THE GAY ADVENTURERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22580, 19 November 1936, Page 18

THE GAY ADVENTURERS

(COPYRIGHT)

By CAPTAIN E. C. COX Author of "Achievements of Carruther#." etc.

A ROLLICKING STORY OF A PAIR OF LOVABLE SCAPEGRACES

Nt Fletcher. "You sco tho game's up.' The two men wore alone. The servant had thought it wiso to disappear. Fletcher sat down. "There are two alternatives before i you," continued Bingo. "You can • either sign an undertaking that you will leave tho country this very day, and never return to it, in which case 1 shall at once restore these playthings to their lawful owner, or you can sit ' where you arc while I telephone tho i police. Well, which alternative do you prefer?" "i was going to clear out anyhow. 1 am broke, ruined. This was my last throw. Curses on everything. I'll sign your paper." "L thought you would. Where is a suitcase or something?" Fletcher pointed to an attache case on a chair. Bingo, without lowering his automatic, picked up the attache case. It was closed. He could not open it with one hand. "Open it," he said, handing it to Fletcher. Fletcher did so. Bingo transferred all the jewellery into the case, and closed it with a snap. "Now the paper," he said. Fletcher took pen and ink, wrote a couple of lines, and signed it. Bingo read it. "I hearby engage to leave this country to-day and never to return. Thomas Fletcher." "That'll do," said Bingo as he placed the document in his pocket. "Have you any money?" "Not a stiver." Bingo took some notes from his pocket. "Here's twenty pounds. That'll help you to go your own particular way. You adder, to sting your best friend." Without a word of thanks, Fletcher pocketed the notes. "What a foul swine!" Bingo said to himself as he opened tho front door and let himself out. Tho car was there, and lie was soon back at Aldington house; Jenkins opened the door for him. An excited group of men were standing in the great entrance hall. There was Lord Aldington, the bridge players, and several police officers. All stared at Bingo as he entered. He walked straight to Lord Aldington. "I've got everything back. Tho first thing is to get rid of the police. Tell | them it's all a mistake, and you've no need of their services. I'll explain later. ! We don't want any scandal or publicity," he added in a whisper. Lord Aldington was a man who never wasted words. He pressed Bingo's hand and courteously informed the police that after all there was no need to trouble them. They thanked him, and went out. Bingo then opened the attache case and carefully arranged all the glittering ornaments on a table, while the men looked on in speechless amazement "Now send for Lady Aldington," he said. Lord Aldington went himself on the glad errand. "Come down at once, there's good news for you," he said, but he would not tell her what it was. She flew down the stairs, Sally with her, and gave a cry of delight as she saw her sparkling treasures. "Oh, how lovely, how joyful!" she exclaimed. "Where have they come from? Who found them? And who was it took them?" Lord Aldington pointed to Bingo. "Here is tho hero of the occasion, but where he got them from, no one knows but himself." "Oh, Lord Wavenden, you are an angel! You've saved my life, and now you have saved my darling trinkets. How can I thank you? I haven't words." And she siezed both his hands and shook them with the warmest affection. "But do tell us all about it; I'm dying to know." Bingo looked round the room. "I'm afraid I must try your patience a little longer, Lady Aldington. There is a state secret in reserve for you." "You are indeed mysterious," she laughed. "But 1 am in your hands." The bridge players grasped the situation. and paid their adieux, heartily congratulating their hostess on her good fortune. "Now 1 can enlighten you," said Bingo, "but 1 warn you that you will have an unpleasant surprise." He took Fletcher's paper from his pocket and handed it to Lord Aldington, who read it out. "Good heavens!" cried Lady Aldington, "you mean that he ?" "I do, unfortunately." And he related how he had seen the shadowy figure in the balcony from the darkened room, and felt sure from tho figure and the voice that it was Fletcher. and when tho alarm of the theft ;\as raised he dashed off to Fletcher's Hat. Lady Aldington was indescribably shocked. "1 trusted him as if he had been mv own brother," she gasped, and tears rose to her eyes. "This is dreadful." Her husband put his arm round her. "We must forget all about him." he said, and only think of the wonderful thing that Lord Wavenden has done." He touched a bell for the butler. ".Jenkins, whiskies and sodas at once. The occasion demands it." "Adventures never cease, do they, okl dear?" said Sally when she and Bingo were alone. "I am frightfully proud of you, but it was horrid of you ; to keep it all to yourself, and not let i mo have a look in. And d'yoti know, I'm not a bit surprised. 1 was suro that man was a wrong 'un from the first." " "Yes, Sal, hp struck me as a first class rotter from a very early stage. But now I think it's time for shut eye. Pleasant dreams and sweet repose." * » * # » One last glimpse of Bingo and Sally before we leave them. It was early spring, nearly a year after they had j settled in Wavenden. They were having i tea in Sally's cos.v little boudoir, and | Charlie Gilinoro was with them on one of his periodical visits. "Oh, Sally do lot me hold him just for a minute,," he pleaded. "I promise to return him in good condition, right side upwards." " Bo frightfully careful," said Sally, and Gilmoro was privileged to take into his arms a very youthful Viscount Petterbridge who had boon christened Edward Charles after his godfather. "Goo, goo!" said Gilmore, I'm quite at home in baby language, aren't I, Sally?" and ho returned the heir of Wavenden to his proud mother. Gilmoro was just departing. "There's one thing that puzzles me sometimes," bo said. "We haven't, heard anything of that old sport Joseph Pickering for ages. Fle's quite a loss to society. One could always count on him for a sensation." "Oh, T havo a sort of feeling that lie's a reformed character," laughed Sally. "Well, that's a pity," said Gilmoro as they shook hands, and he reluctantly hade them farewell. "Dear, good souls!" he said to himself, as the car glided down tho drive. THE END "THE PASS OF PERIL," A Story of Thrilling Adventure and a Great Love By EDMUND BARCLAY (Author of " Karona," etc.), Will Commence Publication in SATURDAY'S SUPPLEMENT . Instalments Will Appear Daily.

CHAPTER Xlll.—(Continued) "Do toll us what he did," said Sally. "Was it seme secret political treaty?" "No, it was a business transaction. An Englishman and his wife came to Borengaria to negotiate the salo ot some radium. It was a delicate matter. I thought I should have got the best of the bargain; I had my little scheme. But lie was a hundred times cleverer than 1 was, and he won hands down as you call it. Jt is quite amusing to look back on. I should bear him no ill will if I met him. The one man who ever got the better of me!" His eyes seemed to manifest a rather malicious enjoyment. He might be feeling that ho was getting a bit of his own back. "That's very noble of you," said Dingo. "And I'm sure he'd bo very glad to meet you. But I hope you won't lind that we are all trying to do you in." "Far from it, but I should think twice before I tried to score off one of your countrymen again. 1 might not find it so amusing a second time." " Your Highness," interrupted Hotelier, "Lady Aldington would like a little talk with you." Rudolf, Bingo and Sally shook hands warmly as the Chancellor was led away. "That was thrilling," said Sally. "How I laughed inwardly. He's not a bad sort after all."

"I've known 'em worse, old thing

; He's quite a sport." | Gradually the company drifted away. | "The captains and the kings depart," ] quoted Sally to herself. "Xo need to ; toll me not to forgot this wonderful | show. It's been something; to live for." j Lady Aldington was standing alone at I the foot of the great staircase, where | she had been saying good-bye to her guests. "I'm quite worn out," she said j as Bingo and Sally came up to her. "And that naughty husband of mine has deserted me. He's playing bridge with a few of the men, and left me to speed the parting guests on my lonej some. Isn't it too bad of him?" "It's been a splendid show," said Sally. "I've never been so thrilled. And I you've been perfectly wonderful." And i Bingo echoed her sentiments. | "It's ever so nice of you to say so. I'm so glad it appealed to vou. Well, j good-night, you dear things. You'll be | glad to lay your heads on the pillow. I'll just have a look in at the bridge room to see that they are not up to any mischief. Good-night, good-night." Bingo and Sally went up the staircase to their rooms. Bingo turned on the electric light switch. The light came on for a moment, gave a feeble flicker and went out. "Hullo," he exclaimed, hero's a go. Wait half a minute. I'll draw the curtains. There's a bit of a moon on, and we might be able to manage. I shouldn't like to disturb the household at this time of night." He ! struck a match, found his way to the j window and drew back the heavy curi tains. The french windows, leading on ! to the balcony, were open. Bingo stood there for a while enjoying the fresh I night air. Suddenly he pricked up his I ears. He heard a stealthy step on the balcony coming from the side on which was Lady Aldington's boudoir. He stood back a little, his nerves all alert, to await developments. The footsteps drew nearer, came to a halt in front of his room, and a dark figure, wearing a capacious overcoat, stood out in the dim moonlight, and was about to enter the room. "Hi, you 1 What's all this about?" asked Bingo. "Blast!" muttered the shadowy form, and heedless of caution darted away in the opposite direction from which it had come, and disappeared. . "What is it, Bingo?" asked Sally, who had crept up to him. "Is it a catburglar?" "1 don't know, old dear. I've an awful suspicion in my mind. Don't ask me what it is. I may be wrong." "Oughtn't we to give the alarm?" " I'm trying to think. There may bo nothing in it. Some joke or something. I don't want to scare everyone for what may be nothing, or have to kick myself afterwards. I'll leave our door on the jar and wait and see. If nothing happens then we shall have done the right thing. But if what I've got a hunch of turns out to be true, a little time more or less won't matter. But there's no going to bed just at present." He slightly opened the door and stood by it. Ho listened, but no sound was to be hoard. Then he was aware that Lady Aldington, with her maid, was ascending the stairs. He all but closed the door, leaving it just ajar so that he might hear. He heard the door of Lady Aldington's boudoir open and close, and ho could see that the electric light was turned on. It lit all right in there, and its light showed beneath the portal. And then a loud cry, "All niv jewels gone, and the case left empty! Go and call Lord Aldington. Bingo had no more need to wait. "You stay here, Sally darling. I can't explain." Ho put his automatic in his pocket, and followed the maid down tlw stairs. Sho went to the room where they wore playing bridge. Bingo saw the tired butler standing alone in the hall. "Do you know where Major Fletcher is? I must see him at once." "He's just gone home, my Lord. Ho gave me a good-night, Jenkins, and asked me to say good-bye for him to my Lord and Lady." "Was ho wearing a loose overcoat?" The butler looked somewhat surprised at the question. "He was, my Lord," he replied. "Where does he live?" "No. 27 Curzon Street, my Lord." "I must go there. Let mo out, and don't lock the door. I shall be back soon." There were two cars outside the front door. Their owners were in the bridge room. Bingo leapt into the first. "Take me to No. 27 Curzon Street. This is Scotland Yard business. Drive like blazes!" Too surprised to make any objection, the chauffeur obeyed Bingo's order. Bingo rained a storm of knocks on the door of No. 27. It was opened by a sleepy servant, a man of unusual size for such employment. Bingo pushed past him, and slammed the door. 'Where is Major Fletcher?" he asked "The Major has retired, and cannot see anyone." was the sulky reply. "Take me to his room at once, or T shall smash down every door in the house till 1 find him. D'vou sco this?" and Bingo drew an automatic from his pocket. '1 ho man unwillingly conducted Bingo up the stairs, and pointed to a floor. Bingo tried the handle, but the door was,locked. "Open the door," he shouted. "Who arc you?" came an angry voice from within. "I'm Lord Wavenden. Open the door at once." "Go to blazes!' wna the reply. Bingo turned to the servant. "Smash that door open. Throw all your weight against it, or I shall shoot you dead." The pistol pointed at him, the terrified man had no choico. He hurled himself at the door, and the woodwork splintered into pieces. Bingo thrust his hand through, found the lock, and opened the door. Fletcher had risen from a chair beside a table on which was an irregular heap of something over which a cloth had been carelessly thrown. Bingo snatched at it, and a pile of scintillating jewels was revealed. "Sit down, you white-livered cur," commanded Bingo, his weapon levelled