THE GREEN SHADE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16985, 8 March 1923, Page 11

THE GREEN SHADE

OUR SERIAL.

By

HEADON HILL

Author of millions of Mischief." “Guile," etc., etc.

CHAPTER XXX. THE CHURCHY ARI> GATE. At eight o’clock that same evening Adam t'ancourt paced restlessly up and iuwn * his trophy-hung living-room at Lvy Cottage. The stuffed heads of the great felines on the walk grinned at him, as though they were jeering their slayer who was behaving very much as they would have behaved themselves had they been shut up in the narrow confines of a cage. Ted Grimsdale stood just inside the door, fingering his cap. He had come down from the Hall to bring the latest news. The chauffeur was the only link between. Adam and the forbidden house of his kinsfolk. to Adam’s questions. “ nothing has been heard of Miss Beryl that 1 know of. But that isn’t to be sure that Lady Fancourt hasn’t heard. The way she carried on .set me thinking.” ” How- was that. Ted?” •• I drove her into Holchester this afternoon and I naturally concluded she was going to make inquiries about Miss Beryl, covering the same ground as Mr Vincent Knyvett and T combed out yesterday morning. But no—nothing of the sort. Her ladyship only wanted to have a prescription made up at the chemist’s tor Sir -Jasper. Tt struck me she must have somehow had her mind set at rest about Miss Beryl.” “ God grant it,” growled Adam. “ How is mv uncle this evening?” “ He won't die. sir. Only a flesh wound, the doctor's shover told me. A queer thing happened in Holchester, which may interest you. While her ladyship was waiting at the chemist’s for the medicine ]. drove on to Baker’s garage to pick up some petrol tins on order. Mr Baker told me that the rummiest looking chap he had ever seen had been in to hire a car which ho was to call for to-night about nine o’clock. He paid up a whacking big deposit in hard cash, lint not liking the look of him Baker asked him where he was staying. Ho -said he was a friend of the Reverend Snype at Fancourt Magna Rectory, and that the Rector was going for a little trip iti the car.” el Humph! I don’t see that it concerns us.” said Adam. ‘‘ Have you run across Mr Knyvett during the day? I called at The Arms this morning, but was told that he didn’t sleep there last night, though. was expected back in the course o-v no-day.” Grimsdale was explaining that he hadn’t set eyes on Mr Knyvett since he came out of the Free Library at Holchester jesterday mornmg aft*, thoir search for traces of Miss Beryl, when Adam’s deaf housekeeper ushered ia Miss Clayton. The sedate bookkeeper had never been in the bachelor den before, cast an appraising glance round the defunct menagerie on the walls and then addressed its owner. " I am the bearer of a message, Mr Fancourt.” she smiled at his astonishment. “T presume that you have heard about our guest at the inn?” Adam hastened to set a chair, which was declined with a. gesture. ,f No.' s he replied. “ 1 have been asking Ted here about Mr Vincent, but he hasn't seen him since yesterday

morning. Miss Clayton nodded. “He wn'away all yesterday and last. night.” she said. ”He returned late this afternoon, shortly after a little London boy had called to see him. Then Inspector Marske appeared on the scene with Sergeant Wolfram and detained them both on suspicion for the burglary at the Hall last night. They were taken to the lock-up.” The face of the big-game hunter pictured a combination of dismay and amusement. ” Good lord! If it wasn't so damn serious it would be damn funny,” his deep-chested rumble broke out. “ It’s an outrage, and Marske will have to pay for it in blood or tears—tears probably. The young fellow sent me a message by you. Miss Clayton 4” C{ Yes. it wasn’t a long one. because lie hadn’t much chance. He made an excuse to speak to me as he was being taken out' of the inn and I wrote down what he said as soon as he was gone. Read it for yourself, sir.” Adam took the half-sheet of notepaper and read : “ Let Mr Adam Fancourt know that Marske has pinched me and my assistant for the burglary. • Tell Mr Adam he is not to give me away, as I shall soon be at large again, and that the danger zone ii, the Rectory. Snype is not Snype.” ‘‘Snype is not Snype.” Adam repeated aloud, as he passed the note to Grimsdale. -Now what the deuce does he mean by that ?” The chauffeur’s brows contracted and as suddenly relaxed. • Blamed if T know, sir.” he said. But it is up to us to watch the Rectory till Mr Vincent- is free to take charge himself. Snvpe is not snype ? Bit vague, ain't it? Might mean that some hobo is doubling trie Rector s part.” Miss C-lavton coughed deprccatingly. ••That is my view of it.' she said. Frankly. 1 shouldn’t have brought the message if I had thought that any , slight was intended on our dear Bettor. And now ! must be going. 1 had to tell three lies to induce Mr

Cheeseman to let me out for half an hour.” With a profusion of clumsy thanks Adam showed her out and returned to Grimsdale in the sitting room. “I reckon you’re right about watch > ing the Rectorv.” he said, taking a vicious Mauser pistol from a drawer. “ I’ll get along there at once.” “ You can’t do sentry-go all night, sir.” said the chauffeur. ” 1 will trot home and get'a snooze and then'come and relieve you at two o’clock. 1 sleep over the garage, so there, won’t be any difficulty, or anyone the wiser, if you come on duty again at breakfast time.” They left the cottage together and kept company as far as the lodge gates ot' the Hall. They were exchanging a few words before separating, when a car swept by them from the direction of Holchester. Under the trees overhanging the park will it was too darn to see the p umber of quality of the oe cupaut-fe. • By ]orc!'' Adam exclaimed- ' That, will likely be the car Baker told you of. The hirer was to call for it at nine, I think you said, which would just have given him time to cover the distance.” “ That’s true.” replied Grimsdale. “ And if Snype is not Snype, but a wrong ’un on the. flit, he will be, ten miles off before you.can reach the Rectory. Mr Adam. In which case you will be able to go home to bed.” “ Yes, but we shall have tailed Knyvett.” growled Adam. ” However, , it may not be the car ordered by tballeged Snvpe’s pal, so here goes. (To be continued!.