THE WOMAN IN BLACK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20851, 18 April 1931, Page 14 (Supplement)

THE WOMAN IN BLACK.

By L. BAMBURG.

(COPYRIGHT.)

// ' A SUPERB NEW SERIAL OF ADVENTURE AND MYSTERY.

SYNOPSIS. Anthony Yorke gives refuge to a cirl, Iressed in black, who implores him to save er from someone who is pursuing her. She Is seen entering the flat by Tommy Watson, the caretaker's small son, nnd her description tallies with of a woman running downstairs from the flat above, where 8. murder has been committed. Anthony Yorke and the girl go to a fancy dress ball, which he was to have attended with his sister, Hilda, who has been delayed in re ; turning from France. He leaves the taxi with the girl in it, and when he comes back she has left the fancy dress, and disappeared. CHATTER V. " My clear Tony, don't make 100 sure of that," Hilda said slowly, " if the case presents any serious features, tlioso constables \vill bo hanging around your flat until that woman is found. True, they were deceived for the moment into believing she was your sister—but if we go back row in ordinary clothes they'll be puzzled. They'll begin to poke and pry and ask questions. They'll soon find the taxi driver and learn that the woman didn't go to the ball. They'll question the Mayfairs and Jiavo you on toast—at least some policemen would. Of course there are all kinds in the force—fools as well as keen detec<ives. Let us be prepared for the worst -—I suggest that we go to your chambers —put on our fancy dresses, rush off to Eaton Square, get in if only for five minutes, be seen there!,, then drive back home together—as you aiid tho woman in black went out a—Persian Frince and Princess. How does that striko you ?" "Just topping!" enthusiastically, "by Jove! Hilda, you ought to have been tho lawyer—l'm really no good at it—but shall >ve havo time for your programme V " it's striking three now—here's a taxi •—five minutes to the Temple—fifteen for quick change, ten to Eaton Square—l know tho Mayfair's dances go on till four and sometimes five o'clock —it's worth risking anyhow.'"' "Halloo! Hawkins, —glad to see you back again. I hope your mother is better ?" exclaimed Yorke, as he saw his manservant entering Flat 6, next morning, carrying tho usual breakfast tray laden with fragrant coffee, hot rolls, devilled kidneys, fried eggs and bacon Iresh from the ' kitchen,' downstairs. " Thank you, sir, —the doctor says she's put of danger—" " Good 1 I see you've brought a double snpply—" with a laugh, " quite right—l have a visitor, but how did you know ?" " Watson told/ine sir, said she arrived

Hawkins liarl apparently been so garrulous, and a few questions which would prove uncommonly awkward to answer! " Why, to find if we can throw any light on the mystery of course," she replied gravely, " if there really has licen a murder committed and this hoy Tommy thinks he saw someone entering here, naturally the police will wait to hear our views on the matter. You'd better let him in, Hawkins—thought I'm afraid we haven't much information to give him. While Iho man answered the door, Hilda said in a low tone to her brother: " I'm afraid there's going to be trouble, Tony—are you stdl anxious to —screen that girl ?" " Yes;" he replied vehemently, "at all costs Hilda, but I won't drag you into it." "That can't be helped, 'I ony," she answered, but we II sink or swim together." " Mr. Septimus March, from Scotland Yard," announced .Hawkins, as he showed a tall, immaculately dressed gentleman into the room, and discreetly withdrew. " 1 am sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Yorke, J presume," he said in his clear cultivated tones," but 1 am detailed to look into this tragedy hero by the Superiiilenden, Mr. Maeßride, and must ask you both to give us as much help as you can." " Of course I will, Mr. March," said Yorke crisply, " but as a matter of fact we've only just heard of the affair. A bit of a shock too, quite unnerved my sister."

" I think too we ought to have been told last night too," said Hilda. "It was their duty to have told ns, surely, and not conceal such a thing from us." She had tlnown the first stone neatly into the enemy's camp, and Septimus March felt himself compelled to explain where he had expected to draw forth explanations. "Well Miss Yorke," he said, "They wiere both new members of the force as it turns out. Davies only started on Monday, and Jenkins is a recruit just drafted from a country station. Neither had tho least idea how to handle a murder case, and they were probably afraid of letting out too much till their superior oflicer came along. Besides, seeing you off to a ball, they may not have wished to upset you. "Well," said Hilda, "if we had known there was a desperate criminal about, I don't think we should have left our door open, should we Tonv. "Stands to reason we shouldn't," was the emphatic reply, but, "Mr. March, we are still entirely ignorant of all except the bare tact that a tragedy occurred hero last night—please tell us briefly all about it —who was the unhappy victim . What was tho supposed motive? and have you any clue to the perpetrator?" Briefly the inspector recounted the facts of the case, while Yorko and his sister listened in silence. " Now I should like to ask you a few questions about your actions on that particular night, sir " concluded March. " Go on," said Yorke resignedly. " You were here at eleven o clock ? "I was!"

last night." / " Right again—here she is," as Hilda

appeared at the (lining room door, and as / he saw her, a distinct look of relief flashed into the man's face. " Good morning, Hawkins," she said pleasantly. I'm/ afraid we're shockingly late for breakfast this morning, but we didn't get back from the dance until after five—" He had the table laid in a couple of minutes, and in ordinary circumstances would have effaced himself at once, but on this particular morning ho seemed to hang round aimlessly, 'ihe idea struck both the lYorkes that the man wanted to say something, but couldn't unless an opening to do so was given him. "Any letters? any—er —news?" asked his master with studied carelessness. Hawkins paused for an appreciable time before replying very slowly. " They haven't caught her yet sir, but they say they've got a fresh clue." "Caught her?" sharply. "What do you mean 1" ' " The woman in black sir,—the one who murdered the new tenant upstairs—" Both brother and sister sprang to their feet, suddenly pale, and filled with utter horror. " Murder—upstairs—by—the—woman in black!" stammered Yorke, whoso tongue almost refused fo speak, " what on earth do you mean V

" And the lady also'!" " If you want to ask whether I saw any woman in black, I am prepared to swear that I saw no one and knew nothing about it," she put in emphatically. " Were the lights out? Was the place in darkness ? Was the front door open just about eleven o'clock ' questioned March, " the boy alleges those things."

" I think he may be right about all of them," she replied slowly. " because if the lights were out, the place would be in darkness, and <;s we were going out for the night, naturally we shouldn't leave them on —"

" Quite so—but then again you wouldn't leave the d<for open would you? You see this being a ground floor, and near the entrance, it would be tempting Providence, so to speak —in Loudon — " In the ordinary sense of tho word the door was not lett open," she said knitting her brows as if trying to recall every minute particularly of the previous evening. And anxiuis not to make a mistake, " but—Anthony," suddenly addressing herself to her brother, " just as you were going out, didn t you disco\ei that you'd foi got ten something and rush back to get it after you'd turned off the lights?" "Bv jove, yes!" he replied with a start, "my scimitar —I'd left) it on a chair in my room—but it, only took a moment or so at the outside."

j " You have startled us dreadfully, Hawkins," put in Hilda more calmly, though she was really quivering from head to foot, " do you 'mean to tell us that there was a murder heie—in Armige.r Mansions last night. This is the first we've heard of it!" " I beg pardon sir, and miss," said the man evidently shocked at his own abruptness in telling of the tragedy, " 1 made sure you knew." " It was very late when we got home," Hilda told him hurriedly. "Of course,/ nuss—only I thought the constables would have told you when they came here hoping to find her—" Again the brother and sister exchanged dismayed glandes—evidently the affair was . being discussed exhaustively in the building, and Hawkins knew ail that had happened up to date. " No—they told us nothing. In fact, I didn't know that they came here for the purpose of searching—they said they were looking for someone —a woman—yes! who was dressed in black—l remember that —and as they seemed very anxious lo find her, and as I was very anxious to start for my fiance, I just gave them tTTe key, and told them to search for her at their leisure." j "So absurd coming Jiero at all," remarked Hilda vexcdly. " Of course—ridiculous," supplemented her brother, then some odd expression on the man's facd made his heart beat rather j quickly, as he added—- " I've never been in a place before ;where a—a murder has been committed —so perhaps it's the usual tniiig to pearch everywhere—eh! Hawkins?" " I think not sir, unless—unless their attention is drawn to any special plt'ce." "What's that?" very quietly, "not

" 1 know it wasn't more," she corroborated, "but if anyone came in at all, it must have been at that precise time— ' " It's just possible," he agreed with a shrug of his shoulders, " but the police came 5 on the scene the next minute, and we left them in possession—if she was here'l conclude they found her—only for some extraordinary reason they preler not to enlighten us upon the subject —if I hey didn't find her, why she <ould hardly have been here, could she ! " I think we have answered all your questions, Inspector," said Hilda. " For the present, yes, miss," he replied scribbling something in his notebook, " and it appears that the information given by I lie boy, Tommy Watson, was correct V " You mean, I suppose," she. corrected deftly, " that there is no evidence one way or the other? A small boy thought ho saw a mysterious figure robed entirely in black, enter a place which was (according to the small boy's statement) in complete darkness at the' time. I think it quite likely that the door was open, and unguarded for a very short space but what I don't understand is, how could this said small boy be so certain that the woman was dressed in black ? taking his own statement that the place was unlighted. For instance, my walking dress is dark grey in colour. Wouldn't that look black at night ? The cloak 1 wear over my fancy costume is Indian blue, —do you think a child could discriminate shades or details ; n the dark ? Suppose my brother fetched his scimitar, I crossed our little hall, or stood in the doorway, isn't it possible that this Mommy,' full of imagination of nervous childhood, might quite innocently have started the-wrong clue? Of course, I'm not saying that lie did, but only asking if such a thing is not possible?" The' detective looked at her in a sidelong fashion—a curious expression in his eyes the while—admiration, and a touch of something else also—- " Quite so, if is quite possible, —but while I'm here, I d just like a look round generally, to get an idea of_ any corner she might have slipped in without being seen—and if it wouldn't be giving you too much trouble might 1 just cast my eye over that Fancy Dress—and the dark cloak ydti spoke of. Perhaps, after all, it might, pass for black—to a child." " Certainly," she replied readily, as she rose to her feet, and conducted him herself to the dressing room where the two costumes lay in readiness to be restored to their place in the case from which they had been taken on the previous day. The detective was loud in his admiration of the Persian dresses—he examined them in detail—particularly the, _ head ornaments and Yashmak, —expressing a keen desire to see them worn,—but Hilda ignored the obvious hint, and infused a shade of hauteur info her bearing—the man was a low presuming clown she thought, and was pushing his "duty to beyond reasonable limits! It was noon before he finally look his depart 'ire, and as the, door closed upon him, she sank into the nearest armchair, completely exhausted! CHAPTER VI. " If he'd stayed one minute longer, Tony, I think I should have gone into hysterics,exclaimed Hilda, looking pale and troubled, "What an awful man! What does it all mean ? Why did he fool away the whole morning here, instead of getting to work properly to find the murderer of that poor creature upstairs? What a terrible waste of valuable time! "

unless—unless—do you mean to tell me / then that special attcnion was drawn to this flat ?" , "It's nothing really, sir," said Hawkins, deprecatinglv, " only that. Watson's boy—that red-headed, squinting child that's always getting into mischief of some kind or other—well! when the hue and cry started Inst night, Tommy (that's his name) was dancing in and out, from ivhat I hear, and when he heard the folks saying that perhaps thore'd hp a reward offered for finding the woman, he shouted • —" I know/ Where she is—l saw her go in No. I—the door wag wide open, and all the lights were out, an' I was juss peeping in, when something like a black ghost crept in, an' shut the door—she's there now! That's all sir—nothing worth mentioning, only you know what folks are in a place like this—always a-gossip-ing, and ready to make a mole hill into a

mountain. If t had my way with that boy, i I'd thrash him witlrn an inch of his life—begging your pardon sir. and miss," pulling himself up with the sudden remembrance that ho had permitted his usual ' professional reserve ' to be brushed aside bv loyal indignation that his master had suffered annoyance through the idle chatter of a tiresome child. There was silence for a short space, neither Yoke nor his sister knowing exactly what to say. ' Tho road 16 safety lav in branding the boy as a liar, but neither cared to take it—for, in point of fact, Tommy had only told the truth, awkward as it might prove to them. " What's that?" as a knock sounded at the door, " rather early for visitors," 6aid Yorke setting down the cup of coffee .which he jiad just raised to his lips,' say engaged, Hawkins." " Beg pardon, sir," slowly, " but I rather fancy it's the inspector from the police, Scotland Yard. " Scotland Yard," blankly. " Why they come here!" Hilda's quick wits grasped the reason Jastantly, and sho also realised now why

Yorko looked startled and uneasy as ho restlessly paced tho floor of tho room. :

" 1 haven't the vaguest notion what lie's after," lie replied in a disturbed tone, " of ionise in the absence of any other duo I can quite understand him snatching at what the boy told him, but even if that were admitted as fact—suppose it were proved that the woman in black slipped in here in the dark, —unknown to me—uninvited —haunt my flat- now? Yes Hawkins?" as tiiat individual entered the room, evdently having something to say, " What is it? " Could you spare me a few hours, sir?" asked the man respectfully.

" Why certainly—l hope you haven t had bad news?" in quick sympathy. " No sir, thank you,—but there's a bit of business I'm particularly anxious to attend to," was the reply, then wtli ;i cautious look all round, lie added in a low tone: —

"Bo careful sir, and miss—bo very careful —that thcro Mr. March is a perfect fox—l. couldn't warn you in time because 1 didn't know. 1 slipped out and questioned Tommy while he was in hero a-questioning you. That tcrriblo child, sir, seems to have eyes as sees in the dark, and as can pierce through anything, ' Yellow hair,' lie says—lovely yellow hair—all a-st reaming down her back. She caught hold of it and tied her black veil over it, before she. slipped in through tho open door, lies the wickedest little liar as ever was born —that I'll swear in any Court—couldn't speak tho truth even by accident, for Miss Hildas hair isn't— yellow ! It wasn't!

With a sudden chill at heart, they both realised that it was dusky brown, —arid of course that explained why tho detective had been so anxious about tho headdress, —and so anxious to see it on !

With the tact that is born in the perfect servant, Hawkins did not raise liis eyes, or glance at his master, but turned away, and loft tho room, and a minute later they heard him go out softly, closing the front door behind lain. " Hilda, old girl, you were right—there's trouble ahead," said 1 orko thoughtfully, " but, thanks to your foresight, I think we covered tip the traces very neatly. Now you understand why 1 value Jlawkins' so highly—l found out his worth long ago, when if he hadn't stood to me, I should have been murdered in a Chinese slum!"

" I understand," nodding her head slowly, " but it's evident that lieHawkins—suspscts there's something to hide. Why?" " Heaven only knows—T don't."

" Just one question, Tony—and forgive me for asking it—l know tho answer before you utter it, only I want to know exactly where wo stand! This woman—this girl, for whom you are risking so much—you can swear that she came into your life for the first time last, night ? You didn't tell mo a half truth ?"

"No! by Heaven, Hilda, T told you (lie truth, tho whole truth, and nothing but the truth—on my honour," he replied vehemently. " That's enough—l believe you," she broke in, and smiled up in his face, " I never doubted it, only—Hawkins seemed to know."

" Evidently when he came back from tho country this morning, he was told the full history of the murder up to date, and that the woman was seen entering this flat. It's possible ho heard remarks and comments which would not reach my ears—he has a simply miraculous knack of putting t\i - o and two together, and he'd scent a mystery somewhere." " Isn't it a littlo bit odd that he, should leave you in the lurch this afternoon ? Just when you might really find him useful here ?" "lie knows you are hero —and—well! you heard him tell how he slipped out. and pumped Tommy when he knew tho detective was safe in here. Wherever he goes this afternoon I'll bet it's in my interests —or it wouldn't be Hawkins —a really true loyal servant is more than worth his weight in gold. He's absolutely priceless. " You're not going to Chambers today ?"

" No." lie replied, " for ono thing the monotony of my own society, varied only hv that of the most useless office-boy in existence, would drive me crazy with all this affair hanging round—but. apart from that, I never do go much when you are here—"

" Good boy," she said, approvingly. " Well, what are we going to do with ourselves? We can't stay here!"

" The Academy seems a happy medium," he suggested, after a moment's reflection. '' One can look at pictures even on a Sunday—then we'll dine out—l shan't trouble this table much, I can tell vou."

"That's the worst of a place with a restaurant attached," she commented, " there's so much gossip, and prying, and pushing—l simply hate them—" " Last time you dropped down on me, you were most enthusiastic on their merits," ho laughed, " but flic fact is, ' circumstances alter cases.' Slip on your hat and coat, Hilda, we'll lunch at Princes, and turn into Burlington llouso afterwards."

It was nearly ten before they returned at night, to find Hawkins awaiting them with coffee.

"Letters, sir," lie said, putting down several envelopes by his master's side — together with one crumpled telegram.

" Oh ! from Chambers," said Yorko as he picked them up, " (hank you, for collecting them Hawkins—and this —" then he stopped short, flushed deeply, and bit his lip as his eyes fell on it. " Have caught the boat—pick me up at Charing Cross 2.30 a.m., on your way home front (lie Hall—Hilda."

" P.eg pardon sir," apologetically, " it was in the. waste paper basket and I thought it better to bring it here—" Hilda looked at him half resentfully, as she reproved : " Having been safely received and read, the waste paper basket was the proper place for it—" " He's wiser than either of us, Hilda —in reality, a waste paper basket is .sometimes a, veritable danger trap—as it would have, been in this case, if this had fallen in the hands of the enemy."

" Only it couldn't," impatiently, for she was angry at, the man's discovery, and for a, moment, seemed to accuse him in her own mind of wilfully spying upon her.

" Beg pardon, miss," he. said again, " f might have destroyed it, of course, only—l'd an object, of bringing it back here. 1 felt my master 'ucl made a slip through carelessness, and I wanted to make, him understand that he, rnnsn't be off guard in anything, even for a single, moment, until —well! until things aro normal again." "Quito right, Hawkins—l hank you," said Yorko, as he put a lighted match fo the paper and reduced it to black ash, " vou've something more fo tell us—go on !" " You were ' shadowed ' fo day, sir, by one of the Yard's men," Hawkins fold him, " I heard the instructions given, and 1 heard the report to-night at nine-thirty fortunately it said that you had spent the time exclusively in your sister's company, and had not been seen with, nor attempted to communicate in any way with any suspicious characters." " C.ood lord!" cried Yorke, springing fo his feet, amazed indignation flashed in his eyes, " this in intolerable—are you in earnest?" (To bo continued on Rnfurday next.)