The Rat Trap.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18674, 31 January 1929, Page 6

The Rat Trap.

“ STAR ” SERIAL.

By

WILLIAM LE QUEUX

Author of “ The House of Evil," “ The Scarlet Sign," “ The Black Ore,” etc.

: CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. Ayimer waited for some time before he went down to breakfast. His loathing for Quentin was now great that he shrank from a meeting, feeling doubtful if his powers of self-control were strong enough to prevent him from showing in his altered demeanour the hatred that possessed him. Both

Quentin and Martyn were men of remarkable punctuality, never late at meals, and they did not stay long at table. If he waited another half an hour, the. chances were he would find them gone. When at length he went down to the dining-room, he was relieved to find there was nobody at their usual table but Whitefield. As he seated himself, the American looked up, and nodded a cheerful good morning. “ I notice you have come in late to meals on one or two occasions,” he remarked in a low voice. “ I was late on purpose myself this morning. I suppose the same motive has actuated both. You are of a calmer temperament than I, but you find it difficult to sit cheek by jowl with such a pair of skunks and keep on talking and smiling as if there was nothing at the back of your mind. Think how much more difficult it is for me, who am ready to exolode over the most trifling thing. I have been thinking a lot over what you told me, in fact I haven’t thought of much else since, and I am sure, when you do make up your mind to speak, I shall hear some astounding revelations.”

As a matter of course, Aylmer was now in a position to give the American some information of the utmost importance. Yesterday he had entertained only the strongest suspicions; this morning he was absolutely sure of certain facts. The American’s shrewd eyes were fixed upon him, their intense regard seemed to intimate pretty plainly that he guessed something had occurred since that long conversation between them.

“ I take it you have not been idle since we talked together,” he said. “ You have been pursuing those investigations to which you referred. Has there been any result? When there was, you will remember you promised to take me into your confidence. I don't want to force you in any way, but you can guess I am eaten up with a very natural curiosity. I have parted with ten thousand pounds, and your discouraging attitude compels me to think I might as well have thrown it in the gutter,” There was an intensity in Whitefield's manner as he uttered those lkst words, an almost childish eagerness, which made it difficult for Aylmer to refrain from confiding in him to some limited extent. But, though very impulsive in many things, there was a certain vein of caution in the young man’s temperament when he was engaged in serious matters, more especially when they were vitallv concerned /with other people. , Therefore, knowing the character of the man, he resolved not to trust till h*e couHi Trust him fully, till he was so positive that there was no longer any reason for secrecv. His case against Quentin was complete in certain particulars, but he felt convinced it would attain fuller completion in the course of the next twenty-four hours.

He therefore kept Whiteleld's impatience in check by a reply that was neither frank nor evasive. “ I have found out something, certainly: but you must forgive me for not wishing to make any disclosures at the moment. I have got to go a good deal further before I can speak. When I do, you will not have to complain of. my lack of candour.” There was nothing for Whitefield to do except acquiesce in the young man’s resolute attitude, which he did, not perhaps with a very good grace. Ilavnig been used to dominate for the best part of his life, he was never ready to submit to the domination of others. Still, he was a sportsman, and after a moment or two of private resentment, he was compelled to recognise a strength of character which matched his own. “ I think you are carrying your policy of reticence to a rather ridiculous extent, and I admit I find it difficult to keep my temper,” he said. “ Still, I can’t help admiring you for the dogged way in which you keep to the course you have planned out. Well, you're not going to tell me anything till you’re quite ready. It seems I have no option but to accept that. However, I’ll be more frank with you. I overheard something last night which it may interest you to know, something which may or may not be of use to you. I came upon Quentin and Martyn suddenly. They were sitting close together and talking in very low tones. They didn’t know I was so close upon them, and when they saw me, they both looked a bit confused.” Aylmer pricked up his ears. “ I should certainly like you to tell me, Mr Whitefield. It ma- be that it is important, but from their air of confusion it was evidently something they did not wish you to overhear.” “ I don’t pretend to be physically the man I was, say, ten years ago; mentally, I think I may boast without vanitA' I am quite as good, perhaps a shade better, because I have ten years’ additional experience which I have made good use of. But to return to the physical side; there is one faculty I have preserved unimpaired, a very acute sense of hearing. They were talking together so very quietly that, most people would not have caught anything. But 1 did manage to pick up a few words spoken by Martyn to his companion. He appeared to be talking very emphatically at that particular moment, and I think unconsciously he raised his voice a trifle. These were the words: ‘I tell you I am not going to take part or lot in it. I never have approved of this kind of thing. I shall clear out to-morrow.’ Can you make anything out of that?”

Aylmer nodded. “Yes. I think it does help me up to a certain point, so far as regards Martyn. So he is going to clear out, is he?” “Not a doubt of it,” was Whitefield’.? answer. “I got down this morning just as they were on the point of finishing their breakfast; I had hoped to escape them altogether, but I had mistimed myself a bit. You managed it better than I did; but I can see you’re a very calculating chap, you’re not handicapped by any impatience. Well, we were not together at the table for more than five minutes, but during that time Martyn took the opportunity of telling me he was leaving before lunch.” “Did he say where he was going? Did he give any explanation of his sudden departure ? ” “He certainly didn’t say where he Was going. He did mumble something about being fed up with Nice, said it was a place he had never cared much for.” “You didn’t notice anything particular about Quentin, while Martyn was giving you this explanation?”

“I thought both he and Martvn looked at me rather hard. It crossed mv mind they were wondering if I hail overheard them the previous night and watching my expression. 1 flatter myself I showed nothing; I can put on a mask when I like. Well, you say the little incident helps you somewhat. There is something in which Martyn doesn't want to join. I expect you have a shrewd guess as to what it is.” Aylmer could not repress a slight smile at the American's persistent efforts to draw him. “Yes, Mr Whitefield. I will not deny that I have a certain suspicion, but at present it is nothing more than a suspicion. You really mustn’t trv to entrap me with these unexpected questions. Just now you gave me a sort of promise to possess your soul in patience. If my intuitions are right 1 do not think you will have to wait very long before you know as much as I do.” But the American found it a very hard matter to keep his promise. “llow much longer are you going to keep me on the rack, Aylmer? Shall 1 know anything to-night, to-morrow morning?” Aylmer hesitated before he answered the impatient man. He had made up his mind that Quentin would strike quickly, but he could not forecast his action to within a few hours. Would the departure of Martyn precipitate or delay his plans? On the whole, he was inclined to think it would make no difference. (To be continued.)