The Innocent Accomplice

Taranaki Daily News, 20 February 1932, Page 9

The Innocent Accomplice

BY

ETHEL F. HEDDLE

CHAPTER W, (Continued.)'

She swallowed, doing It quite artlstfoally and dropping her eyes. Her heard lipa, of the usual vermilion hue, <ld 'their best to tremble. Ada was a toss to the movies. “Sir—-Mr Michael —I thought I d better come and tell you something. It may be nothing. But I felt it to.be my duty. Though I don’t like doing it She, Joeing one of us. But as your father said once, at a big dinner, he liked us to feel the business like a family, and be loyal to it.” Michael w'as conscious of hoping 1 that the “family” tie did not extend to this girl and himself, but he tried to speak politely. * •*Yes, and you had something to tell about last night’s affair, sir—the burglary. I can’t help thinking—that Peggy Alison— you know Peggy? - —she’s in the. costume department—knows something about it.” Michael turned aside and pushed the papers away. His lips were compressed. “Yes. What makes you think so? It is—rather a* grave accusation, you know, Miss'Prowse.” “Indeed, I do, sir.’’ Another swallow. “But I felt I must tell you. You see, she and I had arranged to go to the movies at Shepherd’s Bush.” “You mean last night” “Yes, sir. And she didn’t turn up. I waited and waited. And then I went home. I live in the flat opposite.

Marigold Buildings, West Kensington. And I couldn’t sleep. I felt it was so queer of Peggy. Her mother was *way... Peggy, isn’t a gad-about kind of girl, you see. She’s a vicar’s daughter—a bit stuck up. So I thought it queer. And I’m a had sleeper, and. couldn’t sleep.’’ "You waited up to see?”“Yes, sir.”

■ She did not quite make out his tone. •*And she came in dreadfully late.

Nearly two. Looking very queer and white.' She jumped when she saw me. She —I think she looked guilty. And when I asked her she would only

say she’d been ‘detained’ I” Ada permitted- herself to laugh scornfully—the venom would out. “And this morning, when, she came to business, she looked just as queer. Didn’t seem a bit surprised to hear of the •burglary; J. feel sure, she knew.” “You are going on very slight surmises;” he said coolly. “Miss Alison mayrhave been to the theatre and supper after.” _ • “Oh, Bhe lsn’t that sort. And she wasn’t dressed.” Ada cried. Was he really such, a fool as to believe that? To do her justice, she was quite sure that Peggy did hide some guilty knowledge, “I—l thought I’d( tell you. If we are all examined and Questioned by the firm, I’d have to tell what I know, wouldn’t I?” “You will not all .be examined and questioned, I. think,” Michael said quietly. “We shall leave it to the police.” “Well, I hope they’ll be cleverer than they were at Harrod’s,” Ada said scornfully. “It don’t seem as if they were very bright, does it, sir? In novels it’s always the amateur man like Sherlock who finds things out. So I—• I thought I’d tell yfiu all I know.” ; “Yes. Thank you very much,” Michael said. He took up the letterweight and. balanced it for a moment. "I wonder if you would mind keeping this —to yourself, As a personal favour to me. I—l shall —I dare say Miss Alison will explain. There is probably some perfectly innocent explanation of her late return.” “Oh, certainly 1" Ada tried to.refrain from sneering. He was really too soft and silly. “I’ll say nothing. But I—l hope you think I meant well,' sir, to the- firm;”

“Certainly,’’ he said. He touched a bell on the table. Ada got to the door as the other girl came in. “Good morning,” Michael said politely. “And thank you, Miss Prowse.”

Michael dictated a good many letters that day, a'nd then he saw the Inspector, and Bill, and the managers of all the departments. The police had found nothing. They knew where the entrance and exit of the/ thieves had been, that was all. The second watchman’s illness had been known.. A clever job. But of course they would hope to lay the thieves by the soon. They knew of a very clever hand to be free and at work, but there was actually no proofagainst him at all. They would work on quietly; he would give himself away, sooner or later; they all did. Michael put .on his coat thoughtfully after they had gone. Harold had been in, angry and provoked and talkative. The brothers had nothing in common, and Harold had always been jealous of Michael.

“I wouldn’t wonder if It was dona by Inside help," he said, “One of these girls, perhaps. A girl nowadays prides herself on new professions, and pushing out the men. And she thinks this darned sentimental Press of burs would see her through, and howl if she was sent to prison. Have you any ideas, Michael” “I’m afraid I’ve no fancy for the amateur detective: line,” Michael said coolly. “And'- I’m afraid they don’t come off,- except in novels! People all laugh at the police, but I never heard of a successful amateur—in real life!”

“Well, I don’t mean to sit down under it!’’ Harold cried. “They’ve got quite a lot! I’m off to the Gaiety. Like to come? It’s a first night." “No, thank you. I promised the governor to? get back.” The brothers parted, and Harold got into his handsome car. Michael was getting into his, in the side street, when he saw Peggy. He knew the slight figure and the little close dark hat. He thought she looked tired and flushed. The staff had gone, and the shutters were up. But she started when he took off his hat and smiled at her. She gave him a sudden frightened look. Ada would have said a guilty look. , * “I wonder If you would let me drive you so far,” he said. “I. want to eay something to you, &nd I don t want to send for you—Just now— to the office.” Her look only increased in terror. . “Han't you—say it here?” she said. •it x’tf rather not drive with you. They—they notice everything. They d think it queer." “ She was shrinking back into the o terrified and.cold repulse. Had she Xorgotten the walk under the stars “Verv well—if you’d rather not, ■he said. “What I wanted to say was you should beware of that girl Ada browse! Did you think she was your friend? She isn’t!” _ He told her briefly them and P eggy Stared at him aghast Ohl If Ada thic elsewhere h- And they came SesUoX her—and found out herreSSp S tO TedJ, Shogot eowW e Sat he put out his hand .uncon •alousto-

CHAPTER VI. Mda Is Curious.

.(To De c«nUnued.>‘

Don’t look like that Peggy!_ I told her nothing. And I told her not to speak of it. You can’t tell me more? Explain? 'Of course I know you had nothing to do with the burglary. But —you- —you didn’t see -or hear anything, did you? I gather you—were locked in—somehow 1” .- “I told you I could tell you nothing 1” Peggy cried passionately. You. are just trying to find out, too ’ *° a tell you nothing—nothing! Thy can’t prove I know anything! 111 not stay to be questioned. You P ro “' sed you wouldn’t! I’m going on now—l don’t care if Ada Prowse does hex worst I I—l’ll say nothing. Noth--111 She was so terrifled she really did not seem to know what she said He felt miserable that he had 1 ost all advantage he had won. For the blue eyes shrank from him, and he could see how her little hands tumbled “You —you don’t believe I d worry vou Peggy. That I don t trust you? he said, and then could see tha.three or four girls were coming up fromi th side street, and Peggy saw them also and with a hasty Good inght, M Michael,’* she was gone. Her anger and fear were not for, or because him, but at the net which seemed to -be spreading before her feet. If Ada spoke—told her story Even he .even Michael England, to want to question her—would T u ® s^° n h el . i And of course he was immaculate' and grave and sat.ln the seats of the mightlyl Oh if thy found out—if Tea were found out i; would kill her mother!

Mrs Alison was not In, though there was a little note besides Peggy’s supper—the dainty supper Mrs Alison always left.. “Do eat the salad Peggy dear. 11l not be long. I promised Marlon to look in again and attend to things for her. If Ted comes, there’s a slice or two of ham —I’m afraid all I have. MOTHER.”

Ted ate very little at the flat. He usually grumbled at ‘the food, when he did. He said he was doing well. His partener bought properties in the country, cheap; and he sold them dear. And he, Ted, was getting a good share. But he had nothing for his mother and Peggy. Living was so deuced expensive! He himself had to put up with a “ rotten little car!" But as Peggy sat there, pushing the salad from her, she suddenly heard the key in the latch and he came in. He always had- a key—said he never knew when he might need it, a cryptic speech which neither attempted to question. To her surprise, he carried a big box, the kind of box in which England’s sent home frocks, and he put it down on the table before her, with a laugh. “ There, Peggy, my child I Don't say I never give you anything! It’s a frock, Peggy—an evening frock ! And Chips and I, and a party, are going to take you out, on Thursday. Quite a cheery crowd. So I had to see your decent I Tou are a jolly pretty little girl, if you would dress decently.” / , . He opened the box and pushed it towards her, and pulled out the tissue paper. “ They put In such a deuce of* a lot," he said. Peggy gazed at him with wide eyes. 1 A lovely dress: palest rose-pink silk tulle, petalled; and stockings, and dainty silver shoes, even a little rose brocade hag. Peggy knew the look of the things, the effortless perfec-; tion that -means such a lot of effort 1 to produce. “Oh!” she cried. “You—you bought these—you steal —to buy them for me 1 and think—l could take them!"'

He gave a sudden curse. He leaped to his feet.

“Of all the blasted cheek! You ungrateful little devil !” “But it’s true Ted, Ted,"-the girl said.

Quite suddenly It seemed to Ted, he saw the face of the Vicar, his stepfather. Pale, grave, gently stern—unbending—on the night he was caught, poaching ! They came and told his step-father. A mere boy—but the beginning of the downward path. “ It’s true. Oh Ted I You can’t think I’d take them? What you’d sold your soul for ! Oh 1 I know you meant well, and kindly, and they’re lovely I Lovely 1.... I But I can’t oh 1 I couldn’t Ted 1” There were tears In her eyes. He stared at her furiously. “ Look here Peg,” he cried. I didn’t think you were quite such a fool. As if all London didn’t steal ! In one way or another 1 Do each other ! ' What do you think of the swells who order things with money to pay for them —and don’t? But go to Church, and say the Creed, and put their threepenny bits In the plate. “Let your light so shine before men! Their light 1 A threepenny bit ! And the blokes every one, and think you a duffer if you don’t Where the 'differences, Peggy? From stealing as we do. and taking the risk? Whats the difference? You little silly I You little ass!” , , _ He faced her furiously. Peggy loved him after all, and she felt as if he dug the ground from ner feet “ There is a difference, Ted, she said “and you know it! You would break mother’s heart ! Oh Ted couldn’t you, wouldn’t you go straight. All vour life, Ted, you 11 be sorry . What do you think the end will be? Prison, perhaps, and „ shame .1 And mother’s heart broken!’’ '