A Coil of Rope

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1931, Page 14

A Coil of Rope

(By

Frank Gilbert)

r CHAPTER Vl.—(Continued.) fP’ “Well,” responded Button. “ Fos ene thing, they give you a good lunoh, and another....’’ Webb heard then a click which notified him that Button had hung up his receiver. So, with a shrug of his shoulders, and a muttered “ May as well,” he had gone to Scotts’, there to meet Eric Crofts, looking all forlorn. His Invitation to visit Gradoross Street followed, and when Eric hesitated to accept It, Webb, was naturally somewhat taken aback. Further, that Eric should know Button seemed surprising. ■' “ Better tell me about It,: Crofts, old fellow,’’ he said, suavely, linking his arm In Eric’s. There was something magnetic about Webb's personality, and he usually had his way. Ho did this time, or, at least, believed he did. But Eric was still undecided as to how much Webb should really be told. So he said, “I happend to meet Mr Button, at Church, this morning. He is a deacon in some noncomformlst place of worship in West London. For some reason or other, which he did not disclose, he invited me to go with him on a visit to that house in Gradcross Street where the murder was committed. We went with a Police Inspector, who took us inside the house."

“What was the Inspector’s name?" asked Webb.

“ Harker," replied Eric. Webb whistled softly. Harker; had a great reputation, and yet Button had said that the police seemed pretty helpless in the case. What did that mean?"

Webb did not speak to Crofts of his private thoughts, but enquired blandly: “Did you see anything interesting?” “Yes,” said Eric. “ One thing in particular. A coil of rope was found on the dead man’s chest.” Sounds like a bit out of “Treasure Island’ ” remarked Webb, smiling, adding, “You didn’t see a bottle of rum, too, I suppose?” “Oh no,” responded Eric, gravely. “I don’t mind telling you that I was mighty glad to get out of the place. Gave me cold shivers down my back I can tell you ! 1 ’ “Guilty conscience, eh?” joked Webb.

But Eric started, and his face reddened. Webb saw both the start and the blush, but made no comment on them.

“Ah, well, I guess I’ll take care of you If you will come along, old boy,” he said instead. And Eric allowed himself to be led to Webb’s car, and a short time later he was again In Gradcross Street. On this occasion, however, Erls was not destined to enter No. 247, for when Webb enquired for Inspector Harker he was informed the Detective had gone to Scotland Yard. Webb showed his card, but the constable point blank refused to admit him. “My orders are to let no-one in, Sir,” he said, politely but firmly, “and I guess I wouldn't let the Commissioner himself in, unless Mr Harker happened to be with him. No, Sir, it's more than I dare. Why not call back in an hour’s time?”

Seeing that there was nothing to be gained by pressing the point, Webb accepted the refusal quietly. “No. use upsetting the fellow," he remarked, as they drove away again In his car. Eric eagerly concurre» and, with a sigh of relief, enquired:

“And what’s your, programme now, old man?” “I hardly know,” said Webb, adding, “And you?” ‘.‘l had promised to call for Miss Hampden, during the afternoon. Why not come along with me?” Webb reflected for a moment, and then asked: “ Would she be ready to come for a spin in the car, do you think?” “Let’s go and see,” said Eric, who was keenly anxious to get away from the neighbour hood of Gradcross Street, as quickly, as possible. They pulled up outside the house where Pauline was staying, and Eric was admitted while Webb lit a cigarrette, and waited. He guessed he would wait at least half an hour. He had had little experience of women, but had always understood that they took an interminable time dressing, so he was agreeably surprised when only five minutes later the pair came out and took their seats in Webb’s car. , ■ “Where to?" asked Webb of Pauline. . “Oh, anywhere,” she replied brightly. “Let’s run down to Richmond and look down on the Thames from the Terrace Gardens. I love that view!’’ "Good enough,” assented Webb, and with a quick ‘snick’ on the selfstarter they sped away. Eric and Pauline sat in the rear seats, ana chatted gaily. The journey was accomplished without incident, Mil when starting back Webb asked Eno if he would care to drive. He agreed, and so Webb sat with Pauline. “Have you had any sleuth jobs lately?" she asked him. “Yes,” he answered. “I have one on just now.” n _ “Oh!” she exclaimed excitedly. l>o tell me all about it!” “I have nothing to tell yet,” he remarked. “I only took the job on this morning, and my first enquiries were thwarted at the outset, but I’ll have to get busy again soon as we get back, that is,” he added, “unless Erie runs us over Kew Bridge, into ths Thames." But they crossed the bridge safely, and sped on towards Gunnersbury. . . . . “Does it promise to be an Interesting ease?” she asked, and then, as if, remembering a headline In her morning paper, added: “I suppose it ‘doesn’t happen to be anything to do with that murder at some street near Hammersmith 1 have forforgotten the name?” “Yes, it does,” answered Webb, smiling. “Then It must be near to our homeward road," said the gnrl. “Couldn't we just turn off and have a look at the house? I’d love to. Do say ‘Yes’ I” 1 Webb smiled'at her child-like enthusiasm. “Very well,” he said, “If you like to ry, but I cannot promise you that you ■ will get inside.” “Not even if you are with me ?" shej

asked, laughing. Webb leaned forward and gave Eric directions.

“Miss Hampden wants to look at No. .247, Gradcross Street. Will you turn off here?”

Eric’s hesitation was most marked, but he obeyed. “Why!” exclaimed Pauline, “Doesn’t Eric want to see the place where that man was found dead last night “I think not,” remarked Webb, dryly. “As a matter of fact he has already seen it twice to-day, and I am not at all sura, from ids attitude, that

he has not seen it even more times, than that." “Whatever do you mean?” demanded Pauline.

“ Again I must reply that I do not know for sure,” said Webb calmly, "but I can tell you this privately that I don’t think Master Eric has told mo ail be knows about Gradcross Street. I cannot say more now, for wo ere actually in the street, but Master Brio is a ‘cute bird,’ or I am much mistaken.”

■Pauline had no more time to ask questions, for the car had stopped M near No. 247 as the large crowd, which had gathered, would permit. It was a morbid crowd, which, on this quiet winter’s afternoon stood to gaze at the house where a man had been violently done io death the night before. They could see nothing save the coming and going of police officials, and other people who mostly arrived in motor cars, and at whose identity they could only guess. Even the identity of the murdered man was as yet unknown .to the crowd, standing there with eyes glued on No. 247. Their countless tongues never ceased. They all felt they were taking part In some unseen drama, which would presently end in someone walking early one morning to the scaffold. This afternoon’s vigil would perhaps shed a pale glow on their otherwise drab, uneventful lives. Rumours, impossible and fantastic, were bred in that crowd, and later spread throughout the district. Each newcomer was the object of keen speculation. What part had he or she in the crime? Necks were craned to catch a better view, and coarse 'jests' were tossed about as each car drew up and went away again. So it is not to be wondered at that Pauline, when she both 'heard and saw the crowd through which she had to pass to enter the house, regretted having asked to come. But now there could be no going back, so, with her head high in the air, she passed into the house with Webb and Eric Crofts. There they learned that Inspector Harker had returned and would see them, so they mounted the stairs.

Harker greeted Webb cordially, but frowned when he saw Eric a® His frown deepened, when Webb v troduced Pauline. “I hope you will not mind, Mr Harker,” said Webb, "but I have brought a lady friend —Miss Hampden—inspector Harker!” The girl tendered her neatly gloved hand, but the Inspector hesitated to accept It. "Miss Hampden?” he muttered hoarsely. “Yea," replied Webb. “My God!” cried Harker, tensely. “Then H’s strange that you should come here Miss. And lam very, very sorry. . . . I’ve got some bad news for you. . . . Your father was found dead in this room last night!” It wis hard for both Eric and Leslie to believe that Inspector Harker’s words were true, but evidently Pauline believed them, and they both gripped her arms, Instantly expecting her to faint. ißut great though the shock naturally was to the girl, she kept her mind calm, determined to hear all that Harker could tell her, and began'to fire a number of questions at the Inspector. Her first gripped Eric’s attention at once: “How do you know?" she demand-

ed. V , . “I am afraid it’s only too true, said Harker. “But how did you identify him? she. queried firmly. “I ® aw ' s^ e j in the newspapers that nothing had been found on the body.”

Harker -hesitated.

• ‘‘Go on," she commanded coldly. “Tell me all. lam entitled, to know if indeed it was my Daddy.” “Well,” replied Harker. “It was a fact that when the body was discovered there was nothing whatever to indicate identity, but this morning a telephone message reached .Scotland Yard to the effect that the murdered man was John Hampden, until very recently the chairman of a company called ‘Novel Enterprises Limited.’” ■ “I happen to be the Managing Director of that Company,” interposed Eric. . . ■ Harker frowned at the interruption, then glared'at Eric, but continued. “We immediately got into touch with his ‘home in 'the country, through ■the local police, and verified certain details. We learned that he left his home on Friday morning and has not 'Since returned there.’ “But who telephoned to the Yard?” asked Pauline insistently. “Frankly we do not know! The person—a woman spoke from a callofUce.” .

“Strange,” remarked Webb. This was the first time he had spoken since Harker’s announcement of ■ his discovery. , “Yes,” agrqed (Harker. . It is strange, but you mark my words—there will be some stranger things discovered before we are many hours older.”

These words, uttered in solemn tones, brought a shiver to the girl, and Eric pressed her arm again in sympathy. The Inspector’s words seemed to have a sinister meaning, and Erlo felt his tongue cleave to the roof of his mouth. He could not speak. It was Webb who broke the silence.

“Well, Inspector. I suppose you will he wanting Miss Hampden to Identify the body. Can not we get that task over as quickly as possible?” “Certainly," agreed Harker. Have you a car outside?” Webb nodded. •‘Then I will take you there right noyv," declared Harker, adding, “that is, if the lady is able to come?” (To be ccnUnued.)