“CRAZY QUILT.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12784, 30 October 1919, Page 4

“CRAZY QUILT.”

S By ® © FEEGTJS htjme g I e«® g Author of © Mystery of a Hansom Cab ” - §' © "m"^ 9 S P ider ” 2 . Tfio Orsy Doctor 11 . v$ g Red Money,” ek./etc./etc. fl

CHAPTER 51, (Continued.) Gland did not answer at once, as he was examining her carefully. Madam . " ni l e ! as s* l6 called herself—plainly a fictitious, name—was a tall, stately woman, obviously a lady. She had'dark hair and dans eyes and a darkish skin, so that she .looked markedly foreign—perhaps a Spaniard. And, indeed, she was so graceful and handsome that she might well have had Andalusian blood in her veins. Arrayed in a black silk dress, with much lace and no jewels, she seemed well-bred and dignifiedy in spite of her hard voice and loud way of speaking. There was an imperious touch about her speech and manner, which suited her appearance very well, and Gland was convinced that lie had before him a woman of uncommon capability. Her looks suggested that she was over fifty and under sixty, but it was impossible to guess her exact age. Years had certainly not abated her natural fire, so strong and determined, and even fierce, did she appear to be- If she was a friend of Dawson’s, the detective was perfectly sure that she managed him and all others with whom she came into contact. , Whether for their good, or for her own, Gland found it impossible to say. “I must see Mr Dawson personally, and then can explain,” he said politely. Madam Jane, who bad not sat down, retreated towards the door. “Very good, sir,” she said in her harsh voice. “ I understand. At times I practise clairvoyance and Mr Dawson is a client of mine. If you will come to this address’’—she placed a card on the table —“ I shall arrange a meeting-” “Are vou a friend of his?” asked Gland, who was watching her carefully, “ An acquaintance only,” answered Madam Jane indifferently. “ Tins business- ” “ Will be explained to Mr Dawson by my friend here.” “Your friend,” Madam Jane turned swiftly towards Cannock, silent at her elbow. “Yes,” said the detective. "I am too ill to go myself. • But at eight tonight Mr Cannock will be at your place, and if Mr Dawson- ” “ He will bo there,” interrupted the woman imperiously. “I shall see to that as I a.m only too anxious be should hear of something to his advantage. He owes -pie money, you understand. -sir.” Gland nodded. ‘‘l Vuite understand,” he said with emphasis, noting that Dawson was no particular favourite of Madam Jane’s, and that she had no anxious regard for his safety. If she had, knowing, as she must know, that Dawson was the murdered woman’s married name, she would scarcely have been -so ready to believe the plausible advertisement. However, there was no time to ask any questions, for Madam Jane wheeled round and left the room as silently and swiftly ns she had entered, fearing the two men. breathless with sunwise: The interview had nob lasted ten minutes; CHAPTER XU ANOTHER SURPRISE. „ Recovering from the shock of Madam Jane’s sudden exit, Cannock walked" quickly to the door, with the. vague idea of bringing her back. vSo far as he could see, she had answered bub trifling questions, and had explained nothing of any moment Jt certainly would. be .necessary to compel her to return and speak more dpenly. ’Gland guessed what was passing in his friend’a mind and stopped him before he could leave the room. “Let her go, Crazy. She is all right.” “ But I sa;y s’—Cannock 5 ’—Cannock faced round in dismay—“ she may disappear and warn Dawson that the advertisement is tosh.” “Oh, no,-she won’t. In the first place she doesn’t know it is tosh; in' the second, Dawson is not a, favourite with her. She’ll bring him to book right enough, if only to get back her money.” “ That may be a blind —an explanation wholly false, to escape examination.” Gland shook his head. “ I don’t think so. Whatever is at the back of all this, Madam Jane is genuine enough so far as regards her dislike for Dawson.” ‘ “ Madam Jane!” Cannock picked up the card and read, the address. “Zoo House, Grenville Square, South Kensington. Hum! Where have I heard that name—the name of Jane—before?” “ It’s a fairly common name.’’ “ As a Christian name, not as a sun name,” retorted the other. “I. have heard it before, and vaguely in my mind there is some suspicion attached to it.” “ As she admits that she is a clairvoyant there well may be suspicions attached to her*” said the detective after a pause. “ These fortune-tellers are charlatans —the curse of the community. I shouldn’t wonder but what the police know her. I’ll ring up and see.” “ Shall I do that?” “No. lam now well enough to attend to the telephone myself. You go back home. Crazy, and vet some dinner and a rest, as it’s getting late. You will have enough to do this evening, I expect, when you present yourself at Zoe House at eight o’clock.’' “ What am I to do when I see Dawson?” , . “ Find out if he is Dawson, and then ask for explanations.” " And if he refuses to give them, as he probably will?” “I’ll-have him .-presbed on suspicion. If he proves to he the husband, there is ample reason why he should ho in custody.” , “But if I go myself without a policeman, how can I arrest him?” “ I’ll toll you all about that, after I ring up the Yard. Return here about seven and I shall give you final instructions. And I say,, Crazv. you did, not say anything to Jollis about that sleeve-link?” . * “No. I have told him nothing of my doings Don’t you want him to know?” “ He must know nothing,” said Gland with emphasis. “I’ll speak to him myself, and, if handled properly, ho .will he more trank than he has been.” “ You always seem to tlrink . that . Jollis knows something.” said Cannock in a restive tone;.” whereas, if he did, he would have told what he knows long ago for my sake.” “Perhaps it is for your sake that he does not tell,” replied Gland' dryly. “ Leave me to deal .with JoOis.” Cannock nodded and went away feeling both curious and irritable- Jollis ' assuredly was-a problem, as there was no understanding his looks and; nods and mysterious manner.’ Thfthe knew' something Cannock was now as .con- | •viiiccd as Gland, and was also con- ’ rinoed that Jollis would not reveal his I knowledge until" he thought fit. It ; was extremely annoying., as the' young j man was beginning to mistrust his ser-- 1 vant. ■ Yet Jollis had been with "him [ for so long and was so devoted to hips interests 1 that Cannock would not think 1 that there was anything hostile in his . attitude. The mereNfact that the man owed bis life to his master was enough to, secure the gratitude of . Jollis. Ah .* together Cannock found things singn- ■ larly disagreeable, and revenged him- , self on. Jollis 1 for his .enforced silence . by behaving; in A griimby uMuuGr dur* ,

J 1 ??. • ... TV -.sem-nb. noted this, uiifc lor some reason—porhapa 'because th o reason for such- aii at-titiA;le—-didnot ask questions; On this 'evening Joins was the -quiet, respectful servant;-who .did--not speak unless diie6tly addressed- Nevertheless, he was i pamtully watchful, and several times j Cannock caught the inquiring look in i nig frank blue eyes. It was an un- ; com, or table meal and Cannock ,was glad | when it was over. I Eor i'be purpose, of his expedition, j the young man arrayed himself in a I dark suit; and wore a heavy fur coat, j. "moil tlio night was chilly and. raw. As I he loft his flat, he glanced back at j Jollis, who held the door open respectfully, hoping that the man would say I something, if only to ask where he was ■ .going. ;• But, contrary to his usn.il 1 fussy _ custom', the man made no j inquiries, and closed the door after his master in silence. This reticence upset, the young man more than might have been imagined as it seemed that Jollis was indifferent to everything concerning his idol. And after their long association Cannock felt the indifference keenly. For the moment he was inclined to return and hare it out with Jollis, but, as a glance at his watch showed that it wa.s five minutes to seven and the Zoo House appointment was at eight, he changed his mind and hurried round to Eric Gardens. “It’s all right.” was Gland’s greeting when his friend entered. “ I know all about Madam Jane and her doings.” The little man was walking about the room in an excited state, and the inspiriting power of tho strenuous mo ment had apparently strung him up to face things personally. His weakness had disappeared, for the time being at all events, and he more than hinted his desire to go to the rendezvous himself. Cannock protested“You’d only collapse, Jimmy. Better let me deal with the matter. I can do all you want under orders. What are- they?” “ See Pawson—as I am sure Madam Jane will keep her word and bring the meeting about—and question'him closely. Make sure that he is the man we want and keep him in play until nine 0 clock. Then ” Gland paused. ‘•Then what?” asked the other impatiently. , “Then something will happen. Oh, don ask me what it is, for J can’t explain just now. All you have to do is to keep your eye on Dawson. Don t lose sight of him, whatever you do.” “You are mighty mysterious,” grumbled Cannock. . “ Everything connected wit£ this case is mysterious,” said Gland promptly, and I am casting a. wide net to catch various persons who are mixed up in the matter. At least I believe so, although I cannot be certain until 1 see and question these persons*” the police know Madam Jane?” ' As a clairvoyant—yea! And I think that she has another occupation which will enable us to deal with her’ 1 can say no more.” “Well, you can’t say lees,” retorted Cannock, and took his departure, alter promising to return when his mission was ended. How the mission would end Cannock was unable to say, because he was in the dark entirely. What was going to happen at nine o'clock ho could not pess. but it was evident that Gland had made his plans. Or perhaps it might be that he had received instructions - from Scotland ■ Yard to move in a, certain way—that way being indicated by the appearance of Madame Jane on the scene, ohe had introduced a- new element into the matter; but in what way she could be concerned with the murder of Laura Weld, Cannock was unable to see. He drove to the an-pomted--pla.ee in a- state of great perplexity, and was devoured with curio sity regarding Gland’s mysterious behaviour and equally mysterious orders. Cannock had always loved excitement and the pursuit of the unknown. Now onat he was getting what he'desired, ho privately told. himseJf that one might fob ranch of a- good thing.' Ali bis adventures in foreign lands Were a-s nothing compared to what he was engaged m now. He had gone hunting lor J’ears to find the fascinating -aaid unex-, peeled, only to discover it literally on Ins own doorstep. So, in spite of his perplexity, and perhaps because of that very perplexity, Cannock's spirits rose high. Ho bad marched up to the cannon s mouth and the danger braced him to face whatever might happen. And that he did not know what might happen was not the least incentive to brisk action. At the entrance to Grenville Square, Cannock alighted from his taxi, shortly! after eight o’clock, and pushed his way -through the .murky night into the square itself. Since his mission was more or less secret, he did not like to ask anyone whore the dwelling of Madam Jane was. and wandered round the place looking for it. With an electric torch which he had wisely brought with him, he discovered that the names of til© houses wore on the gates of the miniature gardens. These were numbered also, but there was no number on Madam Jane’s card, so it, was useless to look for it. Cannock walked all round the square before he found a gate with “ Zoe House ” inscribed on it. It was a- semi-detached threestorey mansion of red brick overgrown with ivy, with a small neat garden in front of it divided from the roadway by iron railings. Cannock opened tl>3 gate and mounted the steps, quite sure that he was right, for the name “Zoe House” was also inscribed on the fanlight oyer the door, and he could read it. easily owing to the illumination within. Judging by the shabby little square and the _ old-fashioned look of the houses, Cannock wa.s surprised when the door was opened by a spic-and-spau manservant dignified enough to have done credit to a ducal mansion. The butler—Cannock presumed he was the butler—offered to take the visitor’s coat and hat and canc before he conducted him up the stairs. But Cannock being in unknown lands held on to his property, thinking, very wisely, that he might not see it again if Ke left it behind. The butler accepted his refusal with .a stately bow and led him up the well-carpetedL stairs to a splendidly furnished room: In foot, all the house, so far as tho visitor had seen it, was magnificently appointed, ' and he reflected that M.adam Jane must nave plenty of money to live in so costly a style. What did puzzle him was why 1 a rich woman should live in a third-rate ! square. But it might be that the! nature of her business, which ' dealt J with fortune-telling, demanded a secluded dwelling, and that she did n.ot wish to attract more notice than was necessary by outward show and display. Like many houses in Eastern .lands, the mansion was shabby without and . gorgeous within, so that thy passer-by might think the occupant peer and needy and not worth plundering. Only friends were permitted to know the true wealth of' the owner. (To be continued.)