QUAYLE OF THE YARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22726, 12 May 1937, Page 21

QUAYLE OF THE YARD

By PAUL TRENT Author of " When Greek Meets Greek," ** Strange Inheritance." " Max Logan," etc., etc.

(COPYRIGHT) %

STORY OF CRIME, ADVENTURE, HONOUR AND LOVE

CHAPTER VII— (Continued) " Good. Now we know where we are. First of all, have you among your female stalf of servants a girl of about twenty-two years of age, very dark hair, clear-cut features," said Peter. " What coloured hair?" the actress asked quickly. " I could not see very well, but I think there was an auburn tinge to it " " And her height?" " About five foot two or three." " That would bo Mabel Thomson," Cynthia said, after a moment or two of reflection. " Is she in the house now?" " I believe it is her afternoon off, but anyhow she is due back at six." " Well, it is that now," said Peter after glancing at his watch. " Could you manage to let me have a glimpse of her without attracting undue attention ?" " That can be done. You will stay to dinner. It is quite unnecessary to change your clothes, but you will need a towel when you wash. It is Mabel who will bring you that." " It is such a pleasure to meet and work with an intelligent woman." " I don't like compliments. I am fed up with them." " 1 was speaking the simple truth. You will always get that from me. I like your young friends. I am going to frivol. May I?" Peter asked lightly, and Cynthia nodded. He proceeded to do so, and thoroughly enjoyed the following hour with the two young actresses, who were protegees of the well-known actress. Then he went upstairs and on the landing was met by a maid in uniform. " This way, sir," she said; and his eyes rested *on the features of the woman ho had seen in Rawlings' arms. CHAPTER VIII. Mabel Thomson was an exceedingly self-possessed young woman and there was demure smile on her face as she conducted Peter to a bedroom, in which there was a basin with running hot water. She felt its temperature with her finger, and then unfolded a towel. " I think you will find it quite hot enough for you, sir." she remarked, and her voice was quite pleasant, without a trace of any particular accent. " 1. am afraid I am a trifle grubby," he answered, looking ruefully at his hands. " By the by, didn't I see you as 1 was driving along here to-night?" " Mo. sir," she replied, looking at him with eyes so innocent that he was compelled to smile at her. " Yes, I saw your face. You were standing under a tree." " Alone, sir?" " It looked like a man who was with you, but 1 could not see his face. At first sight, I imagined you to be a pair of lovers," he said lightly. " I think you must have been mistaken. It wasn't me." she said with an air of quiet dignity. " Surely there was nothing to be ashamed of —a pretty girl like you taking a stroll with a young man." '" And making love in the open air —in daylight? lam surprised, sir. that you think me capable of doing such a thing. I am a respectable young woman."

" 1 should never suggest that you could be anvthing else but that, Mabel." " How do you know my name, sir?" she demanded, and her eyes were suddenly alight with suspicion. Peter could have kicked himself at the verbal indiscretion he had just committed. What a clever remark for an ambitious voting detective to make! "Oh, Miss Tyne told me that Mabel would be waiting on the landing to show me where to go," he explained swiftly. However, he decided it would be unwise to continue the conversation at the moment, for he had learned something important, namely, that she thought fit to deny a meeting which he knew to have taken place. "Thank you, Mabel," he said cheerily, and hold out half a crown toward her.

"No, thank you, sir. My mistress gives me an adequate wage," she said, and proceeded to pull the plug from the basin, deliberately turning her back on him. With this snub, he promptly departed. and went downstairs, receiving a vociferous welcome from the two young actresses. The dinner was a cheery meal, and when coffee was served in the lounge he asked Cynthia if he might be allowed to use her telephone. She accompanied him to the room where the instrument was, and then turned away. "You need not go. As a matter of fact, you are rather concerned in what I am' going to say," he said as he turned over the pages of the directory and found the name of Colonel Douglas, the Chief Constable of the county, to whom the exchange quickly put him through. "May I speak to Colonel Douglas? "Speaking," came the reply. "I am Peter Quayle, the son of Sir James. I wonder if I could have a chat with you, sir, if I came round? I am speaking from the Retreat, Miss Tyne's house." "Is it of importance?" asked the colonel.

"J think it is, sir." "I have guests, but I can see you. "Very good, sir. I will drive round as quickly as possible," said Peter, replacing the receiver and turning to • Cynthia. "You will forgive me if I leave you now, but you will understand from what you have just heard. Tell me, are you still willing for me to do what I enii to solve the mystery?" "More than Willing, Mr. Quayle. Come round here as often as you like, for you are always welcome to have the run of the Retreat. As a matter of fact, like most women of my age, 1 like to have a cheery young man about the place. Moreover, Peter, you happen to amuse me." "That is something, Cynthia. I shall not forget what you have said, and if I do chance to bore you, don't hesitate to kick me out." lie said, and suggested that he should say good-night to her' guests. . "I don't suppose the colonel will keep you long. Why not come back when von have finished with him, if it is not too far out of your way? He is a pompous old fool, and you may like a little cheery company after an interview with him." "Thanks. 1 will como, if the hour is at all respectable," he answered, and hastened to his car. Colonel Douglas had esteemed himself extremelv fortunate to receive his appointment, after having been retired from the army, under the age limit. Perhaps he was lucky to have been chosen, but he happened to have a good deal of influence, so that his rather advanced years were overlooked. He was tvpical of the pre-war officer, hidebound in many ways, and with a circumscribed outlook. Still, he had a keen sense of loyalty, and was highly respected, if not liked, by the officers and men who served under him. He had very little monev, other than his pension and his pay as Chief Constable, and having four unmarried daughters, lie was compelled to live in a quiet way. f However, an acre of land surrounded his residence, which was a converted farm-house, with a well-turfed lawn facing the front, where the Misses Douglas were wont to entertain their friends to vigorous tennis. One of them, Nora by name, chanced to be in the hall when the servant opened the door to Peter, and she came forward. ,

"Dad is playing bridge. If you take my tip yon won't interrupt him until the rubber is over," she announced. "I am in no hurry—especially if you will entertain me in the meantime, Miss Douglas. I think we have met before, at some garden party or other —when you were a flapper." "We met about a year «'igo, jnst before you left to live in ToWn. As to the flapper part of it, it depends when flapperdom ends. I happen to be more than twenty-one now." "Quite a venerable age. Sure I am not keeping you away from anything more interesting? I do hate to make a nuisance of myself." "Sit down, and have a whisky and soda. Come into the den," she said, her hitherto severe expression somewhat relaxing. "So you fire training to be a policeman, are you?" she said, leading the way.

"That is the idea." "Dad thinks this police-college business is stupid." "It is early days to judge, isn't it? Of course, we still have to prove ourselves."

They continued to chaff one another lightly, and Peter enjoyed himself, for tlie girl was quite intelligent, and not of the type that is continually seeking admiration. It was fully half an hour before the door opened and Colonel Douglas came in. " Well, young man, and what can I do for you?" " Well, sir, I would like a word with you," answered Peter, and Nora jumped to her feet. " I will follow your polite hint and clear out."

" Thank you," Peter answered smilingly, and hastened to open the door for her.

" Well, sir, I don't know if you are aware that I anx in the police college at Heiulon?" " I have heard rumours to that effect. I hear that you young men believe you are going to eradicate all crime."

" Not quite that, sir, but we are going to do our best to keep it under. You, as an old army officer, will understand that it will be a great thing for the force to have a body of men who have gone through a similar training to yourself, although on different lines. I must say that I am thoroughly impressed 'with the education we are receiving. It is both theoretical and practical." "■ I have heard a different version from yours. I have only a few minutes to spare. What can I do for you?" " Well, sir, I am taking a keen interest in the Retreat burglary. I happened to bo very near the scene when it took place, and since then I have been making quiet investigations. I am wondering if you would allow me to co-operate with your people? I can't swear that I shall do any good, but there is a possibility that I may be able to help," said Peter, with a becoming air of modesty." "Since I have been the Chief Constable of this county I have deprecated the calling of Scotland Yard to our assistance, unless it is absolutely necessarv. 1 mav say that I have a very efficient staff of'officers under me, who are quite capable of carrying out their duties. That is all I have to say about it," the colonel wound up stiffly. " You have certainly said a mouthful, sir," Peter said with an impudent grin, for the Chief Constable's pompous attitude had got 011 his nerves. " Don't be insolent, young man."

" I did not intend to be, sir. I was merely being colloquial. Of course, if information comes my way, it is my duty as a citizen to make use of it to further the ends of justice."

" If information conies your way, it is your duty to convey it to the proper quarter. Inspector Crosslev has the case in hand." " 1 have already met that officer, and I must say that I am not highly impressed with his abilities as a detective." " You are a cheeky young devil, Quavle. If I find that you are interfering in any way, I shall promptly complain to the commanding officer of the college. Good night." " Good night, sir," said Peter, in a briskly official manner, and left the room. Nora received him in the hall, and smiled at him sweetly. " Been having a rough time?" she asked, with a touch of malice. " Not more than I expected. I think I would rather talk to the daughter than the father. Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Douglas." " Miss Nora Douglas," she corrected him, and accompanied him to the door, standing outside and watching him get into his car. " It is a beautiful night. 1 hear you are a pretty good hand at tennis. My brother is home from India, and you might care to come over and have a game some time. That is, _if your father's disapproval will permit." " I don't think I shall consult him," was her demure answer.

" You can tell him that we have a severely respectable aunt staying with us, so you will be efficiently chaperoned," he cried cheerfully, and with a wave of his hand, drove away. A glance at his watch, and he decided not to return to the Retreat, but to go straight home, but on the way lie remembered that Roger was going to the Manor House, and decided to call there to give him a lift home. It was Rawlings who appeared in answer to his ring, and he was shown into the library where Susan and his brother were seated together.. As a matter of fact, Roger Quayle had been going through a very rough time since the serious talk he had had with his father and Aunt Agatha about his proposed marriage. When he had arrived at the Manor House after dinner it was to find that Irma was with Susan in the library, and for a long while showed no intention of leaving them together. Indeed, she had only just gone when Peter was shown

" I am not, quite sure that I want you, Peter. Won't you go and find Irpia? I have something to say to Susan," Roger said miserably. 11 So von have not got it over yet. Can I help you, old eliap? Perhaps I might make it easier for her to understand than you could." "Oh, what is it all about? .1 know that Roger has been trying to tell me something. Me is wretched, and so am I. What is it, PeterP T can stand anything except this terrible suspense. Do tell Tne," she cried appealingly. "Very well. You don't mind if I do, Roger?" "I ain beyond caring about anything. I' feel such a skunk." Peter's one reason for offering to explain was to save his brother, and he came over to the chesterfield, sitting down beside Susan, and looking at her with deeply sympathetic eyes. "My dear, it is all a question of money. Roger here received the shock •of his life when father and aunt told him how horribly broke we were." "But I don't care about money," Susan cried impetuously.

"But I am afraid it is not a question of what you feel, dear. We Quayles have been so long in existence, and living in the same place, that we feel it would be a horrible tragedy if we \'vere forced to clear out. Aunt Agatha believes that Roger with his good looks would find no difficulty in marrying some girl who would set us on our financial feet. 1 know it is not a very pleasant idea, but unfortunately paupers can't be choosers,"- Peter said quietly. (To be continued daily)