MYSTERY AT MANBY HOUSE

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21366, 10 March 1941, Page 9

MYSTERY AT MANBY HOUSE

Bv

PETER MANTON

CHAPTER XI. The Bomb Bill dared not look upwards. The waiting seemed interminable, any second he expected the explosion to come, to feel the force of it. He heard his watch ticking very loudly in his ears And then it came. There was a loud boom! that sent the snow about them in a flurry of white, a gust of wind that seemed to choke him. He felt himself lifted upwards a little, and then dropped down, and while ho was dropping another came. Boom! Again the snow came, like a young avalanche, and he was half buried. His mouth and nose were filled with the stuff and he heaved himself up, choking and gasping for breath, with the roar of the single-engined ’plane in his ears. No one spoke. Horn was in as bad a plight as Bill. Jonathan Pike had somehow contrived to keep his face clear, and he was sitting in the snow much as Brandt had been on the previous night. He leaned over, helping Horn to get his face clear. Arden’s breath was coming fast. "The unpleasant swine!” ‘‘Take it mild,” grinned Pike. ‘‘l would call him a murdering son of a murdering buzzard, and then some. All right, he's off.” Bill was recovering. The ’plane was little more than a dot in the sky now, and obviously it did not intend to come back with a repeat of that first dose. “Hmm! Didn’t I hear you say it was your idea?” Pike stared, and then glared disgustedly. "Listen, friend, all I say ain’t literal, got me? Either my boy friend took me in, or it was another 'plane. I thought it was a Blue Bird, but I have been known to make mistakes. I say!” He broke off, staring towards the house. The south door was wide open, as well as the kitchen door. Servants and Court were staring into the snow grounds, and nearer at hand was a dgrk bundle. Nearer still was an ugly splotch of red. Red Bill Arden's stomach turned. He knew what had happened, and a grim trio climbed to their feet and made their way «s quickly as they could towards the man there. It was Draper, and Draper had suffered from the bomb meant for the others. : He was in a huddled heap, and one j of his arms was badly lacerated, near the shoulder. He was groaning a ] little, like a whimpering animal, and that at least meant that he was alive. “I’ll manage,” Pike grunted. “Get 1 him in.” Bill and Jim bent dawn. They hated their job, but it had to be done, and grimly they made their way towards the house. Court—efficient as ever—was shouting orders for a room to be prepared. He said nothing—not even a word to Pike—as they arrived. Court took Draper in his massive arms at the doorway ; and turned about. He went' without much effort up the stairs, while Horn and Arden took their snow shoes off. No one wanted to speak.

1 Clark was in the passage, with a tray bearing whisky and a soda syphon. Clark, as Bill knew, anticipated most requirements and had not needed telling t at the parachutist would want '.arming up. Eut no one in the world could nave anticipated that last effort to bring death to the occupants of Manby House. The butler’s hands were trembling. “Shall—shall I take it to the drawing room, sir?” "Nope,” said Jonathan Pike. He looked leaner than ever and there was a hawk-like cast to his face now, and an expression in his grey eye? that boded ill for someone. Arden was just recovering from the shocK of discovering the detective-sergeant like that. He wished he could withdraw the things he had said about Draper. Clark began to lift the decanter, but Pike shot out his hands. "Give it here, son, you’ll spill it.” The butler was trembling, and he relinquished the decanted willingly Pike's hand was steady as he poured out a finger and tossed it down. Then he looked at the others. “Hot or cola?” “Strong for me,” said Horn, pale faced. Bill nodded. Pike poured out three measures, and added a little soda all round. Arden had to admire the way the man kept his hands under control. | The whisky brought a colour to I their cheeks, and loosened their j tongues. "Let’s get upstairs and see wnat the damage is,” Pike said. "Haven t got a doctor in the house, have you 7 ” “No, nor any chance of getting one.” “Could do,” said Pike. "I know several who’d come the same way as 1 did, but it may not be needful.” He was striding along the passage, moving faster tnan he seemed to be, and he was at the top of the stairs yards in front of the others. A middle-aged woman—Clark’s wife—came out of the bedroom. She looked pale but self-possessed. "He’s in there, Master William.” Pike shot a quick glance at Arden, but hurried into the bedroom. The others followed while Mrs Clark went to the bathroom for water and towels. Clark had arrived, and Court looked over his shoulder. “Bring all the first-aid stuff you have, butler.” " v ery—very good, sir.” “How is it?” Pike asked the question, reaching the bed and lounging against it. He was chewing something, and he looked in no way perturbed. Arden and Horn felt useless. Court’s eyes matched Pike’s. “Bad!” Still he asked no questions. “We must have a doctor, quickly. That arm will have to come off ”