"THE TRUMP CARD,”

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14144, 16 June 1920, Page 7

"THE TRUMP CARD,”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

- By FRANK MAYNARD, Author of “Forgotten Days,” “A Mill Girl’s Wooing,” “The Ironmaster’s Daughter,” “Queen in Clogs,” etc.

(COPYRIGHT.)

CHAPTER NXVI. WE-LBOROUGII \S •• R ECKON 1 XG. ” With beating hear! Cicely walked up the drive to Shady Nook. The door yielded to her touch, and she entered the house. A murmur of voices reached her from the drawing room, among them the voice of Frank Welborough. “Yes,” he was saying. “1 have availed myself of the kind invitation you extended to me, Mrs Packard. I hope 1 have not. trespassed upon your hospitality by bringing along Air Elliott, who is a particular friend of mine?” “Blow me, but that matter’s all right, Welborough!” came the husky utterance of Major Gregall. “I dropped a line to her, informing" her she could expect the four of us this morning. And now- we're here we’re sure oi» the best hospitality. Isn’t that so, ma? ” “Certainly, Major,” said Airs Packard.

“I have mv own opinion about that,” said Darnley, as he approached the staircase. “Am J. to find out for myself, or are you prepared to go and inform him that unless he makes his appearance before me in a few minutes from now 1 will drag him forth?“You insolent fellow!” said Airs Packard. “You would invade a sick chamber, and perhaps hasten the death of mv husband. What authority have von to .jo this thing?” Darnley handed her his professional card, and as she read it her face turned pallid. *•] am at a loss why you should desire to see my husband,” she said. Darnley drew from his pocket a few lines of printed matter. “A search warrant!” she gasped.

Cicely pushed wide the door of the drawing' room, and with an exclamation of surprise on her lips, Mrs Packard advanced towards her. “You have come back, my dear,” she said, embracing her. “My prayers have been answered! ’•’ “I have not come to stay, aunt,” returned Cicely. “I have merely called to express my sympathy. ’•’ “Ah, you-refer to your cousin, of course! I thought it. only right that you should know about his affliction, lie has gone to Southport, by the way. His father arrived home unexpectedly last night, and the shock has prostrated him. Fnder the circumstances ' I hope you will assist me in entertaining the four gentlemen who have called. They are Mr Welborough, also a friend of his named Elliott, and two intimate friends of ours whom you have pro-* viously met —Major C regal! and MiMartin Sibble.” “Yes, I have a distinct recollection of Major Gregall and Mr Martin Sibble,” said Cicely, “but, as I have already informed you, my stay here is very" short, and I cannot promise to assist you in entertaining your visitors. ”

Frank Welborough now appeared in the doorway.

“This is an unexpected pleasure,” he said. “Your aunt informed me a few minutes ago that you had thought fit to make your residence elsewhere. ” “She has "returned at my request,” said Mrs Packard, “and 1 want you, Mr Welborough, to add your pleading to mine that, she remains with us. AS ill you do so?”

“1 am not inclined to persuade your niece to remain in this house if she lias made up her mind to leaves it,” said Welborough deliberately. “She is the best judge of those matters which directly concern herself.”

Mrs Packard frowned, and, turning on her heel, returned to the drawingroom.

“You have acted wisely in leaving tliis house, sweetheart,”' said Welborough “and before many hours have elapsed you will learn fully what I mean. I said it was an unexpected pleasure to meet you here. That was only half a truth, for it gave me delight when your aunt informed me you had made your home elsewhere. My real pleasure was in the fact that 1 beheld you. But you must leave this house as soon as possible. At the prysent moment there are six policemen in civilian ylothes out there in the roadway awaiting a signal from their chief Darnley, whom I have introduced here as a Mr Elliott. 1 cannot explain everything to you now, but 1 will, do so later ou.”

“It is a curious tangle,” said Cicelv. “There are many matters I’d like to discuss with you, foremost amongst them the case of my brother.” “All, I remember! He killed a man and then went abroad.”

“I told you he had killed a man, but I was mistaken,” said Cicely. “He thought he was guilty of the crime, but he has discovered, while he has been abroad, that he did not commit the deed.”

“I said there was a curious tangle. You have a brother ?” “ Afy brother Blake. I have not heard of him for a Jong time, and 1 thought he must be dead.” “He is on his way from Australia,” said Cicely, “and, from certain information that has come to me I understand he can prove that my brother Harry is innoceftt of the crime of which he has accused himself. They met each other out in Australia, and will land in London during the next few da vs.” '

“I can scarcely understand,” said Wclborough amazedly. Before Cicely could make further explanations, Major Gregall emerged from the drawing room and, bowing Jaw before her, said: “1 could tell the ring of your voice,. Miss Hildreth. Your servant —bless me, your servant every time.” When Annie, returned to the kitchen she closed the door behind her, and, sinking into the nearest chair, said breathlessly. ‘‘There’s something very funny .going on, miss. When 1 took in the wine and biscuits I heard that man Elloitt say something about him having called especially to see the master on a very important matter of business, and when the missus said the matter of business would have to be put off for a. few days, Mr Elliott laughed and said he wouldn’t accept that. He wanted to see Mr Packard, senior, and lie would see him, even if he had to go up to his bedroom. Then the soldier inan Gregall, came out with a lot of bad language, anil told Mr Elliott he didn’t know what he was talking about. Then Mr We!borough chimed in, and, pointing to that there ivory image of a dancer that’s on the top shelf of the whatnot, said that he wanted an explanation about it, and so did Mr Elliott, and the only man who could give (he explanation was the master. And the way they’re all staring at one another has made me go cold all over, miss. And . what you said about Mr Wellenough has made me worse. Something terrible’s going to happen. 1 feel sure of it.” Cicelv opened the kitchen door and stood listening. She hoard the voice of the Manchester detective. He was speaking with deliberation and emphasis. , , j. ‘‘T insist upon seeing Mr Packard, senior,’’ he was saying, “and wliat.'fjfcer is the outcome I. shall be respons•Bloi” P “But 1 have informed you that he cannot see anyone —he is seriously ill,” expostulated Mrs Packard.

“Yes," replied the detective. “Are you prepared to honour my request?” “Why not? We have nothing to fear. You have made a serious blunder, that is all, and you will suffer for it later,” said Airs Packard. Darnley smiled, and, turning to the occupant's of the drawing room, said: “You are all witnesses to what lias transpired. You, James Jackson, alias Major Gregall, alias James Jones, and other convenient aliases; and you, Samuel Gren, alias Alartin Sibble, alias David Hcnsall, both members of the Sant or gang,- can consider yourselves under arrest. If you venture outside this house you will find a hand on your shoulder.” “Bless me!” said the man who had adopted the military title. “So you are the cove, after all?” “The game’s up, Jackson, and you can just sit down and take things comfortably for the present,” said Darnley. “You have a pretty rough time before you, I assure you.” “Major Gregall-” made no response, but returned to the chair from which ho. had risen, and gazed wild-eyed at

“Sibble.” . , . “We’re done down,” said that individual. “I told you on Wednesday night we were being ‘kidded.’ I knew it was the Darnlcy bloke, but you wouldn’t have it as such. And as for von,”'lie added, glaring across at Weiborough, “I reckon you think you re extra smart.” “It would appear that 1 am a match for such a creature as you and your precious colleague there,” returned Welborough, as he stepped from the room in the wake of the detective. Closing the door behind him he held it secure,Fv, and, observing Cicely as she stood at the end of the corridor, motioned for her to re-enter the kitchen. She, did so. and then he, turned his attention to the two people at the foot of the staircase —Mrs Packard and Darnley. (To be Continued.)