THE TENTH EMERALD

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19659, 20 August 1935, Page 4

THE TENTH EMERALD

SYNOPSIS. Clive Anstey is the managing director or the Continental branch ol' Anstey and White, Jewellers and art dealers. Some months ago an emerald cross, containing ten stones, once the property or Louis XIV, came into his hands. He sen. it to his firm in London. , . Arnold Mortimer, who has done considerable business for Anstey and \\nnes with collectors, takes charge or the cioss and offers to find a customer Tor it. bin While it is in his 1 possession his ltat is burgled and the cross stolen. _ For certain reasons Clive suspects Mo - timer or faking the robbery, and wines to him rrom Paris under the n a™?J? Eden, posing as a collector of antiqu Egyptian emeralds. The bait is successful, for after an interval Mortimer writes that he has been fortunate enough to lino Eden three exceptionally tine s t ones ;„ Ann Littlejohn, in an effort to augment her widowed mother’s income, and to ontain necessary delicacies for her crippmfi brother, takes a job at Simon’s Curio Shop in the Brompton Road. Betty Marks l hP” fellow worker, and Is engaged to Victor, old Simon’s son. , Joe Bland, an' ex-C.I.D. man, not on tne straight, is in Mortimer’s pay. Mortimer has a hair-brother Raipn. whom ho uses as-his pawn. The relation between the twu is kept secret. Mortimer often has business with old Simon, and is a regular visitor. to tne shop. Ki is in lovo with Ann. He jnvitcs Ann, Betty and Victor to dinner in his nat. While the party is in progress, Eden calls, and is invited to join them. After dinner Mortimer produces the three emeralds. Suddenly there is -a crash on the landing outside. Phelps, the elderly butler, has apparently fallen down the stairs with a tray of crockery. (Eden, for his own ends, has previously “ arranged ” this crash with Phelps). On re-entering the room two of the emeralds are missing. All are willing to be searched except Ann. She, on a sudden impulse, has put a sprig or grapes into her handbag to take home to her brother. The discovery or them would be too humiliating. Clive, who has rallen in love with her, offers to escort her home. He takes her to a restaurant and there produces one of the emeralds from his pipe. (He himself Is puzzled as to the disappearance of (the second stone.) While they are at the restaurant Phelps arrives to see Clive.

CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued.; The lights came , on suddenly. She was too dazzled for a moment to see anything clearly. With one accord they had leaned forward. Now they relaxed, knowing the answer. For the dinner-mat was as innocent of green splendour as it had been a minute ago. Mortimer came over. He stood looking down at the table. A curious change had come over him. Ann was shocked at his expression. His teeth were bared. There was the cold relentless passion of a wild beast in his eyes. He turned to Eden. “So be it,” he said, forcing himself to calmness. “ I must speak more plainly. It could not have been Victor, he was close behind me. Miss Littlejohn is out of it. It rests between you, Mr Eden, and Betty here.” Eden continued to smile imperturbably. But Betty was not the one to take such a statement sitting down. She jumped to her feet stamping with rage.

“Oh, indeed I Oh I” she snapped. “And why not Ann. I beg her pardon . . . . Miss Littlejohn," she adcied, viciously. “ Why is she out of it, I’d like to know? She wouldn’t do such a thing! . Oh, dear no I But I might . . .

I’ve never been so Insulted In all my life." '

“ Oh, sit down and spare- us the heroics,” said Mortimer bluntly. “ I was about to add that Betty could hardly have done It without being seen when there were two other people in the room. Also, I have known her for some time, and —”

“Me you haven’t,’.’ supplied Eden oooly. “ That suspicion should finally rest on me has been obvious all along.” He took out his pipe and lit it Ann found herself watching him with fearful fascination. The same whimsical smile turned up the corners of his mouth. If he had indeed stolen the emeralds then his nerve was alipost inhuman. Tie must realise that Mortimer was not to be bluffed. Ilis guilt was bound to be proved. “Well, what do we do next?” he had the audacity to ask. “ There is one thing you can do,” said Mortimer. “ I should prefer the suggestion to come from you.” “ Then I regret to disappoint you,” returned Eden.

‘You object to being searched?” “ Most emphatically. I hate being pawed about 'by—forgive me, but you are equally a stranger to me.”

“ An admission I” cried Victor. “ He refuses to be searched. I’ll ’phone the police for you, Mr Mortimer.” Mortimer turned on him furiously. “Will you please hold your tongue,” he snapped. Then, addressing Eden again, “and what if I insist?" he demanded.

The game was up, thought Ann. He had tried bluff and failed. What would he do now? What he actually did was to blow a few smoke rings and watch them curl upward. It was impossible to say what was going on behind those expressionless eyes. Mortimer repeated his question. Eden smiled. “ Obviously I must submit. I merely wished to register a strong protest,” he said. He rose then and followed Mortimer to the bedroom. Victor joined them. “ You’ll need my help,” be asserted. ‘‘.Better have two in case he tries to bolt.” Eden looked him up and down with chilling distaste. “Agreed on one condition,” lie said, “that tins er gentleman is subjected to precisely the samo indignity.” Victor scowled, but was not to be deterred. Besides, his presence was really essential, lie considered. He had not studied criminal, literature for nothing. If this smart crook had Iho slonos on him, Victor was the man to find them. In 1 lie bedroom Eden removed coat and vest and sat on the edge of the bed smoking his pipe. “Oct on with it,” lie said. “ Our bright young friend here has my permission lo valet me.” , . To say that the search was thorough would be inadequate. Eden was strip-' ped to this underdo 11 ling. Victors olumsv hands felt him all over, even between the loes. Every article irom ills pockets was 'tested lor a secret hiding place. His tobacco pouch was emptied. Vidor nearly pulled Iho heels off his shoes in search of a possible, cavity. But all in no purpose. The mystery had only deepened. “Well, fancy!” she shrilled. “Just, fancy!" For a moment it looked as if she was going to fly at him and tear his rare witli her nails. “So it’s me, is it? It couldn't bo her. Miss Littlejohn indeed!” —no words could express I lie malice in that "Miss Littlejohn " —“ Oh, dear me no. it couldn't have been her. So it must he me. Oh, my god!" She stamped, and her passion' burst in a scream. " Let her search me. Go oil. I'm not afraid, hut I’ll march her too "

By LINDSAY HAMILTON (.Author of “The Black Asp," “John Smith —Blackmailer,” •Etc., Etc.).

Taken aback by her fury, Mortimer looked to Ann for help. “ Would you mind?” he said, and the next moment regretted it, for she flushed with anger and mortification. I-lltherto she had no more than a spectator. And now .she was to be dragged into a sordid scene with Betty. Worse than that, Betty would find the grapes in her bag. Humiliating beyond words I What w’as to do? Pride came to her assistance. She did not deign to reply, but turned to Eden with a formal smile.

“ Would you mind bringing me my cloak and bag?” she asked. “With alacrity,” lie answered. “ I say, Ann, don’t go like this,’ 1 Mortimer begged -anxiously. “ Forgive me. I —oh, It’s absurd. I should never, dream of suggesting suoh a thing. Only Betty—l thought, perhaps—” “ Yes, I understand,” she answered, relenting a little. “ But nevertheless I’m going.”

Betty laughed vindictively. “ But nevertheless. Ai’m going," she mimicked. “That’s enough for me - if it Isn’t for you, Mr blooming Arnold Mortimer.".

“Shut up, you little vixen I" ‘ he barked at her, -and his violence startled her into silence. He turned ,to Ann again. “If you insist, then I’ll send you borne in the ear.” “ Don’t trouble,” she said, and Eden held her cloak for her. .His own coal was over his arm. “ Are you going, too?"

He nodded. “ You have my address,’ he said, to Mortimer. “I suppose 1 am responsible in a way for what has happened. If the stones don’t turn up I'll go halves in your loss. Your loss Mortimer—not your profit." The illusive smile was In his eyes again. He offered his arm to Ann and she took it “ Good-night to you all I” he said.

CHAPTER VIII. From a corner In the foyer of the Regent Palace Hotel Clive Eden glanced about him appreciatively and then turned to Ann. “ Eyes, ears, and voices everywhere," he observed. “ But all intent on their own business. What safer place could one choose to discuss one’s crimes?” “Why? Are you going to disouss yours ” laughed Ann. She could not have said why she was here. He had simply carried her off, and she had found no reason to object. She realised suddenly how keenly she was enjoying herself. Though, at any moment she might begin hating him again. But even that prospect was no without attraction. “ I’m waiting,” she said. “Is it a long list?” Eden laughed amusedly and took out his pipe. He seemed in no hurry to answer. “ But first I owe you an apology,” said Ann. “ I really thought it was you. I suppose I ought to have known better.” He leaned across, eyes twinkling wickedly. “Why?" he demanded. “Are you fishing for compliments?’ “ Was it my clean honest face and upright bearing?” “ Well, 1 suppose it is clean,” she retorted. “ But—no, I really can’t think why. I mean, looking at you critically—” “DoI I like it.” Ann looked away. “ No,” she declined. “On second thoughts it would be inexcusable. I believe in being frank, but only up to a point. One really must consider others feelings I apologise, but without the trimmings.” “ Goodl” he returned with an air of briskness. “Now that that’s settled we can begin at the beginning again. I accept your handsome apology. But it wasn’t really necessary. As it happens, you were quite right.” “ You mean—?” she queried, thinking this must be some obscure jest. He dropped bis voice io a conspiratorial whisper. “Sh! don’t breathe a word! .1. . . . stole. . . the emerald." He sat back laughing. “ Have I really shocked you at last? Splendid 1 No, I’m not joking. This isn’t a dream. You really are sitting opposite a genunine jewel-thief. But not a common one, please; 1 must insist on that point.”

Ann started at him in blank amazement, not knowing whether to laugh or be annoyed. Of course it couldn’t be true. How could he confess such a dishonourable thing in this bantering way if it was true? “And the proof?” she demanded.

“Is here." He tapped the ashes from his pipe and extracted a wad ot damp tobacco. Beneath It reposed a single emerald. It lay on. the palm of his hand for an instant, then he slipped it into his pocket. After the first shock Ann was only conscious of a curious pain rising inside her to express itself In angry exasperation. She ought to loathe and despise him; instead of that—” "Why diil you tell me?” she cried. “Why did you give yourself away? Can’t you sco that I shall have to telephone Arnold? You’ll probably be arrested."

" You’ll find a telephone booth round the corner," he said coolly, “l’il wail. Don’L be long.”

Aim looked at him hard. No, he was not blurting. He really was indifferent whether she rang up Arnold or not. Quite suddenly she realised that she was not going Lo telephone; that she was not going lo tell Arnold. It was nil very wrong, but—

“ (Jli, you're impossible,” she cried. “Why arc you so sure I won’t?” “Fishing for e.omplimenr.s .’" he retaliated. " And now you’re getting annoyed. I believe if 1 annoyed you enough you would dash straight off to that telephone.” Ann was baffled. Was there no way of disturbing his equanimity? “ You don’t seem lo realise," she protested holly. "You don't seem to care. Or" —wilh withering contempt—"are you really a professional sneak-thief ?” " Since you put it so admirably. I'm not. My first attempt, hut quite a good effort, don't you think? I

daresay 1 shall do better wilh a hit of practice." Why Hie secret amusement in his eyes, and that disturbing audacity again? She shrugged. "Why stare at me?" she demanded coldly. liis answer was disarmingly vague. “ 1 was just wondering—” “ j see. And wondering makes you sta re ?' ’

“ l was wondering," he went on ns if discussing weather prospects, “wheIher it might he necessary to steal you."

-■Van laughed scornfully. “ You would

find it more difficult than stealing emeralds.” . “ More exciting, too, I surmise. Ho dropped ills bantering manner all at once. 11 Am I right in supposing that Mortimer is pressing you to marry him?” Only his earnestness redeemed the question from rank impertinence. “Why do you ask?” she said. ‘‘ Because,” lie answered emphatically, ‘‘lie’s not lit to black your shoes.” “ Are you?”

“ Lady,”—the derisive twinkle was back in his eyes—“l should make an excellent shoe-black.” “ You’re far too modest.” “ A weakness wo have in 'common, 1 think.”

“ Oh, you’re hopeless,” laughed Ann. Khe made one last attempt to lie serious. “Here 1 am sitting will', a man who lias robbed one of my friends. It’s an outrage, a disgrace. I ought In he ashamed. If I did my duly I should tell Arnold that you—” lie nodded with portenlous gravity.

“ I know just how you feel,” he said, “My conscience is pricking, too. If J did my duty 1 should tell him who pinched his grapes.” Ann hushed crimson, and yet could not help laughing at the impudence o. f it. “ Aren’t we a pair,” he chuckled. ” You the grapes, and me the emerald. I ought not to have teased you fr./aui that though. They're for the little brother you told mo about, aren’t they?”