"THE THUMP CARD,"

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14147, 19 June 1920, Page 7

"THE THUMP CARD,"

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

(COPYRIGHT.)

CONCLUSION. The house at Causeway End was closed, uninhabited, its keys in the possession of the police. The remains of -Mrs Packard had been consigned to consecrated ground, the last rites being witnessed b,v a great throng, which had attended through motives other than sorrowful. For although a strict reticence had been exercised by the authorities, the amazing storv connected with tin late residents at Shady Nook had leaked out, and from far and near the people had flocked to catch a glimpsethe coffin containing the body of the woman who in life had practised duplicity and sordidness to their lowest depths. The widow of a man who had died whilst serving out a life sentence in Pentonville, she had instructed her son in all the phases of crime in which her husband had been proficient. And that son was none other than the notorious “Captain Sauter, ” the guidingspirit of a group of the cleverest cracksmen and swell mobsmen that had infested the country during recent times. And as this man sat huddled in his cell, awaiting his trial, with no hope of release, but dreading the discovery of his guilt with regard to the crime he had committed at Bowes Park, the one who was responsible for Ids black life, and for whose death he in turn was responsible,- was being lowered into the grave in the presence of those who wept not, but who observed with morbid interest the formalities of the occasion. Four days had elapsed since Detective Danilov had (to use the words of certain of his admirers) “made the capture of his life,” and in the cottage of the Jepsons, Frank Welborough sat conversing' with Cicely. In the. same room Jennie and. her mother were also seated, discussing in low tones a matter of some moment, and one which was also exercising the minds of the lovers. As a matter of fact, the four were anxioulsy awaiting the appearance of visitors.

i The previous day Jennie had been in 1 conversation with ;i near relation of I Tom Sutton, who intended to give the ® young fellow welcome on his arrival in | London, and it occurred to Jennie that I instead of Cicely taking the journey to 1 meet her brother, the latter might I very well travel on to Burnley to | her; so, after consultation with Cicely I and Frank Welborough, Jennie had I asked Sutton ‘s relation to .arrange the I matter, explaining to him, at the same I time, sufficient of Cicely’s history to | illustrate the urgency of his bringing | the brother and sister together. I “it’s now four o'clock, ’’ said JenI nie, looking round, “and the train | would reach Bank Top about a quarter | to four, Tom Sutton’s cousin told me. Ah! there's a cab, and it’s stopped at \ the door. Here they are!” She opened the door as the oeeu- •' pants of the four-wheeler stepped out 3 on to the pavement, and presently Tom Sutton and his cousin entered the col - J tage, followed by Harry Hildreth and .; Blake Welborough. With a little shriek of delight Cicely sped to her brother, and threw her arms around him. Frank Welborough, erect and pale of face, put out his hand to the man who, shrunk and bowed in form, stood with bent head before him. "Blake, I'm glad to see you,” he said.

! ‘‘ 1 tin not fit to take your hand, j Frank, and J would not do so but for tfio fact that in a few weeks from now '■ J shall have passed away from all I hose ! I have wronged. . . Yes, and you are j the one I have wronged the deepest. ] for J. was the means of ruining you. ’ Listen. I was mixed up with the gang who robbed your safe. .1 supplied them | with the means of opening the safe.” “Ah, now I understand the meaning j of the wonts ilung at me by that Greg- | all fellow, ” exclaimed Welborough. tie I folded his arms and viewed his brother | a short space, then extended one? more I his hand.

“ Never mind, Blake,'’ he sanl, “take it in spite of everything.” And, weeping like a child, the younger brother clasped the elder’s palm fervently.

Then followed an explanation from Harry Hildreth regarding his meeting with Blake Welborough in Australia. How Welborough, by a chance word, disclosed his knowledge of the murder at Bowes Park, and, later, named the murderer.

“And I thanked Heaven, Sis,” said Harry, “that l was innocent; that there was a witness who has in his passion sufficient proof to hang the man who committed the deed.”

“And I will do it,” said Blaltc Wei borough. “He ruined my life.”

But Simpson Packard did not go to the gallows, for the day upon which he should have appeared to answer for his crime, he was discovered in his (jell dead, he having committed suicide by hanging.

The house at Causeway End '» no longer the haunt and habitation of thieves. Ofttimes Frank Welborough and his wife Cicely, journey that way, and, gazing upon the sheltered residence, recall vividly to mind Ihe exciting moments they have expo'fenced within its walls. They, as they deserve, are living happily. Let us hope they will do so until THE EX D. COMMENCING ON MONDAY. A POWERFUL SERIAL OF MYSTERY AND LOVE, “WHOSO SHEDDETH ” (By T. C. Bridges.) This powerfully vivid story is set, ap-

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

propriatelv amid the tors and. combes of Devonshire. The author has brought a genuine love and an intimate knowledge of that county to his aid in working out a plot full of natural power and enhanced by many distinctive qualities.