Christmas With Jimmy Penfold

Southland Times, Issue 21273, 19 December 1930, Page 17

Christmas With Jimmy Penfold

The Story'of a Very Exciting Christmas Eve,

(By

Arthur Groom),

"It’s awfully good of you fellows to come,’’ murmured Jimmy, greeting his chums at the tiny station close to his home, "I’m at niy wits’ end to know what to do with myself.” Ronald Blake and Gerald King grinned cheerfully as they linked arms with their friend and left the station.

“Now don’t you worry any more, Jimmy,” said Gerald, "We’re going to have a top-hole Christmas. Lead the way to the ancestral home.”

Jimmy made towards a long, low rakishlooking car standing in front of a milk float. “It’s only two minutes’ drive,” he said, as he leapt into the driving seat, “but I thought you’d like to have a run round first.”

Ronald and Gerldd whistled with surprise. "Is this your pater’s bus?” asked Gerald. “One of them,” came the reply, “he’s got four.”

The others made no reply to this. They merely looked at one another and piled into the machine which Jimmy soon had tearing 'down the village street at well over 40 m.p.h. Jimmy Penfold was the son of a very' rich man, but he often said he would much prefer his father, to be a poor man with a sense of humour, than a rich one without. Mr Penfold was a hard business man and, although he left his son very much to his own devices, Jimmy found life in the huge, lonely house very dull indeed, lie had no brothers or sisters, and his mother had died when he was but a baby. This being so, it was not surprising that he was delighted when his two school chums' agreed to get their parents to let them spend Christmas with him. During the terrific drive around the quiet roads, and later when the boys were changing for dinner, and later still when they were comfortably installed in Jimmy’s own room, Jimmy did nothing but thank his friends for coming. “Oh for goodness sake stop it!” roared Ronald at length. “We’re glad to come. We’re going to have a fine time guarding your pater’s safe.” The speaker paused. “Did ho really mean what he said at dinner?” he asked at length. “About all that money being in the safe, I mean?”

Jimmy looked serious. “Yes,” he answered, “It’s true enough, and I often wish father wouldn’t be so silly about having someone to guard it.” The boy’s face cleared. "Oh well,” he added, “nobody will break in this dismal looking place on Christinas Eve, I’ll warrant. Worse luck!” Ronald ami Gerald agreed that, burglary would liven things up a bit, but Jimmy quickly changed the subject and presently three huge yawns indicated that bed was calling. As Gerald was shown to his room, he glanced across the panelled walls and looked at his host.

"I say, Jimmy” he whispered, “Is. this where I’ve got to sleep?”

The other nodded and winked at Ronald. “Yes,” he said, “What’s the matter with it?”

“Nothing,” answered Gerald slowly, “Except that it strikes me as being a trifle gloomy.”

Jimmy and Ronald grinned, thumped their friend on the back by way of bidding him good-night, and went to seek their own rooms.

Once alone, Gerald produced a revolver from his pocket, and, after making sure it was fully loaded, walked over to the window.

Flinging open the Old-fashioned leads, he leaned out and uttered a low whistle. Instantly an answering whistle came from the darkness and, not two minutes later, a figure clambered up the ivy-clad wall and joined him in the bedroom.. “Well?” Remanded Gerald. “Everything is fixed,” came the whispered’ reply. - “Where’s Ronald?”

“Other side of the corridor, four rooms down,” murmured Gerald, "but ...”

“Shush!” cautioned the man who had climbed up the ivy. “I’ll do all the talking. Quickly! Give me the lie of the land. Position of the safe, the elder Penfold’s bedroom, and everything." Gerald hastened to obey, and presently the newcomer left the room, telling Gerald King to keep a keen look-out from the window, and be ready to come to the study

downstairs should he' be summoned by whistle. An hour passed in complete silence. Gerald’s head was beginning to nod when a shrill whistle pierced the night air, to be followed by two others in quick succession. With one bound Gerald cleared the gap which lay between him and the door. As he’ burst into the corridor, he crashed full into Jimmy Penfold, a bewildered figure in purple striped pyjamas. "Good heavens!” yelled the amazed Jimmy. “What are you doing with that revolver?” “I’ll explain it all later” snapped his friend. “.You do what I tell you for a few moments. Get to youn~ Ronald’s room and keep’him from coming downstairs. Go on!” He pushed the thunderstruck Jimmy along the corridor. “Oh no, you don’t!” cried Jimmy, suddenly wheeling about. “I’m wise to your game, yotihg fellar! You’re Gerald King all right, but you’re a different chap from the-one I know.” The speaker made a dive at his chum’s legs. No one at Welling College had ever seen Gearld King move so fast as he did at that moment. He was much too quick for Jimmy, who soon found himself stretched full length on his back, staring up into his friend’s purposeful face.

"Do what you're told!” snapped Gerald and, turning on his heel, he raced towards the head of the great staircase. With his weapon grasped firmly in his right hand, he tore down the stairs.

Silence greeted him in the hall, but he did not hesitate for an instant. lie made straight for the study, anfl, with one thrust from his heavy shoulder, flung open the door.

The scene that met his gaze was terrifying in the extreme. Two men were in the midst of a desperate struggle for possession of a revolver which lay on the floor near the door of a modern safe.

“Put them up!” snapped Gerald. “Sharp now!”

Instantly the figures ceased to struggle, and presently the man who had climbed up the ivy was busily engaged in slipping a pair of handcuffs on to the other man’s wrists.

"Phew!” whistled Chief Inspector King, looking at his son, “You were late! He nearly had me.” “I know” began Gerald, but he stopped suddenly as the lightly clad figure of Mr Penfold appeared in the doorway. “What docs this mean?” he demanded. “Who are you, sir?” He turned to the Chief Inspector. “My name is King, Mr Penfold,” 'came the brisk reply, “And I am inspector of police. I have just managed to prevent this man,” he indicated his prisoner, “from rifling your safe. My son has been assisting me for months past to capture the man and his- young accomplice, Ronald Blake. You see, when we got wind of the fact, that young Ronald was to go to Welling College in order to make friends with your son so that his accomplice could rob you, I decided that my son should go to the school as well.” The speaker broke off suddenly. “Where is Ronald?” he demanded. Gerald grinned. "Jimmy's preventing him from leaiving his room. He doesn’t know what for, but he’s doing it!” “He’s not!” came Jimmy’s voice from behind his father. “He’s here. Master Ronald turned nasty so I had to—er—biff him over the head. Had we better send for a doctor?” ♦ » « » Two hours later the two Penfolds, father and son, were listening to the full story of the plot and counter-plot from Chief Inspector King. When it was finished, the elder of .the two rose to his feet and shook hands very solemnly with the two Kings. “I’ve'been a pig-headed old fool,” he said slowly, “but I’ve learned my lesson. Listen! It’s Christmas morning and. if money can get anything, we’re going to have a really good old-fashioned Christmas. Jimmy,” he added, “get out the car after breakfast and see what you can do to' liven this place up a bit.”“Righto 'father!” cried Jimmy. ' And Christmas with Jimmy Penfold w'as merry as could be! The End.