THE DETECTIVE'S DILEMMA

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19100, 10 November 1933, Page 4

THE DETECTIVE'S DILEMMA

By LAWRENCE PHILLIPS. (Author of “The Tangle,” etc. )

CHAPTER X. — (Continued.) “Whenever you like, and the oftener you like,’’ he answered, warmly enough. Her reply was full of goodnatured recognition of his offer, and she decided that they could be off the next day again, gaily. “My respected parent talks of being busy all day and having a night’s fishing, so i am left to my own devices, and can do as I please.” So that was arranged, and Manson walked home with her, to be dismissed with an injunction not to forget thd next day’s appontment, and a wave of the hand, as she went off singing. He returned to the Inn moodily enough. He was sufficiently aware of his own feelings to know that he was hopelessly in love with the girl, and was as certain that she did not share his feelings in the slightest degree. She regarded him as a good comrade, and found his companionship agreeable, but that was all. “And that is only because there is nobody else at all decent about the place," he reflected pessimistically, as he sank into his chair and began to All Ills pipe. How long he indulged in reflections, pleasant and unpleasant, he could not say, but a clock striking reminded him of the passage of time, and he suddenly remembered his appointment with Handling. In his present humour he did not feel grateful to Despard for roping him in to help to solve his criminal problem, and was half inclined - to write a letter for Handling to pass on resigning the job altogether. Then he remembered Despard’s solemn adjuration, and felt that he could never face him again If he refused to carry on; and he liked and admired tie man —he could not let him down.

“Hang it alii” he thought as he reached for his hat and coat, “I must get through with it, though I don’t see exactly what he expects me to do here, or anyvvhere else. Anyhow, I’ll go and explore a little more of the coast with Felloite to-morrow.” ' He got out his car and was soon running out of the village. To put Felicite out of his thoughts and concentrate upon plans for. the future was not so easy, but Manson <had a will of his own, and for a time at least he succeeded In banishing her memory. As the car spun along he settled his plans, to be modified if Handling had anything fresh to announce. It was a perfect night for his purpose. There was no moon, and the stars were giving little light. As he ran over the moors he looked back from time to time, but so far as he could see, no other car was in sight. Twice he stopped to make sure, and to carry out thoroughly his intended deception of any passer-by, pretended to be examining his engine. His third halt was at the appointed place, and he got the bonnet of the motor open and became busy doing nothing, but apparently having trouble with the engine. He had not been doing this for long when a light, flashing over the brow of a distant hill, attracted his attention. He looked at his watch and guessed that Handling was up to time. He took no chance, however, but stepped out into the middle of the road, and signalled the oncomer to stop. The motor cyclist’s features were disguised by his leather cap and goggles but the voice reassured him. “That you, Manson?” asked Handling, for it was he. “We can’t shake hands for fear of prying'eyes, though I’ve concealed every trace, I- think. Anyhow, I’m glad to see you, old man. We’ll .stick our heads in the bonnet and then we can talk at ease.”

They proceeded to do so, and to the ordinary observer they appeared to be trying to discover some defect by the aid of a pocket torch. “Colonel Despard told me that he had enlisted you In this case,” said Handling after they had made and answered Inquiries after each other’s health, “and that I am to work with you.” ‘And a better man I don’t desire," replied Manson warmly; “but just at present I don’t know what use he intended to make of me. Of course you are here about Shuler’s case, and a black job that is. Poor fellow, I knew him pretty well. The ciiicf told me all that was doing up to the time that I met him —to my sorrow' —in New Bay. Tell me, have you got any anything fresh in Shuter’s matter?"

“Little or nothing. We found out that Dean, when at Princetown, was at large for some days, and in the neighbourhood of that part of the moor where Shuter was planted, also that Dean was a chauffeur. We have put out inquiries concerning all men of that name holding driving licenses —it’s been a long job, for they have been many, and the list is not exhausted yet—but we have no results, and I don’t expect any. It’s easy to get a license in another name than your own.” Manson nodded. “Get the Yard to circulate his photo, saying that he is likely to have a chauffeur’s job, and see what that produces." “Right,” replied Handling briefly, apparently busy with a spanner as a car flashed by. The glance they got was that of two old ladies of sour aspect, and a chauffeur evidently transferred from his post as family ■coachman to his present position. Their precaution appeared Lu be superfluous. “Of course," continued Manson, “the discovery of Shuler's body in the place it was found, his very evident purpose of following up some clue he had got hold of in this direction, all point to a centre of activity not very many miles off. From the place where lie was last seen to the coast is well under an hour’s journey for a good car, and where he was ultimately placed an easy half-hour. If we bear that in mind it allows ail the lime they wanted with the poor fellow. Handling nodded acquiescence. "The place must he somewhere within the limits you’ve defined, but that gives a fairly wide area tu cover."

"Not so very great if the Colonel’s guess—and I agree with if -—is correct, that il is situated somewhere on the coast; some spot easy of unsuspected access for a small motor-boat.”

"I've been milking inquiries at New Ray—" began Handling. Manson shook it is head vigorously. “I agree that a man possessing a small motor could go in and out without search, hut 1 don't think that lie would he able to get hold of hi*. stuff, ur send si HIT off for long without being noticed. The Colonel tells me that lie lias been commuiealeing with the

French police, and I hey are certain that no English m"'o'- Mints would he irressful; the distance, sonic sixty miles or so, is agaiust iL, and the odds

of being spotted by the authorities are overwhelmingly against that idea.” “How do they manage it then?”

“I believe that they run out to a ship at the appointed spot, out of sight of land —” “Why can't they do that from New Bay?" objected Handling. The answer was delayed by the passing of another motor cyclist, who slowed up and asked 1f he could help. They said that they had just found out the trouble, so he-waved his hand and passed on.

“They are not likely to do it from New Bay, I think; it’s" too public. Think of the traffic In and out of the harbour all day and all night. No I don’t fancy New Bay at all.” “Where is it, then?” inquired Handling. “That’s what is puzzling us from the Yard downwards, isn’t it old fellow?" said Manson, grinning cheerfully. “For the present go on nosing round, and I’ll do the coast,” Tie did not add in what company he proposed to do this. “Get Dean’s photo around, and one tiling more, let us fix up a meeting with the Colonel in a few days’ time. Ask him to name a place and a day. You will have to be careful In getting there as you are known, and probably watched, unless the meeting is at the Yard, but that would •give me away. Ask him' what he thinks.”

Handling promised that this, should be done, and with a few more instructions they parted. “By the way,' old chap, If you want me on the -phone, there is one at the Old Bay Post Office, and they, would let me know. And I would come along If you hold the line.” “I had better not tell them any name, had I ? It would be risky to have it known in your village that you were in communication with the police and it would soon get abroad.” “By jove, yes, It complicates matters having such a disreputable lot of friends! How shall we manage it? I’ve got it —say that Telson from the garage wants to speak. Remember Despard is Smith, the car is the case, and we’ll make the Yard the Pier. Jot that down, It will do to carry on with, and we can devise a regular code later If needed. Good-bye.” Manson jumped .into his bus—by this time In good running order, and returned to the Inn. As he had left word- that he was going to see a friend and did not know' the time of his return, they had left an unlocked door open for him, and some necessary refreshment. With this at his side and his pipe going, he settled himself dowm in a chair to oonsider things suggested by his talk with Handling. There was little or no fresh information, and unless Despard had been more lucky with other feelers, Shuter’s death would be added to the list of other undiscovered crimes and the Yard blamed accordingly. “There are big brains behind all this," he thought, “and unless there is a pure stroke of luck, or one of the gang—if there Is a gang—squeals, I don’t see what we can do. I suppose I had better resume my duties as coast inspector, and I think I should make friends with the Board of Trade men at the look-out—what do they call them? coast watchers, that’s it. I’ll have a look at the map again, and prepare for to-morrow’s expedition.” The next morning was a glorious •one. Curly Greens w r ent off before breakfast and -had a splendid bathe, diving into deep water from the end of the pier. Greatly refreshed, he dressed and started for home. As he left the beach and got on to the track that led to the village, he, overtook a man in uniform, carrying two or three milkcans.

“Here’s luck,” he thought, and greeted his man, commenting on the weather, and the prospect of its continuance.

“Nothing like asking an expert,” he said gaily. “I suppose that you have to watch pretty carefully.” “You may say that, sir; but we get good warning these days, and it looks as if we were in for a -good spell, I am glad to say. Ours is a soft job then.” “How’s that?”

“When the visibility gets down to a mile then we are expected to put in a good many hours on the look-out.” “I see. Ships standing in too far and so on.”

“That's about it, sir. Thanks, I don’t mind if I do.” The man stopped, put his cans on- the ground, and to'ok the proffered pouch. “Thanks again, sir, a pipe’s always good, and none the worse for being from another man’s pouch." He laughed at his small joke, as he returned the article in question.

(To be continued.)