MYSTERIOUS MR. MALLAFORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21159, 16 April 1932, Page 13 (Supplement)

MYSTERIOUS MR. MALLAFORD.

By J. S. FLETCHER. Author of "Cobweb Castle." "The Wild Oat ." etc.

CHAPTER XVll.—(Continued.) Gray gave him a card; Mr. Bussill rose go.' As he drew on his gloves, with punctilious care, he gave us a look which j took to be jfull of significance. " X believe you will find very useful," h 0 "Yes, sir?" said Gray. "You always have been, though. But—at this particular junction, Mr. Bussill ? What's in /your mind ?" Jlr. Bussill picked up and shouldered his umbrella. " What is in my nn'nd, young man, is 8 conviction that I shall be able to recognise tho mysterious stranger!" lie replied. "It is a conviction!" Then without another word, lie marched o ff to make his own preparations, and we went on with ours.

" I wonder what the old chap meant?" Ftaid Gray, after awhile. " Has he got somebody in mind?" " Not much doubt of that, I should fav," I answered. " Not much doubt, cither, that he won't say till he's sure." " Useful!" muttered Gray. "Wo must contrive to give him a look at the man /as soon as possible. Fox!—did you examine the lie of the land there, in Charlesborough Street? What about tho tavern, the Ring of Bells? Is it the sort of place from which you can keep a good look out ?—and has it any special advantages?" " It's just the place," replied Fox. "It overlooks Number 37, and it's got the further advantage that there's a back ' entrance to it from Charlesborough Alley. Thero's no need to go into Charlesborough Street at all to get into it." " I'm wondering how you can get' a look at 1 his man, Leicester," said Gray, turning to me. "We mustn't run the least risk about the chances of his seeing you! he'd know yon at once." " I don't think there's any necessity for my seeing him," said I. " Fox described him so closely, and particularly last night that I've no doubt whatever about him! He's the man I saw in the train and who was afterwards at Mallaford /Court for awhile—and that you'll find .... if you ever get him. If we ever Grav.

" Didn't Fox see Mrs. Barfoot buy a mic-lined travelling trunk ?" I said. "Well, wasn't it to be sent to Number 37, Charlesborough Street ? Doesn't this man hang out there. Very well!—then I think he and Mrs. Barfoot are going to foreign climes! Or perhaps he's going to foreign dimes and Mrs. Barfoot bought the zinc-lined trunk for him." " All the more reason for me to get busy." said Gray. " Trains run every forty minutes, don't they ? We can get the neNt."

We were down in town an hour later. We drove straight to Gray's flat, which was in one of the big blocks in the dip of Maid* Yale, and accordingly not very far away from the scene of Fox's proposed operations. .It was a cosy and comfortable bachelor establishment and Gray could boast an excellent library, of which fact 1 was thankful, for now that we had reached our base he absolutely refused to let me advance to the front line." " We should bo done for if that chap saw you, Leicester!" he said. "Me he doesn't know, and Fox he doesn't know, though 1 don't want him to get even a glimpse of us. But he's seen you—and if be saw you moving round his neighbourhood he'd be frightened. Now I want him to remain calm, cool, assured for awhile. So you lio low here for an hour or two while I go forth with Fox and stick him in his little hole." He was away less than an hour; when jiV returned he was. rubbing his hands with satisfaction at something or other. "The British landlord is a highly usefol member of the community. Leicester!" he remarked. "He not only sells good beer as a rule—but when it comes to asking him to be particularly obliging, lie's there!—for a proper consideration, of course. Thine host of the Ring of Bells is likely to be a very good friend to us. Having viewed the land and taken in its possibilities as ;i battle-ground, I interviewed him, in strict confidence, and over a drop of his best, and Fox is safely planted in a very .comfortable room overlooking Number' 37, with nothing to do but watch the door—and perhaps the windows —of that at present mysterious dwelling. The, -landlord of the Ring of Bells thinks it's a divorce case. So that's nil right !" "And what do we do?" I asked.

" Just w*?>it !" lie. answered. " You'd be surprised, if you went in for my job, professionally, what a lot. of nice, quiet, uneventful waiting there is fo do ! waiting, you know, for something to turn up "

" No. 1 shouldn't !" I retorted. ' Not in the least surprised—l've seen plenty of it already. Couldn't we do something ourselves in the way of putting a bit for'rard ?" " Oh, no, no !" he answered. " That wouldn't be at all proper. We wait now until Fox reports. That may be to-night, or to-morrow, or next day—one can't tell. In the meantime, however, as we have an excellent restaurant attached to these fiats, and as we haven't lunched, let us go down and rat and drink." We went down and ate—and drank — (lieu came the prospect of a summer afternoon spent indoors: 1 suppose I let out a few growls about it. "Do you play chess?" asked Gray. "No !" I exclaimed. " Haven't the brains for it!—never had. Resides, I loathe ;t " "Well," he said, for all the world as If he were an indulgent parent. " I'll tell you what you mav do, if you like. We're only a few minutes from Lord's, and you can go there for two or three hours; as you're an old cricketer yourself—"

" I still play !" said 1. " I've civen up a whole month's cricket to devote Siysclf <n this business !" well " } le continued, tenderly. Go iind watch the cricket—l never was a cricketer—for a while, and it will soothe . vo »- Cut be sure to he back here by 6.30—-1 may want you. It's really very good of nie to let you go out, because i m particularly anxious that you shouldn't be seen in town by either the strange m an or Webbarn, and lam told that a B''eat many people go to Lord's!" Occasionally there are large crowds at Lord's," I said sarcastically. " But e ven when there are twenty thousand People present, there are some six or seven or eight millions outside —I don't tHnk I in likely to encounter cither Webhain or the other chap." And yet. as I turned in at the members' entrance at Lord's a few minutes later, 10 yerv first man I saw, or. at any rate. Particularly noticed, was the mysterious Granger. He was standing a little way Within the gates talking to another man, and being evidently engrossed in his talk B '"i half turned awav from me, ho did llo t notice me at all as T slipped past ®n my way to the stand, where, 1 knew, ™ could not follow. Rut 1 took (he •opportunity _ o f looking him well over, ® n .d I saw he looked, in very good ettie, and wore a .smart new suit and had ■s equally new arid smart hat cocked ov er his l ight eye. I saw nothing more of him while I rej jnained on the ground, which was until "alf-past six/ 'Jlu'ii I went back to Gray's flat. Mr. ussill was there: had been there, 1 heard. °r an hour or two, and he and Gray were Paying chess. At "half-past seven we *<? Nt down to the restaurant and dined ; ■ ls away another hour. Back in 10 flat I began to hunt for a likely book: ,ra y and Mr. Bussill, I could see, wanted - 0 .j oVf>r the chess board again. I °, u t 'settle down to a book, either, . len I found one; I wanted something to Jl*"- And it was with real jov that at ■' -past-nine o'clock, a knock at Gray's oi prefaced the entrance of Fox. One him showed us that he had "thine of imnortauce to tell.

A FINE STORY BY A FAMOUS NOVELIST.

CHAPTER XVIII. IDENTIFIED. _ Fox's first words brought us all to our liveliest, for simple though they were, there was that in them that immediately suggested all sorts of possibilities. " There's a commissionaire living at that house!" ho siid. Gray faced round on him with the swiftness of a cat jumping at an unexpected mouse. "A commissionaire?" ho exclaimed. "At Number 37!" " A commissionaire—at Number 37, Charlesborough Street," replied Fox. " Tall, elderly, soldierly-looking chap. Came there at 7.45. Let himself in with a latch-key. Didn't come out again until a few minutes before 9. Then he appeared with a jug in " his, hand. Walked across to the Ring of Tells; a minute or two afterwards walked back. Been to fetch his supper beer, of course. A pint jug. From which I argue that he lives alone fliere—bachelor or widower, I should say. If he'd been married he'd liavo had a quart jug." " They'll know him at tho Ring of Bells," remarked Gray. " Yes," said Foe, " but I haven't made any inquiry yot. Plenty of time for that. At present there are other matters." " Well ?" said Gray. " Webbam cani'3 there —to Number 37 —just after the commissionaire had been across to tho Ring of Bells. Tho commissionaire let liini in. I think Webbam was expected, because ho admitted him at once. In about ten minutes Webbam and the man I'd seen with Mrs. Barfoot came out, together. They set off down the street, toward Edgwaro Road. So I slipped out and followed at a proper distance. They turred into a cafe in Edgware Road—Gianibini's. I took a look at them through tho window—easy enough to see in there. They appeared to be ordering supper." "Well?" repeated Gray. " I left them there, and came hero. T should say they're safo to remain there for a good half-hour, anyway. It's only five minutes from here to Giambini's." Gray looked at me; then at Mr. Bussill. I knew what he was thinking. Fox might walk along to Giambini's Restaurant in five minutes, but Mr. Bussill wouldn't. He was active enough, but a bit slow of movement. And it was now dark and Mr. Bussill had mentioned to us that ho had a dislike of the London streets after nightfall. " I want Mr. Bussill to see that man," he said, " but—not to-night, I think. Look here, Fox—you go back and keep an eye on those two. Note where they go, when they leave the restaurant. If they go off anywhere ia the town, follow them. If they return to Charlesborough Street —telephone me; thero is a telephone at the Ring of BelLs. And as your window overlooks Number 37, watch—if they do go back there —to see if Webbam leaves the house alone, and at what time. In tho morning watch for the commissionaire leaving, anci then, if the man goes out follow him. Got it?" Fox nodded !iis clear understanding and vanished, and Gray turned to Mr. Bussill and myself. " There's something between this man and Webbam," ho said. " But what is St ? However, they're safe enough as long as they don't know they're being watched. Now I'm wondering something ?" "What?" I asked, as ho paused. " I'm wondering if Mallaford told Webbam, or if there' was any way in which Webbam could or did find out that he, Mallaford, gave Susan Wheeler a bearer cheque for ten thousand pounds ? Just that!" I pointed to the telephone. "Ask him!" I said. "I don't think he'll be reticent." " No—you get on to him," he replied. " After all, you're a neighbour—he only knows me through you. Tell him you want a word with him in confidence." I knew Mallaford's number, and I rang him up there and then, getting an immediate response. " Mr. Mallaford," I said. " This is Leicester, speak ng from Gray's flat in London. I want a word or two with you in strict confidence." " Yes," he replied. "Go ahead !" "As regards that cheque you gave Susan Wheeler —docs anyone know about it ?" " Mv bankers-—in confidence." " Anyone else?" "My secretary, Webbam— also in confidence." " When did Webbam get to know of it?" " That night. I told him of it." " Webbam is acquainted with your private affairs, then?" "He is acquainted to tho extent I choose! Why?" "Do you think he'd mention this cheque to anybody?" " No—certainly not !" " Does Weblam share your opinion that the cheque may have been endorsed in the letter which Susan Wheeler wrote at'your house and posted at your gate?" " We've discussed that. He thinks, as I do, that it's possible." I paused for a moment—to exchange a word or two '.villi Gray, as a. result of which I tackle :1 Mallaford on another matter. " May I ask a further question, Mr. Mallaford ? Did your secretary know the man who came :c> you for help, and who stayed with you a few days?—yon knowto whom T refer'" " Yes, I know No—he certainly didn't Never seen him before !" " No previous acquaintanceship between them ?" " Certainly not ! Webbam came fo England with me from Australia —he's isn't an Englishman." " Well, Mr. Mallaford—will you help me by giving the other man's name and saying who lie is? It's important." " No—l can't do that ! I told you before that he's nothing whatever to do with this case—couldn't possibly have. His coining to mo about that time was just a coincider.ce. What arc all these questions about?" " I'll try to answer that 10-morroW, Mr. Mallaford. They're not without mean ing. hi the meantime, thank you." I rang off, ::."t wanting him to ask more, and repealed the gist of our exchange of question and answer to Gray. Gray made no remark of any significance; he muttered something about Webbam and the mysterious man and resumed his game of chess with Mr- Bussill. r i hat was again inteirupted after a while by Fox, who rang us up at exactly eleven o'clock.

" Wcbbam ha; just gone away from the house," reporte I Fox- " T followed him and the man hack there from Gianibini s, where they st'ippcd (ill ten-fi ft ecu. I wasn't far behind thern as tliey came along (ho street. They seemed lo be on very friendly 1 3rms, and in very good spi ri<s—laughini; and talking a lot. What shall I do now ' The lights arc all gone out in Number 37 " "Go to lierl !" said Gray. " See you in the morninf." We went to bed ourselves soon after that, for, as G'ay said, there was little good to be got by sitting up and speculating on prob ibililies. But soon after breakfast next norning we went round to the Hing of Be Is and effected a cautious entrance into .hat. convenient hostelry, and to Fox's ro )in on a top storey. Fox, posted at his window, and keeping a steady watch o i the house opposite and below, talked t' us over his shoulder.

" Got a bit ol stuff out of the landlord, last night," he said " Had a drink and jaw with him a iter the house was closed, and when even thing was quiet. Been a policeman himself, the landlord, once upon a lime. Useful information it was I got from him. The commissionaire who lives across there, at Number 37, his name is Carley. Very quiet, sober, respectable chap; ex-soldiei Tenant of the house—a widower with no children, Charwoman goes in once a Say to do the housework. Lived there soms years, Carley has. Never

(COP Till GST.)

frequents this place except to fetch his supper beer every night, and his dinner beer on Sundays."

" Get anything about the other man?" enquired Gray.

"Something! Believed to be Carley's lodger. Came there a few weeks ago. Was what the landlord called a bit down-at-heel and out-at-elbows when he first appeared on the scene. Bucked up all of a sudden and now goes about a regular swell. Never been in here but once, and that was a week or two ago, when he dropped in to the saloon 0110 day to buy a bottle of whisky. Landlord sot him down as an ex-military man of some sort—gentleman, anyway, by his address and manners, says the landlord. Usually goes out of a morning dressed up to the nines, and doesn't return until evening, late—that's what tho landlord gathered from casual observation. 110 doesn't know his name at all.

" Seen anything of either man this morning ?" asked Gray.

" The commissionaire, Carley, yes," replied Fox. "Ho went out at 8.30. Off to his work, of course. Haven't seen tho other man at all, so far." Wo remained in that room of Fox's a little time, chatting over what. Fox had just told us. Suddenly Fox, still at his observation post, muttered a warning. " Look out !" ho said. " Door of 37's opening for tho milkman." We drew to the window, cautiously. Fox had tho lace curtains across it; wo peered through the meshes _ A milkman and his hand cart were outside Number 37. The milkman was at the door with a bottle of milk in one hand a package in the other. Tho door opened slowly, then 1o its full width, and a man appeared in the doorway. 1 knew him at once for tho man who had travelled with me from Waterloo to Box Hill, who had asked his way of mo from Box Hill station to Mallaford Court, whom I had seen in the police court when Ayrton was brought up before, the magistrates, who had stayed with Mallaford at his house. There wasn't a doubt of it! Just now, however, he was not in the fine feathers of which the landlord of tho Ring of Bells had spoken to Fox. 110 was, in fact, halfdressed; that is to say lie wore trousers and shirt, but nothing else and ho gave one tho impression of not having been shaved or washed that morning. He stood there, in full view of tho street, while the milkman, having handed over the bottle and tho package, returned to his cart for a supply of eggs. With the receipt of these, our man closed the door and we saw him no longer. But—we had seen him ! And Mr. Bussill's voice broke tho silence which we had kept while we stared.

" I know that man !" lie said softly. "It is a long time since I set eyes on him, but I knew him at once. At once !—and unmistakably ! "

" Who is ho? " asked Gray sharply. "When 1 knew him," replied Mr. Bussill, speaking with tantalising deliberation, " and at. one time I knew him well and saw him every day of the week for a considerable period, ho called himself—and that no doubt was his name—Crowther. What, he may call himself now, I don't know." " But—who is he ?—what was he when you knew him '! " demanded Gray. "Is lie an ex-military man?" " When I knew him," answered Mr. Bupsill, still deliberate as ever, "he was ono of the medical staff of our general hospital at Holford—my memory is a little weak on the precise point, but I believe he was one of the housesurgeons."

"A Holford ma;i, then!" exclaimed Gray. " No, he was not a Ilolford man—native, that is," said Mr. Bussill. "He came from the south. lie was ori nur staff two or three, perhaps four years—then ho left, and 1 havo never heard anything of him from that day to this. But tiie man wo have just seen is lie! —Crowther." " Dili he know Mallaford—as Mallows —there?" osked Gray. " Very likely. Holford is not, such a big town, you know. Jinllows was a golfer—many of our golfers belonged to the golf club. ' " Your recognition explains a lot," sairl Gray. " But, Mr. Bussill, when did this man leave Holford ? " Mr. Bussill considered this question in silence for a few minutes. " Well," ho replied at last, " as far as I can remember it would be about the time that Mallows disappeared. If I had my books here—l was secretary to the hospital, you know—l could give you the exact date. Yes, lam sure it would be about that time." " For any particular reason ? " asked Gray. " No, not that I remember. He—just resigned, and went." " And that was about, the same time that Mrs. Cars!one, whom we now know as Mrs. Barfoot, disappeared from the town, too. wasn't it?" said Gray. " Would she be likely to know this man in the Holfcrd days?" " Extremely likely," said Mr. Bussill. " Pile was a doctor's wife." Gray turned to Fox and gave him some instructions in an undertone. Then he signed to Mr. Bussill and myself to come awav with him. "I'm going to have (hat out. with Mallaford!'' ho murmured as wo went down the stairs. " Come back to my flat and I'll ring him up. I shall teil him straight out that I've discovered that the man he helped was Crowther, once of Holford, and that I want and must have further information about him. If Mallaford will once admit that the man is Crowther—well, I shall know what to do ncxl." We hurried back to the flat. And the first thing we heard on opening the outer door was the telephone bell ringing. Gray ran fo the receiver. " That'll be Fox with some fresh news ! " he said. But the. next instant I saw his face change. He stared round at me. " Good God ! " he exclaimed in a whisper. "It 's Malta ford! And . . CfIAFTER XIX. A NKIV DEVELOPMENT. T saw at once, from the expression on Gray's face, that something had happened, and something, too, of a startling sort. For tho next minuto or so, Mr. Bussill and I stood watching and listening. We could hear Mallaford speaking, rapidly and excitedly; we heard Gray's exclamations of surprise, wonder. Suddenly, after a final reply of "Yes, at once!" lie rang off and turned to us. " There': a new development! " he said. " Webbam's been found dead—in Hyde Park ! I suppose Mr. Bussill and T started—l felt myself jump, anyway. But for the moment neither of us spoke. " He waa found lying in Hyde Park at daybreak this morning," continued Gray. " They found letters on him with his name and address —Mallaford Court. So of course they communicated with Mallaford. Ann Mallaford says he's just had a further message from Scotland Yard to say that tho doctors say he was poisoned ! ' Still we said nothing. But my mind went back to Fox's account of the night before, and of his seeing Crowther and Wcbbam supping at Gaimbini's restaurant. " Webbam, Mallaford says, was not the sort of man to commit suicide," Gray went on. "He says this must be murder. Well—we know in whose company Webbam spent his last evening!"

" 1 was thinking of that," said I. " Well—what's to be done? " " Mallaford was just setting off in his car for Scotland Yard," replied Gray. " He'll be there in half-an-hour. We're to go down there and meet him. If we're (liM-e first wo're to ask for Inspector Rolherham, and to tell him that, Mallaford has asked us to go there and why. Come on!—let's get a taxi." (To be continued on Saturday next.)