages tell the whole story. After weftiving your farm-rents, and by exercising tho strictest economy, it will cost you ten thousand pounds a year to live here. " Fifty thousand dollars a year! murmured Knapp, gleefully. " Why, boy, three years ago in Noo York I paid half that to lease a third-storey flat in Park Avenoo, an' another guy who really wanted it gernme a year's rent for transferring the remainder of a seven years run."

Lawson suppressed the obvious question. Indeed, he was almost airaid of introducing his companion's pet hobby, so lie kept to the safer line of the tremendous increase of taxation on land and big incomes brought about by the war. Evidently Mr. North had spread the fame of the " rich American" before they reached the Cottage Hospital. _ Even the dour Grainger received him with a smile and motioned him to a seat.

Then Lawson found himself looking at Joan Burke. Tho girl was dressed in black, though a critic of fashions would know that her attire was a hasty compromise between colour and style. She seemed to recognise him instantly. " Are you Mr. Lawson ?" she said, with a frank confidence which was one of her most pleasing attributes. " Yes," he said. She held out her hand. " I have to thank you for a great deal," she went on. " You were very, very kind to me on Wednesday night." "Silence in court!" bawled a police sergeant. Tlie coroner had entered. CHAPTER V. " JlltS. ANTHONY BURKE." Tho superintendant glared at his tooofficious subordinate. In tho first place, such deference was paid only to a judge. Secondly, and far moro important, he wanted to hoar what Joan and her rescnor had to say to each other. Events which had happened at Cedar Park had rekindled his suspicion as to a certain amount of collusion between tho two on tho night of tho murder. Moreover, Mr. Grainger knew perfectly well that had ho actually overtaken Joan on the road ho would unquestionably have arrested her. Indeed, it was only Mr. Hornby's presence during the later stage of tho search which almost compelled him to let her go free. It appeared from the Coroner's opening remarks that the jury had been empanelled an hour earlier, had chosen Mr. Isortli to act as foreman, and had viewed both bodies, one lying at The Court, as Sir Robert Manning's residence was known locally, and the other in the mortuary attached to the Cottage Hospital. Evidently he felt somewhat oppressed by the seriousness of his task. Ho was a local solicitor and magistrates' clerk named Matthews, and was sure to be well-in-formed about tho private affairs of both tho men into whose tragic deaths he now had to inquire. Tho jury, of course, had been selected carefully. Somo were Ilverton tradesmen of good standing, others were of a professional type, a few were men of independent means. They might bo trusted not only to pay close heed to the evidence but to accept tho court's directions without demur. " Gentlemen of the jury," he began, speaking very slowly. " I have taken a somewhat unusual course in holding two inquests at one and the same time. It may easily happen that as the inquiry progresses it will lie found necessary to deal with each death separately, but the occasion cannot arise to-day. This is a sad gathering for nearly all here, sinco there can be few in this room who were not. well acquainted with Sir Robert Manning, and though not so intimately, with his nephew. Mr. Anthony Burke. Both are dead. It becomes our duly to determine not only tho cause of death but tho degree of responsibility which may be attached to the person or persons whose acts contributed, both directly or indirectly to both deaths. You will, of course, dismiss from your minds anything you may have heard before coming here. Such a tragic occurrence must obviously have givun rise to many unfounded rumours and not a little malicious gossip. But, in actual fact, neither you nor I know what really took place at Cedar Park and ori the new road within the short space of some 40 minutes on Wednesday night. It is your business to find out the truth, if possible, and place your verdict on record. As men experienced in public affairs you have probably realised already that the evidence taken to-day will be largely formal—such as will enable me to issue the burial certificates. Then the inquiry will be adjourned for a week to give the authorities time to collect and sift the more material testimony which must be hoard before you can arrive at a reasoned decision." Then Mr. Matthews paused, and looked around the Court. " Before calling tho first witness," he said, " I wish to be informed if anyone , here, who may be interested in the 1 ultimate finding by the jury, is represented legally ?" A lawyer named Hopkinson from Bristol, a man "of wide repute in the West of England, rose:— " I am instructed by Sir Robert Man-

ning's trustees to appear for Miss Joan Burke, who is, I believe, tho dead baronet's next of kin," he said. "Itis no secret that she will benefit largely from tho estate, so the trustees think it advisable that she should havo legal help in this crisis." The coron'cr nodded, and turned to Superintendent Grainger. " I assume," he said, " that the police will employ professional assistance at tho adjourned inquest ?" " In all probability, sir," said Grainger. A slim, graceful woman, dressed in deep mourning, rose from a seat next to Mr. Hopkinson. Sho had attracted some attention already, largely because no one seemed to know her.

" I am Mrs. Anthony Burlte," slio said, in a low, clear voice which reached every ear. " I suppose that I, also, will be allowed legal representation a week hence ? I only heard of my husband's death yesterday afternoon, and was absolutely—un-able—-to attend—to anything—" She stopped abruptly, and sat down. Sho was evidently overcome by emotion, and had not the slightest knowledge of the immense sensation caused by her words. All eyes were fixed on her, and, owing to the propinquity of the two women, those 'Same eyes saw the expression of blank wonderment on Joan Burke's face. So it appeared that she, like every other resident in llverton and its vicinity, was now hearing of Anthony Burke's marriage for the first time! Even the coroner was taken aback. " I was not aware," he began, but broke off to stare at the superintendent, who was on his feet forthwith. " Mrs. Burke came hero a few minutes ago," ho said. " I have no reason to doubt I'ier statement, which sho backed up by supplying certain particulars. These will be checked before next Friday." '*ln that case, Mrs. Burke," said the coroner courteously, " you are certainly entitled to employ a solicitor at the adjourned inquest." The lady, who held a handkerchief pressed tightly to her lips, was sitting with bent head, but she glanced up for an instant and bowed her acknowledgments. Mr. Matthews once again surveyed his audience, this time almost timorously. "Anyone else?" lie bleated. But there was no answer; with marked relief be bade Frederick Soaines, butler at Ccdnr Park, enter the witness-box. While tho man was taking the oath that ho would tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but tho truth, Lawson had time to glance at others present. A well-dressed and well set-up civilian seated beside Mr. Grainger was unmistakably an ex-officer, and probably a high official of the Somersetshire County Constabulary. Mr. Hornby was there, too, and with him an elderly person who, in so far as his profession went, might as well have had the word " banker" embroidered across the front of his snacious waistcoat, He was, in fact, Hornby's joint trustee and executor for the Manning estate, and chairman of the West of England group of branches of a great London bank. Thero was. of course, a strong array of journalists. One among them had' already passed a note to Mrs. Burke; she seemed to weigh the request, whatever it was, carefully before writing an answer. She had, it appeared subsequently, supplied her London address; "47 Crediton Gardens, N.W. 9." (To b# continued daily,)