MR. CORONER PRESIDES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21325, 28 October 1932, Page 18

MR. CORONER PRESIDES

A Novel by SELDON TRUSS

CHAPTER XVll—(Continued) For answer the other unbuttoned his shabby jacket and pulled it off one shoulder. The shirt underneath was tattered, and wrenching at the cheap cotton fabric the stranger tore it still further, baring the upper arm. Seared into tho flesh was the sign of the Tim. "Does that satisfy you? " Jabez Ripley nodded and thrust the knife into his pocket. "It does, brother." Then lie glanced regretfully at Tony, who had lain a silent onlooker. " Wouldn't take very long to finish this job. It'd do mo good, it would, to lend you a 'and with 'im, brother." The other shook his head impatiently. "You have wasted too much time already," he answered. " This job doesn't need two men on it. Get out! Reluctantly, Jabez Ripley shuffled through the doorway, and, after a pause, the new deputy closed the door, relocking it. Then, without a word, and to Tony's astonishment, he began to unfasten, tho young man's bonds. Tony started to speak, but was instantly checked. "Don't talk!" the other commanded in a whisper. '' Can you stand up ? That s better! Now help me to shift these sacks —into the well." Tony frowned in bewilderment and rubbed his stiffened limbs. Any effort of brain or body was as yet unco-ordinated and excrutiatingly painful. Only dimly lie apprehended that this curious companion of iiis was a friend,, and even that fact seemed loaded with doubt. Nothing good ever came out of the-Tau, Inspector Shane had once said — The stranger was lugging one of the cement sacks by its choke along the brick floor, limping awkwardly at tho task. Almost automatically Tony bent to assist him The remaining four sacks followed the first into the well and the water bubbled cloudily. " I certainly feel better with those out of sight," Tony muttered. " What next ? But the lame man was standing rigid, finger upraised. From overhead the unsteady shuffling of someone s footsteps sounded, and presently another P alr °j boots, not unsteady but purposeful and strident hammered along the boards. A hoarse voice was shouting excitedly. "Quick!" the lame man seized Jony s arm and impelled him forward. " I had hoped—if there had been time by God, it means a fight now!" He started to bobble towards the cellar door and the younger man, alive enough now to his position, only hesitated to snatch up a piece of iron piping from the litter about them before he followed. Re gardless of tho clatter they made they tore up the stone steps and had blundered into the bar parlour of the Inn before another shout from the back premises told that, the enemy was on their heels. Tony heaved up the flap of the counter and flung himself on the door leading to the open air. Five priceless seconds were wasted fumbling with bolts and lock and those were five seconds too many. He caught a cry of warning from his companion and ducked as a beer bottle crashed against the woodwork above his head. The next moments were pandemonium. The lame man sent his fist crashing into Old Boozer's countenance, as that drinksodden ruffian attempted to force his way through the counterflap. Jabez Ripley retaliated with yells of fury and a fusillade of beer bottles, one. of which struck the lame man on the side of the head, sending him staggering dazedly. Tony rushed forward as Old Boozer started to crawl under the counter and kicked with all his might. The too of a heavy brogue, shoe caught Old Boozer in the face and a hideous howl went up. Two bottles crashed down in rapid succession on the counter, and between dodging these missiles Tony slashed savagely at Ripley's livid features with the piece of iron pipe, only to be beaten back again and again by the beer bottles of whicn ammunition there appeared to be an inexhaustible supply behind the counter. He saw that the lame man was fumbling at the door and by the mercy of Providence had at last got it open. With a parting effort Tony hurled his weapon at Ripley's head missed it and swung round towards the door, —only to be brought crashing to the ground by Old Boozer's artful grip of his ankles from under the counter. The next moment both assailants were on top of him. He had a, sickening sensation of horror as Ripley's face, distorted with mad rage, hovered a few inches above his. In Ripley's hand a broken bottle, its jagged edges, glistening with drops of beer was poised to strike. Old Boozer's weight was sprawling across his legs and the young man was as helpless as a pig about to be stuck for slaughter. Suddenly, Ripley utered a peculiar grunt and rolled over sideways, the blood streaming down his cheek, Above them, iron pipe in hand, stood the lame man. breathing heavily. Ripley lay still —too still ever to move again. "My Gawd!" gasped Old Boozer, staggering to his knees and pointing with trembling finger. " You've killed 'im — you—" The lame man raised his weapon again. " I'll kill you too, if you get in my way acain," he said. Then he dropped the iron p'pe to the floor and shook Tony. " Come on. man. for God's sake—" I'hey broke through the door and the cold night air stung them to their senses. Without further word they started to run down the lane. But presently Tony's companion dropped speed and halted, gasping. . " This accursed foot —you go on ! "Not I! 'Tony retorted. "We go—or stay, together." "No! You. young fool! Don't you understand!" llie other gripped Tony's elbow and shook him in his urgency. "There's no time to lose. If they catch us—" " They won't catch us. Ripley's finished and—" The lame man sank to the grass border, groaning between set teeth. It was plain that he was in no fit state to proceed. Tony stood listening and fancied he heard the scuffle of feet in tho distance. It seemed incredible that there could bo other pursuers now. But presently tho sounds magnified into hard reality. The lame man had heard them and started painfully to his feet again. " That's the Tau!" he exclaimed. " The Tau!" " Impossible —" "It isn't impossible! They have their own system of communications and it works damnably wel]. I tell you that every member within five miles is converging on us now. Unless you go—at once, it is all up with us." " This means another scrap, presumably," Tony answered woodenly. "It means extinction for us—and worse for—Celia." "Celia!" Tony swung round and stared. " If the Tau catch us it will be Celia who suffers, Can you understand that ?" " Fou mean that Be'ntley—that we're the'only people who can put a spoke in his wheel; Good God, yes! Hut I owe you my life, whoever you are—" Tony gazed round anxiously for cover. The hedgerow offered a poor enough chance, and in the distance a group of labourer's cottages seemed little better harbourage. Tho Tau would be able to deal with them. ... Ho heard the footsteps again —a. steady rhythmic beat upon the road —it sounded like an advancing army. "For God's sake, go on!" The younger man clenched his fists. " And leave you—to the —" " I'll take cover through tlio hedge there's a chance. If I escape I will follow you. Go to Scotland Yard,—not the local police. Remember that. Good-bye 'and good luck." " Wait! Tell me your name—" "My name! I have no name—only a number! " The lame man laughed bitterly land started to force his way through the (hedge. In an instant he had vanished into ithe gloom. Without further hesitation, 'Tony turned and ran toward the main •road.

A FINE STORY BY A BRILLIANT AUTHOR.

(COPYRIGHT)

CHAPTER XVIII THE UNLEASHING OF THE TAU He ran with the steady, inflexible resolve of an athlete, like a Marathon runner of old-time Greece. He ran without panic, keeping the issue of Celia's future well-being in the forefront of his mind. That was the goal—Celia! Not for himself, for God knew he had little enough hope there, and even jealousy of Evan Bentley played 110 part now in his motives. All that stood manifest in this confusion of intrigue was Celia's danger if Evan Bentley got his way with her. The thudding of footsteps in the lane behind had decreased their distance and also apparently their number. It seemed likely enough that some of these unpleasant pursuers had broken across country, either in an endeavour to head him off or perhaps, to discover that member of their brotherhood to whom Tony owed his life. The young man gritted his teeth anxiously at the thought. The Tau would not deal gently with a delinquent member His own shoes were rubber-soled and made no sound upon the hard road. In that,, he had an inestimable advantage. But presently, a belated moon rose above a low bank of horizon cloud, and threw its suffusing radiance across the countryside. Tony had reached the main road now, and was aware that he must be dangerously conspicuous. In another moment, a faint shout told him that he had been seen. Sharply he plunged across the road and crashed through the flanking hedge. Another shout warned him that this manoeuvre had also been observed. It was a test now, for sheer endurance. He tore along the wide grass expanse towards a belt of sheltering oaks, changed his direction diagonally to gain advantage of a dip in ground, and had raced a terrific, exhausting halfmile before he realised that he was once again in the grounds of Mallingridge place, with the black shadow of the house itself looming before his eyes. For a second he halted, cowering down against the hole of a gigantic lem, his lungs pounding like steam hammers, whilst his brain strove to function. Should he make for the house, with the faint possibility of finding Sergeant Henry still on duty there, or continue the seemingly hopeless flight toward the village? There was no reason to suppose the presence of Sergeant Henry, or anyone else within that dark mass of gables, and then it would be a death trap But lie might telephone—what, was the use of telephoning' The Tau would get him long before help arrived— Tony straightened up, forcing his collapsed limbs into renewed action and ran towards the house. He tried the heavy oaken door, and found it locked. He beat a milted tattoo upon the panels and received no response. Stifling the despair that threatened his heart, lie turned and started to run down the drive to the main gates. And once again he heard the thudding of footsteps on his tracks. At the corner by the hedge he was all in. It was then that the miracle he gasped for happened. A belated car sent its headlamp rays shimmering along the road outside. Staggering full into the blinding brilliance, Tony held up his arms and veiled. The car wheels locked and skidded on the dry road surface, ind before it had come to a standstill the fugitive whipped open the door and blundered in. ".Here, I say—ejaculated a startled voice within. " What the—" "Go on—go on—for God's sake!" Tony gasped. The dashboard lamp flashed on. The solitary occupant of the car. a young man 111 evening dress, stared at Tony blankly. " This is all very well—" he began, " but who the deuce—" A chorus of hoarse shouts sounder! from the entrance to Mallingridge Place, and half a dozen dark figures rushed out on to the road. At the sight, of these menacing shapes the young man hesitated no longer. The car shot forward like a bullet. "My God!" ejaculated the driver in horrified amazement. Tonv wiped his streaming face. He was incapable of speech for the moment. " A good job you got going in time," lie breathed presently. " They'd have finished me—and you too. Keep her moving, please!" With alacrity the youth trod deeper on his accelerator pedal. "Crooks, eh!" lie exclaimed fearfully. " Crook.?. quite definitely," Tony answered. He saw no point in further enlightenment than that. " Are you going to London, because if you are, you'll have the pleasure of my company." The youth shook his head. " I'm not. I live at The Grange." " The Grange ?" " My name's Monkswell," explained the youth. " Been dining out." Tony nodded. He wa.s aware that Sir Everaid Monkswell possessed a son and heir, and grinned at the vision of that apoplectic baronet's features on learning of this night's incident. More and more the country was going to the dogs—Tony still saw no good reason for informing this somewhat vapid youth of his own iden-tit-y. " You might drop me in the village High Street," he said. " By.the police station, eh?" " The police station will do," Tony agreed. Not that he proposed to waken the sergeant at Mallingridge police station. That would be like setting a fat bull-dog on to a pack of wolves. The car slowed and halted in the deserted street. Tony clambered out stiffly. " Good-night—and many thanks." "You won't want me?" queried the youth doubtfully, " As a witness, I mean, because if not, I'd as soon be getting back —" he glanced along the road behind liim a little anxiously. Tony smiled and shook his head. The car promptly started forward again, leaving him the solitary human being in that silent thoroughfare.

(To be continue*! daily)