THE HONOUR OF BRAMPTON COURT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20930, 8 January 1938, Page 15

THE HONOUR OF BRAMPTON COURT

By

RUTH HERTSLET

CHAPTER IV. FOR THE HONOUR OF THE SCHOOL Midnight, came, and Paul tossed restlessly in bed. One o’clock struck, then two o’clock and at last he heard the door open and Jock entered noiselessly. "Paul,” he whispered. "Yes —I’m awake,” came the quiet reply. "Get dressed quietly. We've got to start now.” "Start where?” whispered Paul in surprise. "Tell you later. Hurry up! We’re going to do the burglar act this time. —We’re starting on Brewster’s study.” •'Well I’m jiggered! muttered Paul, but his faith in Jock was unshaken. In a couple of minutes he was ready, and the pair crept softly down the corridor.

“Brewster returned at midnight, ’ Jock explained. “The burglars have hidden the jewels tonight and Brewster was given the plan of the hiding place. I followed him home. He put it in the top right-hand drawer of his desk. Can you fill our haversacks with tucker from the pantry, while I make a copy of the plan? We’ve got to get there first and Brewster will start at daylight.” Paul nodded eagerly. At last he was about to take an active part in the adventure! Half an hour later, the boys, safely out of the school grounds, crossed a paddock and entered a deep gully. Here they sat down and eagerly pored over the plan while Jock related his night’s adventure. "I had a great feed at the pie-cart,” he chuckled,” and as I had no tea, you can imagine I acted the hungry tramp quite naturally. Brewster came in looking terribly worried. He met two men called Slippery Bill and Two Gun Joe. They went down that dirty little Merrill street and disappeared into one of those small tenement houses. They lit a candle, and I could see through the chinks of the shutters. Brewster handed Bill a roll of notes, and Bill gave him a copy of this,” and he nodded at the paper before him. "I couldn’t catch what Brewster said except, ‘This is the very last time.’ One of the men laughed horribly.—l think Brewster wanted to punch him!” “Seems to be a trick of Brewster's,” murmured Paul.

"I’m sorry for Brewster, somehow,” mused Jock. "Then they had a long conversation. I couldn't hear what it

was about except that Slippery Bill gave Brew’ster a paper and said, ‘Here’s the plan, collect the loot, and mind you carry out the instructions to the letter.” Brewster looked pretty sick. •Then you’ll give me back—’ I couldn't hear what he said. ‘When you’ve handed over the booty and not before.’ leered Two Gun Joe. ‘To-morrow afternoon, then.’ muttered Brewster, and grabbed the plan and fled.

"You mean, Jock, that we’ve got to get the jewels before Brewster?” "Yes. Paul, for the honour of the school,” said Jock gravely.—“ Nice headlines it would make. ‘Head Prefect of Select School in League with Burglars. Brampton Court Boy assists in Jewel Robbery!” Paul nodded wisely. “It would be pretty tough on the Head, wouldn’t it! Well Jock, let’s get to work;” and once more they pored over the plan. “East Gate N.N.E. 6 Jackson’s Bush. Forked Rimu. E 3. Roaring Matilda N. Split Rock. N.W. Cave HI.”

“East Gate N.N.E. That’ll be from the gate to the football grounds,” said Jock. "Paul, d’you remember your scout lore? Can you find your direction by the stars?” “Yes, I think so,” replied his chum, gazing at the heavens. "There’s the Southern Cross, Jock. See. I’ll draw it for you, and you can help me to work it out. The five stars of the Southern Cross are Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and little Epsilon, Alpha being at the bottom of the cross. The two pointers are Alpha Centauri and Beta Centauri, Beta Centauri being the nearer one. You remember.” said Paul, "you take a straight line between Gamma and Alpha and continue it for eight times that distance, until you come to a star called Achemon. Yes, there it is. Now take a direct line between Achernon and Beta Centauri. Exactly half-way along that line is Sigma Octantes, but you can’t see it without glasses. Sigma Octantes is due south.”

"There’s due south, then,” said Jock, forking it out. and pointing in the irection.”

"Well, now we can get our other compass points,” said Paul. "North is exactly opposite, East and West at right angles. N.E. is half-way between North and East. N.N.E. is half-way between North East and North.— There!—That’s the direction!” “Now, off we go!” cried Jack gleefully. “Scouts to the rescue for the Honour of Brampton Court!” (to be continued>.