1941-01-03 — Page 2

SLICK

PERHAPS it was a

coincidence

fat

that

the charming little above the Sowbury Branch of the Northern and Southern Bank should be let on the same day as the rich American, Silas Meagan, Yented the ald Court House in the

same Hampshire village.

The managers of the bank as a rule lived in the flat above, but it happened that the new manager was married to a woman of means who desired a house with a gar- den, so the flat became to let, and being above and belonging to the bank naturally only a person of the highest integrity and with the best of references was allowed to lease it.

THE CHINA MAIL FRIDAY SUPPLEMENT, JANUARY 3, 1941.

SHORT STORY

TIM

Winchester that afternoon, to be handed over to the care of their branch in that town.

under- "Of course you quite stand, Mr. Mengan, this is only a small place and it is rarely that any of my

customers make de- than a hundred mands for more pounds at a time."

Say, I've "You bet 1 get you. only been in Sowbury about a week, but I guess it's a cock-eyed joint all right."

Mr. Humphreys was not quite sure he understood what a cock- eyed joint was, but he imagined it

Wat

not meant as complimen- ary term to Sowbury.

"Now. Mr Humphreys, should I at any time require to draw the whole of that sum out, you'll want notice. I guess:””

"A clear day would be sufficient Mr Meagan, but I trust we shalt not be losing your custom "

Suu

Mr and Mis Jane Davis were such people They came from the Midlands. Davis pinported to be a retired draper al produced references from two el i gymden, as well as one lady of title

quite saliinctory from htd ofte pont of view So the flat was let to them and about three day, after They had moved in the new er of the Old Court House strolled my.elf The USA Into the bank and stated he ti ened to open an vermunt

that's the "Mr. Silas Meagan American who has iust laken Blic Old Court House, isn't it" said the manager to his clerk

- TEAMC'

Yes. sir," replied la sub ordinate

"Must be a very wealthy man. I expect be just desires a small cur- .ent acepunt for running expenses. Well, it will be something to have his name on our books Show him

"Never know" Mu Silas Met rose to his feet "Guess I'm

Maybe what you call eccentric. one moring T get up and say to caling are"," Why, what do I do then I'll tell the world I'm packed and on my way within forty-eight hours.

Mr. Humphreys trusted his new customer would not exercise his eccentric desire to return to the home of his fathers before Head Oflice had had time to realise the fact that given a chance, he was as capable of securing wealthy customers as any other manager, 24 ap- Mr. Humphreys desired pelata.cnt to a town branch of the Northern and Southern: Mrs. Humphreys did not like country life, a fact which was the sourcu

be conleobo11 the of considerable

tween them.

"M. Humphreys will see you i bars private office. Mi Meagan." - formed the eleri, and led potential customer to the door ut that sanctuary

"Mr Mragant and the man-

ager.

"Sure, that's right- Silas Men- gan, late of Denver City, U.S..A.. come over the pont to settle down

in the peaceful countryside of ant English village "

"My name is Humphreys. I'm the manager here. Pleased to meet You, Mr. Meagan. My clerk in- termed me you wish to open at

account with our bank?"

"That's about the size of it. M.. Humphreys."

"I take it-er- just a small ci'- rent account to meet running ex- penses?"

"Small" Say, hell I don't know if you call thirty thousand pounds small, but from the size of this here joint and your one assistan! outside, I wouldn't imagine you dick **

The weeks passed and turned themselves into months, and our of they had sped before anything exciting had happened bury.

al Sow-

By ROLAND DANIEL

Now Mr. Humphreys might have refused this invitation had it not been for the fact that he felt an evening out would possibly ap- pease the temper of his lady when she heard his wealthy customer had decided to depart

"Both Mrs. Humphreys and my self will be delighted to dine with

u this evening," he replied, add ing: "Perhaps you would like me money along with to bring the

mo?"

the morning at

10

"No, no." came hastily from Mr. Meagan. "I have no safe up at the Old Court House, and it will be OK. in your's for to-night. I will collect in o'block."

It was a very pleasant evening The Humphreys spent with Silas Meagan. He proved himself to be a most entertaining host,

"A pity we haven't had an in- vitation to go up there before." retparked Mrs. Humphreys their way home.

Ul

af

Mr. Humphreys was the first at the bank the following morning. He had felt particularly pleased with himself on his walk from his house through the village, owing to the fact Mrs. Humphreys had been exceedingly delightful breakfast. It was not until he had put the key in the lock and swung the bank door open that he had a feeling something was wrong. A gort of cold shiver ran down his spine.

He glanced round, everything Taking seemed in perfect order. proceeded to his private office. the letters from the letter-box. hẻ

"Now, I wonder what gave me that absurd feeling?" he thought to himself. Then, as he opened the the door of his sanctum he kit W. The whole interior of the rou

Plaster a chaotic mess. WON

Paris, lumps of wood littered his desk and the Boor.

He looked upwards. Good beaveus! the ceiling had fallen down--the ceiling which divided his office from the Davis sitting room. There was a great gaping hole. Now what on earth

Mr. Humphreys had been con- gratulated on securing so wealthy a customer as Sila: Meagan, es- pecially as the American seemed content to allow his £30,000 to

His heart gave a thump of ap- remain at the bank. Strangely enough, since the day of his flest prehension. His eyes caught sight Visit he had not set foot on the of the floor boards above. This had

been no accident--those bank's premises The Duvises, who

had had the flat above, turned out to

through. le a very quiet couple, keeping

Not pausing for another second's themselves to themselves, paying their bills regularly and causing investigation in his own office, he flew into the outer one 'and across

no annoyance to anyone, just as it should be.

"I believe it won't be long now before I get my promotion to a town branch" said Mr. Hum- phreys to his wife one morning, "I have another clerk, Mi Mei- "I trust you're right," replied gan. He, unfortunately, is away that lady. This village life is ill at the moment. Also we have about killing me.

quite good names on

Mr. Humphreys kissed his wife, books. One or two of the best assured her she would not county people have an account buried alive much longer, then de- parted for his office, to discover to his surprise Silas Meagan's ar waiting outside those premises.

some

here

CILET

be

"Mr. Meagan is waiting to see you, sir." informed one of his two clerks

The manager felt he must en- deavour to make a favourable im pression An account of £30,000 would be a feather in his cap at head office. The Sowbury Branch of the Northern and Southern "I saw his car outside," replied dealt mostly with small farmers, Mr. Humphreys. "Show him in the tradesmen of the village, and here at once." "I trust he has con a few small county counts, kept to make another large payment of just for the convenience of these cash," he thought to himself. folk

find who might suddenly themselves short of ready cash. Mr. Silas Meagan had sprung a surprise by the enormity of the He amount he had mentioned. was to spring another the next mo- ment.

"Say. I've got the money all in notes outside in my car. If you are willing to take charge right now I'll fetch it in."

Mr. Humphreys beamed.

There was no

But Silas Meagan had come on a contrary errand, and he inform- ed the manager of the Sowbury

of the Branch

Northern and Southern Bank of that fact in few words.

"Say, Mr. Humphreys, that call has come," he announced as he entered.

Mr. Humphreys, who had for- gotten, said: "The call, Mr. Mea- gan?"

my

been deliberately

boards

sawn

to the corner where stood the safe. His worst fears were coll- firmed. The door of it stood wide into a fantastical open, twisted shape by the heat of the cetylene torches which had been applied,

oxy-

The books were still in their £30,000 in cash places, but the belonging to Silas Meagan, and the odd monies they had taken previous day, were gone.

the

He had already informed the village constable on the telephone and was speaking on that same instrument to their branch at Win- chester when his clerk, Parsons, came in.

"Good heavens! sir, what has happened? You look as white as a sheet," exclaimed the clerk.

Mr. Humphreys explained what he had discovered on entering the bank.

"Have you been up to see if the Davies are in, sir?" enquired Par- sons.

Mr. Humphreys shook his head. "There hasn't been time. You had better go up, Parsons, though 1 fear the worst. It was from their sitting room the entrance was gained. They must have been at work on the floor above for some time. Good God! Parsons, what will Head Office say?"

"They can't blame you, sir. The Davises had excellent references. By the way, you have not forgot- ten Mr. Meagan will be here at ten o'clock for his money? He is after- sailing for America this moop."

"No Parsons. I have not forgot- tea. Our Winchester office is sond- ing along another thirty thousand, also an inspector and detectives to investigate this matter will be ac- companying whoever brings the money."

the same information Mr. Humphreys gave to Silns: Moagon when he arrived at ten o'clock.

"I shall be only too delighted to "The call to return to my native take charge, Mr. Meagan, I will home," replied the American,

you remember get your paying-in slip ready on "Say, don't your return." And as the Ameri- telling you it might come one day? can left his office, the manager Well, it has come and I'm sailing rang his bell. "Parsons," to the for the U.S.A. to-morrow after- clerk, "Mr. Meagan is opening an noon. I want my £30,000; I have account for £30,000. He is paying my cheque already written out." the whole sum over to us now in

Mr. Humphreys felt a great dis- cash. I shall require you to take appointment at the loss of his cus- it into Winchester this afternoon tomer, but, after all, the man could and hand it over to the branch do as he liked, and if he felt he there. I should not rest to-night preferred to, live in America, that knowing we had such a sum in was his affair. our safe here."

"I have not such a sum on the strong room at premises," he said. "I shall have the Sowerby Branch of the North- to send in to our head office at. It was ern and Southern; just n large Winchester." safe. Rarely, if ever, had it bêçu "Sure, I understand.. You ex- necessary for the Sowerby branch plained that when I opened my to have more, than five or six account. Guess I can have it by hundred pounds to meet the im- ten o'clock to-morrow morning; mediate demands of its customers. that will give me time to get to "Say, Mr. Humphreys, do, you Southampton to catch my boat." keep this money in your vaults "I will send one ut my clerks, here?" asked Mr. Silas Meagan, for the money this, afternoon" after the amount had been gald "Look here Mr. Humphreys; I,

ain't what you'd call a soolables follow, but as I'm leaving here to morrow perhaps you, and Mrs. Humphreys, will be so good as to dine, with, me this evening!”

over.

Mr. Humphreys explained there were no vdults at the Sowbury branch, and his Intention, of send- Meagan's 20,000, into,

"

"Say, but this is a real bust up, Mr. Humphreys," commented the American ag be surveyed the den bagle. In that man's office. Guess those two, people who, tople the dak above, here were, a paix of real]] claven rogues.

It was nearly half-post, ton, ber fore the manager of the, Winchess ter. Branch, off the Northem, andi Soullern: Bank, accompanied by an inspector and two plaine

men, arrived at Sowbury by car.

"Mr. Norton, have you got that money? Mr. Silas Meagan is rais

Says if he misses his ing Cain. boat to America he'll hold us res- ponsible for any delay," was the greeting of the Sowpury branch manager to the Winchester one.

"Yes, I have the money here all in rash as directed. This is a ter- rible affair, Mr. Humphreys. How- ever, we will discuss it after you have seen Mr. Meagan. By the way, where is he?"

"In his car outside,"

Then go and give him his thirty thousand pounds and when you come back we'll go into this mat- ter of the robbery. I've brought two me an inspector and with

detectives Tran plain-clothes Winchester"

Now it happened directly after Mr. Humphreys had handed to the

the American

£30,000 which closed his account at the Northern and Southern Bank, there walked out of the Red Lion Hotel, which was nearly opposite, a rather un- der-sized, insignificant, red-head- ed little man, who was about to step into a powerful-lcoking two- seater car, when with one foot on the runtutig-board he hesitated.

"Gush! Well, I'll be damned!" he muttered to himself. Then glanc- ing across at the place from which the car had started, he took his foot off the running-board

hurried

over the road.

and In the

"I'm on my way to Plymouth to make some investigations into a suspected case of murder," replied the little man. "I stopped to have a cup of tea at the 'Red Lion' over the road. As I came out of that. hostelry I happened to see--but for the no- that doesn't matter

having Tell me, are you ment, some trouble here?"

The inspector explained the situation

possible. as briefly as Chief Detective Inspector Walk turned to the manager, and there was the slightest trace of a twin- kle in his eye as he asked:

"And the fellow who banked that thirty thousand with you gave of his

Silas Meagan name as America?" and as the manager nodded his head, "And those two persons who took the flat above, can you describe what they were like?"

The bewildered Mr. Humphreys gave quite a vivid description. De- tective Inspector Walk

widely.

grinned

muttered. Hell!" he "Davis? "Joe Lee and his paramour, Flasn Kate,"

He Mr. Humphreys gosped. wasn't at all sure what the little wüs talking read-headed about, but, he was sure he didn't like the name Flash Kate. Walk turned to the inspector:

man

"And I take it the fellow who drove away from here just now in a Rolls-Royce was the man who- Northern and Southern Bank he has been calling himself Silas was greeted by Parsons, the clerk.

Meagan?" "Who was that man who just Jef: froth outside here in a big Rolls-Royce car?" he asked.

Parsons looked at the questioner with some suspicion, then replied: "A Mr. Meagan, Mr. Silas Mea- gon, the American millionaire.“

"American --hell;" muttered the little man, then as his eyes caught sight of the wrecked sufc in the fur cornge “Had some trouble here?' he asked.

Parsons bridled. He looked as if he was going to be exceedingly rude. He had never seen the little man who was questioning him he fore and he did not particularly like the lock of him. He opened his mouth to say something nasty, but was prevented from doing so by the entrance from the private office of his manager and the in- spector of the Winchester police. The inspector glanced quickly to wards the little under-sized man and his eyes opened wide with a look of astonishment. He stepped forward, exclaiming as he did so: "Well, of all the last persons in this world I expected to see, you are one of them."

The two men shook hands. The inspector turned to the manager of the bank.

The inspector looked towards the Bank Manager for confirma- Lion that man nodded his head,

"Silas "Ah!" muttered Walk. Meagan, eh" Well, let me tell you he's no American. His real name O'Brien-Slick Tim we Fine call him. He is the brains partner of Joe Lee und Flash Kate, Hood- winked the lot of you down here, a cool and has got away with thirty thousand, Clever! You bet your sweet life Slick is clever. only this time I guess I'll get him. Mr. Humphreys. get your clerk to put a call through for me to Scot- land Yard."

A puzzled expression came to the bank manager's face.

"But he isn't going to Bondon."

is "He

for valling said. he America."

A broad grin spread over Walk's face.

"That's what he told

you, wouldn't Why Slick America? dare go to America, the police over itching to get there are simply their hands on him, No, Slick is making for London; we've got to get him before he can make his hide-out. Have you got that call to the last question through?” Parsons who came striding up.

"Yes, Inspector."

"Good. Might have come off if I hadn't stopped at the 'Red Lion' for that cup of tea," and Detective

"Mr. Humphreys, this is Chief Delective Inspector Walk from Scotland Yard," he said, then to the little man: "Well, what on earth are you doing in Hamp- Inspector Walk made for the tale- shire?"

phone.