“THE UNLATCHED DOOR”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1941, Page 10

“THE UNLATCHED DOOR”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT." COPYRIGHT.

By

FRANK PRICE.

(Author of “Behind the Curtains,” etc.)

CHAPTER XXVI. (Continued). “You!” Avice cried out, leaning across the desk. “You were there! You killed him! IL was you who were struggling ” She stopped suddenly, aghast at what she was saying. “No!” said Barbara. “The police have found the bullet from his revolver in the wall above the doorway. And from that doorway the bullet they took from his brain was fired!” “And 1 saw you fire the fatal shot from there. Miss Carlake!" said Matthew.

Avice sat back in her chair. The beauty had vanished from her face; it was suddenly pinched and old and very evil. Matthew took a step towards

her, saying: “I have told you that 1 have no wish to see conventional justice done on you; but others who are dear to me have been suspected of this act and they must be cleared. I shall tell my story, to the police, but I shall choose my own time. If life seems worth saving to you. you can save it. You can go!”

"Go?" Avice stared wildly round her. “Where can I go? How—” Her eyes rested on the man on the settee. “Luigi! You will help me! You will take me where I shall be safe!"

“1?” He got up and flung the butt of his cigarette at the electric fire. “You mistake yourself, idiot! Have I not always told you that is what you are? And have you not proved it beyond all measure now. So, it was you who killed Borden—the goose that laid my golden eggs! It was because he threatened to cancel the bank order and stop the allowance —yes? You thought the bank would continue to pay when he was dead —idiot again! And now, when the police will be looking for you everywhere, you expect me to compromise myself—you insult me by supposing mo a greater idiot than you! This imbecile, is whore we part!” He swung on his heel and walked jauntily to the door. Avice leaped to her feet and sprang after him. flinging her arms round him as his hand reached for the knob. “Luigi!” she shrieked. “Don’t leave me! Haven't I loved you, worshipped you. given you everything I had. You can't desert mo now! Stay with me! Stay- ”

"Let go, fool!” he said in a sharp whisper. He struggled round to face her. The watchers saw his hand rise and fall. Avice staggered back with blood on her lips where a ring ho wore had cut her. Again Luigi turned his back on her and dragged open the door.

At that moment the shrill summons of the door bell tingled through the flat, but no one heard it. Avice had thrust her right hand forward so that it pressed hard against Luigi’s body. There was a strange, muffled report, a terrible scream, and the man turned with both arms raised; then he bent sideways and fell wrthing at her feet. “Wait for me, Luigi!" she screamed. I’m coming with you!”

Her right hand went up and they saw-the flash of bright metal as she pointed the pistol at her own head. But Matthew Hemersley leapt forward and caught her hand in his with so vice-like a grip that she could not pull the trigger. “Let go!” she screamed. “Let go!”

Roy had dashed to his father’s aid, but it was all the two of them could do to hold the raving, shrieking, biting girl. And. as they held her, all became conscious of a continued thundering knocking on the outer door. “For heaven's sake se'e who that is. Barbara!" shouted Roy. “And don’t come back to this room!” Barbara ran to the front door and opened it to find Inspector Kenway and another man on the landing. "Miss Calendar!" exclaimed the inspector. "What is happening?” “In there, quick!" Barbara pointed. “She has shot another man!" "Another!" The detectives dashed into the room. "Here, we’ll see to this!" cried Kenway. He and his companion threw themselves on Avice, but they had little to do. At the sight of Kenway every particle of energy seemed to evaporate from her and she became limp and lifeless. The fingers of her right hand opened and the tiny pistol fell into Kenway’s palm. “Hello!” he exclaimed. "This is the little toy 1 have been wanting to see! Take her, Saunders, while I have a look at this fellow." He bent over Luigi. "That’s the chap she met in the restaurant the night you sent me after her, sir," said Saunders. “He’ll never have any use for a restaurant again!" declared Kenway, after a hasty examination. Suddenly he turned. 1 Roy and his father had gladly relinquished Avice to the detectives, but, as Matthew drew back, he staggered and would have fallen if his son had not caught him. Roy supported him to a settee, where he lay back .with a look on his face which filled Roy and Barbara with alarm. "It'll be all right,” lie murmured with difficulty. "My heart—left waistcoat pocket—capsules—digitalis!” It was the last two words which brought Kenway round. "Are you Matthew .Tames Hcmersley?” he demanded. “He is. My father," said Roy. giving Matthew a capsule. “Alias .James Matthew, tenant of No. 12 across the landing?" pursued Kenway. “That’s right. Inspector." said Matthew faintly. "You seem to know quite a lot!" "I shall want to know a great deal more before I finish!" retorted the detective. "It is soon told." said Matthew. "I saw that wretched girl shoot Borden and we all three saw her kill the worm yonder. lam afraid your case will be very complete." "Do you think . ill,, r. or Loth of

them together, worth the sacrifice of another life?" “Thai’s for Iho law to say. Is she worth so much?" "Thank heaven it is not for mo to judge her!” Matthew lay back with ■ his eyes shut. "Inspector Kenway,” said Barbara anxiously, "you can be so kind when you like. Won't you let us take Mr. Hemersley home now? He is staying with Roy. You know where to find all of us when you want us.” "I put him in your charge, Miss Calendar," said Kenway with a smile. "I’m sure I can trust you!” Roy and ■Barbara helped Matthew to his feet and supported him from the flat. On the landing Barbara looked round and a shudder ran through her. “What is it, my dear?” whispered Matthew. “It’s so awful to think that none of this might have happened if I hadn't left that door unlatched!” she said. “Forget that, darling,” said Roy a's they entered the lift and he set it in motion. "Think what might have happened if we had not met and danced together that night! I should have : missed everything that makes life I worth living!" “And so should I!” she whispered. , The lift stopped. Roy looked out and saw that the entrance lobby was empty. "Excuse me. Dad," he said. “I’ve simply got to kiss Barbara for those kind words!" Matthew smiled while Roy translated his words into action. "After you, Roy-o,” he said. “My daughter-in-law to be hasn't kissed me once, yet, and I believe that is just the medicine to do my shaky heart most good!” —THE END—-

“THEY SAY SHE KILLED HIM” A POWERFUL HUMAN STORY. From time to time a male novelist wins success because his work reveals an exceptional understanding of women. Such men are rare. But is a curious fact that women writers who understand women are even rarer. There are probably a large number who have the understanding, but are unable to express it in their stories. Sometimes the particular type of story which a woman novelist writes, does not allow much scope for it. Only occasionally does there come to the front a woman writer who knows her own sex to the very depths of their nature, and who can display that knowledge in just the right type of story. Pearl Bellairs is such a writer. “Velvet and Steel” gave unmistakeable signs that here was a woman writer whom women would read, and of whom they would say, “How right she is!” “The Prisoner's Sister" and “Christabel” confirmed her reputation, and now Pearl Bellairs surpasses both stories with a work having the intriguing title “They say She Killed Him." The “Times-Age” has secured this remarkable story as its next serial, and publication will begin tomorrow.