THE CIGARETTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 312, 27 May 1911, Page 9

THE CIGARETTE.

HOW A TRIFLE LED 'SEXTON BLAKE TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. Tim smoke-room of the I'ahuliutn Club was certainly not a place where one would indulge in mirth, anil Sexton Blake was, therefore, considerably surprised, oil entering, to iind that a group of welldressed men were gathered in front of one of the great windows, giving out peal after peal of right joyous laughter. One of them, a lithe, well-groomed man, sighted the quiet, keen face of the world-famous detective, and he gave something approaching a view-hallo. "The very man we need!" he cried. Yere Barker was a personal friend ot' Blake'-, so he sauntered across the wide room. "Here you are, ilnice," Vere cried; you've met. ISlnkc before, I suppose';" The Honorable liruce Forhighain grinned up at the detective. "Xot in his ollicial capacity, thank heaven!" he returned. Blake smiled. Vere picked up a thin gold cigarettecase, on which was engraved the crest of the Foringham family. Pressing the spring, lie opened the case. There was I one thin cigarette tucked away below the elastic. "We have heard," said Vere, "that Bruce was getting rather rocky, you know. And here is the awful proof. 1 asked him for a cigarette a minute ago,'' he continued, "and with that regal sweep of his. he handed me his case. When I opened it, this was the article I discovered." Blake took the cigarette and glanced at it. It was of a famous brand that was retailed five for a penny! The bare idea of Bruce Foringham, the exquisite, the dandy, carrying cigarettes of that class about with him in his immaculate clothes, was rich in humor, "(Ireat Scott," Blake said, "this is a sad, sad thing! \Ve will have to hush it up!" "■Oh, don't rot!" Bruce cried, grinning, nevertheless, at the pained tone of the detective. "'l've told these beggars all about it. I don't how the beastly things got in mv case. T didn't want a smoke all morning, and Yere here was the first one who handled my case." He pointed an accusing finger at Barker. "In fact, I shouldn't be surprised if the old humbug put it in there himself," he finished. "Xot guilty," Vere cried, with mocksolemnity. "Xo, Bruce. You have wisely decided to economise—and have started with cigarettes. I congratulate you,' old man, 011 your pluck; though I'm hanged if I can 011 your choice of brands!" Blake handed the case back to its owner, and Bruce slid it back into his waistcoat pocket with a sigh. "I'd give a fiver really to know how the thing got there," he said. "I haven't used the case for a couple of days. It's my dress one, yon see. I've been down to Dorset in my car, and only got back ' this morning." •'Xow, T have you!" said Barker triumphantly. lie strode across to the table, and returned with a morning paper in his hand. "Listen," he said. "I will read you a brief, but illuminating, par. It is from the society tittle-tattle." He smoothed the sheet out. and laid his finger 011 one column. "'A large and distinguished party assembled at Ladv Blanfirtli's house last night '" . "Blanfirth!" Blake murmured. Barker looked up. "Yes. Anything happened?" "I'll tell you later on," continued the detective, an eager look coming into his face. "Read on. if you don't mind." '"Among the guests were so-and-so, so-and-so. and the Hon, Yere Foring-' ham." n _ Vere finished with his finger on the line of print. Bruce leaned over the table and staved at the words. "The fellow who wrote that was never near the beastly place." he protested. "Of course, T had a card, but, as I tell you, I was out of town, and didn't 20." Blake leaned forward. "There is a sequel to the story. Barker," he said, "ami one that is not public property yet. Do you know that the Duchess of Chelmstone had her diamond necklace stolen from her at Lady Blanfirth's last night?" A murmur of surprise ran round the group. "You don't mean it, Blake?" Bruce cried. "It's a fact." said Blake. "T had a visit from Lady Blanfirth this morning. She asked me to take the matter up." Vere Barker smiled. "If anybody ever deserved to lose anything it is her firaee," lie said: "she wanders about ill crushes with a most happy disregard of the fact that her stout body is simply loaded with baubles to tempt the needy." "And as Bruce must be hard up " someone began. The laugh which followed made the victim turn away from the window. "I'm ofT," he proclaimed; "you're a lot of silly asses!" Blake sauntered after him. "I am going to ask you to do me a favor. Bruce," Blake said. "Will you take me up to your flat this morning?" It was an unusual request to make, and Bruce showed his surprise. Blake linked his arm through that of the younger man. however, and thev went down the mai'ble steps of the club together. "Look here, old chap." the detective went on. "I have a faint suspicion that, indirectly, yon have something to do with the disappearance of that necklace." He felt Bruce stiffen indignantly, and went on: "Don't get cross! It's only a theory, and may be all wrong. But, if vou have ten minutes to spare, you might help me. You have probably been a victim; and. anyhow, it's just 'as well to settle the matter." Thev hailed a taxi, and, some ten minutes later, entered Brace's flat in -Termyn Street. "My valet i- coming up from Dorset by the midday express." the proprietor of the beautifully- furnished rooms explained. "I was only a couple of minutes in here this morning. I just, changed into town clothes, you know." Blake went across the room and into the bedroom. Bruce followed him. "Where did von find the cigarettecase?" be asked. Bruce pointed to the dressing-table. "Tt was laid out there, along with my card-case and match-box." be said. Blake crossed to the dressing-table and inspected it. The mirror was an oval one, and Blalce. a head and shoulders taller than the slim Bruce, found that he could only just see his face in it as he stood close to the mirror. He bent across and examined the catches at the back. The mirror had been fixed at that angle. There was a quiet ;mile 011 his face as he turned to bis companion. "You said that vou had a card for Lady Blanfirth's ball last night," he said. "Where is it?" The Honorable Bruce pointed to a small bureau. "You'll find it along with a host of other cards in the top drawer there," he said wonderinglv. Blake opened the drawer and made a careful search. There was no card bearing the desired name there. 'lt's gone, Bruce," he said. 'j. gather expected it would be." j

Bruce rummaged about among the heap of ivory cards, and found that the detective was not mistaken. The, invitation to Lady Blanlirth's hall had disappeared. "I'll swear I put it in there," said the younger man; "in fact, coming to think of it, .1 saw it just before I left last Monday. It was on top of the heap." "I don't doubt you, my dear cluip," said Blake, with a friendly nod at the rather heated face of the young man. He turned towards the huge mahogany wardrobe. "Where do you keep your dressclothes?" the detective asked. Brnce's eyes widened. "You'll find 'em on one of the shelves in the 'robe.'' lie returned. "Do you want to have a look at my socks and pyjamas?" The injured tone made I'lakc grin, hut lie opened the door of the wardrobe and went on with his search. There were three suits of dress-clothes, and the detective moved each suit off the shell and examined it carefully. The bottom one seemed to satisfy him. He unfolded the coat, and, turning it outside in, examined the lining of the sleeves. "You'll he interested to know, Bruce," he said, "that .ome friendly soul has been airing your clothes for you. lie was taller than you, but as you've longish' limbs, your clothes fitted our mysterious gentleman pretty well." The aristocratic owner took over the coat out of lilake's hands and examined it carefully. A faint, warm odour clung about tlie garment, and there were traces of perspiration on the lining. With a grunt of disgust Bruce threw the coat down oil the floor. "I never heard of such a confounded piece of impertinence!" he growled. "It's a bally outrage! What on earth did the bounder want, in my togs, anyhow?" Blake nodded across at the opened drawer. "The bounder wanted to impersonate you, my dear chap." he said. "He borrowed your invite card, dressed himself in your clothes, took your cigarette-case, so that the monogram on it might help Jiis disguise—and how successful he was Lady Blanfirth was able to tell me this morning." Bruce stood stock-still, gazing at the keen lace of his visitor. "lie not only started his operations here, but he also finished them," Blake went on; "he must have returned at some time during the night, or early in the morning, rather, and changed into his ordinary clothes. It was only the momentary carelessness—which all criminals display—which allowed him to neglect to open the case that gave him away. His taste for cheap cigarettes has resulted in a clue which should not be too difficult to follow up." "I'm glad you think so," said Bruce gloomily ; "but it strikes nie it's a hopeless sort of job. And, anyhow, I can't make out how you arrive at the conclusion that he was taller than 1 am." , Blake nodded towards the mirror of the dressing-table. "1-1 e adjusted bis tie in front of that, and hail to tilt the glass back," he said, "liut T naveu't any time for further explanations now. What I want to know is, are there any other keys which lit this flat J" "The caretaker has one," said Bruce; "she docs the dusting and sweeping-lip, you know. But you mustn't think .She's an honest old soul, I'll swear to that." "I don't think I'll accuse her. old chap,' 1 said Blake quietly. "But, if you don't mind, 1 II just go and have a chat with the old creature." "Her name is Hines," said Bruce, "and you'll find her at the head ol the stairs. I'M i-l: liere and wait until you return—with the necklace in your pocket. Ha, ha!" Blake accepted the sly dig with a smile; Ihen crossing the room, left the flat and climbed the broad stairs. At the top of the building he found the door with the brass plate marked "Caretaker." and knocked. A smooth-cheeked dame answered fiis summons, and gue h'm a .little old-fashioned curtsey. "I've come from Mr. Bruce," Blake said quietly; "I am on the look-out for "a capable i.inn to valet me. Do you know of anyone?" A look of joy came into the innocent old face. "Well, if that ain't the best of news, sir!" slm said, with quick garrulity. "'Here have T been wonderin' what I could do for my grandson, who's just left the army, so he has, ami is as line a'young fellow as ever stepped, although it's myself as says it." Blake's face revealed no sign, but -ie felt a quick thrill run through him—that stirring of the pulse which comes to most men as they feel that they are Hearing' their goal. "And is your grandson out of work? And yon think that he would suit me?" the detective went on. He felt rising in front of him a great pity for the poor old creature, but his duty lav clear before him, and he was not the man to hesitate. "No one better, sir," said Mr-. Hines. "He was oUlcer's servant for two years, and he talks just the same as the gentry w'en 'e likes. He can drawl as bad as Mr. Bruce, beggin' bis pardon for saying such a thing." Blake found himself smiling in spite of bis anxiety. "And is your grandson in just now?" "No. sir; but T expect him eve 1 believe this is 'im now." A light, footfall was beard on the stairs, and Blake turned. He had no wish to meet the man in front of the old dame. "I'll go down and have a chut with him, Mrs. Hines." lie said, raising his hat. By dropping down the wide stairs three at a time lie was able to reach the second landing just as the tall figure in a quiet serge suit stepped on it from the stairs below. Blake ran his eyes over the cleanshaven face of the lad: then lixed his glance on the troubled eyes. The man stood quite still for a moment, searching the stern visage; then a look of terror sprang into the tense face, and. with a hoarse cry, the caretaker's grandson turned to fling himself down the stairs. One hound carried Blake to the man's side, and his fingers closed on the arm grasping the balustrade. "Don't be in such a hurry, my friend," he said. "T want a word with you." The lad looked up at him for a moment; then, with a low moan, he dropped on his lenees in front of the detective. "T —I know you," he gasped; "I've seen your photograph in the papers dozens of times. You are Sexton Blake!" Blake glanced down at the twitching face. "That is my name," he said; "and you know what T have come for?" By way of reply the wretched fellow thrust bis hand into his breast-pocket, and brought forth a handful of sparkling, flashing lights, which he held out. "Take them away." lie sobbed. "T—T have been a fool, and I'll have to pav for it. I wish I'd never gone into that rotten room!" Blake slipped the necklace into his pocket, and stepped back a pace. "I want to hear your story first," he said. "T am a private detective, not a police-onicer, remember." The lad rose ivith bowed head and twitching hands. He drew a deep breath before plunging into his confession. T—l tried on a couple of coats, and —and found they fitted me," he said;

"then I came across the —the invite card, and thought it would be a rare lark to go and pass myself oil' as a real toll'. J did it. too, and nobody suspected me. It was after supper, when they were all crushing out into the hall-room, that I saw the —the necklace lying beneath one of tlie big plush curtains, it- it didn't, take nie a minute to take it up and stud' it into my pocket, lint I —l. haven't spent a quiet moment since. 1 couldn't get rid of the confounded thing this morning, and—and I'm glad you've come to take it away." There was a long silence; then, from tin- top of the landing, a thin voice noated down. •"Your tea is waiting for you, dim, as soon as you're ready.'' .Mrs. Ilines called. The detective stepped back a pace and motioned to the flight of stairs. "Don't keep your grandmother waiting," he said. The man Hushed on him one deep, doglike look of unutterable thanks, an>, without a word, ran across the landing and up the stairs. "And now to turn the laugh on friend Bruce," Wake muttered. "I do return with the necklace."