CLEOPATRA'S PEARL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 April 1938, Page 2

CLEOPATRA'S PEARL

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

BY

STUART MARTIN.

Author of “Seven Men’s Sins,” “The Green Ghost,’ etc.

SYNOPSIS On a holiday cruise from England, MURIEL STACEY, daughter of a dealex - in gems, is bound for Egypt. Accompanying her is JOHN ROBSON, ,her father's most trusted assistant, who keeps Muriel such close company that ship's gossip says he is very much in love with her.

Also in the ship is FRED BURTON, son of a shipowner, learning his trade in the Purser’s department. Much attracted by Muriel, his curiosity is aroused by the fact that she and Robson ar constantly studying old Egyptian books.

Burton also notices two rather queer passengers, MASON and FARVERY, who seem to be keeping an eye on Muriel and Robson.

When Cairo is reached, Burton goes ashore in mufti to an hotel, into which, later, come Mason and Farvery. From their conversation Burton gathers that they are planning to “get” Robson and Cleopatra’s pearl. A place on the road to the Pyramids is mentioned.

Knowing that Muriel and Robson intended to visit the Pyramids, Burtofi goes along the road, following Mason and Farvery. In a house he discovers Robson seriously wounded. He learns that Muriel has been taken off by two men in a car. (Now read on). Chapter I —(Continued). “Mi- Robson and Miss Stacey were the first down the gangplank. I’ll tell you something. He is here to buy some trinket or other for her father. His word, ‘trinket.’ He asked me to be at Mucho’s tonight at nine and lje’ll hand something over to me to put in our safe. Then he is showing Miss Stacey Cairo and the Pyramids for a few weeks till we call on the way back. There’s a gala on in town. They may go out to the Pyramids tonight. You can get ashore by afternoon, and if you’re around Mucho’s you can say how-de-do and return with me.” “Thank you sir. I’ll be there.” “We’re shoving off half an hour before midnight,” said the chief, “so don’t be late there. I’ll expect you at nine sharp, if you want to see her. Frankly, I want you to be there. It must be a valuable trinket Robson is buying when he wants it out of the country and in our safe right away, so I’ll be glad of company back to the ship. Cairo isn’t London.--

Late in the afternoon Burton rigged himself in his best civilian clothes for the occasion, glad to be rid of gold braid and buttons for a few hours. After he called at the offices of the line with some papers, he strolled about streets gay with bunting and flags. He had a lingering hope that he might meet Miss Stacey and Robson in the bazaars, but the crowds were greater than usual and he became tired walking about alone. He had his tea in a cafe in the main street, and then sauntered towards Mucho’s, where he could sit down and read the latest newspapers.

Mucho’s had a luxurious lounge on the first floor where, through a wall plate-glass, a wonderful view could be had of the centre of the town. The lounge was deserted when Burton entered. He picked up a newspaper, selected a two-seat couch beside the immense window, drew a wicker table towards him and ordered a soft drink. Every tint and colour moved down there among the crowds, clad in every kind of Eastern habit and costume. Drivers of cars and horse vehicles waved their whips and tried to attract fares. Students roamed about in bands. Flags were everywhere, bunting floated from shops and houses. White men and while women, mostly in whites, strolled to and fro.

And then, out of the crowd two figures came suddenly into view. The squint-eyed man and his taller companion were making their way towards the hotel where Burton sat. Burton heard Mason’s Cockney tones before the two men entered the lounge. Up went the newspaper to hide his face for Burton did not want to meet these two just then. He felt instinctively that he would quarrel with them if they faced him; and as he sat there, with the paper raised, Mason's voice came across the room jauntily. I'm a college-bred man, I am, I am. I've an eye for the dames, But I mention no names. I’m a college-bred man, I am! The voice came nearer and nearer, the ribald song ceased and Burton heard Farvery speak. ‘■Lord, I'm thirsty, bring two long drinks and make them snappy. Whisky and soda.’’ “Thirsty, did you say?" gabbled Mason. ‘'You've nothing on me, Farvery. And I'm not so bloomin’ thirsty as old man Robson will be when he gets it across him.” ‘■Shut up, Mason. You sing about no names, and there you go again shouting things. Lord. I wish it was over and done with.” ‘T’m a college-bred man, I am, I am.

The soft footsteps of the waiter and the clink of glasses came to Burton's ears. He knew that the two had seated themselves at the next table, the waiter thanked them and slipped off. Burton heard the two men drinking steadily. •Tt's as good as over and done with, me college pal.” came Mason s voice. ‘•Didn't I tell you Robson and the gal were going out at sundown to Mobiay Villa? That's where we ll get ’em, ole pal. Then it's sundown for Robson and good-night for that gal. ’

“Shut up, i tell you. No names.” “Shut up yourself. You’re drunk.” ‘lt's you that’s drunk. You’ve been soused since ever you left the ship.” “I always get soused on a job. Cleopatra's ear-ring is worth getting soused for, ain’t it. Watch the chap’s face when we lift it from him and the gal." “No shooting, Mason. Don’t like shooting.” “I'm a college-bred man, pal. Don't you worry. No shooting unless drink up!” “Shut up. I’ve had enough. Keep your head clear.” “I'm clear enough. Somebody's going to get all mussed up, but not me. Who’s behidn that noospaper?” Burton felt a thrill run up and down his spine. He waited, expecting the newspaper to be snatched from his hands. Some other customers entered the lounge just then. Tables moved. Some minutes passed, during which the waiter brought more drinks, and then Mason rumbled on in his high ■ key. “Time we were goin’. The drink's rotten here.” Their feet shuffled as they pushed the table back. They went off, Mason humming his song and telling the waiter that he was a college-bred man and 1 wanted no lip from a Dago. IN THE DARKNESS Slowly Burton lowered his newspaper. Several men were in the lounge, and a family party from the liner were at the table Mason and Farvery had just left. But Burton was on his feet now and across the room and down the stairs quickly. These two meant harm to Muriel Stacey and Robson. Of that he was certain. Ought he to tell the police? But what could he tell them? What policeman would take Mason and Farvery in charge on his word of suspicion? And where were they, anyway? It was getting dark now. At the door of the hotel, Burton strained his eyes to find the two in the crowd. He saw them at last, seated in a touring car that was drawing away from the kerb, Farvery at the wheel. He didn’t seem drunk then. Burton signalled to a taxi and ordered the coloured driver’ to keep the tourer in view. He would keep an eye on them himself, and if anything happened he could then act with the police. The two cars edged through the crowd, crawling, then forged ahead on to a boulevard that led from the city, gradually the speed increased. They turned off from the main road and entered side streets, threading their way in and out of all the thoroughfares in a curious, zig-zagging route. They cleared the city and entered lonlier roads. It was quite dark now, the moon was rising, but was not yet bright. Burton didn’t know where he was being driven, but the taxi held on to the tourer, keeping about fifty yards distant.

They had been driven for over an houx - and must have covered every suburb, Burton thought, when the tourer entered a palm-edged lane, wide and seemingly on the very borders of the desert from the state of the ground. Half-way down the lane the tourexstopped. Burton hurriedly order the taxi to carry on past it and round the first turning into anothex - lane. There he dismounted and order the driver to await his return.

But the driver started a clamour about his fare. He had been bilked by tourists before, he declared; he wanted money. He got sufficient to make him promise to wait. Burton walked back to the lane where the tourer was stationed. He looked at his watch. It was just after after eight o’clock. He noted that the side-lights of the tourer were extinguished and the engine stopped. It was empty.

He walked softly past the tourer and saw that it had drawn up in front of a house, in which a light was burning in a lower room. On one of the pillars of the gateway he saw a name painted. Mobray Villa! His heart leaped. He entered the gateway. The garden was run wild, no path could be distinguished, the shrubbery was as thick as a jungle, save for the track leading to the front door. He crept, cat-like, round to the side window where the light burned, and noted that there was no blind on the window. If only he could get a position where he could see inside!

But while he sought for a position among the shrubbery he heard footsteps from the front. Feet shuffled. The car engine was started up by someone. He gained a rise in the garden and looked into the room. On a side table, a lamp was burning smokily. The room seemed empty of any human being. Burton looked again. He heard the car at the front drive off. But what was that? A cry? It sounded like a muffled scream, a woman's voice? Burton ran round to the front. The tail-light of the car was disappearing down the lane. He rushed towards the front door of the house. It was not locked. He went inside. To the right of the hall another door was ajar. From behind it came the smell of oil. He pushed the door open and looked inside. Lying on the floor, on a carpet in front of the fireplace, was Robson, and from his breast there oozed a flow of blood, which his hand pressed painfully. Burton leaped forward and raised the man’s head. The pale lips moved weakly. Bending down Burton made out a few words. “Muriel — kidnapped — Cleopatra's pearl stolen ”

The ups ceased. Robson was unconscious. CHAPTER 11. The sight of John Robson lying in that room, perhaps dying from the wound in his chest, had a curious effect on Fred Burton at first. “This can't be,” he thought. “Killings don't take place like this." . . Then the reaction followed, his mind snapped back to normal. He bounded out of the room into the hall, calling for help, but the house seemed deserted. But it was furnished, if sparsely. A rug lay on the hall floor. A door opposite was ajar and he saw furniture there. He struck a match and entered the room. A man was seated at a table in the centre of the room, and just as the match went out Burton saw that the man was bound and gagged. He struck another match and advanced, observed that this was an old man with a beard, a turban perched ludicrously on his head, his arms tied to the chair and his feet tucked under him. The man’s eyes stared at Burton, wide with fear, and his naturally dark skin was yellow and sickly from pure scare. Bending down, when the match went out, Burton cut the man’s bonds with his penknife and took the gag from his mouth. “What's all this?” he demanded. “What do you know about Mr Robson?” A mumble came from the figure as the man collapsed, slithering down from his chair to the floor. Burton struck a third match and held it up. A lamp was on the table. He removed the globe and Jit it, and because the globe was st 1 11 warm, he knew that the lamp had only recently been extinguished. He lifted the man back to the chair and saw that he was now opening his eyes. There, was no water in the room, so all Burton could do was to fan the wrinkled face and try to bring back circulation. It came soon. | “Speak quickjy! What has happened?” The old man’s jaws shook with fear. He found his tongue at last. “Robbers'.” he exclaimed. Fetch the police!” “Tell me quickly what happened. Is there anyone else in the house —servants?” “No. It is not my house. I know nothing of it. lam Mustapha, the gem dealer. I came here to sell the pearl —the pearl of Cleopatra to an Englishman. John Robson. I have sold things to him before. A lady was with him. It is his house. He engaged it to stay in with the lady. They came a ship to-day ” (To be continued.)