WATCHING EYES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 17

WATCHING EYES

By T. C. BRIDGES Author of "Messenger's Million," "The Price of Liberty," "The Other Man's Crime," . . Etc., Etc.

(COPY RIGHT)

ABSORBING NARRATIVE OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE

CHAPTER Xlll.—(Continued) Jim whistled softly. " I hadn't thought of that. But surely the .stuff is mine as it was found on my place." Harvey shook his head. " That's nob tho law, Jim. Unless you can definitely prove that it was family property it's treasure trove. And even if you could prove it to be Torson property, you would liavo to pay duty 011 it." Jim frowned. " Then what do you advise, Harvey?" " That you boot this fellow out with a warning that next timo ho shows up he'll get a bullet through him." " I suppose you're right. Yes, you certainly aro right." Ho swung on tho thief.

" What's your name?" " Simpson, mister." " How did you come to know anything about this plato?" " I been arter it myself this long timo," replied the other. " My great uncle was a smuggler hisself, ho told mo as thero was treasure hid in a cavo in this hero rock, and I been hero a score o' times by night a-looking for it. To-day I seed you a-searching from top tho cliff opposite, and watched jou a-bringing it out. Drove me fair mad, it did, and that's why I tried ter take it."

" Hor's lying, master," said Chowne suddenly, and was rewarded by a venomous glance from Simpson. Jim shrugged. " Quito likely, Cliowno. Still, you heard what Mr. Lunt said. Tako the fellow 0 across to tho far sido in tho dinghy and turn him loose." Ho turned to Simpson. " You've seen mo shoot," he said, and saw tho man" scowl and shiver. " Next timo I shan't bo so merciful. Now get out."

CHAPTER XIV. THE FOLDED ROCK " Chowne," said Jim. " I've been in tho cavo again. And down the passage." " Then you'm foolish, master," retorted Chowne. " No, I was very careful, but I wanted to have a good look. I'm pretty well convinced that there's another cavo beyond, and that it's tho sea-cavo which is under our cellar.'" " You reckoning to find more of them old plates there?" Chowno asked. " That's quite possible, but it's tho bonds I'm after. I want you to tell mo where I can find a man who understands mining and can be trusted to keep his mouth shut." " You won't find nono better'n this un as stands afore 'tie, Master Jim." " You mean you'd help me? I thought you were afraid of the roof?" " So 1 be, but us can timber un. Thep her'll bo safe." " And you'll help me?" " Surely I'll help 'eo. You couldn't trust they Cornish jacks to keep their mouths close." " Good man!" said Jim smiling. " Then let's get to it." " Wait a bit, sir," said Chowne. " That there fall'll take a mort of work afore we gets through. Don't 'eo reckon there's some easier way in?" "From tho sea, you mean?" " Surely. For if tho chap as stole them papers did hide 'cm in the cave, her didn't go in through that there fall." " You're right," said Jim thoughtfully. " We'll have a look along the seaside of the Crag before wo try tho digging." " You'll need, to wait for low tido and a still day," Cbow.no told him. " There be too much sea to-day to take a dinghy round thcro." Jim frowned. He hated delay. " Post be in," Chowne remarked. " There be a letter for you from Dr. Brandon." " The deuce there is! Why didn't you say so before?" Chowne smiled as his master bolted for the hall. " Her'll bo looking for news of tho young lady," ho remarked to himself as ho retired to tho kitchen. Brandon wrote as follows:

Dear Jim,—Cynthia and Noel are with us. Cynthia told me lust week that, even in the homo at llfracombe she couldn't keep Noel from ITarmer and his crowd. So I suggested they'd better come and slay with us. Hero at any rate that overfed beast won't dare to show his noae. You'll like to boo Cynthia again. Come over to-morrow (Wednesday) and lunch. Olive and I will be glad to see you. Yours ever. Bill. P.S. Jolly glad to hear of your find. I fancy the cash will come in handy. But I wish to heaven you could get on tho trail of those bonds.

Jim's first feeling was one of sheer delight at the idea of seeing Cynthia again, his next, 0110 of anger that Harmer should continue to pester her. "Pity I didn't break his infernal neck when 1 had tho chance," he said angrily. " If I ever get my hands on him again he won't get off so easily." He glanced at tho clock. It was past ten, for tho post came lato to Crag Head. He rang for Chowne and told him to put the horse in. Fourteen miles over hilly roads would take tho better part of two hours.

Chowno did not mind. Ho wa3 always game for a day out, and Mrs. Chowno could bo trusted to take excellent carcof thehouse. Sho had her dog, an elderly Airedalo called Skilly, to keep her company. Brandon met Jim at the door and took him into his own den for a glass of sherry. Cynthia and his wife, he told him, had walked to the village, but would bo back for lunch. Noel was not down yet. " Still as bad as ever?" asked Jim, and Brandon's face darkened.

" Worse. He's tho most pestilent young cub." How Cynthia stands it beats me." 'And you, Bill?"

" It's my business. Besides, he's afraid of me. He can't have even an aspirin unless I preseribo it." " It's good of you, Bill. But it can't go on for over."

I hat s true. And what the outcome will bo heaven only knows." Ho paused. ' You'ro iond of Cynthia, Jim?"

"I love her," said Jim quietly. Brandon looked at his friend. " If you could only lind those bonds, Jim 1"

"If i could, 1 should ask her to marry me." Brandon nodded. " And [ think she'd have you, Jim. But there would always bo Noel."

" I know, but I shouldn't shirk that, Bill. And in a place like Crag Head he couldn't come to much harm." " No," said Brandon thoughtfully, then before he.could say any more the door opened and Noel himself camo in. Jin) thought he looked better than when he bad last seen him at Little Doward, but his face was still deadwhite, and he was frowning. " I've had a filthy night, Brandon," he complained. " Couldn't si,fop a wink. You must give mo something." " AH right," replied Brandon, coolly. " You'll get your dose before lunch. But you know Silver, don't you?"

" Ah, how d'ye do?" snid Noel carelessly, but ho did not offer to shako hands, and Jim could plainly see that tho boy regarded him with dislike. An awkward pause was broken by voices in tho hall as Mrs Brandon and Cynthia came in. Cynthia welcomed Jim with a bright smile. " I've been hearing of your adventure," she said. "Treasure in a cavol It's perfectly thrilling. I must see that eavo, Mr. Silver."

" Why don't you call him Jim, Cynthia?" suggested Mrs. Brandon. " Surely you know him well enough for that. Bill and I have almost forgotten lie has any other name." " Please do," said Jim, and Cynthia laughed. "At Brandon's, do as the Brandons do, is that the idea? All right—Jim." Noel scowled, but no otio paid any attention, and lunch was a very cheery meal.

Afterwards Brandon had to go off on liis rounds and took Noel with him; Mrs. Brandon vowed that she had chrysanthemums to tie up and Jim and Cynthia wero left together. Cynthia lay in a long chair on the verandah and Jim sat opposito and watched her and thought how utterly adorable she looked. And sometimes they talked and sometimes they sat still. And when two people can sit in silence and yet bo happy and content they have come to know one another very well. The wheels of a car crunched on the gravel. " Bill back," said Jim, but Cynthia looked out through the meshes of the clematis which wreathed tho verandah. " No," sho answered, " it's your cousin."

Jim sat up. " Harvey? What's he doing here?" " Calling," replied Cynthia demurely. " But how did ho know you wero here ?"

" I expect I told him. I saw quite a lot of him in llfracombe." Jim bit his lip but caught tho twinkle in her eyes, and instead of getting cross, laughed. And just then Harvey arrived at tho door. If Harve.y was surprised to see Jim, ho did not. show it. He was most friendly. Yet, Jim, watching him, saw that Harvey was immensely attracted by Cynthia. Cynthia, for her part, sho,wed no favour and talked to Harvey as much as she did to Jim.

One thing Jim noticed. Noel, when he came in, shook hands cordially with Harvey, ahd Jim realised that Harvey had been clever enough to get on the right side of the spoilt young cub. To Jim, Noel was as nearly rude as ho dared. Not quite rude, for ho was a little afraid of Jim's lean length, and he vividly remembered how Jim had smashed down and beaten the hugelypowerful Harrner. They all had tea together in the garden and about six Harvey got up to take his leave.

" Lot me lift you back, Jim," he said. " Do. I want to yarn with you. Chowne can bring your trap." Ho was so evidently in earnest that Jim accepted, and presently they drove away together. Harvey's powerful two-seater made light of the hills but for the first half of tho journey he drove in silence. " Well." said Jim at last. " What's the big news?" Harvey dropped to second on a steep rise.

" That's the question I was going to ask you. Have you heard anything of those bonds?"

" Nothing," Jim answered. " If it's not a rude question, how much did you get for the silver?" " Eight hundred and fifty pounds." " About enough to pay tho duties on the place, eh?"

" Just about." " And afterward?" said Harvey. " What aro you driving at?" Jim asked bluntly. Obvious, isn't it? I want you to come in with me. No, listen before you refuse. I'm not going to ask you to come out with me in the Grey Ghost, or even to distribute the stuff to my customers ashore. All I want is the uso of your boathouse and your cellar to land and storo my stuff. I'll pay you three hundred pounds a year for that privilege, and you needn't lift a finger. Even if I'm caught and run in there's no reason why you should be incriminated. A blind eye and a deaf ear are all I ask." Jim hesitated, but only for a moment. " Sorry, Harvey, but I can't do it." " Why not?" " Because it wouldn't be playing the game. I can't say I've any special scruples against letting down a rapacious government, but Cousin James left tho place away from you simply because ho objected to your method of making money. Though ho didn't say it in so many words, it's quite evident he trusted mo to keep clear of smuggling. I havo to keep faith with tho old man." Harvey bit his lip. " I suppose I havo to respect your scruples, though I should not have them, myself. There's an alternative. Sell mo tho whole place, lock, stock, and barrel. You won't find me niggardly about the price." This time Jim did not hesitate at all. " No, Harvey. I'd rather live here alone like a hermit than lose it. 1 J Again Harvey shrugged. " You're an/ obstinate beggar," he said with rather a bitter laugh. " I only hope you won't live to regret your decision." He hardly spoke again until he had landed Jim at his own door, and ho refused to stay for supper. That ni.ght Jim did not sleep well. Ho began to wonder if ho had been wise in turning down Harvey. Threo hundred pounds a year and practically no risk. With that money ho might start breeding polo ponies or a trout hatchery. He had the necessary land and water. His thoughts ran in circles which ended up with Cynthia. Ho was now suro that sho liked him, but to Jim's simple, direct mind it was impossible to ask any girl to marry him unless he could afford to keep her. (To be continued daily.)