THREE STRANGE MEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23156, 30 September 1938, Page 5

THREE STRANGE MEN

By C. T. PODMORE Author of " The Fault," etc.

CHAITKR VIII 'l'll K THAII. OK KI'H It AIM DIGGS Naturally. as lie loft the Tooting office a whole crowd of obstanlos began to rise in (Jem-go's mind. This upshot must surely hinder or divert him from his quest; to some degree, his hands were going to he tied. Surprises awaited him when he reached ('ursitor Street. Me was mot in the outer office by the t.v piste, who informed liini that no member of the firm was in. She was, in fact alone, ami the office would be closed very soon. The Mrs. Cordery he spoke of had had an interview in the private office. What other callers (here had been she could not say. .Mr. Torknev would not be coming back. That was certain. He had said so. "Is anything left for me?" ho asked. "A packet?" ''Nothing ;it all. All papers are locked away." "Vou are quite sure about that?" "Certain" "Nor any message?" "None whatever." George hurrying away to Brixton, found Mrs. Cordery awaiting him. From her he learned that Mr. Torkney had received the news of the discovery at Tooting very seriously, but with a rem a rkahly businesslike self-possession. He had explained that he could not do a (ieorge suggested; for the man from Manchester had managed to reach London by an earlier train, had had his interview, and was gone. Mr. Torkney understood ho had gone, for the time being, to some relatives in the F.ast Knd. So far as the firm was concerned, there was nothing, now, that could be recalled. Unfortunately, young Mr. Parmitter was likely to have his hands much more seriously occupied than in a more adventure. "He knows it is not a mere advon- j lure!' commented (Joorge. He recounted the investigations at the cottage. Had Torkney referred to .Jowlc?" "He said .something about 'stupid temptation,' I remember. Would he think it is .lowle?" "He would not be far wrong, I'm afraid." i Sophie added to the sensation when I she came in soon after. The news was | on late placards. She could scarcely restrain her impatience to hoar everything in a breath—everything. George j went into the details elaborately. In the thick of it the throe had a semblance of j tea together. What to do next? "I am not going near my office this evening, nor to my rooms," (Joorge decided. "I want 110 news-hounds, on my track to-night." One reflection was iu the mind of I each. Apart from the tragedy, three I unknown strangers among the millions ; of London presented much the same difficulty as three noodles in a haystack j with the difference that needles could bo recognised. One of the strangers George might recognise. But whore? One could not go about looking for him. Then an idea came to George. He would take a chance—he would advertise for Boxwith. There should be a prominent call for him in the morning papers to come at once to 99a, Tottenham Court Road. The advertisements must be handed -in this evening. And then — "Yes," George decided, "we will dine at a quiet place in town, where we shall be entirelv undisturbed." So an advertisement for the Boxwith was handed in at three big newspaper offices, and afterwards they went to .Jawney's restaurant, in Regent Street. Jawney's specialises neither in showy parties nor in instrumental noise. It is a place where business men may round off a day in comfortable quietude. Snug corners and confidential tables may be had there. Everything is done with decorous promptitude, perfect service, but no hustle, apparently no hurry. The effect of a quiet corner in Jawney's usually is like a complete cessation of worry; a calm sanctuary from outside concerns. Tile chances were slender indeed that George might, encounter here anyone ! who might definitely be seeking hint to-night. But. before they had been seated long. Sophie observed at one of the farther tables a gentleman she knew. This, she told them, was a business man named Headley Barling, known in the City as being connected with large international interests, who came frequently to London, and to the Trust offices, and was still comparatively voting for such interests as lies seemed to nave. Sophie made a topic of Mr. Barling. From where they sat, they could see that he had an uncommonly distinguished appearance. "Mather like an actor." observed George. "Funny you should say that," Sophie responded, "for he has actually boon on the stage. A big man, too—or might have been. But he never tells anyone the name he was known by. "Sounds singular. Swank? Or scandal?" "Nothing, I imagine, to his discredit." "I believe he has noticed us, Sophie," her mother said. Now at this moment George's glance became fixed elsewhere, Farther away than Barling, a man, his back halfturned, sat alone beyond a couple of vacant tables. Looking aside, his profile had suddenly become visible to (Joorge. It was turned away as suddenly. George's manner changed. "lixcuse mo & few monionts % M ho R«ii(l. and got up sharply. Ho trod nuiotlv to the table where the man, his head down, was having bis meal. "Mr. DiggsP" said George. The man looked tip, decidedly btartled. i T "Oh, it's you," he said. "I rcmemher." "Something has happened, Mr. Diggs, which puts a completely difloront aspect on this matter which has brought you to London. I'm glad I have found you so soon. I want a talk with vou." "Yes?" replied Mr. Diggs. watching George's expression, "\\horo?" "At the moment I have some ladies with me—it is not quite opportune. But certainly without delay. Where are you staying?" "Why—l shall be going to Ahingers Hotel. But what do you mean? 1 understood there was to be no interference. I don't think I to tolerate any interference. Why with me?" "I simply must have a talk with you." George insisted. "And not you alone. Come. now. Mr. Diggjj—how sooji over at Ahinger'sP An hour? Or shall wo go together from hero? I can arrange that." Mr. Diggs looked hard at Guorge, extremely dubious. "You may come over to Abingor's in an hour, if you like." he said. "I can listen, anyhow ' George stepped back to his tabic and explained. Singular, how oliamv had worked. "It moans thai 1 slnll have to send you home alone," (Joorge added, "and then follow." ft was obvious, within the next tcU minutes, that George's intrusion upo". the undertaker from Leicester had interfered with the hitter's appetite, or. at any rate, had imposed- considerable reflection upon it. Ho paused frequently in his movement; once or twiei he stole a half glance round, as if f observe whether it was George's intent, ion to escort the Indies from the restaurant, or to remain as they were. Another five minutes, and Mr. Diggf

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A thrilling story of a mysterious inheritance and a queer tangle of human emotions.

held communion with his waiter. Obviously, ho lirid cut his dinner short and meant to go. It was an awkward move, and there was a hint of furtive urgency about it. George took the hint :it once. It will easy enough for Mrs. Corderv to take over (lie situation here, if Diggs hud some trick in mind. The undertaker had to pass George's table. In doing so, lie nodded and smiled slightly, as if aware of the dilemma. As he was slowly Hearing the exit. Sophie remarked. "Mr. Barling, I think, is coining over for a word." "Good —lie may talk to you for a while. I'll meet iiim some other time, if I d-m'fc get back quick." Another minute, and Headley Marling stopped by the table, while George Parniitter passed along to the street. Hailing wondered at George's exit Then, greeting Sophie, lie made some reason for lingering, and was introduced to her mother. Headley Hailing then adapted himself to a chair that was vacant at an angle between Sophie and .Mrs. Corderv —this at Sophie's remark that: lie might sit down and talk to them, if he had nothing better to do. "Nothing better in the world." Harling replied. "Hut really I came over for an introduction to Mr. Pa rmi I ler —?" "lie will keep for another time, Mr. Harling." "I suppose so. Me looks healthy enough to keep for quite a long time. Has Tie left you. then?" "For perhaps an hour or so." "All. I was thinking I might have helped you to make a party of four at the theatre."

Mother and (laughter ginned at each other. Then the former whimpered the explanation why it wiis not possible for thi-in to-night. Mr. Harling looked infinitely shocked. "Why, that's dreadful for you all!'/ he said. "Hut if you will stay and talk to us," Sophie added, "long enough also to see us on our way home, when we decide to go." ('lndeed I will, with pleasure," was Harling's assurance. "It is 'mere words' to say that 1 wish 1 might help you to other ways. Xo one can do that." "Who knows?" Sophie responded, not thinking of any point in her own words. "You may be able to." CHAPTKR IX. ST It AN G K KM) INC. Surprise at this reconnoitre was (Jeorge Parmitter's topmost feeling as lie stepped oil to the pavement outside. Ii was barely eight o'clock, and taxis were plentiful in the streets. Twenty yards from Jawney's door, where a fare was being discharged, lie observed F.phraini Diggs stepping into a cab he had just hailed. Another cab was approaching. I his, at a sign from George, was "stopped for hint by Jawney's commissionaire. Me bad just time to give rapid instructions to the driver when Diggs' cab started off. I'nless he had an intermediate call to make Diggs was not going to Abingers Motel, for the taxi was speeding in another direction. Hy the lelt along Oxford Street, it turned into the Kdgwaro Road. The idea which had apparently entered Mr. Diggs' mind in Jawney's bordered suspiciously on evasion. George scarcely wondered at the man's duplicity, however, for lie had ! enough incentive to tin's as n single unit j of three with equal chances. He would 'naturally ask himself. ""What game is I this fellow up top" Still, he must be i made to listen. j Passing rapidly through Marvlebone, i by Maida Vale, and along the Kilburn ! High Road, the car containing Mr. i Digg>- turned off by C'rieklewood Lane for Finchley Road. "Golders Green, I perhaps," thought George, intently i watching the route He bad not; much knowledge of this | neighbourhood, and could not have I named a single street they passed. The ! district was comparatively rural. When at length the Diggs' taxi turned down a side road, threaded eeveral avenues, and drew up at a house shaded by trees in a garden of its own, exactly resembling others in its immediate I neighbourhood, George had but a dim | idea of where lie was. And by this time j the dusk had deepened into dark. I Mis driver pulled up at a house about ! fifty yards behind

From this distance George saw Mr. Diggs discharge his man, pause to .survey the road, and disappear along the path to the house.

The driver of the taxi which had brought Diggs gazed hard, as he came by, at the one which had followed. George decided to pay off <his driver as Diggs had done. The situation looked speculative. Then lie went forward to the house Diggs had entered, and boldly rang the front door bell. There was no immediate reply, so he rang again. This time lie was answered by a man who had somewhat the appearance of a butler, and who stood in the aperture of the doorway like a screen, so that (Joorge had hut a slight glimpse of a ball in darkness. "I wish to see Mr. Diggs, please," said George. "Mr. Diggs, sir? r £here is no such person here." "But haven't I just seen him enter?" "No, sir—not here, sir. No one here this half-hour." "Strange!" George returned. "I am positive 1 saw him come here three minutes ago rn a taxi. May I ask who lives here?" "I do," the man replied, "and immune ain't Diggs. This is a private club, sir. rind I'm the resident steward." George was nonplussed. But he returned to the attack. "I am quite sure." he rejoined, "that I saw a gentleman ooin'o here three minutes ago. Have- you a side or back entrance?" "No. sir—front only." "Are you in alone?" "Well —no. But there's no Diggs. If you would like to step in. I'll bring the secretary, and perhaps you'll take his word." (ieorge promptly accepted the invitation. and the man as promptly closed the door behind him. They wore quite in the dark. (Joorge had observed that nil the blinds had boon drawn. The Howard's hand was on his arm. guiding Mm gently but firmly to one side. "In this little room, sir. please—if vou don't mind being in the dark a niniite —I 'II give you a light." George moved forward a little as the 'oor softly clicked behind' him And then lie stood still, hardly daring to L'l'ope forward lest he walked into something. It was an odd position to be in. But lie knew something of the secrecy of private clubs, and. though tempted to feel for his matches as the moments went h.v, since no light came, he waited -iin 1 listened in patience. Footfalls sounded at last. How many lie could not toll, they wore so commingled, but be bad an impression that tiiey wore shuffling and stealthy. Then (lie door was opened, just as he was about to put bis hand upon it, and the voice of the man who had admitted bun >-aid. "Come this way, sir. will yon.-' Two persons wore waiting for him to cross the threshold He stepped out; and what happened afterwards seemed like the remnants of a dream. (To bo continued daily.)