QUAYLE OF THE YARD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22731, 18 May 1937, Page 17

QUAYLE OF THE YARD

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

(COPYRIGHT)

STORY OF CRIME, ADVENTURE, HONOUR AND LOVE

CHAPTER Xll.—(Continued) j "Is it written down anywhere?" asked Peter, as they walked to the room, which was on the ground floor. " No, I have an excellent memory." " What was the word?" " Lovely." " Have you been careful to see that no one could overlook you while you were arranging the letters?" Silbermann remained silent for a few moments. " I can't answer that question." " Have you shown the jewels to many people quite recently?" " I should say—about half a dozen in the last month." " I was present on two occasions. First with Professor Rutherford, and then the other day with Miss Tyne and her friends." "But Miss Tyne could not have seen me open the safe? Now I remember; T took one of her guests—l forget her name —I showed her mv safeguards. You were there, weren't you?" " Not at first, and I didn't see what happened when you actually opened the safe." " Surely you can't suspect this lady?" " I suspect no one —or rather everyone who had the necessary knowledge and opportunity to commit the burglary." Peter left it at that, and then proceeded to make a minute examination of the room. The Avire connected with the alarm had been covered by wallpaper, but the thief evidently knew this, for the paper had been neatly cut away and the wire severed. " Is tiie room exactly as it was when you discovered the theft?" " Exactly. The inspector warned me not to disturb anything. Only the window has been closed. As you will see, a pane was removed at the top, and the wire connecting the window alarm has been severed before an entrance was made."

Peter closely inspected every inch of the room and finally returned again to the window, and, raising it, went outBide. The weather had been dry, and there were no footprints. He had not before been in the garden, and so strolled around, Silbermann having excused himself. The land attached to the house was surrounded by a trimmed hedge, but there was a gate at the far end. toward which ho made his way. [t was locked, but he leant over and looked at the road. There were marks of tyres to be seen, but they were not distinctive. Finally he decided that it would be well to make a further inspection, so he returned to the house, saying good-bye to Silbermann and asking him to telephone to Quayle Court immediately representative of Lloyd's arrived. This done, he got into his car and drove round the house until he reached the gate. There was nothing definite to be seen there, so ho went slowlv along the country road, but stopped wher" he had covered some hundred yards, for there were traces of oil to he seen, close to the sidewalk. _ Then he remembered having seen similar splashes of oil in the case of the burglary at the Retreat, and lie made a mental note to find out if Tomkins was in the habit of over-oiling Irma's

car. After a little consideration, ho decided to £jo straight to the Manor Flouse, making it his excuse to inquire if Gallct could play the suggested round of golf. When he arrived there, [rmft was seated on the terrace, and with her was Gallet and his friend. "What about that game of golf?" Peter asked cheerfully. " I am sorry, but I find L have to get hack to town. T am leaving almost immediately." " What about you, Irma? We might get Susan and Roger to make up a foursome." " Sorry, I don't fee! like it. Peter f must nsk you to excuse me. As a matter of fact, Mr. Gallet here has some of my business affairs in hand and T want to talk them over witb him. You will find Susan in the library Tho poor, child has a fit of the blues, and I am not surprised. I don't think Roger has played the game " " 1 don't see that he is to be blamed. T will follow your advice and go to Susan." She was still in tho library, and greeted Peter with a smile, but she was evidently depressed. "Buck up, my child," Peter said cheerfully, and sat beside her. " Quito a cheery affair last night, wasn't it?" " T did not enjoy myself very much," she answered dully. "As a matter of fact, I had a bad headache. I had a sleep before dinner—lrma gave mo some aspirins, but I don't think they agreed with me." " And I suppose you felt worse when you were awakened?" " Yes, I did." " What was Irma doing last night, before the dance?" " She told me she was going to 6!e " P Did she do so?" " How do I know, when I was sleeping myself? Why are you so curious about what she was doing? By the by, I understand she is going to town this morning, and I am not sorry. I am beginning to dislike her." " Rather sudden, isn't it?" " No. For some time past I have not liked the way she has been treating father. There is something in her attitude toward him that I don't understand. Altogether, Peter. I am thoroughly miserable," she wound up wearily. "Please believe, Susan, that I sympathise both with you and Roger. I am not without hope that things will come all right in the end. Where is your father?" "In his room, I expect.' "Can I go and see himP" "If you like." . "By the by, you might find out for me the time that Irma is leaving for town, but don't let her know that I was asking the question." _ "You are rather mysterious, Pbter. "Please believe that 1 am your friend, Susan, and if I appear to act strangelv, please take no notice. When I have left your father 1 will call m here. If Irma says where she is going to stay in town, please lot me know." "Very well. Peter," she said submissively, and he left her. The professor was writing in his den, and be laid down his pen when the door opened, and was about to speak angrily, but his expression relaxed when* he recognised Peter. "Good morning, sir. I hope you were not disturbed by the noise we made last night?" "Fortunately I can't hear from my bedroom what is going on downstairs." "May I ask you a few questions, professor? You will probably think that I am rather impertinently curious, but. I assure you that I mean well." "Fire away, my boy." "Did you dine with Miss Neville last night?" "As a, matter of fact, 1 had dinner in here. She arranged it so." "Do vou happen to know if she went out between half-past six and eight?" "I can't tell you anything about that. I was reading an interesting book, and L did not leave this room until I went to bed. If yon are really anxious to know, why not ask Rawlings?"

"Do you think that I should get a truthful answer from him, sir?" Peter asked incisively. "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing very much. By the by, have you heard of the burglary that took place at Mr. Silbermann's last night?" "No," cried the professor, jumping to his feet, the picture of consternation. "You and I were there the other day." "Yes, sir, and I was there again with Miss Neville and some other ladies."

"I am distressed to hear of this. Mr. Silbermann will be very grieved, for the collection formed the great interest of his life. I can sympathise with him deeply." Peter felt sorry for the old gentleman, who was pacing restlessly to and fro, wringing his hands and muttering to himself. He wondered whether this was the proper moment to have a heart-to-heart talk with him, and endeavour to obtain his confidence, but decided that it would be too great a risk to speak openly. So he took his leave, and returned to the library, but Susan was not there, and he went along to the terrace, but Irma and her friend had disappeared. Rawlings came along and addressed him.

"Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" he asked deferentially. "I was looking for Miss Neville." "I think she is in her bedroom, sir." "Where is Miss Rutherford?" "With Miss Neville, sir. Can I take any message for you?" "I don't think so," Peter answered doubtfully, and Rawlings accompanied him to the hall, opening the front door. Peter hesitated, and to his relief Roger came in sight. "Here is my, brother, and I think I will stay for a while. Will you please tell Miss Rutherford that he is here?" "Very good, sir," answered Rawlings, and went to the staircase. Peter went to meet his brother, and explained to him that Susan was with Irma. Then he slipped his hand under his brother's arm, and drew him toward the,garage, the doors of which were open. Tomkins had the bonnet of Irma's car open, and looked up when they entered, raising his hand in a salute. Peter chatted with him for a while, but the thing that really interested him was a splash of oil on the floor of the garage, under the car. Although it was no real evidence that this identical car had paid a visit to Crowncross Lodge the previous night, it was certainly curious that this one had a similar leakage of oil. They remained there for a while, and Peter watched Tomkins fdl up the tanks with petrol and oil. "What time is Miss Neville leaving for town?" he asked casually. "I don't know, sir," was the stolid answer. "I have only received orders to be in readiness." The brothers returned to the house, and Susan met them at the door, and then led the way to the library. "Any news?" Peter asked cheerfully. " Irma leaves in half an hour." " Did she say where she was staying?" " At the Langham Hotel." " Well, I guess you young people would prefer my absence to my presence. Bye-bye, children," he cried, and, strolling to his car, drove away. First he went homo and packed a suit-case. Aunt Agatha met him when he came downstairs, and asked him where he was going. " Just taking a little trip. I am not quite sure of my movements," he answered casually. " How long shall you be away?" she persisted. " I don't know. I will telephone you to-night and let you know." " Are you leaving any address?" " I cannot, for I don't know whero I shall be staying." " Peter, dear, is it quite necessary for you to go away just now? It will he lonely for Roger, and after all, you have not seen him for several years." " He seems to be pretty well occupied, aunt." That is true, but I am not altogether sure that your father and I approve of his present occupation. Roger is too young to think of marriage, and when he finally does decide to take a wife, we hope that it will be some young woman—" Aunt Agatha broke off with a shrug of the shoulders, and Peter wondered what was in her mind.

" As you know, I have no brains, and I do wish you would be quite fr.mk with mo." " 1 have said all that I going to say, but 1 do ask you to remain and give your brother the pleasure of your company." It was so unusual for his aunt to make so direct and urgent a request that he paused a while before speaking again. After all, there was a g. od deal in what she said, and there was no real reason why he should go to town. " All right. I'll stay here. I have some friends in the neighbourhood, and I dare say I shall be able to amuse myself." " A little later he telephoned to Cynthia and asked if he might come round after dinner. " Why not to dinner, Peter?" she asked. " I was going to town, but my worthy aunt thinks it is my duty to stay here, so I think I had better put in an appearance lor the meal, but I would iike very much to come along immediately afterwards, and have my coffee with you and your two charming guests." During dinner Aunt Agatha simply beamed on Peter, and he smiled grimly at the reward he was receiving for his self-sacrifice. However, he excused himself at the first possible moment and, taking his car, drove to the Retreat. It was pleasant to receive such a warm welcome, but before long Cynthia took him aside, and began to discuss tlio recent burglaries. "It strikes me you are a bit of a dark horse, and that you know something. Won't you take me into your confidence ?"

" I would if there was anything to tell you. I have all sorts of funny suspicions, but there is nothing really solid that 1 can tell you." Their talk was interrupted by the appearance of Mabel carrying a salver upon which were several letters. " Excuse me for a moment. Peter. I am expecting something rather important," said Cynthia. Suddenly she uttered a cry of pleasure, and rose. " I must go to the telephone. This letter is from one of my oldest friends, an American actress, Margaret Stock, who married an American millionaire. She has just arrived at Fairport, and is going to stay tlicro for a week or two. You must come over with me and meet her." < " I shall be delighted. It is an easy run from here." "Come along with me to the telephone. Perhaps we might go there tonight—but it is rather late." Peter listened to a really joyous conversation, and immediately felt a desire to meet this actress of whom ho had heard so often, and who had married when at the zenith of her fame. " She wants us to go along for luncheon to-morrow," said Cynthia. " Well, you have said very pleasant things about me to her, and I hope 1 •shall bo able to live up to the reputation you have given me," he said lightly. (To be continued daily)