“WELCOME THE TRAVELLER”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1939, Page 10

“WELCOME THE TRAVELLER”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

By

ARTHUR HARDY.

CHAPTER XXII. Robert Berry left the ring to an ovation. Men barred the way hustling him, slapping him on the back, reaching for his hand. Attendants and commissionaires had hard work to clear a path for him. His dressing-room was besieged by newspapermen, and a few of them were admitted. Gardner was one of these. Daniel Shelton gave out a story to the rest.

Robert Berry was famous. Already his name had rung throughout the world on the air, broadcast to the far ends of the earth whilst the fight was on. The story of the fight had thrilled. The big crowd waiting outside the stadium was added to by hundreds who came hurrying from all quarters. Mike ..McGinty-', -had been knocked out. .The fighter who hcd beaten Dan Sheldon, the British Empire heavyweight champion, had been beaten in four Y&rKds by Robert Berry. A newBritif^j 4 sta\r had arisen, another Tans/wbrtn man.; ~|gob Berry had put Tansworth on.yi.Slfc map more prominently .than ever; A large table had been reserved in the restaurant and Jessie Capstow was waiting there to greet the winner—with a -kiss.

Champagne flowed freely that night. Many toasts were given and all were drunk. . Dan beamed at Robert unjealpusly; he was proud of him. There were worse things than being a famous boxer. Robert tried to analyse the position; he was unused to it;-suc-cess intoxicated, went to the head like new wine.

He felt his head ruefully. “If I ever find my hats growing too small for me to wear, kick me, Dan,’’ he said. Adam Lawley lifted his.:> Half-filled glass. “Your head won’t-SSwell, Robert. You know how .to ' Carry your corn. You didn’t win by-.chance tonight. You have given a. lifelong service to boxing, remember,’ the same as Dan. And you have come down from Waterloo Berry’s stock.” Prunella was laughing like a happy child, no fears now; there had never been need for anxiety. She had been thrilled by the fight tonight as never before.

It was half-past one when the party broke up. None of the Tansworth folk were going home tonight, for it was a great occasion.

Robert had heard about the- bets with Peter Marlow.

“Did he pay up, Torn,” he asked of Shul grave. “No. But he will when we get back to Tansworth,” ./answered Tom Shulgrave. “Dad and I will- see to that.” In the morning the trek home began, but Robert Berry, Daniel Shelton and Dan stayed over. They were going to see Mark Blissard, and draw the money due to them. Photographers and agents wanted Robert for publicity purposes. Cablegrams and teleglams poured into the Carlton Palace Hotel from all parts of England and America. Most of them were addressed to Robert., but a few of them were for Daniel and some for Dan. The wires were in danger of being blocked. At last Daniel was summoned to answer a call from New York. He had been advised that the call was coming and had it put through to the private room.

He found Johnny Morrissey, who had staged Ben Braddock’s last world’s championship fight at Morrissey’s Bowl, on the wire. An exchange of greetings and Daniel, covering the mouthpiece of the instrument with his hand, turned and said with a wink to Robert, “Morrissey talks of wanting you for the next world’s championship battle. Bob. McGinty was to have got the fight, but last night’s contest seems to have convinced Johnny. I’ll string him along.” Daniel talked for ten minutes before he hung up the receiver. “It looks as if we’ll have to take a trip to New York,” he said when he had finished. “Morrissey says he may want Dan, too. We didn't talk terms. That can wait. But if you do go it will mean big money. For you and Dan, Robert.” “How good is this Brannock?” asked Robert reflectively. “Oh, he’s good. Look at his record. The fact that McGinty once nearly beat him doesn't lessen his stature, for McGinty hadn’t hit the slide then and neglected his training. But what's it matter, Bob? We like 'em good.” Robert received his cheque that afternoon in Mark Blissard’s office, where he stayed talking for an hour. It was after tea time when they started for home.

Tansworth was thronged with people when they reached it. Bob Berry had to say a few words. Then they went on to Wood Cottage; and Robert did not go home to Wood Farm until the coast was clear.

When he entered the hall he saw the telephone receiver lying on its bed beside the instrument. “What’s that for. dad?” lie asked.

“I had to do it in self defence, mj’ boy," answered John Robert Berry. “Everybody I have never heard of has been ringing up offering congratulations and wasting my time. Bob, I’ve suddenly become somebody because I'm your father. I don’t think I shall have to sell Wood Farm now.”

The next day the papers were full of stories and pictures of the fight. Crowds came up the hill to have a look at the farm where Robert Berry was born. When Robert went down into the town he could not move'for the people who wanted to talk to him. The weekend had come before things began to settle down in their normal groove.

On Sunday Jessie brought Nora to the farm. In the evening the Sheltons and the Shulgraves were there, Sir Thomas honouring the Berys with a visit for the first time in years:

“Has Peter Marlow paid his betting debts, sir?” asked Robert.

“Not yet,” answered Sir Thomas Shulgrave. . “I’m going to give him until 12 o’clock on Monday, and if. 1 don't hear from him by then 1 intend to ring him up.” Monday morning came and Sir Thomas Shulgrave had not heard a word from Marlow; neither had Tom. Before he left ’ Cranbrooke Hall Sir Through her Sir Thomas managed to beech House. He found the line engaged. He tried three times before he managed to get the call put through. Marlow’s secretary was on the line. Thourgh her Sir Thomas managed to get a word with Peter Marlow. ' “Oh, I was just about to send you that money,” said Marlow in a voice that would have melted honey. “Don’t bother,” answered Sir Thomas. J‘l: am driving your way. I’ll call in an,d get it; and I’ll fetch what you 'owe my son Tom as well.” ’ CHAPTER XXIII. Peter Marlow paid his betting losses by cheque, two thousand pounds to Tom Shulgrave < ,and one thousand pounds made outyo Sir Thomas Shulgrave, Bar.t. Th 4 Member for Tansworth .had been ushered into a private office at OldbeechJ House by the very pretty, but much made-up secretary. “1 hope these cheques won't be returned ‘R.D.’ Marlow,” said Sir Thomas pleasantly as he took them. Marlow laughed lighthly. He was very good-looking in his sly way, very well dressed;’ he had a “millionaire” manner, Sir Thomas thought. “Oh, I’ll pass them on to my Eagle Film account,” said Marlow jokingly. “And now, Sir Thomas, I wonder whether you will do me a favour.” “I’ll do within reason,’ answered Sir Thomas, eyeing Marlow shrewdly. I.

I’ “As I daresay you know, Sir Thomas. I am busy 'establishing a production centre for Eagle films here in Tansworth, Oldbeech House is to be the heart of it. I propose to buy Drawell Park and build sound-proof theatres and studios there. The matter is in negotiation. The beautiful scenery of the park will serve for locations. Drawell Manor will be converted into executive quarters, and its fine drawing room will make a splendid projection theatre. But over.-.and above all that I need a commodious house in the tqwn which I can use as a hotel for my stars anil my bigger part people. I have tried to buy Travellers’ Buildings, but so far I have been unable to induce Adam Lawley to sell.”

Sir Thomas smiled grimly. He is a man of character. lam afraid you can’t get past Adam.”. ‘

“You are M.P. for/Tansworth. You can influence local opinion. I want to buy the buildings, sir;” / “The Mayor had earmarked the site for a new town. hall. Lawley refused him. ■ Can you make lawley change his mind? If you could, convince him that you would use the Buildings for the good, of the town, .yoUt might win. Why not go and see the .Mayor yourself and ask him to help?!’ “It is an idea. I have ‘already approached him. If you. would get a word in with him—” \

“I am on my way to see him now. I’ll see which way the .cht/is going to jump.” - Ten minutes later Sir'Thomas’s car deposited him outside., the town hall, which overlooks the market place. Sir Thomas mounted the steps and vanished within the old-world/buildirig. He was at once ushered into the presence of the Mayor. Walter Pridgeon, Mayor of Tansworth, .was a self-importapt man approaching fifty, florid, ' efficient, pompous, a believer in any.n'ew-idea which might spring out of the dead ashes of the old not always with ad vantage. A multiple grocer, with a'chain of shops throughout the county, he Jived in Tansworth though he was born in Hemsworth, fifteen miles away. Twice Mayor of the town, his pet project to build a new and more important town hall had become a mania. He had marked Traveller’s Buildings down as the site, and was sore because Adam Lawley had refused to sell. “Glad to see you, Sir Thomas,” boomed the Mayor. “To what am I indebted for the pleasure?” “How do you stand with, .regard to Traveller's Buildings'?’" asked the Member of Parliament surprisingly. “Are you any nearer to getting that new town hall, Pridgeon?” . “No. Lawley is stiff-necked. I hate to see him at the council meetings. I can always count on his opposition. He won’t sell.”

“Capstow’s shop is closed. The leases of the Buildings are falling in. Lawley intends to do something with the place; he told me so. ■ Supposing Robert Berry was to buy the place, Mayor?" “Him? A man of straw." The Mayoral gesture was contemptuous. “What could he do with it?"

"He's just won an important fight and it has put him in the big money. Lawley likes him, Pridgeon. So does Prunella. A Berry once owned the Buildings, remember.”

"So I have been told. But it was years ago, time of Napoleon, I believe. Nobody cares a curse for Napoleon nowadays. What would a farmer do with the place?” s/ Sir Thomas’s . interest lay only in getting and studying Pridgeon's angle, otherwise ■ this interview would have been sheer waste of time. “What about Marlow, then, he wants to buy the place for his/film company.” “Now you’re talking. The Eagle Film company is. a wealthy concern. It has already spent a lot of money in Tansworth.”/'\/ “Lawley refused to even think of selling the Buildings to Eagle Films, Marlow is keen. He spoke to me about

it just now. I think he would like you to approach Lawley on his behalf.” The Mayor of Tansworth .gave Sir Thomas a sharp look. Was Sir Thomas leg-pulling? Pridgeon could never be sure about that. Sir Thomas might be trying to work something, but if so, what? ■ - ■ ■ They talked for some minutes longer before Sir Thomas left the town hall,. After his departure Pridgeon sat for-A while thinking. Then he pressed,?..d; button. “Ring up Peter Marlow at Oldbeech House,” said the Mayor when he secretary answered the call. “Tell him I would like to see him:” Two minutes later the secretary reentered the room and reported. “The lady secretary said that Mr Peter Marlow is on his way to see you now, sir.”- / “ “Good.” • Peter Marlow dame in reeking of scent. He wore' a gorgeous scarlet carnation in his buttonhole. He flashed the diamonds on his finger rings. Anything to impress. “I wanted to talk to you about Traveller’s Buildings. I want to buy the place for my film company,” Marlow said after an exchange of greetings. “Same here,” growled the Mayor, pulling out a gold s watch and studying its dial. much time before lunehji’"Supposing you take a bite with me at the Goose and Gridiron; we can talk it over- there.”. Over lunch they said'all that there was to say. The mayor was already in possession of most of the facts. Pridgeon’s small pig eyes widened and he smiled blandly. “So you solicit my support in buying the Buildings, ch? Lawley refused you! I’m afraid nothing can be done.” Marlow drank from a full wine glass. He had sized up this Mayor correctly, he believed. “I am prepared to go to a higher price than I offered rather than fail. If you help me and I get Traveller’s Buildings, I’ll make it worth your while. Supposing we say fifteen per cent of the gross as commission?” “Make it twenty per cent,” snapped the Mayor, who flattered himself upon his business acumen. “Supposing you pay twenty-two thousand pounds for the place, that would mean four thousand four hundred pounds ” “I’ll pay you three thousand five hundred pounds, no more,” bargained Marlow. “Done. It’s a bargain? Let’s go together and see Lawley,” answered Pridgeon. (Ta be Continuedj.