Sentenced to Death.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 48, 19 May 1927, Page 16

Sentenced to Death.

By

Louis Jracy.

Author of “ The Long Lane of Many Windings,** '*One Wonderful Night/* " Love and the Aces/* “ The Token/* &c., &c.

(Copyright for the Author in the United States and Canada by Edward J. Clode, Inc., New York. All other rights reserved.)

SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS.

CHAPTER l.—A young officer, Antony Blake learns that he has not many months to live. Nothing less than a miracle can save him. He arrives at a part of Regent’s Park, where a pony and governess car are stationed. The stout driver vanishes. A vivid flash of lightning causes the pony to bolt. As Antony is walking, two men overtake and rush past him, one tall and thin the other short and fat. The rotund runner fails, picks himself up and tears along. Antony notices a dagger in the grass. He examines it, finally flinging it into the long grass fringing the shrubbery. He reaches a small wooden hut A girl is sheltering there. She tells him she was to meet her uncle, who was driving a pony in a governess car The two leave the hut, turning to the left instead of to the right. CHAPTER II Blake takes her to ner home. Her name is Iris Hamilton. Soon after he is again in the Park and he finds .the dagger. The first item that catches his eye in the night’s paper is “Tragedy in Regent’s Park Supposed Murder “ An other paragraph details how Dr Ensley Jones found a long-bladed dagger in 'he body ->f ihe dead man Its description tallies with the one in Blake’s possession He taxis ro the nearest police station and tells his story Blake finds himself nrartically under arrest, suspected of com nlioity in the murder of Robert Lastine ham CHAPTERS 111 and IV.—Furneaux arrives. Identifies Blake, hears his story and then asks the inspector for the knife Then Furneaux invites himself to Blake's flat As the two men are making their way to Antony’s rooms, his housekeeper Mrs Wilson says that a voung ladv had called and left a letter for him It is from Iris Hamilton. In spite of happenings Tris Hamilton keeps her appointment j CHAPTERS V. to Vlll.—Blake sees I the tall thin man at Albert Date, and after sending a note to Furneaux, follows I him in Soho Detectives join him and thev. succeed In finding the haunt of the criminals. The fat man walks in and is caught An American crook threatens Blake over the telephone. Blake attends a dinner of detectives where the mention of the name of “Natalie (lortschakoff” strikes terror into one of the guests. Then Miss Hamilton rings him un but the conversation is cut Short News comes of a fight between the noliee and a gang at Blake’s house Blake himself had another heart attack when he was on his wav to Tris He goes to the fiat with a detective where Mrs Hamilton is arrested for oomplicitv in the murder Iris, the detective Sheldon and Rlake have a long conversation in which it is said that the girl has a brother in Buenos Aires. “I would be a poor detective if I couldn’t overhear a telephonic conversation when seated at your elbow.” he chuckled. ‘‘Moreover, Miss Hamilton has a singularly clear and musical voice, and music depends on vibrations . . . Well, that’s all. I must keep my word and escort her home. ... As for you.” and he glanced quizzically at j Blake, “I don’t suppose you will be [

afraid to remain here alone? There will be ample police protection outside all night.” “I’ll take care of myself, never fear,” said Blake. “If any international thug tries to break in here at any time, day or night, I’ll blow a hole through him.” And then he was left alone. Iris had not quite finished her wine. He put her glass to his lips and drank what was left, though the impulsive action seemed instantly to annoy him, because he growled angrily: “I suppose that’s just what any other sentimental ass would do. But he might have a reason—a hope—whereas I can have neither!” CHAPTER IX.—“MADEMOISELLE.” When in an unsettled mood a man’s thoughts are apt to wander uncertainly It was not so now with Blake. He knew well enough whither his desires led. If it were not for the sheer selfishness of it he would joyfully devote the few remaining months of his life to Iris Hamilton. Such a girl, apparently so desirable, could hardly have escaped the attentions of many would be wooers, yet there was a faint chance that she was free, and might possibly welcome the protection which a husband could give. But the mere notion was ridiculous —even profoundly unfair from every point of view. His earthly span was measured. Medical science and his own physical experiences concurred in the verdict. Nor had he a fortune to leave, which, if it existed, would provide a sort* of excuse. No. That way out war barred Really, the common-sense course lay in an immediate departure from London and its extraordinary entanglements “By Jove!” he muttered bitterly, ‘if that New York tpugh had kept his mouth shut to-day 1 would be off tomorrow. But I’m dashed if I’ll run away from threats, and I can hardly bring myself to accept Sheldon’s opinion that there is no personal risk attached to this business.” He eyed the telephone, and was half inclined to ring up the Milano restaurant or Scotland Yard. He forbore, however. If the authorities wanted him they knew where to find him. So, after a wearying session with Mrs. Wilson, who, of course, to use her own phrase, was “simply dyin’ to tell ’im wot reely ’appened,” lie took refuge

in a book, went early to bed, and slept most soundly. % At breakfast next morning he glanced through the newspapers to see how far the “Regent's Park Tragedy” had advanced in the public eye. The inquest had been opened and adjourned, medical testimony, alone being taken to permit the issue of a burial certificate. Naturally, the doctors had made a post-mortem examination, and no less a man than his acquaintance of two days ago, Sir Herbert Sanderson, had commented on the force and knowledge of anatomy which guided the murderer’s thrust at his victim’s heart through the back". There were symptoms of poisoning in the valves, too. Sir Herbert was sure that the weapon used Would have caused death even though the wound itself had not been necessarily fatal. That was all. The police were credited with certain clues, and an arrest was expected momentarily. At that, Blake could , not withhold a tribute of admiration to the solid qualities of British public servants as a class. How lavishly, for instance, would any enterprising editor reward an article based on Sheldon’s illuminating comments during the overnight taxi-ride! Probably by a sum equivalent to the detective’s quarterly salary, or even more, if the bargainer stuck out for it. And how this man and his colleagues trusted him, Blake! The idea was inspiriting. If it became his duty now to sit back and await developments he must obey unquestioningly. It was a fine morning, and he saw no reason why he should remain at home after eleven o’clock. No need to ask why he ,fixed on that hour in particular. His own flimsy excuse was that it gave Scotland Yard plenty of time to communicate with him if his services were needed. Of course, he halted in the street to fill his pipe, but no trim figure in blue appeared in the offing. Plenty of girls flitted about engaged on their various vocations, but there was no sign of the one girl. So. with a fine effort, he drove Iris Hamilton from his mind, and headed for Regent’s Park bound clubwards. believing he had ample time to traverse the route followed on that fateful afternoon of the day before yesterday. The stroll was interesting enough, though it yielded nothing new. He could not even determine the likely spot where the two men, one of them known as Giorgio Belgrano, had lurked unseen, as they must have done, when he pcissed unknowingly the governess car with its ghastly occupant. Perhaps it was an illusion born of environment, but he was seized by a sort of panic when he turned his back on that peaceful spot, where beauty of landscape and wealth of vegetation were so completely out of harmony with the memories it engendered. He seemed to realise with a rush of foreboding that he was acting foolishly in cutting himself off even for an hour from all possible seekers. Suppose Iris wanted him, and, when given his club’s telephone number by Mrs. Wilson, had sought him there in vain! He promptly hailed a taxi, and raged in

silent fury when held up three times by streams of traffic. He calmed down, however, at the club’s hall-porter’s assurance that no call had come for him. He was disposing of his hat and stick in the cloak-room when the man hurried in with the cry: “You’re wanted on the phone now, “Any name given?” he inquired “No, sir. It’s a lady speaking.” A lady! A very real hope that it might be Iris was dispelled when he heard the voice, a deep, rich, musical voice, with the slightly staccato syllabic stress of a foreigner academically versed in English, asking if this were Mr. Blake. “Yes,” he said. “Mr. Antony Blake?” “Yes.” “The young gentleman who is somewhat intimately acquainted with the Regent’s Park affair?” “Yes,” he said decisively, “but I answer no more questions until you tell me who you are and what you want.” A rather pleasant laugh gurgled in his ears. “I cannot speak very plainly on the telephone,” said the voice, “but we met. or nearly met, yesterday in Hyde Park. I have rooms in Dean Street, Soho, and the initials of my name are N.G. . . . No. please, do not repeat my full name,” because Blake, in his surprise, was about to blurt out “Natalie Gortschakoff!” and had, indeed, uttered the first syllable. The grim humour of the situation gripped him; it was more than helpful in clearing his wits. “You know my language so well, mademoiselle, that you must be aware how ominous such initials sound in •English ears,” he said. He was aware of a puzzled pause. Then came that liquid laugh again. “Ah, Mr. Blake, you make a joke,” said the lady. “That is good. You do not take life too seriously like so many others in London. Eh bien! I want you to come and see me. There are things we ought to discuss, as friends, or acquaintances, if friendship is too strong a word.” “You are not by any chance, mademoiselle, making a joke yourself?” “Who? I? L am serious, me . . Forgive. Sometimes 1 translate literally from the French. What I mean is that an immediate meeting between us two is important.” “Are there any conditions?” "Y r es, of course. Will you listen carefully ?” "Yes. I’ll do that, at any rate.” “That is—what do you call it?—a mental reservation. But you must be open-minded in this matter. Have you had lunch ?” 9 "No. It is early yet.” “Just so. Walk from your club into St. James’s Park through the Arch ” she hesitated a moment, but continued as though prompted—"the Admiralty Arch. At half-past twelve a car will -come that way and stop in front of —" another pause—“the Duke of York steps. A man inside will address you by name and you will reply, ’Are you from Mademoiselle?’ Then you will ! enter and he will blirv! you. j You will soon be with me. I

promise you will come to no harm. I will give you a .good lunch and we can talk. You will be free togo after being taken a little way in the car again.” “Blindfold once more?” “Si. Yes. As I impose no restrictions on what you may say to your friends subsequently I cannot allow you to know where I live at this moment. And, of course, I want your word of honuor that no one shall be told beforehand of your visit.” “What good purpose will be served by all this melodrama?” “You may serve a rather charming girl. You will certainly be saved from the possible consequences of your own folly, or chivalry, as you undoubtely regard it.” He gla*nced at his watch. The hour was five minutes to twelve. “All right,” he said. “I’ll be there.” “And you will observe the conditions?” “Naturally. They form part of the contract. What time may I expect to be at liberty again?” “Your liberty is not in question. 1 should imagine you will be weary of me before half-past two. Anything else?” “No. I’ll not fail you.” He absolutely refused to allow himself to debate the wisdom of the strange course to which he was committed so suddenly. Hurrying to the library, he wrote a literally exact account of the conversation, enclosed it in an envelope addresesd to “C. F. Furneaux, Esq., Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard,” with the endorsement: “Urgent—to be opened by Mr. Winter or Mr. Sheldon in Mr. Furneaux’s absence.” This he took to his bank, situated in a neighbouring street, and after a little delay was admitted to the managerial sanctum. There were three persons in the .room. “May I ask, sir,” he said, addressing the man who looked up inquiringly from a separate desk, “\yjiat time you leave your office for the day?” "The bank closes at three o'clock, but I shall be here until 5.30 at least.’ “That will suit me admirably, sir. went on Blake, disregarding the manager’s somewhat august tone. “1 keep my account here, so you will easily find out all you need know about me personally. As it happens, I am engaged with Scotland Yard, in tracking the gang which murdered Mr. Robert Lastingham in Regent’s Park on Wednesday. 1 have promised to keep an appointment with a person who is believed to be mainly responsible for the crime. Although very definite promises as to my safety and freedom have been given, one never knows what courseevents may follow in such conditions, so 1 want you to undertake that at half-past five, but not earlier, you will send this letter by a trustworthy messenger to Scotland Yard.” The banker’s starched manner disappeared instantly. He was undeniably startled. His assistants sat still as mice, though one made some 1 notes in shorthand (To be Conunued.J