THE JADE TOKEN

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1930, Page 11

THE JADE TOKEN

(By

RALPH TREVOR)

It was small wonder, then, that Burke paused for a few ‘moments on the step in front of the door, his hand half-raised to the knocker, uncertainly. Should he challenge Ames with being at least/a party to the robberies which had z been for so long in progress? Should he admit having overheard Ames J and Ann Marvin in that back room a few moments agio; or should he pro-, fees complete ignorance of the whole matter and see what Ames had to say ? It was not an easy thing, First of all he had to account for his nocturnal visit. That would probably be easy. He had called to consult Ames about the case they had in hand; wanted his advice, But about what?. It would not do, perhaps, to allow Ames to. suspect anything just yet in spite of the evidence of his own senses less than ten minutes ago. It was awkward/ damnably awkward, and yet .. • hanjj, it all, he was a police officer, and there was his duty to be done. Coming to a swift decision, Burke smote the knocker soundly. He heard his knock echo rather eerily through the big vault of a house, and inwardly shuddered. There was something about this house that was rather repellant, but just why, he did not know. His surtfmons was not answered im* . mediately, and eagerly he awaited the sound of footsteps echoing along the hallj but none came. Instead, a light flared up the dark vestibulej Then the door opened and Ames stood framed into the circle of light. .. Arpes evidently recognised Burke’s voice before he saw him- , “Come inside, Mr, Burke, come inMde,” greeted the Inspector, cordially. *Anything wrong?” Curtis Burke did not reply immediately as he stepped into the now well-lighted hall behind Ames. He wag puzzled- -This man was apparently a consummate actor, ‘‘Nothing in particular,” Burke told him, “that is to say, I’m just a little bit worried and should like your adyice.” Amec had shown him into the room on tlie left of the front door—the room where Burke had noticed the electric reading lamp standing on the table. It was still here add Ames crossed to the chimney breast and

turned a switch which brought the red -filaments glowing in the neat electric 'fire on; the hearth. ■ 7 “Handy. little ' things?”. Ames observed with an inconsequent air. “Save the trouble of keeping a fire going all night long.” ’ Burke assented, but his mind was still lingering on that other room he had just left where an extraordinarily good fire still; gio wed, bars. Why-had Amea deliwtately refrained from showing him' in there? What other reason except’that,''interrupted by. his . .knock, Aun'-Marvin;. was seeking refuge there' until the danger , was passed, for Burke .argued that Amds had no idea that the early morning visitor might be himself; ; 1 ' That knock *t the door might ;just as ; easily have heralded someone less pleasant. ' . . Curtis-Burke slumped into a chair, beside the electric fire and watched the-elder man -cross to a z little cupboard and fetch; a> decanter: and two

glasses, ‘ . “Just a spot, Mr. Burke?” Ames’ eye: ’ brows arched interrogatively. “Cold Bight, you know. Just the thing to warm you up.” ; “Thanks!” Burke agreed, thankful for the respite which might.give ...him time to think out the best, means pf attacking a difficult problem.". , . Amos poured but the r whisky with » tolerably steady hand. . “I’ll leave you to dispense th© soda to your- own satisfaction,” ho smiled, genially, indicating the, syphdn which ho had placed on tho small Indian lacquer table which He'had-placed at Burke’s elbow, t -i "f •• -.1" .■ Burke was in no hurry and fingered the syphon, leisurely, owning, the. while how extremely difficult it was for him to begin. 'r Ames had drawn, up a chair opposite 7 his-unexpected guest, and Burke was '. conscious that .the Inspector was regarding him keenly but Kindly. “I cannot but think, Mr. Burke, that it wa* something very important that brought you out this way to-night.” Curtis Burke replaced his glass on the table slowly. There was a peculiar tone in this man’s voice—a suggestion, almost of. challenge,.. Nevertheless Burke laughed. “I. ■ think you’re <1 thought-reader, r Am<*>” he smiled. “You wo’u]fin!t catch me coming -out .-into the wilds - of ■ north Tondon on. ar: : darkty7 might such as this without very- 'reason, but I am wondering--Whether you will be pleased at my. ■fexcuse.T- It concerns yourself rather, intimately!” Burke added*At'trmef? lower and with greater seriousness. -.7..

He watched the keen ; grey ? eyes of tte older jflari gazing at hiiji. with rocklike stability from beneath-those heavy, buehy eyebrows, “As it ’ concerns myself, ■ I suppose I have every; right ...’to ask you to be completely explicitf/Mr.’ Burke. I trust that my^apparent : .iriattehtiori'\to duty has not been causing unduy official --anxiety?” ■ “There is nothing official about it—yet ” retorted the young'man steadijy. “I. came out ’here wanting to,give you a.' ehan de of explaining this.” Burke .withdrew -his- hdnd -from. his. pocket and' held out,-in. his .open' palm, the button .with, the triangular threadholes,' A.. • . ' Amt® leaned forward a little and gazedat’ the -object-with'- considerable interest/ • He took it!, into ■’•his gnarled Ungers and .scrutinised, it closely, and a frown fretted his brow. _ “A button?” ho mused, looking up to meet Burke’s gaze. “You came to consult adie-about a. button? But how very extraordinary. Is there anything the matter .with it, apart from its rather unique arrangement of the thread-holes?” “A great- -deal,” said Burke. “It belongs to you.” Inspector Ames • smiled. It was a. curious smilp that-might have meant that,the joke was entirely with hirhJeif.

'“l’m afraid my sew of humour cant not' altogether survive .a day and « night,- Mr,' Burke, Like tvery other human faculty, a sense of humour needs ivst, .and I must confess that I was up by six o’clock this morning and now,f ■he -glanced at his watch “it’s -nearly a quarter past one,” , '• Curtis’ Burke was feeling that he had had quite enough of this, man’s jests; It was time he • came to busii nes. “I suppose you' h&ve no idea wher« I .found that, button!’- Burk©, asked, irritably. • ' ? . ■ “There, of . course, I’m at/ a distinct disadvantage,” said, Ames, quietly;

; “You found -it—2” , . . ; “Outside the window of th© library at Rio Court the morning »ftef thd jewelled crucifix had been• stolen- front -igir Garvice Watkin.” No sigh of emotion was visible on Aines’ ; face- It. was as inscrutable 1 aa a mask. /‘Meaning,-1 presume,. that Inspector Ames, of Scotland Yard is a .common crook ... a felon in ‘ the eyes of thd Jaw he seeks diligently’ and conscientiously to serve? fe- that what you .mean,: Mr. Burke?-’* ■ ■' '. • Curtis.. Burke, nodded. \./'“What other inference is . to. b© drawn?’ 1 he challenged. “That button i« .of American design'. It is-hot used, by any London tailor.” . J Inspector Ames pulled ''himaclf out of hia chair. His face, so Burke imagined, had gone somewhat-pale, although his eyes were still bright. “Arid what action do you pfopose to

take,■ Mr,-Burke?” • _* •;-Amei’ words were maddeningly-calm and, unconcerned, although the other detected a note of ‘ apprehension 'under-lying.-the'ih;- ', ••.'■■’■ ■’ ■ • I '' ; ■ f ? .. /..; “1. am a police officer, Inspector,” ©aid Btirke,-coldly.’ ’“I have' a’duty to’perform.- I : hope you-will-not make it un-i duly, difficult.-for .me,” • ! Ames wae'silent for ’a'few momenta and the tension in the atmosphere waa markedly apparent. H® stood there o-azing down at the little button that rested lightly on his hand as though he were castigating it for. its apparent carelessness. Then he looked, up. “Of course, Mr. Burke,” he said, slowly, “you must take whatever action you may think fit. I quite realise that my carelessness has placed you •in a rather uncomfortable arid wholly Un-j. enviable position, but aa you., say; the ; re : is your duty.” Then the speaker’s manner changed with curious abruptnes. “On the other hand., I would warn you not to arrive at a too hastly conclusion. It would, be very unfortunate for your--reputation, Mr. Burke, were, you to make a fool of yourself over this somewhat trivial matter. Remember that, the charge which you wpuld be forced, to prefer against me would be not only a serious, but also an unpleasant one, and if' that charge were not proved, things might possibly be very awkward for you, Mr. Burke, It bright mean ... anything. On the other hand I feel compelled to give you a little bit of good advice. If you applied yourself more to the case we have' in hand —” Burke noted that he emphasised ' the “wc”—“instead of spending your time in making love to a .certain attractive young lady, there might'not be quite so much uneasiness down at the Yard.” Burke was on his foot id ah instant, The veiled implication concerning Ann Marvin had infuriated him. “What the devil do you mean by that.’” he demanded.

Ames was still menacingly calm. N “I trust there will be no occasion for either-of us to lose our tempers,” he observed coldly. “You know quite well what I mean.”

“I should be glad if you will leave my private affairs out of this altogether,” flared Burke impatiently. “I came her to-night to arrest you with being 1 . ” Burke' hesitated, and finally left the sentence incomplete. “You have a warrant, then?” A smile flickered about the corners of the Inspector’s mouth. ■ (To be continued.) ? 'EAST END SURF CLUB BEACH PATROL PROGRAMME. The Strandon beach. New Plymouth, was patronised during the week-end by 'members of the East End Surf Club, six teams from which had wet and dry practices. Four, new members enrolled, bringing the total to 42. A meeting of the club was also held, Mr. F. Coleman presiding over a large attendance. It was decided to test the alarm bell at the beach next Sunday at 10.30/a.m., and to notify the fire brigade of the club’s intention. - It was decided to send a team to the New . Zealand championships, to be held at .Wanganui in Marc.h. It was also agreed that club members were willing to tpach children and others wishing to learn to swim, and parents were invited to approach the members of the club and make arrangements for instruction. The club will hold an opening night at the baths on Thursday, when a number of events will be held,