“THE GREEN SHADE”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16919, 19 December 1922, Page 8

“THE GREEN SHADE”

“ STAR ” SERIAL.

(By

HEADON HILL.

The first instalment will appeaj in TO-MORROP’S ISSUE.

Hezekiah was describing his lather-in law s difficulties in steering a course for home alter a wet evening at his lavourite puli. It was the one where the open cellar-flap and the barrels of ‘‘Scotch cider " had first given Thorpe a line to Muckiepatli Farm. I he old chap came to anchor in our verandah and slept there.” Heze-kiaii laughed. “Drunk as blazes. Funny thing that he should lie blowing Severin'** cheque on Severin’s take booze after being the first real pointer to Severity's games. That was what bis stopping MacAdoo's charge of rabbit shot amounted to.”

” Mr MacAdoo seems to have stopped a nasty dose of iead himself, *’ said Repton drily, with a sly ghtnee at Enid. “My duty took me aboard thj Serpent to-day, and it will be quite a while before he is fit to lace a jury, i have been trying to persuade Alls? Raven to tell me about it, but 1 think she is a little afraid of me.” “ Afraid of you!” Enid fairly snorted. “ it isn’t that, Mr Repton, a- you very well know. Mr MacAdoo was the first man I ever had to shoot, and, believe me. 1 really had to. But I don't like shooting men. and I sincerely trust he will be my last.” ” What about Air Thorpe, dear?” Lacv chimed in. He is more important than a whole lot.” “ They’ve got the bullet out and lie's doing very nicely, thanks,” replied Enid. “ So am 1.” she added wdth a pert toss of her head. ” For as soon as l was allowed to see him he promptly asked me to marry him. Of course. I’ve got to —so that dad here may not miss hi> usual happy ending when he writes up the story. He’ll have the time of his life, with a double love interest and all.” Colonel Nasmyth’s bow was a masterpiece of old-fashioned courtesy. ” Love interest is all very well, and my friend Raven will do justice to any subject he attempts,” he said. “ But to the average layman the detective interest ought to appeal quite as forcibly.'* “ Hear, hear!” cried Hezekiah Hoop. <v The good old Yard and Dick Repton on top every time.”

” Not a. bit of it.” the inspector shook a fist at his former comrade u mock reproof. “ You had better not let Mrs Hoop hear you decrying love interest. Zoke. or she'll shy a pail of water over you. What’s more. the Yard can’t claim all tho credit on the. detective side in this case. Two gifted amateurs hare wiped our eyes—Miss Raven, who obtained tho vital witness in Pierre Leduc. now happily out of danger, and Mr John Thorpe, who. at any rate, saved us a long and doubtful chase hy preventing the escape of the principal culprits.” (The End.)