THE STOLEN MASTERPIECE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 22

THE STOLEN MASTERPIECE.

By T. C. BRIDGES.

CHAPTER XXI. THE SECOND BLOW. That night aftor dinner Nance danced with Hallam, then when Jim hoped his turn would come Hallam asked her to play and presently volunteered to sing. Ho had an excellent baritone and had been well taught. Jim hardly got in a word _ edgeways. Next day it was tho same story, for Hallam planned a picnic to tho Hermit's Stono, a queer olcFCromlech miles away on the desolate moors„ Pip. went and Aylmer, but Jim was so piqued he refused and spent a lonely day protending to fish.-but doing vory little good. You cannot fish unless your mind is on'tho job. That evening there was more music, and Jim, who had no talents in that direction, was left in the cold. He grew anfery as well as hurt, for it seemed to him that Nance was purposely avoiding him. Pip, who was nobody's fool, had spotted the trouble and was hardly surprised when, noxt morning, Jim suggested to him that he had outstayed his welcome and it was time to leave.

" That's not like you, Jim," said Pip, and his usual smile was conspicuous by its absence.

" What do you mean, Pip ?" " Why, that I never saw you show the white feather until now."

" It's not that, Pip. I think she would be happier if I left." "If by ' she,' you mean Nance, I differ entirely," said Pip. " But even if that was the case, what about the old man and Maurice? Thoy are depending on us to help them recover tho picture."

" I don't see the faintest chance of recovering it." Jim answered heavily. " What about your plan for tackling Sharland ? . It was you who cabled Vanneck for his address."

■ " I've had no reply, so that's no good," "A reply may come any time," Pip paused. " See here, Jim," lie went on presently, " I'm awfully sorry for you. I know you are gone on Nance, and I don't blame you, for she's a perfect dear. But if you'll take a pal's advice you'll stick to your guns. You're as good a man as Hailqm any day." " She doesn't think so," said Jim, unhappily. " You can't tell what a girl thinks," Pip answered. "Anyhow, you can't go at present, for it wouldn't bo playing the game." " You really think so, Pip ?" "I don't think, I'm sure. Another thing which I was just going to tell you. I have to go up to town to-morrow, for I've just heard from Laycock, my solicitor, that he wants to see mo about my sister's affairs. I'm her trustee, you know." A look of dismay crossed Jim's face. " You mean I have to stick here alone?"

" You have," said Pip, plump and plain. Then his old smile came back. " Buck up, my lad! All my bets arc on you." " I wish I had your confidence," said Jim sadly. " But I'll take your advice and stick."

" Good man !" said#Pip warmly. " I'll swear you won't regrot if." All the same, Jim did regret it, for things wero worse after Pip had gone. Jim did not care for Aylmer, and since Hallam followed Nance like her shadow, he had to fall back on Uncle Robert, who was genial but not exciting. He paid a visit to Maurice, who was still in bed, but so much upset by the loss of tho picture that he could talk of nothing else. Taking it all round, Jim had a precious thin time during the next few days. On tho third day ho at last got a reply to the cable he had sent to Vnnncck. Vanneck regretted that ho had no idea of Sharland's address or whereabouts. That was all.

Jim took tho messago to Nance. "That is just what I expected," was her comment, but when Jiin asked why she said that, he got no satisfactory answer. "You could not expect him to know, could you?" was all Nance said. 2 " Then wo aro at a dead end, Nance." " I—l don't know.. lam not so sure," said Nance, and stopped suddenly, as if she thought she had said too much. " What do you mean ?" Jim questioned ucompromisingly. "Is there anything else I can do, or try to do?" Nance hesitated, and it was not like her to hesitate. " Not now, I think, Jim," she said at last. " In that case I am doing no good here, Nance, and I had better go." There was no mistaking the look of dismay that camo upon Nance's face. "No —no, you can't go. You cannot desert us now, Jim. You promised to stay and help us." " But I am not helping. I am doing nothing. I—l don't oven see anything of you these days, Nance." There came a look into Nance's eyes which made Jim's heart leap, .and just then the door opened and there was Hal lam, spruce as usual. "Aren't you com ing, Miss Tremayne," ho asked. " Tho boat is ready." "Damn!" said Jim under his and Nance gave him a quick look. ' Wo will finish our talk later," she whisperal. " I must go now. I am coming, Major Hallam," she said in a louder voice, and Jim was left disconsolate.

Another unhappy day dragged to its end, and again that evening Hallam monopolised Nance. Jim's temper was suffering, and ho long6d for a chanco to quarrel with tho man, but Hallam never gave him tho ghost of one. That night Jim vowed to himself that ho had had enough. As soon as Pip camo back he would go. He slept badly, woke early, and at grey dawn had just dozed off again when there came a sfiarp tap at his door. "Who's there?" ho asked. " Nance," was tho astonishing reply which brought Jim into dressing gown and slippers and out of his room in a matter of seconds. There was Nance in her pink quilted silk dressing gown, bare feet in slippers, and a very scared look on her face. " Oh, Jim," she said. " Ching has gone."

"Ching gone!" repeated Jim stupidly " Dead do you mean ?"

" No," sharply. " Cono away. Disappeared. Mrs. Ching has just told me." Jim pulled his wits together. "Sorry, Nance." ho said. " I was half asleep. Can you givo mo any details." " Yes, Mrs. Ching says that she woke up and ho was not in the room* Sho did not worry because lie sometimes gets up and goes round the house in tho night. But when she woko again after daylight and found ho was not there slm was frightened, and got up and went down to look for him. Sho says ho is not anywhero in the house." " Has sho tried the cellar?" Jim asked. " Sho said sho had been everywhere," Nanco told him. " Get back to your room, Nancn. I'll shovo on somo clothes and set to work. Don't worry. Tho chances are he is outside somewhere." His confidence plainly cheered Nance, but sho was sfcjJl doubtful. " That man who watched the house," sho suggested. " You don't think—?" " No, I don't," said Jim. "It wouldn't do him any good to watch in tho middle of tho night, and now tho picture is gono there is nothing to attract a burglar. Besides, Ching isn't dumb, and lio'd have if anyone had tackled him." Nance seemed distinctly happier. "You aro always helpful, Jim. I will go ami try to consolo Mrs. Ching while you search. Come and tell us as soon as you find him."

" Right oh," said Jim. " I'll jump into somo togs and get to it." Ho dived back into bis room and dressed in record time. Inside five minutes he was dowstairs searching tho ground floor. There was no sign of Ching. Next, 'he made a survey of all the windows and doors and hero ho got his first clue, for the back door, loading out of the passage by tjie kitchen, was unlocked. The door

(COP7MGRT.I

A THRILLING STORY OF ENTRANCING INTEREST.

itself-was closed, but the bolts were drawn and the key had been turned. " He's outside all right," said Jim to himself as he wont out. In spite of his anxiety ho was very happy, for the mere fact that Nance had come to him rather than Hallam, pleased him immensely. The sun was just rising and everything sparkled with diamonds of dew. But there was no dew on the path and no tracks on the wet turf beyond. Jim cast round, then, as he could find no traces, began a search of the grounds. He scared some early rabbits and put up a. hare in the kitchen garden, but these were the only signs of life, except birds. " Where tho dickens has the ' fellow gone?" ho muttered as he turned downhill toward the river. Here, just at its mouth, the little stream was tidal and a small boat-house held one boat. The boat-house was locked and through tho window Jim saw the boat. It was certain at any rate that Ching had not gone off by water. Turning, Jim walked up the bank, toward the bridge. All of a sudden he stopped short and gazed at something which lay on the edge of the bank. It was a cap a rather ancient tweed cap of sober brown hue. Jim knew even boforo he picked it up that it was Ching's. He whistled softly. "So it's the river, ch. Well, I'll take my oath it's not suicide. Ching's the last man to do that." Unconsciously he spoke aloud but it gave him the shock of his life when he got an answer. " Then it's murder," came a harsh 'voice, and turning he saw tho tall, stiff figure of Aylmer, dressed with his accustomed neatness, and standing just behind him. CHAPTER XXII. AYLMER PROVES HELPFUL. " Confound you!" said Jim irritably. " I wish you would riot creep up on a fellow like that. You gave me a most infernal fright." A ghost of a smile crossed Aylmer's faco. "I am sorry," ho said, with an unexpected politeness. Jim stared at him a moment. "Why do you say it is murder?" he demanded.

" You say it was not suicide," replied Aylmer, in his precise way, "and I am inclined to agree with you, for there is ro apparent reason for tho man to commit suicide. Yet here is his cap, and there, if I am not mistaken, signs of a struggle. Tho only alternative appears to be murder."

Jim looked more closoly at the bank, and sure enough, there wero marks at tho water's edge—not very distinct marks, it is true, yet they appeared to have been caused by a man's body falling, or being forced over into the water. Jim drew a long breath. " Who could have murdered him—and why?" he asked. " That is a question which I am quite unable to answer," said Aylmer. "It seems to mo to be a matter for the police." Jim groaned. " What a business! - But I suppose you are right. I must go and tell Miss Tremayne." " Tell her, please, that I am at her disposal if there is anything I can do to help," said Aylmer. "My car may be useful."

" That's very good of you," said Jim, with real gratitude, and turned back towards the house to discharge his unpleasant errand. Nance's face went wlnte as she heard of his discovery. " Oh, poor Ching!" she said. "Jim —Jim, who can have done such a dreadful thing ?" " It may not be true," Jim urged. "I mean it doesn't follow that the poor fellow has been drowned. He might have been dragged into a boat." " I do hope you aro right," said Nance, earnestly, but from what you tell me, I am terribly afraid something has happened to him. But it is his wife lam thinking of more than anyone else. I must tell her, Jim." " Shall I do it for you ?" Jim asked. " No, no. It will come better from me, though the best is bad enough. They wero so fond of one another, Jim." Her eyes were full of tears, and Jim had to fight a passionate impulse to seizo her in his arms and kiss them away. She turned, then paused. " You must tell Uncle Robert, Jim." Jim watched her go toward the kitchen, then went upstairs and knocked at the door of Mr. Tremayne's room. He was still sound asleep, and it was some moments before Jim could make him understand what had happened. But when he did understand he was much upset. " Ching murdered !" ho exclaimed. " But this is terrible. Ching hadn't an enemy in the world." " I don't suppose he had," said Jim "But the chances are that he found, or heard, someone trying to break in, followed them, and then the brutes chucked him into the water. That seems to me the only way to account for it." " I supposo it is," said tho other unhappily. "It's, that abominable picture. Wo havo had nothing but trouble since Maurice first got hold of it. And what is to be done now?" ho asked. " Thero's only one tiling to be done — get the police in, Mr. Tremayne." " Good lord, Maurice will be so upset, *• groaned Mr. Tremayne. " But of course, you are right, Coryton. But who is to fetch them? We have no telephone." " Aylmer has offered his car. I will go with him if he will tako me." " But you have had no breakfast, Coryton."

It was so like Uncle Robert to think of food that Jim almost smiled. Almost, but not quite. "We won't think of that, Mr. Tremayne. Wo will get a cup of coffeo at Bude. Have you any instructions ?"

" Yes, ask for Sergeant Bradshaw, and toll him all about it. A good fellow, and I know him well. He won't make such an infernal fuss as some of theso younger fellows." "I will ask for him," Jim promised. " Don't worry too much, Mr. Tremayne. Ching may bo all right after all." " 1 wish I could hope so," said the other dismally. Jim had nover seen liim so collapsed. Aylmer was waiting at tho foot of the stairs. "Well?" he said in his dry way. , . Miss Tremayne is very grateful for y° ur offer," said Jim, " and Mr. Tremayne has asked me to see a certain Sergeant Bradshaw. So perhaps you will tako me with " Certainly," said Aylmer. 11 Iho car is at tho door. Wo had better get along." Aylmer drove extremely well, and his two-seater was in perfect running order. They reeled off tho hilly miles to Bude at a great pace, and tho town was only beginning to stir when they arrived. If you will go to tho police station I will order breakfast at the Swan," said Aylmer. It was tho first remark ho had volunteered since leaving tho Roost, but Jim was bound to admit it was a sensible one. , So Jim'went to the police station, where ho was lucky enough to find Sergeant Bradshaw, a big, quiet, middle-aged man, who listened attentively to Jim's story, asked a few pertinent questions, and prom* ised to come out at once. That being arranged Jim made for tho post office and sent a wire to Pip telling him briefly what had happened. The worst of it was that the only address ho had was Pip's club. Pip was not staying at his club, but generally lunched there, so he was likely to get tho message by ono o'clock. This would make it too late to come down the same day, but Jim hoped it would bring him on the morrow. (To bo continued df.ily.)