A DEALER IN ANTIQUES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17350, 15 May 1924, Page 10

A DEALER IN ANTIQUES

NEW SERIAL.

By

BASIL TOZER.

Author of “ Tli© Irony of Marriage,” “Round th© World with a Million-

CHAPTER THE' FIFTH. When Sir Ivor Sarstairs and Ronald liar boro arrived in a taxi at tiie Ritz, they were told that Mr Montgomerie was out; he had gone to the theatre with friends. No. they didn't know to what theatre, but he had said that he would return with his friends to supper at the hotel at about eleven. No, they could not say if one ot his guests was a Miss Carstairs, but two were ladies. They had all dined together at the hotel at seven o’clock. That was all tho information Sir Ivor could obtain. ‘‘ There is nothing to be done, then,” he said to Ronald as they went out of the hotel again, “except wait until Montgomerie returns from the theatre. Meanwhile we had better go back to my flat in case Pam should i-ing up. We can ‘come back hero later.” “Or wo could telephone M'ontgomerie.” “Better that 1 should see Montgomerie personally; he will no doubt be able to explain—possibly Pam is with him.” “I don’t think that is likely, Sir Ivor,” Ronald said quickly. “She would hardly have dined here and gone to the theatre not in evening dress.” “Oh, of. course she wouldn’t; I was forgetting. Ronald, I don't like this at all. Did you see the chauffeur?” “Yes.” “What was he like?” Harboro described the man as far as lie could recollect him, but said that he had hardly noticed him. The car had been a big limousine, ho said. “Montgomerie has several cars, and one or two chauffeurs.” Sir Ivor said thoughtfully. “Well, I hope Pam is all right, but it wa,s extraordinary that Montgomerie should have rung up to say that I was ill—supposing it was Montgomerie. Heavens, Ronald! Suppose it was not Montgomerie at all, but somebody we know nothing many ways. I mean to find out all about him presently, and I may tell you in confidence, Ronald, that he has just promised to do me a very good turn. I won’t tell you what it is, because he mightn’t like me to, but if the deal turns up trumps, as he fully expects it to do, we shall have struck a little gold mine.” “Has Pam ever met him?” Ronald asked without looking at Sir Ivor. “No, but she will on Friday. I have asked him to dine with us. After dinner we shall clinch our little deal.” He pulled out his watch. “We ought to be going now,” he said, rising. “Call a taxi, will you, Ronald ?” 1 hey had not ben waiting long in the lounge of the Hi tz when the big glass-panelled entrance door revolved once more, and Reuben Montgomeries, accompanied by Mrs Anstruther and a rather old woman, both much underdressed, came in, followed by a slim, dark-haired, very pale young man. Sir Ivor rose and went towards them. “Good evening, Montgomeries,’* he said, as they approached. May I see you alone for a mo- j ment ?” Montgomerie excused himself, and walked with Sir Ivor a little into ‘ the lounge. “I have come here to see you,” Sir Ivor began, “because a very curious thing has happened. Did you ring up my daughter. Pamela, this evening, and say that I was ill, and wanted her to come to me?” Montgomerie stared. “3>id I telephone Miss Carstairs?” he exclaimed in astonishment. “Why, no ! There must be some mistake, Sir Ivor. The servant who took the message must have mistaken the name.” ‘But it was not a servant who answered the telephone ; it was Pamela herself. Whoever spoke to her said or implied that he was you, and said , ati a car would be sent to fetch Her. A car arrived about ten minute* later, and she went away in it ” “And where did this man, who said he was me, speak from? And where cud he say Miss Carstairs was to be driven to?” “Why, here, to this hotel.” ‘•Then where is Miss Carstairs now r “That is what I want to know. J have not the least idea. When I not home at about eight o'clock, and found taat my daughter was not in, and that she had left no mesage to sav w here she had gone, as she always does when she goes out for the evenJug, I rang up Mr Harboro, ho is here with me—ho has met you, 1 tlnnk. ’ and he indicated Ronald standing a little way off. “Harboro told me what I have just told vou t fi aCt ’a be t“ S Witil m - daughter at the flat when the man who said tie was you ran* up, and when the car (‘ailed for frer.” , “° h - lt , s a hoax, Sir Ivor. I ivnow nothing whatever about it l have never had the pleasure of meetnig your daughter, as you know.” Would your chauffeur know am thing ?” J “How could he? I have three ehauf . went’t bUt 1 k «° W that noue of thcm went to vour flat to-day, or has ever been there so far as I know. But . me—w on t you and Mr Harboro and nave supper with usr” I ~°u L P OU !ri n t , eat indeed I couldnt! .Thank you oil the same l am too much worried to think about anj thing except finding out what has happened to my daughter, and where . e ,s - There is nothing left now hut ior me to inform the police so I shall So straight to Scotland Yard. Forgive me haring detained you in this wav" Montgomerie. lam sure you und-t ’ stand how anxious I am feeling.” Indeed, don’t apologise, Sir Ivor," Montgomerie answered sympatheti--5, a ! y \ ' 1 q , mte understand—quite. But do you think it advisable to inform the police so soon? Why not ,v. ai unul to-morrow? Because of I ?? urso clle ctly the police are informed * l6 PM*? 8 "•' ll get hold of it. and , there will be a lot of undesirable and . proba.,ly unnecessary publicity.” f,V r , Ir ? r Pondered for a moment. !„ v 1 ’“V?;! * thought of that.” he said, i J'!'., take your advice. Montm.in , ana wait until to-morrow. She may come back during the night ” he ended hopefully. ring yo<] i snd ,et k “™