THE GREEN SHADE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16940, 15 January 1923, Page 11

THE GREEN SHADE

OUR SERIAL.

By HE A "DON HILD i Author oi Millions of Mischief,” ** Guile.” etc,, etc. CHAPTER IX.—Continued I “ My dear Mr Knyvett, pray forgive I rue,” lie checked his merriment. “ 1 am not laughing at you, but with you —it' I may so put it. For we are both in the same boat, or will be .1' you catch on to the proposal I ani to lay before you. V\ orking for an unknown client! How’s that for a novelty,” “ If it is good enough for Challenger and Challenger. Mr, it ought t<> be good enough for an ex-officer who as a last resource has had the cheek to start a, | Detective Agency,” said Knyvett. “ You are the second son or Cord Ohardstock, are you not,” Mr Challenged inquired abruptly . “ Well, I have nothing to' do with your qualifications, nor have I any option m selecting you,” the well-known solicitor continued, when Knyvett had admitted j hi s ; pedigree, “ The unknown client ! had got you earmarked for the job. and he stipulated that he himself should I iisk you to call on us. I will tell | you just how we stand. A peculiar I individual, who refused to give his j name but looked like a broken-down undertaker, called here this morning. As he refused his name at the inquiry desk I at first declined to see him. He countered by selfding in an unaddressed envelope containing two Bank of England notes for a thousand pounds each. Challengers, Mr Knyvett, have i a prejudice against turning away good money, and I had him admitted. •• He came to my office not an hour ago, but without - any such welcome introduction,” Knyvett smiled. “ I)o not be disheartened,” the cherubic lawyer returned the smile. • One of those' notes for a thousand is for you if you will undertake the commission. The cadaverous gentleman was at pains t'o explain that both in your case and ours the amount was only a payment on account —a retainer, in fact. Personally I am tempted—not by the money so much as by the absorbing interest of the mystery to be solved. But the whole thing is contingent on your Agency . accepting the detective side of the work. Challengers do not rake the floor till you have spotted your 14 How are you to deal with the cash if I refuse?” Mr George Challenger purred like a stroked: cat. “ I am glad that you put that query, Mr Knyvett,” he said. It shows the detective flair and promises results if you decide on acceptance. The answer is that we are to insert an ‘ Agony Ad.’ in 4 The Times * —just the words 4 No Go.’ Then the unknown will call here and retrieve his deposit.” 14 Simple but effective,” was Knvvett’s comment. 44 Now, Mr Challenger,” he went on, “ please to satisfy my curiosity. What is this case in which I. am asked to hunt in such distinguished company. Has it yet become public property ? Am I likely to have heard of it?” 44 No doubt of that,” replied the solicitor. “ As a student of crime you naturally read the newspapers, and they have been ringing with it. How will the Fancourt murder suit you? Ihe murder of .Sir Jasper Fancourt’s only son in the park of Fancourt Hall?” “ Good business! 1 am quite willing to sign on,” rejoined Knyvett eagerly. “ Yes, 1 have read every word of the teports in every London paper, and some provincial ones. The inquest struck mo as farcical. . There was a comic rural police-sergeant who seemed to produce murderers as a conjurer produces rabbits from his hat. I think he had indicated about half a dozen suspects when the coroner cried, halt. Have you any additional data to give me, sir?” Mr Challenger shook his head. “ J, too. am entirely dependent bn the newspapers for my information,” he reI lied. * * -VI l the same I can give you one hint that may be useful. I see that, subsequent to the inquest, Scotland Yard lias taken the matter up, and sent down a C.I.D. inspector to work up the case. Now in our extensive criminal practice we have had relations, sometimes amicable, sTomej times the reverse, with most of the j leading C.I.D. officers. 1 happen to know Inspector Marske, who has been placed in charge of the Fancourt case, fairly well.” “ How would you describe him, Mr Challenger ?” The rosy little lawyer pursed up his lips and considered. ‘ 4 I will use tfyree adjectives— two positive and one negative,” he said at last. “Marske is tricky‘and cunning, but not clever.” “ A bit of a mediocrity?” hazarded Knyvett. " Better than that, but very far from infallible. He is good at setting traps, hut lie doesn’t care who falls into them so long as he snares somebody. With >our virgin freshness at the game, nr young friend, backed by luck and your •obvious intelligence, you might quite (Conceivably beat him. But I want you to lie warned that he is not above ] iiting an opponent below- the belt.” It was Kuyvett’s turn to ponder I Hungs. • You seen, to be taking it ior granted. Mr Challenger, that I shall be in the opposite camp to Mr Marske,” he said. * lliai leads to a deduction • as to the personality <*f our unknown client, oh? YYo must, look for him. or her, among the serried ranks of the suspects marshalled by the stupid po! ice-serge ant at the inquest.” The lawyer rose and held out his chubby hand. “Good-bye, Mr Knyvett,” he said. “ I have three 'overcue appointments, and we need waste caught on and need no advice from me, though wo shall always be at your disposal if you want us. Here is our turn’s cheque for your half of the preliminary fees. You might have somedifficulty in changing a bank-note lor a thousand pounds.” Back in his own office. Knyvett made Jawn the happiest boy in London. “ Aou arc in luck s way. young fel•iow,” he said. “There's a big case come in which will take me out of town indefinitely. You will have to mind Hie shop during mv absence.” ‘'•'Glory be!” squeaked the proud urchin. “ If any fresh cases roll up am 1 to handle them myself?” “ Hardly that.” replied Knyvett “ You must walk before you can run. 3lake a note of any callers, and of anything they cho.ose to tell you, but say that I am so full of business that you doubt if I can act for them.” “ And I am to report to you by letter every day. sir?” “ You will do nothing of tha kind. Jawn. In fact it will be impossibl for you to do so, for T cha-ll not leav. Von my address. I am going to disappear utterly, and I shall he working i ndei another name which I shall not disclose to you—not that I do not 1 rust you. but because there are sly and wicked men in the world. Jawn, who might impose the weight oi great dont X ? r>We_ That ’boon to civilisation is tone of the pit-fails which we

detectives have to beware of. I have heard that for that reason Scotland Yard was the last of the public offices to have the telephone installed Tf von are called up by me you must he sure, before you answer, that it is me calling you up. To that end wo must have a password.” The hoy had listened to the restriction of his activities with the corners of his pert little mouth sagging lower and lower. But at the mention of so intriguing an instrument as a- password lie was visibly bucked. “ What shall it be, sir?” he piped. “ Muttonhead." replied Knyvett gravely. ** Should you be rung up by anyone prefacing his communication with the word Muttonhead you will know that the Head of this Detective Agency is speaking. (To be Continued.)