THE INNOCENT IMPOSTOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE INNOCENT IMPOSTOR

(COPYRIGHT)

CHAPTER XHl—(Continued) Philip' Wendell went out and along the corridor. "He's playing poker with the bell-hop and the lift-man; he'll skin the pair of 'em," he said. "I was at a university; I won't tell you which one. I got in with a rackety crew. We thought it real smart to go to speakeasies; I met Leverson at one. He flattered me, praised my drivihg. I was by way of being a racing driver and had a nifty sports car. He asked me to tako him out one night. He asked me to wait outside a house while he went in to sea a friend of his, and like a sap I did as he asked. He came out with a leather bag, which he kept on his knees. We started off when there was some yelling from the houße we had just left. I was going to stop when I found a gun istucK in the small of my back. "Get outa here; tread on it! he said. The boy twisted his hands together. "Not only had he robbed an old woman, but ho had killed her. God! do you realise what that means? The police caino after us, but we managed to gee away. Some pals of Leverson's hid us and we left the car in a ditch. Leverson told me that/ I was wanted by the police;/he offered to help me to Europe. I was frantic —I didn't know what to do, so 1 canie." "Poor boy!" Cora said. "Why didn t you go to the police and tell them the truth?" "1 should havo done that, but I wns so scared that I didn't stop to think, nnd now it is too late. If I went back now they'd say I ran because I had good reason to do so." "I don't think so; not if you he pec show the Leverson gang up and helped bring them to justice," Cora said_. In any caso you can't go on like thiß for ever!" "No," tho boy straightened his shoulders. "But you—why don t you clear out?" "Because I'm going to help Myrtle Sinipson. They've got her a prisoner. I feel' partly responsible that thoy managed to hide her away so easily, and 1 shan't rest till she's free." Ho looked at 'ier with admiring eyes. "But you're running a frightful risk. If they thought you were double-cross-ing the hi they'd shoot you without a moment's hesitation." She went wl ite but she remained firm. "I l, ;l ve thought of that," sho said quietly. "B it so long as they don't know 1 suspect anything, I, am safe." "There's another danger," he hesitated. "I believe that Leverson is in Jove with vou." "Oh! 'no—not that!" she said quickly. "I know tho man well. As a rule he doesn't take much notice of women —oh ! . lie sometimes used to go round tin: Now York joints with some flashy girls:, but that was only for an evening's amnsemonv 1 tell you he wouldn t have laki-ii that dressing-down you gavo him the other light from any man in the world, let alone a woman." "I am not II ittered by his regard." "No, but it adds another danger. He won-'t let ynu go easily." "Once Myrtic Sinipson is free I shall rot wait anothor moment. I've friends helping me. . Sho hesitated; she had told him so much, she might as well tell him everything. "They are Lord Fairhaven," she explained, "and a man called John Harcourt, who has a suite of rooms immediately underneath these." "Oh! good—and what about tho police? I understand English police are pretty smart and not to be bribed." She smiled. '' No, I think Leverson *ould .find it difficult to bribe Scot-

By D. B. UPSON . . „ Author of "The Sacred Flame," -The Return of Marcu. Wrayne, eta

AMAZING STORY OF INTRIGUE, LOVE AND ADVENTURE

land Yard. We decided we wouldn't call them in until we can find out where she is. It is better that they suspect absolutely nothing. If once Leverson thought I knew the truth —" " The moment he does that you're not safe; you do realise that, don't you?" he asked earnestly. " Yes, but you don't know what a relief it is to me to find that you are on my side," she smiled._ Not only must we rescue Myrtle Simpson, but we must rescue you, reinstate you. What about your relations?" " I haven't written to them or heard from them for nine months," he said, soberly. " Sometimes I have thought that 1 would finish things off —that it was the easiest way out." " No, you musn't do that—especially now!" she said, earnestly. " I have friends who will help you—l am sure John Harcourt will and Lord Fairhaven —Fairhaven is in love with the real Myrtle Simpson." " And John Harcourt is in love with you?" he asked, and he looked at her eagerly. • " Yes," she said frankly. " And I'm left out in the cold!" His tone was so lugubrious that she laughed aloud. . , " But not for long. Once you have been set on your feet again . . Ancl now, I think you had better go. Oh! one thing more —Sophie is on our side. "Sophie!" he said in tones of surprise; then he looked alarmed. ' Are you sure? Leverson paid her a heavy bribe, I know that." " I am absolutely sure. Sho realised that it was no use her making a fuss, that she would be powerless against the gang, so she was wise enough to keep quiet." " But she doesn't like you—at least, that is what I jndgo from what she said to Miss Webb yesterday. I hate repeating gossip " —he flushed boyishlv —"but she said that you were more trouble and gave yourself more air.4 than ever the real Myrtle Simpson did." Cora smiled. " We're a crafty couple, Sophie and I. If we appeared to be friendlv we should be separated. Soon wc are going to have a quarrel. You wait and see!" . " Geo! —you're cuto!" he said. I wouldn't have thought it of you !" " Rather a back-handed compliment, but I know what you mean. T realised from the very first moment that Leverson was a clever man, that he had always lived by liis wits, and that if I wanted to beat him. I should have all my work cut out."

" But you'll do it!—l believe you'll do it." " I'll give you Lord Fau haven's address. Don't write it down; memorise it and the telephone number. John Harcourt is in Suite 51. If by any chanco you should find out where the real Myrtle is, go straight to Fairhaven or Harcourt; they will helQ you." They parted the best of friends. For the first time since she had known him Philip Wendell looked happy and hopeful, and Cora began to hope, too. She told Sophie of the new development that night when she was being undressed. At first the Frenchwomen was dubious and alarmed, but Cora persuaded her that Wendell was genuine. " But it is marvellous if it is true — don't vou understand, mademoiselle, Philip NVendell has a gun?—we begin to collect armaments!" she laughed merrily. "And your chauffeur —how are things going with him?" The Frenchwomen cast down her eyes in mock modesty. " Very slowly, 1 am afraid —but I shall win in the end." " Cruel Sophie! You'll flirt with him and then leave him in the lurch!" Cora teased her, but Sophie took it seriously. "He is a bad man! He is in with the gang and he has a wife in America, I know that. Miss Webb told me!" " She would," Cora said. " Well, I shall sleep bettor to-night than I have ever done before. Sophie, it is about time wo had a quarrel. What shall we quarrel about?" Seriously they discussed the matter. " 1 know, vou ask for an afternoon off and I'll object—Miss Webb must be present." • . " 1 want to have a little time off, to go to the pictures with Sam," Sophie said. " I will ask to-morrow morning, and you say ' No.' Oh, it will be great fun!" . i • Early next morning they staged their scene. Miss Webb was standing by Cora's bedside, the morning letters in her hand, when Sophie asked humbly if she might have the afternoon off. " No. T don't thirik it will be convenient," Cora said carelessly as if sho had not given the matter any attention at all. The Frenchwoman appeared to be annoyed by her casual manner. Sho bristled. " I have not had ze minute off since 1 come to zis 'orriu foggy London. [ want to go to ze pictures and forget •ms fog!" she cried indignantly. "There is no fog to-day, it's a very bright morning, isn't it, Miss Webb? ' Cora asked. " Well, rather dull." Miss Webb was dying to make trouble, but she was too sly to be-obvious. " But I think it may clear up later." " All ze more reason why 1 should no out in ze sun!" Sophie tossed her head. " I will walk in ze 'Yde Park!" "Now you're being foolish," Cora said. " First you say you want to go to the pictures to forget London; then you want to go to Hyde Park, tho centre of F.ondon life."

" You do not pay my wages! I shall ask Mr. Leverson! He eez ze gentleman; 'e will let me go!" I. "Miss Webb, would you deal with | this matter?" Cora said. She turned over in her bed, ignoring the furious Sophie. " Teli Mr. Leverson that I see no reason why sho should have this afternoon off." Miss Webb hurried out and the two of them went into fits of silent mirth. "How sho lapped it all up!" Cora said in French. Sho loved it. You'd better go into the dressing-room. Stump up s.ncl down busily as if iou are in a temper." In five minutes Miss Webb came back. She looked humble, but there was a glint of triumph in her eye. " Mr. Leverson says that he thinks it is only right Sophie should have some time off, but that you had better arrange what time is most convenient to you." Cora pretended to be in a rare temper. She rose and hurried into her bath-room, and Miss Webb and Sophie made remarks about her airs and graces behind her back. " You'd better go out this afternoon," she said at last. " But try and make up your mind first whether it's to bo Hyde Park or the pictures before you start." That morning when Wary spoke to her she said that Marcus B. Courtney's secretary had telephoned and wished to get in touch with Miss Clifford at once. " He asked if you woutd telephone him this morning,, miss. Ask for Mr. Fothergill, that's his name." Cora went straight to Frank Leverson. " There would be no harm in my telephoning the man," she said. " 1 cannot afford to lose this opportunity." " Are you keen set on this stage business?" lie asked. " It is my job in life," she answered shortly. Sho pretended to be in a bad mood that day over the Sophie affair. He did his best to placate her. " Sure you can telephone him," he said, " but let him understand that you are not freo for some time yet." " That's all right. They're not starting rehearsals for another month. He said so the other night," she answered. She felt as nervous as any schoolgirl interviewing her first employer as she put the call through. I«othergill answered her. "Ohl Miss Cli(lord. I'm f;lad we've got in touch with you at ast. You're most elusive. I've been trying to get hold of you for the past three days." "I've been motoring and I couldn't give my maid my address. I didn't know where 1 should be, quite," sho answered. "You're just in time. Vincent Vine wants to hear the parts read over tomorrow at the theatre. Could you manage to come along at about 12 o'clock? I'm afraid it's rather important as Mr. Courtney is going away tin.' day after for a short holiday and he wants things put in hand before ho goes." "Will you hold on a minute? I'll ask my friends if they can bear to part with mo and if 1 can manage to get there in time," she said. She put down the receiver and hurried into the office. Miss Webb was seated by the little telephone exchange. " I suppose she's been taking it all down," Cora said to herself. "Mr. Leverson, I have got through to Courtney's secretary, ami he says that it is most important that 1 should go to tlio theatre to-morrow, and read over the part." "Impossiblel" ho said sharply. "It is not impossible," Cora contradicted him. "i can get rid of my maid for tho day, go to my flat, change my clothes and make up, go to the theatre, and then make tho transformation again in the evening." "It's too risky! You might be seen coming and going." "The lift is automatic; no one is about in the morning, and in the evening most of them don't get home until about six or seven, I should finish at tho theatre early in tho afternoon. 1 ask this as a favour of you," sho "said coaxingly. She loathed the man, but sho felt that she must get this concession out of him. (To bo continued dally)