THE MAN WITH THE DALMATIAN

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1930, Page 13

THE MAN WITH THE DALMATIAN

By

FRANCIS FURNESS

CHAPTER XX (continued.) TITE MISSING .JEWELS. “Been doing you down, has he?” muttered this drivcY aym pathetically. “()! thank you, miss* but I don’t' want any money if that’s the cape/’ But Kyrle ilieifited. “I suppose he’s been pretending to be somebody he ain’t? Well, you’ve got two witnessed, and both taxi drivers, too; you aren’t half smart, you aren’t.” “P’ mso drive me home at once,” eaid Kyrle, giving the driver the address. Her brain was in a whirl. The amazing cO.hduCt of Ralph baffled hei'; why should he wear a fake beard? It could only be for the deliberate object of iiiipensonatinw Vallaiice, for the likeiicert was astonishing, except for the walk and the voice, but why should he do it? •It all seemed too fantastic, for apparently there wore two people both impersonating Vallaiice, one a burglar with a Dalmatian, the other Sir Ralph Chester, unles ■ the wearing of the false beard wag Just a joke on Ralph’s part, and bad nothing to do with any idea of impersonation. Ab soon as she got home Kyrle telephoned to- Miss Benton, and asked her to stay the night, with her ; aB she had most important Hews. Miss Benton was there with her dresdjlg ca within ail hour, and the tivo sat up half the night discussing the queer conduct of Sir Ralph Chester and thi motives that might have inspired him.- ,

W’hlit ultimately Convinced the two women that Ralph might be involved in a sinister plot against Vallaiice, WaS the information obtained from Mr. Tapp, which Kyrle confided to Miss Benton. Mr,. Tapp strongly hinted that the two men had known each other for many years, that he believed that they wore more closely related than either admitted, and that Sir Ralph had a strange hold on Markham. Tapp, in fact, was convinced that Markham went in fear of Ralph. The two women decided before they Went to bed that Kyrle was to see Ralph the next rtiiy, and endeavour to drag the truth from him. difficult as that Would be. . lit the difficulties vanished by the morning, when they saw the newspapers. Kyrle was up first, and aS soon as she saw the headlines she dashed into Miss Bentoil’S room, and thrust the paper into her hands, too excited to explain. Miss Benton gasped as she read: AMAZING £lO,OOO JEWEL ROBBERY. Lady Brookley’s Diamonds. Police Searching For Man Who Impersonated Famous Racing Motorist. “Early this morning a sensational discovery was made at the house of Lord Brookley, the Canadian financier, a conspicuous house with green shutters in Gaston Street, Mayfair, Where a dinner and dance was given last night, attended by maiiy well-known people in society. “Shortly after midnight Lady Brookley found that some oi‘ her jewellery, including a costly diamond necklace, had been stolen from her dressing table. “The police are convinced that the theft was committed by someone who obtained admitance to the house by pretending to be one of the gnet-ts. “Later there was a sensational development. A man closely resembling Mr. Vallaiice Chester, the famous racing motorist, was seen late in the evening in the house.

“We are informed by Lady Brookley that Mr. Chester was among the invited guests, but that he had sent a message saying that he was unable to be ureficnt, owing to a badly sprained ank'e sustained at his country home, Greyfont, Sussex. “Mr. Chester was astonished to hear that he had been seen at the party, and the police are now searching for the man who impersonated him. It will be i membered that there have been two robbericfi recently in the country, in Which, the police suspected a man resembling Mr, Chester, and who, on each occasion, was seen near the house ac a companied by a Dalmatian dog. Mr. Chester also has a Dalmatian. The man who visited Lady Brookley’s house does not appear to have brought a dog, and of course would be scarcely likely to do so on such an occasion.

“The police have Do clue as to the

' man's identity. It is assumed that by some means he learned that Mr. Chester was unable to attend tlie party, and calculated that if an impersonator appeared late in the evening his appearance Would not atouse suspicion. “Among -the guests was Sir -Ralph Chester, a distant relative of Mr. Vallance Chester. lie informed . our representative that he was unaware that Mr. Chester had sent word 'saying that he could hot conic, and was therefore not Surprised to see a man resembling him in the course of the evening. “He did not get an opportunity to s- eak to him, as he only saw him to? a moment while dancing.” CHAPTER XXI. THE END OF RALPH CHESTER. Kyrle was pale with excitement and a sleepless night. “First I phone Vai,” she said, “and tell him I shall be coining to see him later in tho day with great news. Then I will see Ralph.” “I will come with you, it would be safer,’’ said Miss Benton. “No, that wbift do, ho would never speak in the presence of a Witness, I know; you wait outside the house, and if I don't come out in a quarter of an hour call tho police.” Kyrle learned from Vallaiice that tlie ankle sprain was caused by a Simple accident, a fall while dismounting from li is horse. ‘ 1 phoiied Lady Brookley ill the afternoon, saying that it was very doubtful if I would be able to eoiiie. How 011 earth it got to the oafs of my burglar double I don’t know, unless it was through the Servants’ hall. I stippos you were surprised to hear that I was an invited guest to a highly respectable house like that.” Kyrle heard a chuckle as she asked why. “I mean,” he said, "that in View of my wiblted past, some people, Sir Ralph Chester fof instance, must Wonder how it is that people like Lord and Lady Brookley invited me to their fashionable functions, and why I had the cheek to accept. The explanation is that Lady Brookley is always chasing celebrities of all sorts, While her husband wants me to drive a new wonder facing car that is being made secretly at Coventry.” lie heard her delighted laugh, and then she said, “1 hope to see you to-day. Miss Benton and I ,wiU both be coming. I hope to give you the surprise of your life.” “What do you mean?” “You wait and see!” An hour later Kyrle, in her car with Miss Benton, stopped within 50 yards of Ralph’s house, and Kyrle went on alone. She was shown into the library, and was told that Sir Ralph was sorry to have to keep her waiting for about five minutes, as he had not finished dressing. She took a seat near the desk; but found that she felt better on her feet, walking about the room looking at the pictures. Presently her eyes came to rest 011 the desk. Tho middle drawer was open a few inches, and she caught sight of a small shilling object that reflected the rays of the morning sun coming through the window. Curiosity made her lean over to see what it was, and she saw ft gold cuff link. Where had She seen it before? The letter “C” was engraved, on it, and then she remembered that it was exactly like the oiio picked up at Greyfont- on the night Markham was found dead.

She picked it up to examine it, but hearing approaching footsteps, slipped the link into her handbag aiid Walked to the window. She could just sec Miss Deiiton sitting in the car. “This ds a delightful surprise. To what do I owe this honour?”

Bit Ralph, perfectly groomed, came towards her. She did not offer her hand, and for the moment did not know what to say. “Of course you have seen what happened at Lord Brookley’s. It looks bad for your • friend Vallance Chester again, but no doubt he will be able to explain it all away as usual.”

f ‘He needn’t bother this time.” Kyrle had found her tongue and stood facing him, calm and confident. (To be continued,)