"DEATH GOES BY 'BUS"

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1939, Page 10

"DEATH GOES BY 'BUS"

PUBLISHED"BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

COPYRIGHT.

BY

LESLIE CARGILL

(Author of “The Yellow Phantom,” "The Arrow by Night,” etc.)

CHAPTER XVI. Continued. Followed by the bewildered Sergeant, he led the way to .the almost hidden regions where the proletariat were permitted to purchase refreshment al a lower price than in the more exclusive quarters. Only a few customers were present, these being clustered at a long counter. In a quiet corner stood a polished slab of mahogany, neatly marked off- in sections. Undisturbed by onlookers, the two men were soon engrossed in a fascinating contest. Morrison Sharpe kept up a running commentary as he flipped and manoeuvred the coin. Most of it was incomprehensible to Matthews, who did. however, realise that he was naming the pieces according to important figures in the bus case. “Click!" went the coins. ‘And tlr murmured the player, “clears the way for Huntley Young . . .” ‘This game is best with four players," the Sergeant remarked as he pegged the final score. "Anyway, you've done very nicely. But you wouldn't have won so easily if it had been a foursome.” Mr Sharpe clapped him on the back. ‘That’s right, old man.” he said briskly. “You’ve hit it. Something's missing. That idea kept worrying me all along.' "Didn’t' seem to cramp your style, sir.' “Oh, for the game. I wasn't thinking of that. We've not got sufficient people in the most important business. Smith, Young. Gardopoulos . . . Who makes the fourth?” "Puzzle —find the lady?” returned Matthews facetiously. “Many a true word spoken in—” began Sharpe when he was interrupted by a stentorian "Time, gentlemen, please!" Simultaneously Superintendent Maxley came rushing into the bar. “I've got it," he announced breathlessly. ‘Keep calm,” advised Mr Sharpe. ‘“Your assistant told me two minutes before you arrived.' Sergeant Matthews gaped. ‘I don't remember making any such suggestion.” "No? Think again. The superintendent wanted to know who Huntley Young saw at Bellham station.” "Well?” “From his excitement I imagine he has found the lady. The very staid Miss Hanson, Hanson presumably?” He looked at Maxley for confirmation. "How the devil did you know that?” Mr Sharpe turned his head slightly. “One of the beauties of Shove Hapenny," he explained. "Almost as good as a planchette.” "Do you mean to tell me." demanded the Superintendent, "that you arrived at that conclusion over a damn-fool game, while I spent a solid hour wheedling the information out of a paralysed oyster?” “Something of the kind. There are more ways than one, you know, of opening an oyster. Some use a knife blade —others, ’■ if I may say so, wait patiently until the creature comes out of its own accord. I trust you didn't damage the shell through any roughness.” “Not a scratch. But tell me which method you employed." "You see I don't like oysters, so I left you the succulent dainty while I indulged in a diet of ale.” "Bah!" spluttered Maxley. “rm heartily fed up with your confounded conundrums. If I wasn’t under an obligation, more of less, I'd - kick you right out of this business. Unfortunately you’ve helped a darned sight too much.” “Thank you! Tomorrow I’ll call at your headquarters. By the way. what time did you say the interview with Miss Hanson is to take place?” "I didn’t say. You can’t come, anyway. As a layman you have no standing whatever. “Not even as representing Jeremy Withers?” “Certainly not. And, if you must know, the lady will not be asked to call at the station.” “Good! That simplifies matters. I'll meet you at the railway bookstall at 10.30.” "All right," Maxley growled. "Providing you don't miss your connection from Colborough." CHAPTER XVII. Nobody had worried much about Miss Hanson, whose comings and goings excited little curiosity. She happened to be middle-aged and unmarried. which accounted for anything. Like everybody else who had been aboard the Colborough-Netherton bus on the occasion of the tragic happenings she had been the subject of discreet police inquiries. They were aware of her loneliness, an absence of friends, and Ihe fact that not even immediate neighbours were taken into her confidence. According to local tittle-tattle there had been some long-past disappointment in the woman’s life which had soured her existence.

Maxley was not inclined to attach a great deal of importance to this story. "Every old-maid is credited with a broken romance." he remarked at the main-line express bore the investigating trio southwards. “She must have been quite an attractive women in her time,” observed Morrison Sharpe. “Possibly." “And still rather distinguished looking." I "I hadn't noticed it." > “Oh yes. On that fact 1 can assure! you she is worth a second glance. Particular!” did 1 admire her reserved

dignity. She is, too, a woman of great determination—well balanced. Not tne type to faint at the sight of a drop of blood . . .” Matthews leaned forward. "Then why," he asked significantly, "did she faint when the murder was discover- ■ cd?” "Good man," Sharpe commended. "I ; see you remember details of the witness’s statements." "Does it signify anything?” asked the superintendent. "Who can tell! Any fact may be valueless or invaluable. By the way, how is my friend, the prisoner?” •John Smith? Taking it easy. His . solicitor intends asking for bail at to- . morrow’s hearing. In case that doesn’t convey anything to your mind, I’ll tell : straight away that it is a most unusual request in a murder case.” Morrison Sharpe nodded. “So I believe. But I thought it couldn't be done.” “The mere asking means that the case is so thin that the authorities are . being taunted. Don't say 'I told you ■ so' or we shall fall out. Personally, I • shouldn’t be staggered if the magistrates dismissed the case without troubling to send the prisoner for trial. Do you know what that means?" "Pretty serious for you, I should ■ imagine." "Nothing could be worse. My career is at stake, so now you know. If I , can't justify the arrest my only hope is to substitute the really guilty party for the mistakenly accused." "Hah! You’re going pretty far, su- . perintendent.” i "So I am. sir. When a man’s life is at stake you've got to be fair. ProseI cution doesn't mean persecution. Do you think I should have let you in on ■ this if I thought Smith was guilty [ without the slightest doubt?” "Hadn't thought of it in that light." "Now you've been told. Make the ! most of it. Your friend, as you call him. looks like being a lucky man. ■ Less than a week ago the rope seemed nearly round his neck. Now the more . we try to tighten it the more some- ; thing intervenes to make it looser.” “Suppose you’d have waited?" "Ah, sir, that would have made a ■ difference. One thing I can tell you. Huntley Young isn’t out of sight of an ■ officer a moment of the day or night.” "Sure you’re not substituting one error for another?” Maxley screwed up his eyes until ; they were mere slits. “No, sir,” he retorted. "I'm not. But I can assure you that no move will be taken until I am quite convinced. Even if the case against Smith breaks down, there'll be no precipitate action. This new line of inquiry seems promising. What do you think, Matthews?" The Sergeant looked up from his newspaper. "Sorry, sir. I missed your last remarks.” "I said ‘this line of inquiry seems promising.’ ” "Y-yes—yes, indeed!” "Sounds somewhat half-hearted. For goodness sake take your nose out of that paper and pay attention. What are you reading, anyway?” Matthews turned rather pink about the cheeks. "As a matter of fact," he explained, "I'm trying my hand at a crossword puzzle.” The Superintendent breathed heavily. "Y-you . . .” he spluttered, and paused for lack of suitable words. Mr Sharpe laughed aloud. "Good man!" he remarked. “Do you the world of good. We'll have Maxley at them before this case is concluded.” Morrison Sharpe did not miss the connection. On the contrary he was on the platform ten minutes before his train was due. That fact is of no particular importance, unless it serves to suggest that in face of necessity the man of aberration may evolve into a man of determined action. Matthews did not make the journey. I so probably Superintendent Maxley was glad of the company. Certainly | he talked, and to good effect, revealing j his innermost thoughts about the case that was causing him so much concern. Maxley was rather like a medical practitioner who has learned to respect some particular bone-setter. The unregistered man's undoubted powers may not meet with the approval of the regular surgeon, but in certain cases he will even go to the extent of recommending him to patients. Sometimes, even, the "quack" will become so famous that he cannot be disregarded as an important force in curative knowledge. Therefore the professional police officer was prepared to accept assistance from an amateur because he recognised in Morrison Sharpe a person of exceptional ability. There was something in the acute sense of perception peculiar to the little man that made him an object almost of awe. And yet, as Mr Sharpe would have modestly insisted .there was nothing mysterious about it. He had merely sharpened his *wits through years of pitting them against others almost as keen as his own. Interviewing Miss Edith Maude Hanson was not the easiest of processes. She did not want to talk about the harrowing experience and begged to be allowed to forget all about it. "Ever since that dreadful day I have been unable to sleep properly," she complained, and the drawn look of her face with dark shadows under the eyes bore out the haunting fear. "Madam,” retorted the adamant Maxley, “murder is an ugly affair, which cannot lightly be forgotten. A . life has been taken and another threatened.” i “A-another?" she faltered. “By the law." ‘'Ah. yes, poor man. It is dreadful, Inspector." " Su pe r i n 1 eft d e n 1 ; in a d a r n'’ ‘

"Pardon me, the slip was very careless. You were asking me about — | about—" "Anything that may throw light on j the tragedy. Mention was made of the j accused man, John Smith. Know anything about him?” "Will they h-hang him? No, they mustn't! That would be more than I could bear.” Morrison Sharpe was studying the woman coldly and calculatingly, while his companion questioned her. She seemed more formidable than ever, despite her evident concern for the presumed murderer. Why should she dislike so much the idea of Smith being punished? It could hardly be because she was a woman of acute sensitivity. The hard lines of her mouth apd jaw negatived that possibility. Plainly, the Superintendent was putting her emotion down to a feminine shrinking from contact with an unsavoury happening. His next remarks were delivered in that attempted kindliness of tone peculiar to hard-bitten officers when they are called upon. to fulfil an unpleasant duty. "Try not to distress yourself," he advised. "The trial has yet to come and Smith may be found 'not guilty.' ” "Oh, I trust so! I do trust so!" “But,” went on Maxley sternly, "somebody committed the crime and deserves punishment. You can help.” “I can? Why. I don't know what you mean!” “Yes you do. Miss Hanson. Please be frank. When the course of death was discovered you fainted, I believe?" "With shock. It was a terrible revelation." "Are you given to fainting?" "No. that was the first time for years." "Yet nobody else was so seriously i affected, and you do not strike me as ' the kind of woman to give way easily, if I may say so." Miss Hanson made no reply. She j was becoming increasingly uneasy. ( (To be Continued) .