1940-07-12 — Page 1

SHORT STORY

THE CHINA MAIL FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, JULY 12, 1940 -

STOOL PIGEON By Captain A.O. Pollard

"And you agree?"

"You're

"

spoke. "Go into the restaurant FELICITY MANNERS slammed work, he's a canker in the com- matter very much, does it? What on the way over."

the front door with unneces-munity. And lots more things I did your father have to say about Tom nodded agreement.

and join your party and if you sary violence. It was really too can't remember and don't want it?"

right. Imagine my catch sight of this foreigner again, bad of father to take up that ridi- to."

"He said if you hadn't the feelings after the careful arrange- come straight across and tell me. culous attitude. After all, it was She spoke with just the faintest brains to make any money in ments I had made when the leader, I shall be sitting quite close to her future that was being decided, tinge of bitterness. Tom noticed it commerce, you might at least try calmly announced that brother you." Surely it was her right to have and smiled teasingly.

to do something like the man in Bill, or whatever his name was, "What are you going to do?" some say in the matter.

the paper."

would be arriving from Moscow asked Inspector, Maynard curious- Her five and a half-fect of slen- "You know I don't, Tom: All Tom laughed heartily.

with special instructions on the ly when Foster had departed.

Tom smiled serenely, der maidenhood exuded deffance the same, I think you might get a I can just imagine him saying following day. It was too late to

"I'm going to give him a chance from every inch as she walked job of some sort or other, even if that. I suppose he thinks the man do anything then. If I'd known slowly down the steps of the old only to placate father. You know. who rounded up the-bolshies earlier, I could have delayed to get me," he revealed.. grimly, fashioned Kensington house. The what he is. Just because he's al- didn't have to use his brains at springing the mine until-Pd got Once.ho.exposes his hand, it's up big young man standing by the ways had to work for his living, all. But we are rather getting 'em all safely in the net. Well, to you." sporting two-seater grinned sym- he thinks everyone else should away from the point. Why aren't Inspector, I've been thinking a lat pathetically.

"Papa livery?"

do the same."

.

A

tables

The Inspector protested furious- ly. you to see me again after to-day?” about brother Bill.”

"You can't do that, Mr. Brinton, The provocative smile still lin- Felicity did not answer imme- The Inspector looked gloomy. His comment was a statement gered în Tom's eyes.

diately. Their way was impeded "So've I, sir, but for the life of It's utter madness." of fact rather than a query.

"All the same I'm going to do do "What sort of work you by a five-ton lorry, and she pre- me I don't see how we're going *> Felicity took her place at the think I ought to 'do?"

tended to give all her attention to get him when we

haven't the it."

Tomi threaded his way slowly wheel without answering. Her Felicity took a quick glance at overtaking it. They were cn slightest idea who he is.". cheeks were flushed. There was a his face. His expression was their way to play a round of golf "All the same, I'm prepared to through the crowded tables. Des- slight frown on her forehead. guileless, though she had a strong up to now a weekly engage- make a bet that we have him in pite his air of nonchalance every sense was on the alert. Some- Tom Brinton settled himself suspicion he was making fun of ment. If her father maintained our hands this very night." comfortably at her side. He grin- her.

his present attitude this would be "To-night? How do you mean?" where amidst this gaily chatter- ned again as she let in the clutch "Don't be so silly, Tom. I don't the last game they would have Tom sat up suddenly in his ing throng, a man was waiting,

thirsting for his life. with a bang.

chair. care what you do as long as you together. "What's the matter, Felix? do something."

"Father's decided I'm to marry "This is where I want you to One table in the centre of the What's he been jawing you about "Yes, but what? You must have someone more worthy of me than listen carefully, because I need room remained unoccupied. this time?".

some idea? Or possibly your you are," she said when a clear your co-operation. I've worked it card propped against the flower haven't the vase stated that it was 'Reserved Redvers Manners' attempts to father made a suggestion?" road once again stretched before out like this. We introduce the same iron discipline "He didn't just now. He simply them.

slightest idea what brother. Bill for Lord Hillbarton.' Tom sank into his home that he maintained said I wasn't to see you again." "Who's

the opposition candi- looks like, True, But don't for- into the seat which a waiter pull- in his office were well known. But "He has suggested something date?" asked Tom.

get that neither has he the slight- ed forward.

He lit a cigarette and looked even a successful City merchant sometime?"

"Don't be so vulgar, Tom. I'm est idea what I look like. All he

The Manners' sometimes fails when it comes to Felicity was annoyed by his not a general election, Father's knows is that there was a secret idly about him. а question of controlling the persistence.

selection is Percy Foster, his per- society of seven which he was to party was three or four actions of an only daughter of "Why keep on about it? fect secretary."

visit. The horrid police came away on the left. Felicity had her twenty-two.

doesn't help me at all. If you Tom uttered a cry of disgust.

down on them and carted them back towards him her father on Felicity jammed her gear lever must know, he mentioned it at "You can't possibly marry that off to prison-that is, six of them, her left and Percy Foster on her into top.

breakfast this morning. There was blighter. He's an absolute worm." The seventh-me in other words right. Redvers Manners appear "You, Tom. I'm not to see you something in the paper about a Felicity had said much the same was an imposter who gave the ed to be monopolising the conver- again after to-day."

man who had unearthed a bol- herself during her interview with show away. Put yourself in his sation, Tom wondered if he were The unexpected announcement shevik secret society off his own her father. Now, stung by the con- place. What would your feelings the topic. Foster was listening intently but every now and again shook Tom from his habitual com- bat. He pretended to be one of tempt with which Tom spoke, she be?”

them and found out all their took up the cudgels on Foster's "I should want to give that gave a furtive glance over

shoulder. So he had remembered "Good Lord! Why ever not? I secrets. Then he brought the behalf.

seventh bloke hell.” haven't done anything."

police in and they were all cap- "It's all very well for you to call "Precisely. But you must first the injunction to keep his eyes "That's just the point; you've tured:"

worm. He's got a very find out who he is. What would open.

A voice spoke in little more never done anything. That's what "All but one," corrected Tom much more important position in you do? Wouldn't you search the

than a whisper- immediately be- dad complains about. He says involuntarily.

the world than you have, Tom, papers?"

"Yes. I suppose I should.”- hind him. Tom stiffened involun- you're an idle loafer, a good-for- "You read about it too? It said He does work for his living, and

"And when you came across a

tarily. nothing, a waster. That when a all of them in our paper. Which he is successful."

"Don't move your hands from man reaches twenty-seven with one did you see it:in?"

Tom was slightly piqued by her nice little paragraph stating that out having done an honest day's "I forget off-hand. It doesn't apparent change of front. the hero you were seeking was the table; I have you covered."*

Tom remained motionless.... · A "Of course if you feel like that dining with a member of' the about it, there's no more

middle-aged mán in immaculate to be peerage at a public restaurant, said."

wouldn't you say to yourself, I'll evening dress slid quietly into a Their disagreement cast a sha- go round there too. If I ask chair..by his side: He carried a silk- handkerchief loosely in his

posure.

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It

him a

Lord

Hillbarton's

his

dow over the afternoon's

game. Casually for Conversation became monosylla- table I'm bound to find out what right hand. Tom visualised the bic. Felicity felt utterly wretch the bird I'm seeking looks like. deadly weapon concealed beneath led. What a rotten

it. way to end The Inspector slapped his leg. their splendid comradeship."

"Now I see what you're after. I'm Lord Hillbarton." He chuckl

"Allow me to introduce myself; Tom's air of geniality left him But who is Lord Hillbarton?" when he pacted with Felicity out-

"You didn't expect "There isn't such a person. He's

ed grimly. side her house. He seemed in an a fiotitious character. I've booked your fictitious character to come instant to have become a man of a table in his name right in the to life, did you?", laction. Felicity's father might centre of the room. You must

He spoke with only the faintest have revised his opinion had he have a man near the reception trace of a foreign accent. Tom smiled mockingly. office to pass the word when a

seen him.

determination.

He drove at once to the Cosmo- stranger enquires for him. Then trap though; I offered to bet on “I did think you'd walk into my politan Hotel. As he pushed we'll nab him." open the swing doors he came. The restaurant was beginning

it." face to face with a broad-shoul- to fill when Tom took up an ob- dinner table conversation. Never- He might have been making dered red-faced man of some fifty trusive position near the doorway; theless his brain was working years of age.

by eight o'clock it was crowded to furiously. His position was des "Hello, Inspector, I was about capacity. the only unoccupied. to ring you up."

tables bearing a card which label-face before him hid an inflexible

perate. The ironically smiling: Detective Inspector Maynard led them as reserved. nodded grimly.

He had already discovered one tumble to the situation?

Would Maynard "I'm glad to hear it, sir; I've of them had been ordered in the been trying to locate you for the name of Redvers Manners,

"It is you who is in the trap, and not I. I have reversed the tables: past two hours."

when he presently entered ac- much trouble. I'd have been with not resist the impulse to pull his at the pit of his stomach. His

"I'm sorry to have caused so companied by Felicity, Tom could I am going to kill you." you sooner only I've been playing leg golf:"

"Pardon me, str. Do you wish mouth was dry. Even if Maynard heart was beating furiously. His "It's quite all right, sir, now to give your order now, or are you saw a stranger at his table and I've found you. Let's go into the waiting for a friend?".

acted, would he be in time? He lounge and have à chat.” · "Felicity -looked “round with a

shook his head. There was a mischievous ex- start of surprise. A slow flush "You can't do that here,” he pression on Tom's face as he sank mounted to her forehead. into an easy chair in

Redvers Marners smiled sarcas- you'd make.

remonstrated, “Think of the mess a quiet corner of the lounge.

tically.

Besides you must, Inspector

Tom felt an uncomfortable ache

Maynard perched himself bolt-up- "So you've found yourself......a realise you'd never get away.”... |

right by his side. The Inspector job," he sneered, assuming Tom to went straight to the point.

"Have you seen the evening papers, Mr. Brinton?"

Tom assumed an expression of innocence..

The pseudo Lord Hillbarton

be employed as a maitre d'hotel, glanced towards the waiter who Tom preserved an attitude of had approached for their order.

"Bring two dry Martinis, wait- respecíful deference.

er. We'll choose our dinner pre-

"Yes sir, thank you, sir."

A real waiter approached hini sently." He turned back to Tom.

"I've been in "No, Inspector,

worse situations I can't say I with a message, have. Is there anything special

"You are wanted in the office, now. Despite the police who, I feel than this and got away before in them?".

Mr. Brinton,” "There's something very special

Tom found Inspector Maynard sure, are waiting for me at the as far as you're concerned, sir. Interviewing a thin little man in exits, I've every confidence that Some fool reporter's

found out spectacles who was trying to dis- my plans for escape will be suc-

cessful." that you're dining in the restaur- guise a feeling of alarm behind a.“ ant here to-night with Lord some pose of indignation,

He spoke with such confidence.

exposure":"

"Well, why shouldn't I?"

body or other. Of course theyHello, Foster!" he greeted him, that Tom almost gave way to des- don't mention your name: They "What are you doing here?" pair. When would-his adversary: say "the hero of the bolshevist "He was asking for Lord Hill- press the trigger? What would it barton's table, sir," announced the feel like? He thought whimsical- Inspector sternly.

ly of Redvers Manners, surprise "Because, if you do, you'll prob- Tom with difficulty repressed a when he learned of the job: he ably never leave the table alive, smile; what would Pa Manners was really engaged, on... Poor I'd jolly well. like to know how say if his secretary was arrested, Felicity! He supposed she would they came to print such a para- "I was only trying to assist a marry that worm Foster after all, graph," he added indignantly. foreigner who asked me a civil It was horrid to lose her...

"That's easily explained. I told question." declared the aggrieved. An idea to gain time occurred them to."

to him.

"You told them to?"

The Inspector was startled, "Yes, but let me begin at the beginning and then you'll appre-

Foster.

"Where is this man, ́ ̧now?” “I hope you will have the cour- snapped: Tom.

tesy: to postpone the-er-execu→ tion until I've had my cocktail. It might give me an appetite for the next world."

"He's disappeared."!

Tom hoped he showed no out- ward signs of fear. His fingers

"Do you think you'd know him [ciate everything I've done at it's again." **

proper value. You remember "Oh yes, I've an excellent mem- when we arranged to round up ory for faces." that crowd of bolslifes the other Tom reached an instant deci- drummed idly on the table-cloth night we thought we should-col- sion. / lar the lot?~

in front of him. He dared not "Very well, Foster, I'll tell you attempt a rush. There were too "We did arrest - all we went what to do." If only Redvers many people around. He could after. No one could have fore- Manners' could have hers the not risk some innocent person be- Iseen that they'd have another man tone of command in which he (Continued on Paga 5)