Scandal at Barons Court

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19909, 11 June 1936, Page 4

Scandal at Ba rons Court

SYNOPIB. Members or the house-party at Barons Courtz—Sir Bertram Foulkes, or Barons tiuort; Agatha. i-‘oulkes. Sir Berlrem‘s sisi‘El‘; Evelyn FDUIKGS, Sll‘ Bertram‘s “1998 and ward; Howard Lane, Evelyn‘s fiance; Colonel Everard Lane, the well-known eX< piorer, Howard’s father; Conway Sewell. the American speedvace; Jenney Lea, ac—tress. Sewell and Jenny are in love with each other, but Jenny is tied to a husband. Lester Brice, whom she has not heard at for years. Pauline vines, Agatma’s com-panion-secretary; Cleaves, the butler. A homicidal maniac, Bandy Towers escapes from Greymoor Asylum live miles away. Next day the murdered body oi’ a stranger is discovered in the summer‘house among the woods behind Barons Court. At the same time, Towers (lees down the steep wooded bank before his pursuers, and parishes in the river. Chiefinspector \Vhaley takes charge at the case, and finds near the summerhouse a bloodstained handkerchief belonging to Evelyn. _._... , CHAPTER VIII. Whaley knew the younger man had suddenly realised that by speaking he would place the halter round Scwell s neck, and that English sense of giving wiho other man a sporting chance—the ‘hlggest trial of \Vhaley's life—stopped him, But. that “Yes, I heard. was enough for Whaley. . . 1 “ Don‘t forget,“ he snapped, ‘1! you keep any material evidence back, you re making yourself guilty of coni-plicxty. Don‘t hide behind some fool notion of playing the game." . Howard Lane, taking a cigarette out of his pocket, told his story in short. jerky sentences. Whaley listened 'with‘out interrhption, and let the younger man light his cigarette before he said: “Did Seweli mention he knew Brice was homing here to—day‘!" “Nof‘ said Howard. He went on quickly, “I rather thought 'he was talking in the air. 1 don’t think he had any idéa what Brice was like to look at.“ Wimley said nothing, but he admitted that Iloward Lane‘s evidence, after all, did not throw the noose nearer to the American. ’l‘rue, Seweli had threatened murder. It was possible he had discovered 'Brice‘s arrival at Baron‘s Court, and killed Brice in the summerhouse. , \Vhaley etched his theory in. Supposing Jenny Lea had known her husband was going; to he in the grounds, and supposing she 'had met him, after dodging Conway Seweli. Then, it was possible, Sewell had dis—covered them an-d, in the heat of the moment, had murdered Bricel The motive was certainly strong‘ enough. There was no proof Sewell had been on the river bank all the time. On the other hand, what had Sewell been doing with a revolver o! the old army pattern—for, it was 35v eured, the bullet that had killed Brice had come from a revolver of a similar make to that produced by Sir Bertram Foulkes. Seweli had only been at Barons Court for two days, Whaley knew. It was possible, of course, he had taken the gun from the armoury. There \\‘ah quite, a varied selection of weapons in a small room next to the drawing room, which, at the moment, was being guarded by the police. Whaley was going to search that room thoroughly, before the night was out. He wished heuould prove Sewrll had used one of the Army revolvers during the two days of his stay at Barons Court. Possibly Sir Bertram could help him there. \\‘haley nodded to Howard Lane. “All right. Mr Laue. thanks.“ He paused. “Do you know Conway Sewell very well?" ”ND—Only by reputation." . “Hmm. Have you seen anyone 30 .mto the armoury during the past fed days?‘ ' ‘ “ Sir Bertram,” said Howard. “Anyone else?" 1 Howard hesitated. ‘ - ‘ \Veli—the servants go there quite‘ a lot. And my father is interested in‘ shooting——” l , “ Your father?“ \\'haiey snapped the words. “When: is he?” lioward Lanc could not repress the grin that came to his lips at \\'halev's‘ eagerness. ‘ He's been up to town all day.“ he‘ Salli. :‘ London. 1 think he'll be along i any minute now." i “ limin," said \\’ihnley. It was in-‘ inrcsnng‘, but nothing more. although he would have to check Colonel liver—arll Lane's movemenis Carefully. “So your father and Sir Bertram visit the armour)‘ at greai deal?" . f‘l suppose you could say Ll’ml““ Saul Howard. - l. When did you see them go in with l Conway Sewcll‘?” ::1 didn’t,“ said Howard promptly. ‘ 11mm,” said \\'haley. "I shall pro—l

by ALAN GREY. An Unusual Ind Powerful Mystery Story.

00000000000000” ba‘bly want another talk with you 'before you go to bed, Mr Lane.“ “That's all right," said Howard. \\'hen \\'haiey left the room, Howard Lane‘s face was suddenly hazard and drawn. He had suffered more deeply than he had revealed after his talk with Evelyn. It was terrible. For some reason, Evelyn refused to talk with him. She looked like a ghost. It was almost as it— As if she suspected he had killed Brice. Howard looked white and strained. It was a mad thing to think, but there was no other possible explanation of Evelyn‘s behaviour. If she was worried because she suspected her uncle, she would have relied on Howard for'hclp and encouragement. She suspected him. Why? What conceivable reason could she have for the suspicion? Howard didn’t know. He went to ‘ the window and stared out across the darkness. There were no lights visiible, but. suddenly a distant ghostly ’white glow lit up the countryside. It came nearer Barons Court, and soon Howard could see the round orbs of itwo powerful headlights. ‘ , His fatherHe knew his father had driven as far as Harrington Junction, the nearest railway station, that morning, and that he would be coming back by rar. Howard had never realised how much he had depended on the Colonel for support. He felt that once he could, see and talk to his father, the awful strain of the past few hours would he eased. Even Evelyn might be persuaded to talk. The car drew up outside the front entrance. Howard could just see the vague figure of his father, and the ponder-ens figure of Cleeves as the butler opened the door and went on to the steps. Howard left his room and hurried downstairs. He pulled up short as he saw Whaley waiting by the door. Whaley smiled at him, cheerfully. In his heart of hearts Howard Lane could not help liking the rather grim policemen. After all, VVhaley was only doing his job, and a sticky one it was, this time. . Colonel Everard Lane looked in some surprise at the detective. Howard stepped forward. “This is Chief Inspector Whaley, Dad. There’s been a——-" “Murder." said Whaley, watching the Colonel‘s face as he spoke the ugly word. But beyond a twisted ex—pression of surprise Colonel Lane revealed nothing. "Murder!“ he whistled. “You‘re sure or that?" ‘fDend sure.“ said \Vhaley. “I don‘t like worrflng you straight from your Journey. Colonel Lane, but you‘re the only one of the ‘party I haven't seen. 50—" “Let\‘s get into the library," said Colonel Lane, with a quick smile. “ Cloaves—“ the _lmtler was standing nearby———“ you can bring me a few sandwiches, and a. whiskey-and-soda." “ That‘s a good idea.” said \Vhaley, suddenly realising he was hungry. He took to Everard Lane immediately. and it was a relief to feel that he could talk to one of the occupants of Barons Court without feeling he might be talking to the murderer. The Colonel flashed a glance at his son, seeing the drawn lines at the younger man's mouth and eyes. His smile was encouraging. Howard forced a smile. ” I'll see you soon," said his father“ and disappeared into the library. ‘ "I suppose you‘ll want my movements checked,“ he said with a sud-‘ den smile. Whaley smiled in return. “ Pure formality of course, Colonel." "\Vell," said Lane. “I left here just after eight o’clock this morning, reached London at eleven, saw my doctor, had lunch, and then went to the Explorers’ Club for an hour. After that I saw one of my colleagues in a coming expedition, and left him, i sup~ pose about three o‘clock. There wasn‘t .1 train back to Burrington Junction unlil five—thirty, so I went into the Regal Cinema. Caught my train more by inch than judgment—it‘s a good illm, inspector—the host I've seen for months—rind drove from Barrhmton Junction here.“ \\'huiey made notes as Lane Spoke, slowly enough for the detective to make his times uccuruto. \thley thanked him and thou tapped his teeth with the top of his pencil. He spoke casually. “ Do you know a man named Lester

Brice, Colonel?" Colonel Lane's blank expresslon was answer CHOIR-3‘ll. “ Brice—llrlue—" Then his eyes narrowed. and he whistler]. “ (lad! Of course—Jenny Lea’s husband." “That's right," said Whaley, mora certain Hum ever that he had someone to lulk to who wouldn't try to alter facts. “He‘s the dead man, Colonel." Colonel Lane stared at him, and his eyes revealed the thought, passing through hls mind.

‘ Whaley gave a grim little laugh. I “Of course," he said, “we‘ve all P the motive in the world, and .\Il- Sewell isn‘t behaving hlmself properly. But sllll, we have to he sure of these things. You haven’t. seen Sewell in [he armoury, Colonel, have you?“ Lune shook his head. “No. But then. I‘ve only been here |n couple of days, and Sewell‘s been here best part of a week. I Hunk." "Hmm," said \Vhaley. “\\'oll, it's a blessing you were in London, Col—one], or I’d have had you as u suspect, Loo."

He laughed, easily, and Lane Joined hlm. The next five minutes passed whlle \\‘haley made a short recltal of the murder and the circumstances. no rcspeclml Lane‘s shrewdness. and helleved the Colonel would be as help. ful as posslhle. Finally: (To be conunUed.) -__—_____—_-w—_.——_—_—_g