OCR Text |
Show "35 ALEXANDER KORDA -.. -1 EDMUND LOWE ? ljhurder on iDIAHOrJD ROW Jt bT EDGAR WALLACE WHAT HAS GONE BEFORE Scotland Yard is baffled by The Squeaker, professional fence, who disposes of the gems taken in an epidemic of jewel thefts. When thieves refuse to bargain with him, he exposes them to the police, but no one knows his identity. Larry Graeme, who is trying to dispose of the stolen Rissik pearls, recognizes The Squeaker. Be is visited by Barrabol, Bar-rabol, former Scotland Yard detective, de-tective, who is fighting for another an-other chance. Graeme denies all knowledge of The Squeaker. Through information furnished him by Collie, a reporter, Bar-abal Bar-abal finds his way to the offices of A. G. Stedman and Company, where Frank Sutton has made a practice of hiring down and out-' era. Barrabol meets Sutton's fiance, Carol Stedman. She intercedes inter-cedes for Barrabol, whom she believes to be down on his luck, introduces him to Sutton as "Captain John Leslie," and asks Sutton to employ him. "No, not a thing, tie was tueni again. i Back In the restaurant, Carol wa listening to Sutton's story of what he had discovered at Scotland Yard, with blanched face and startled start-led eyes. "But are you sure it is the same Captain Leslie?" she said. It was almost a plea. j "My dear," Sutton spoke steadily. "I saw his photograph." I I When Sutton returned home that evening, he found a package awaiting await-ing him. It contained a phonograph record, one of the type that is made in studios where you can test your own voice. There was no explanatory explana-tory note. Sutton placed it on the phonograph and suddenly the voice of Larry Graeme spoke. "This Is the man who tried to sell you the Rissik pearls " it began. It closed on an ominous note of warning. But Sutton calmly sat down and typed a note to the police, advising that they question Larry Graeme in connection with the Van Rissik pearls. It was signed, "The Squeaker." The police picked up Larry Graeme Grae-me on an omnibus the following day. Carol met a thoroughly changed MCaptain Leslie" at the office on the following day. WeU set up in a conservative business suit, he looked a man of character and Chapter Three With Carol pleading on his side, Barrabal could hardly miss up on the job. To Sutton he told a plausible tale of shipping experience all over the "Carol has told me so much about you!" she gushed. I world. Despite his matted beard and threadbare appearance, his story must have carried conviction. Suticn appointed him traffic manager man-ager of the company, advanced him sufficient money to get himself properly pro-perly attired for the Job. On the same afternoon, Sutton received an urgent request to present pre-sent himself at Scotland Yard. When he arrived, an Inspector El-lord El-lord questioned him about a cer-itain cer-itain Frank Weston. Sutton professed profes-sed ignorance, so Elford called for the file on Weston. ! "Here we have Mr. Weston's other names," Elford read them. "George Frinton, Sir Charles Minter, Harry Stormer, Captain John Leslie " "Why that's the name of the man I hired today!" Sutton glanced eagerly at the file. That was Leslie's picture all right And beneath it as unsavory a record rec-ord as Scotland Yard could boast. It lacked only homicide. He had served his last term in Montreal. Sutton was frankly perplexed. What would you like me to do?" "We can't advise," spoke the Inspector. In-spector. "He hasn't been through our hands for four years and may be going straight. On the other hand I think it would be wise to keep a careful eye on him." Sutton met Carol that evening at The Leopard. She was radiant While Tamara sang, she recited the accomplishments of her day to him. "I've sold millions of roses for my charity and got Captain Leslie a Job, Darling! That was awfully nice of you." Tamara's song was finished. She raced from the floor to her dressing room where Larry Graeme was waiting. She knew something was wrong beoause Larry was silent through dinner. When they had finished, he blurted blurt-ed out, "Tammie, If I decide to leave town very soon, would you come with me?" "Of course, dear. Is something wrong?" poise, even rather handsome. ! "Why did you do it? Why did you lie to me?" she stormed at him. "I suppose you've arranged for my dismissal?" he asked quietly. But Carol could not bring herself to speak the words. Sutton invited "Leslie" down to the Stedman's home for the weekend. week-end. For his part, he seemed to lika "Leslie," and he spoke In his behalf. be-half. But Carol seemed determined to be rid of him now. She went to Her task with considerable trepidation. trepida-tion. She even paused to ask her ; maid if she had ever been fired. And the frightened domestic gava her a concise summary on the ways and means of being "sacked." , "Leslie" was standing in the sun-room, sun-room, gazing attentively ,at the Fall garden outside. "Good afternoon," he greeted her as she came in. ' "I'm sorry I've kept you waiting." Her manner was slightly cold. 'T, I thought Mr. Sutton " "Oh, Mr. Sutton told me to talk to you." At that moment there was an intrusion. in-trusion. Carol's mother hurried into the room. "My handbag, my handbag," hand-bag," she was saying in evident agitation. "Oh, I beg your pardon!" "Mother, this is Captain Leslie.". It was immediately apparent that she thought this young man aUrao tive. "How do you do," she gu:hett "Carol has told me so much boui you." ' "Not too much, I trust," he spok with a rueful smile. i "Oh, Just about the interesting, places you had been to. South America. . .Egypt. . .Canada." There was a taunting tone to Carol's voice. "Ah, Canada!" said Mrs. Ste man. "What a fascinating country. Have you spent much time in Montreal?" Mon-treal?" i Montreal?" he repeated blankly, j (To be Continued) I OopTTUht asn br Onlted iiUstt Oorpontfca j GOOD COMPANIONS Mint Jelly goes well with lamb, spiced peaches with beef, pickled apples or apricots with baked ham apple sauce with pork, preserved melon rinds with chicken and currant cur-rant or plum jelly with veal |