Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

20 back into plaeo. A dull crash soiiiuloil from bcliiiid I lip bookcase. Brian and his counterpart were engaged in a des- perate struggle. Minutes pas-icd. and then came tlie voice of Disher, calling: "Brian! Brian!"—afid the reply of Sir Edwin that the lad must be in the study. The bookcase swung open, and Brian Nash, whose face Mas badly bruised, crawled through tlio opening, jerked-to the bookcase, staggered towards the desk, and then appeared to collapse in a heap. Sir Edwin gave a yell of fright wliec [lo saw the motionless figure on the carper, and his urgent call brought ]Disher. Water soon brought life back to the young man. " C'jme over suddenly giddy." Brian's .voice seemed husky. "Must have fallen and hit my head against the desk. Not been feeling too fit lately." "T didn't know vou had been queer," said Sir Edwin. . " Gloria never told mother and I that you were seedy." Brian took another gulp of water. Disher rubbed his chin and frowned. "Sir Edwin, you'd better help BrI.nn to his room," Disher decided. "I'm going to stay around here for a spell." 'Ill stay with you." said Brian. "You'll go to bed." Disher w;dked to a table and pointed to a chess-board. "This will keep me amused. I'll work out a few problems while vaiting for something more exciting to happen." "How folk can waste their time on chess I can't imagine," gnmnbled Brian, and clasped his head. " Guess I'll take a drop of something before I go to bed." "And I'll join you, Brian," chuckled Sir Edwin. "Then we'll get Gloria to bathe that bruise." "No, no, it's nothing." Brian poured out a liberal dose. "Well, here's to n quiet night 1" I Di>her stated ruminatingly after Sir Edwin and Brian as they ascended the stairs. Why did he follow them tip and watch them along the corridor, then come back to the sttidy and set out the chess-men ? It was a long time before he made any effort to move any of the pieces. After a few moves he got up and [placed the ladder for the bookcase against the wall, and climbed up to look at the bell of doom. He found something that pleased him, for he gave a quiet chuckle. Back he toddled once more to his chess. What had the murder at Copp's Corner to do with Tinker's Revel, if anything? Paul Tegle and Peter Hoyt ,\\^;\ gone for a walk to Copp's Coiiier- <lid they know anything? He decided that the clue afforded by the Rem Iirandt cleared Hoyt of any part in the murder; but what of Paul Tegle. a one-time admirer of Gloria's? "A jealous, hotheaded young man, but not the sort to shoot a person in the back," decided Disher, communing with his thoughts. "Potter found thi> pistol that did the murder in these grounds—yes. I'll only tell Cable about that tinlil I know a bit more. That seems to indicate that the murderer is .somewhere mighty close. Is the mur dcrer in tlii> household? And what the blazes was Chicago Joe, who did five years in the Tombs for robbery «iili ' violence, doing down here in Kent ? Who would shoot him ? An enemy - ,someone he knew in the States! There rnust be a link to all this—but where ^" Once during the iiighl the crinu investigator went to the window to watch the lightning. Distinctly he saw, near a great oak. the shrouded figure of a man. Almost he decided to go after the Soplomber IMh. 19SJ. . BOY'S CINEMA A Grand New Annual Gripping Film Stories and Pictures l—FERE'S a topping gift book that will make a big hit with every boy—a world of ad- venture in pictures and stories—■ that's wliat you'll find in the BOY'S CINEMA ANNUAL, the splendid new film story book. Here you will find pages and pages of gripping film stories, numerous pictorial articles which tell you all about such interesting subjects as Film Making, Life Stories of Well- Known Film Stars, Filming Wild Animals, Sports and Pas- times, and the Big Pictures of the moment. There are also three beautiful coloured plates and sixteen plates of famous film stars. If you want a tip-top gift for yourself or for a friend—the BOY'S CINEMA ANNUAL is the very book to choose. BOYS CINEMA ANNUAL At all Newsagents and Booksellers 6/- net Every Tuesday fellow; but as ne watched the figure disaijpeared, and the next flash showed the man at the far end of the lawn He walked with a limp. The next morning heralded a glorious summer day. Disher was dozing over his chess-men when Gloria woke him. "Hallo, you're up early! Pleasant night?" he greeted her. "I think I've solved one or two small problems, but nothing great. You look worried, my child." "I think that bruise has driven Brian crazy." Gloria decided to speak frankly to the man who was his friend. "Hi- has actually decided to sell Tinker's Revei after promising to live here with me." "What I" gasped Dislier, genuinely startled. "I met liim arm-in-arm with the Hoyts." cried Gloria. "Had hardly a. word to say to me, except that he'd sold Tinker's Revel for ten thousaml to Peter Hoyt, and that he woidd b(^ leaving after breakfast to settle the deal. Not a word of apology or ex- planation of his strange action. He told ine only yesterday that never would he sell Tinker's Revel, becaiis* it had belonged to his family for generi tions. 1'hat blow seems to have in om> night changed him." "Changed?" Disher started to his feet. "By gad. I believe yoti're on tin- scent! Where is Brian, Miss Paget?" "In the study with the Hoyts," wa.i her answer. " liut I don't see what you mean." She stared at him in perplexity. "You think that the blow has " "Come with me, young lady!" Disher took her arm. " And don't say any- thing unless I give you a key." Brian Nash frowned when Disher and Ciloria appeared. " I've got .some business with Mr. and ^!rs. Hoyt," he complained. "If you'll give us a few minutes more we'll b- through. I'm selling Tinker'.s Revel." "A very sound idea." approved the crime investigator. "You remember that when you and I were in Canada you saw a house at Queljcc you said wa.i just like Tinker's Revel? You remem- ber, don't you ?" "Oh. sine I do." was the answer. Brian seemed ill-at-ease. " If you would excuse me. old boy. I'd like " "Remember how I wanted to go spin ning for trout, and how you fished me out when I fell in?" Disher look an easy-chair. "Remendier how we went, camping together and I tried to teach you chess?" " Never plaved chess in my life." Brian sneered the words. "Now. if you and Gloria would excuse me, I " " Why are you selling Tinker's Revel?" the crime investigator shot out the question. "That's my business I" Brian snapped back. "I'll thank you not to mcddl'' in this business. If I choose to sell Tinker's Revel to my old friends the Hoyts, I don't see what busine-.s " "'Oh, Brian, how coidd you ?" wailed Gloria.' "You told me you would never part with this lovely old manor." "Well. I've changed my mind." Brian seemed sidlcn. The Hoyts looked anxiously at each other. " You mean you've changed!" Disher's voice became suddenly harsh. "It was Brian who fell in and a lum berman who got him out of the river. I never went to Canada, and it was you. Brian, who first taught me how to play che.ss. Yet you don't play che.ss!" In a flash a gun appeared and Gloria gave a scream of fright. "Stay where you are!" snarled Brian. "Not a move, or I'll croak you, (Continued on page 35.) f » I Jj