THE BLACK PILGRiM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20740, 25 February 1939, Page 13 (Supplement)

THE BLACK PILGRiM

By George Stanley

A story of a modern Robin Hood.

XIIL the capture M extremely doubtful whether potter would have ever got to socfc close quarters with the elusive person who operated under the striking name of The Black Pilgrim, but fur a woman’s desire for revenge. When The Black Pilgrim took upon the task of terminating the career of the dangerous female criminal who had gained notoriety as "lion Annie,” and was instrumental in sending that murderous woman into Jie prison which was to hold her for many he invoked the wrath of her companion Nellie Fallows. It was, too, very unfortunate for The Black Pilgrim that on the occasion of his disposal of “Iron Annie," Nellie Fallows had been her companion at the time and, unknown to him, was one of the few persons who had seen the faoe of the mysterious avenger. It was a few months after "Iron Annie" had been sent to suffer the punishment which she so richly deserved, that Nellie Fallows, prowling the pavement of Piccadilly in pursuit of her profession of "whizzer” or pickpocket, recognised the one man whom she hated more than anyone on earth. Instantly she darted in pursuit of him and, as The Black Pilgrim continued on his way, Nellie Fallows followed on his track. Unobserved, she trailed him to his flat in Queen’s Gardens. After noting the number of it and the lay-out of the premises she hurried away, gloating in her mean little soul over the thoughts of the revenge which she would obtain. During the next week she kept observation on the flat and followed her prospective victim when he left the premises, determined to find out all she could about him. His recent unexpected meeting with Kiss Mary Marne, the young heiress, undoubtedly had quite an affection for her champion, and who had Insisted on him visiting her, was having a peculiar effect upon the modern Robin Hood. For, in the various talks which they had indulged in together since they had met again, it was obvious to him that if he were to allow the feeling that was beginning to grow on him to continue, he would have to pive up his desire to champion the oppressed. Meanwhile he continued to esoort Mary Marne, taking her to theatres and for pleasant rides in his car during the VMg summer days. Gradually, this close companionship began to have its effect. But this pleasant state of affairs was not destined to last long. Nellie Fallows, torn between a desire for revenge and a greed for money, had at last completed her plan for not only betraying The Black Pilgrim to the euthorities, but obtaining money as well. Her cunning brain had conceived the scheme of striking at The Black Pilgrim through the girl who undoubtedly had affection for him, for Nellie had been a close observer, on more than one occasion, of their meetings. It was nearly two weeks after she had at first recognised the man she hated that she called on Mary Marne at her town house, and sent in a strangely worded request. Intrigued by the peculiar message, the girl decided to see her, and eventually the little criminal was shown into the room where Mary Marne was awaiting her.

You wanted to see me?" she asked, as she stared curiously at the little woman in the rather gaudy dress, who had been shown in by a servant.

“Yes,” answered Nellie Fallows, after making sure that the servant disappeared. "1 don’t know whether you know It, but the fellow that you’re going about with is a crook- He’s The Black Pilgrim—” Her cunning eyes watched the effect of this statement, and observing the look of dismay upon Mary Marne’s [ace, she continued:

“1 know enough about him to put him inside —the police would give a lot to know where they could lay hands on ’im."

She waited for this further announcement to sink in before she again continued: “This Black Pilgrim shopped my best friend, and now I’ve got nowhere to go. I’m nearly starving. In fact I don’t know where I shall sleep to-night.”

Mary Marne realised what was expected of her. “If it is money you want," she eaid, "I have plenty. What is it worth to you to keep quiet about this Black Pilgrim?” “If 1 hand a hundred pounds — enough to set me up in a small business I know about, I’d go away and you’d never see me again, lady. I ’ates to have to ask for money, but when you're starvin’ you have to do a lot of things you don’t like to do." “All right," agreed Mary Marne. “You shall have more than a hundred pounds I’ll give you two hundred on the condition that you say nothing to the police. 1 suppose you'd like the money now?”

“I could do with a bit on account,” whined Nellie Fallows. "Not a bite *as passed me lips for the last two days." “Then you shall have something to eat, while I send round to the bank for the money," said Mary Marne. She rang the bell and when the servant appeared: “Ask cook to let you have some sandwiches and some coffee as soon as possible, please," she said. "Then ask Jane to come here at once; I want her to go out for ine.” She turned to her writing desk and, under the avaricious eyes of Nellie Fallows, made out a cheque for two hundred pounds. Then, .when the maid appeared, she handed her the cheque and a letter. “Jane, I want you to take this round to the bank for me. They will give you a little packet to bring back. Take care of it, because tb<re will be money in it." As the maid was leaving, the servant entered with the sandwiches and coffee, and, after seeing her unpleasant visitor begin eating and drinking, Mary Marne rose from her chair. “I’ll leave you while you have your refreshments,'' she said. "1 must telephone to the bank so that they wih rash the cheque. I’ll be back before you have finished.” She left the room fully decided upon her course of action. For she had not missed the cunning smirk upon the face of the little criminal, and guessed that she had not the slightest intention of keeping her promise. It ■was only too obvious that the barefaced attempt at blackmail was only

an additional means of satisfying her desire for revenge. Accordingly, Mary Marne hurried to the telephone, but instead of calling the bank, she dialled The Black Pilgrim’s number. She was fortunate in finding him at his Hat. in a few words she described what had occurred, and when she had finished, The Black Pilgrim laughed. "Good work, Mary," he said. “Keep her there as long as you can without arousing her suspicions. i want to follow her and see what she gets up to. The little weasel means mischief. Even if she did succeed in her hopes of landing me in the hands of the police, she would be bleeding you for years under the threat u* < \- pusing you as my accomplice. I’ll see to the lady!" Mary Marne returned to her unpleasant visitor after a further conversation, and found her finishing the remains of the sandwiches. “I’ve telephoned," she said, ‘ and the money will be here soon. If you would rather not wait, shall I send it to your address?" "I’ve got no place to go to. lady," whined Nellie Fallows. "I’m not very strong, so I can’t get work. No, I’ll wait for the money, if yer don't mind.” She sat in her chair telling a lying tale about the hardships she had been suffering, and under the picture she painted the murdering "Iron Annie” became a ministering angel who had supported the fragile Nellie through long painful periods of sickness. By the time the maid returned with the money, Mary Marne felt thoroughly nauseated with the lying little hyprocrite, and was only too glad to give her the two hundred pounds and see her go. She did, however, insist on Nellie Fallows signing a receipt for the money for "services rendered.” With a triumphant smirk upon her wizened face, Nellie Fallows sauntered impudently from the house, clutching her handbag containing the money. As she went she reflected that she was obtaining a double revenge for, with the money, she proposed to complete the downfall of The Black Pilgrim. So engrossed was she in her selfcongratulation that she neglected the normal precautions she would have taken to see that no interfering "busy” was watching her movements. It was a false step for, as she increased her pace. The Black Pilgrim, w r ho, dressed in a postman’s uniform, had been waiting near a pillar-box across the road, also quickened his step and followed after her. Boarding a bus she continued on it until she had arrived in Walworth Road where she alighted and, entering a side street, made her way to a dingy tenement, where she had hired a single room. In spite of the brilliant sun which was flooding the roads outside, the interior of the tenement was an abode in gloom. The passages ran like black tunnels, and the worn stone staircase formed a death-trap for the unwary.

As Nellie Fallows entered. The Black Pilgrim followed. For the moment he was beaten by the intense darkness. Then he saw the figure of the little blackmailer pass a point on the stairs where a thin ray of sunlight blazed like a searchlight. lie hurried on after her, saw her enter a room on the llrst lloor, and waited. Presently he heard her open the door again and come towards him. He moved stealthily along the passage until he had gained a point where the wall turned, and hidden here, he heard the woman knocking upon a door. It opened, and a stream of light illuminated the darkness of the passage. “Mrs Jones," came the voice of Nellie Fallows, "1 wonder whether you can tell me whebe Bert Formly has gone? I want to get ’old of 'im, quick I" ‘What’s it worth, dearie?*’ answered an oily voice. “Bert might give me a packet if I was to tell you." “I’ll give you five bob,” replied Nellie Fallows. “There’s money in this for Bbrt, too. You ought to get something out of ’im for putting him on to It.” “Where's the five bob?” asked Mrs Jones. The watcher heard the elink of money, ano then the oily voice replied : “Bert’s got an office, now. Yon’ll find him at 14, Marlingbury Mansions, over the tube station at the Elephant. His room is number 35. He don't pet there till four. If you're in the money, you can give me a bit more if the job comes off. I can do with it. Eight kids and the old man—" Nellie Fallows was too' old a hand to listen to anyone’s hard luck stories, besides she knew that the eight “kids" were all earning money, and keeping both Mrs Jones and her husband in idleuess. She hurried away while Mrs Jones’ complaints were still in the air, and that unpleasant person muttered a few oaths after the retreating figure, before she slammed her door. The Black Pilgrim watched Nellie Fallows out of sight, saw her leave the building, and then he crept along the passage and after a little manipulation succeeded in opening the door of the little criminal's room. Quickly he searched it. and found, cunningly hidden beenath the mattress of the dirty bed, the bulk of the two hundred pounds in notes which Mary Marne had given her. Twenty pounds was, however, missing from the total. He guessed that Nellie Fallows intended to use the money to bribe the unknown Bert Formly. (To be continued)