Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

18 ■W(; shall not see llioin tlU (he morning. But I've got eveiythiiig in hand, sir, and I will bring the satidwiches and the tea when you I'ing." "Very good. Sparrow," Brian nodded, and, when the buller had gone, laughed. "I took over this place a fortnight ago and hired Sparrow about a week since. He's as soienui as an owl." "And now for the announcement." Sir Edwin tucked his thumbs into his waistcoat and beamed at everybody. "Brian has invited you all down here for a preliminary house-warming, and I Jiave decided that it is an auspicious occasion to announce the engagement of my dear daughter Gloria to Brian. 1 can't say how pleased I am that " The news of the engagement affected Paul Tegle strangely. His face was contorted for a moment as if with rage or disappointment, and only with an olYort did he manage to smile at Brian, whom he had known ever since school- days. Both loved Gloria, but Brian did not know of his friend's infatuation— perhaps Gloria had guessed. Paul had • lot felt his financial position was good enough to ofler marriage to the wealthy Gloria Paget, and now it was too late. After the usual round of congratula- tions, Brian rang for Sparrow, who seemed strangely perturbed v\'hen he brought the sandwiches. "I think I heard noises, sir," he stated respectfully. "I think some more stones nuist have fallen down in that panel." "Never mind, Sjjarrow, I'll look into it in the morning—the days of ghosts are dead," Brian did not want his friends to get scared. "1 think we'll have in the port." Ho noticed that Peter Hoyt was studying the huge painting of a soldier on the lounge wall near the fire. Mrs. Hoyt, with a whisper to Lady I'aget that she would take some aspirin for a headache, went out with the butler. The rest of the party studied the painting. "That is supposed to be a Rembrandt," announced Brian. "Worth oodles of boodle if genuine—and about fourpenco if a fake ! Supposed to be a great, great ancestor—fine looking chap." "What's that bell hanging near the picture?" asked Peter Hoyt. "Funny place for a bell." "That's the bell of doom," chuckled Brian. "I remember uncle telling tne about it as a kid. It is a sort of body- guard to the picture and rings when tinything dire threatens this house." "What a quaint idea!" cried Gloria. "Have you ever heard it ring, Brian?" "Never, and don't suppose I ever shall," was his laughing answer. "It must be ail rusty now, and " But what ho might have odded will not be recorded because suddenly and unexpectedly the bell of doom moved and rang three times. A hu.sh of superstitious fear descended on the lounge. Shots in the Night. IT was Brian who saved a panic b^ blaming a draught for making the bell ring. It was all nonsense, be- cause often it jingled on a windy day. "Phew, I could do with a breath of nir," Paul Tcgle wanted to be alone with his thoughts. "Think I'll take a sharp walk down the lano to the cross- roads." "And I'll come with you," decided Peter Hoyt. "Fresh air might clear away the spooks!" Why did Peler Hoyt, as ho went to put on his iiat, give Sparrow—hovering in the iiall—a deliberate wink? Why did Sparrow nod back as if he under- Stood that signal ? September I'JtU, 1931. BOY'S CINEMA Half an hour later they returned to (he liouse to report that it was raining and blowing a gale. "VVent as far as Copp's Corner," ex- plained Hoyt. "Anv more weird d. ings?" Brian smiled at Gloria s father. "We've decided that we're all far too jumpy and that Tinker's Revel is a very oidinary old-fashioned place. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happens here, and " 'I'he lounge door openec; and Sparrow appeared. "Did you ring, sir?" "We didn't ring." Brian was per- plexed. "You heard the bell?" "Yes, sir, I'm sure someone rang,'" insisted the butler. "I must have an architect to look this place over." Brian frowned as he feared all these petty irritations would spoil the house party and he especially wanted Sir Edwin and Lady Paget to enjoy themselves. "By the way, Sparrow," Brian switched to a new topic. "Where's Sandol?" "I'ho chauffeur is out in the grounds," was the solemn reply. "He thought he saw .someone moving down by the bushes. Perhaps it might be a poacher, sir, as I've been told that a raisin on a fish is a certain trap for pheasants and down by the Dell Copso I saw a nvimber of birds." "My word, Brian, this is a place," Lady Paget drew nearer the fire. "What V ith noises, bells, falling bricks and poachers ! Whatever next shall v.e A shot rang out from the gardens. "Good heavens!" Brian rushed to the window. "Someone must have spotted Sandel. Ah." He opened the french windows. "Here he comes—now we shall know." Sandel was rather shame-faced ; he was an earnest, very keen young man who hoped one day to own a garage. " I can't abide these 'ere poachers, sir," he explained. "Mister Sparrow told me how he'd seen something down by the Dell, so I took that old rabbit gun. Of course, I never expected to see anyone and when it began to rain I thought about turning in and started for the house. Then something darted from behind a bush to another bush and I thought I was adreaming. I had half a mind to fire at the bush when the figure appeared again and I gave a yell. 'Here, what's the game?' I cried, and when the man limped off I put a shot close to his heels. They won't be no poachers round here for a bit, sir, but I'm sorry if I disturbed you." "Not at all, not at all," approved Sir Edwin. "Very commendable con- duct, should have done the same myself; hope you winged the fellow. Mary," this to his wife. "I think a little whisky would do my cold a lot of good." "Did you say the man limped?" asked Brian of his chauffeur. "Yes, sir, he wore a dark cloak and •teemed to hug the ground." Sandel was enjoying his talc. "Kind of ghostlike he was—this limping man." "Oh. send him away, Brian." came the petulant cry of Mrs. Ployt. "I think it's dreadful all this talk of limping men and nasty ringing bells." "Hang around for a bit with that gun," Brian gave Sandel a knowing glance. "Don't fire unless you can help it, but if you see any more shadows or figures come and find me." "Very good, sir." Sandel went back into the gardens, and Brian closed the french windows. "Phew, I think I'll join you, £ir Edwin, in a small drink. Every Tuesday How about you, Paul, and you, Peter?" "Great notion," decided Peter Hoyt. "I suppose, Paul, you wouldn't car© for a game of billiards afterwards? I sort of feel I could enjoy a bit of fun. What with bells and " The ringing of the telephone in the study made all of them jump and catch their breath. Brian laughed. "Wonder who the blazes that can be?" Sparrow appeared. "A gentleman wishes to speak to you on the 'phone, sir." He bowed to hia master. "He says it's important." Brian, with apologies to Lady Paget, hurried off. Gloria picked up an illus- trated paper. " I would open the page at a picture of Satan amongst a lot of nasty flames!" She hold up the colourful plate for all to see. "Hope that isn't a bad sign," she smiled at her father. "Your hand looks quite shaky, daddy." "Nothing of the sort," cried Sir Edwin. "I nerrly spilt some whisky. Well, Brian, what's the latest?" Brian was all smiles as he came into the room. "Great news. Lady Paget!" he told them all. "That was an old pal of mine who has just landed at Dover from tho continent and wants to know it he can sjicnd the night here as he need not go to London for a day or so. I told him I was delighted. You'll like him— Dislier's a charming man." "Disher," Peter Hoyt cried. "I seem to have heard that name somewhere before." "He's i/ie Disher," chuckled Brian. "The famous criminal investigator." Mrs. Hoyt exchanged a quick and startled glance with her husband, who ' fingered his chin in a nervous fashion. "I'm glad your friend is coming here, Brian," Gloria slithered an arm through that of her lover's. "He'll fairly revel in all this mystery." She screwed up her delightful chin. "I wish it wa.sn't raining, Brian. We might have had a walk. I wonder if it is still raining hard or just drizzling?" Gloria walked to the french windows and peered forth. "Oh, Brian, the moon has come out; it's quite nice!" she cried. "Let's take a walk before O-ohl" "Whatever's the matter?" demanded Brian, a* he heard Gloria's agitated cry. "There's a man in the garden!" came her quick answer. "Oh, Brian, he's coming in here!" They gazed at the french windows with horror as Gloria slowly backed away with hands held against her blanched cheeks. The Murder at Copp's Corner. BRIAN NASH flung open the win- dows. A smiling man in a much-stained old macintosh and carrying a spanner stepped over the ledge. He twirled a sandy moustache and beamed at the com- pany. "Evening, ladies and gents!" He nodded to Lady Paget. "Excuse me disturbing you: I've had a break-down at Copp's Corner. My little bus ha« flopped out, but a wee drop of petrol would soon put her on her legs again" He waved a spanner towards tlio grounds. "Got lost in a winding drive, and, seeing this yere light, I took the liberty of walking across the lawn. I'd be mighty obliged for a spot of gas." "I'll ring for Sparrow to send down' to the garage." Brian felt like heaving a few home truths at the man for scar- ing his friends. P. I