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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1923)
Pelham Affair ^rggg_: SYNOPSIS. Captain Arthur Pelham, arriving !n ^ London from Bombay, India, after several years' absence, la told by a railway porter of hla etronK resem blance to Sir Arthur, who he eaya was killed in France. Pelham declares that hla cousin is very much alive. Jenkins, the porter, teila of words he heard the supposedly dying man repeat and declares that these names have been seen signed to personal Items In the ' Agony Column” of a London newspaper. After going to a hotel. Captain Pelham decides to join in the fun and writes a personal addressed to "Matador and Vaquero’* who had aigned the ones which drew hla at tention. He warns both that "Bull" is after them. “Scotland Yard will know of this In the morning." remarks one of the clerks In the advertising office. On n midnight walk Pelham walks through the gates of th<» family manor and Immediately la set uijon by an other Intruder. A policeman catches him but allows his assailant to es cape. (Continued From Yesterday.) CHAPTER II. “Bull” Secures Replies. Pelham’s blue serge suit, had he roine a whitish grey in parts during those few seconds of rolling in the dust, so he halted before the party had gone many yards. The police man grabbed his arm immediately. ‘‘I suppose we will soon pass through ft crowded street,” he ex plained, In the bored way which his captor well knew was typical of the young army man. ‘‘I ..only wish to knock some British soil off my clothes, and then fill my pipe. Do you object?" "Well, no," said the perplexed con stable. Pelham took off his coat, and brushed It with his hand. In doing so the automatic pistol he had taken from his unknown assailant made its presence felt. As he stooped to dust his trousers he smiled. When he had made himself somewhat more pre sentable, or less noticeable at night, he stepped out again "It might be a useful wrinkle on some future occasion," he said to the policeman, "but I have done a hun dred yards in ten seconds, and hold regimental record for the quarter "Oh, that’s all right, sir. I’m sorry I collared you again. I know a gen tleman when I see one. It was just a piece of had luck that you hap pened to be the top dog when I turned up." Pelham took the point Instantly. “Don’t you go and say that to any fool of an inspector," he advised. "You could not possibly distinguish be tween one man and the other. You were watching from the lodge, I take It?" », "V—yes." "Where did the blighter come from who attacked me?" "He must have dodged up behind the trees. I was lookin’ at you crossin’ the road." "Were you told off to guard Sir Arthur Pelham's house?" The policeman cleared his throat with a slight cough, sure sign of ju dicial reserve. “Excuse me, sir, hut p'raps we'd better leave things till you see the inspector. "Quite right. I merely asked be cause I am Sir Arthur's cousin." "My Gord!" groaned the lodge keeper. Pelham laughed. "Why these re peated appeals to Providence, friend?” he Inquired. "I twigged the likeness straight off. sir." was the unexpected reply. "That's odd! That's remarkably odd’ We Pelhams must be a persist ent type." "Is your name Pelham?” put In the constable. "Yes. and another Arthur at that." "Well, this is a rum go. an' no mis take." Pelham was amused by the fact that the Victoria porter had found the situation equally “rum." "Is there any reason why you should not tell me—?" he hegan, but the policeman reiterated his counsel that the affair should be left to the "inspector,” while trie other man simply gave vent to h series of deep drawn sighs. The inspector proved to he a quite intelligent person. Ho eyed the sus pect with a "tellllie-truth-or-youll get-six months" expression at first; hut the constable's story was candid. "Then you make no charge?” was his superior's opening comment. A man in plain clothe* seated at the other end of the room, took no part in the proceedings, being absorbed In an evening newspaper. "No. sir. except that he seemed sort of Interested in the premises I was watchin'." "Couldn't you hold both m«n?" No, sir. Mr. Pelham knew some dodge which put me off my balance for a bit. Hut I must sdmlt he couldn't guess who was at him.” Mr. Pelham! is that vour name**" And the inspector looked his aston ishment. "Yes. Here Is my passpoit. T ar rived In Knglnnd yesterday from In dia. You will find that *t was stamped at Dover last evening'." "Captain Arthur Pelham, late 10th Battalion Cast Kent Hegirnent, now attached Indian Army,1’ he read, after a sw'ift glance at the usual caricature of a photograph which adorned the document. Where do you live in London, sir-’" lie said, with a pause of dubiety more eloquent than speech. "So. 11. Innesmore Mansions. Tot tenham Court Rond.” ... And rr-«y I ask why you want to •Sir Arthur Pelham's house? Did you ^ mean to rail there?" "No. My cousin and I are not on visiting terms. Idle curiosity was my chief motive.” And Pelham went on to detail his movements during the afternoon. He could eVen produce a voucher for admission to Ranelagh. fonch minute tho inspector was he coming morn reassured by the young officers manner. What he dreaded secretly now was a fuss with the commissioner on account of the po liceman s unduo zeal. "I'm sorry you should have had all tins annoyance, sir," he said "Put you tee how it Is. Cedar Lodge Was the scene of an unsuccessful bur clary last night, and Sir Arthur has icason to fear another attempt Now you can help the police materially If you are able to supply a workable yotf” Pt °n °f 'he man wh° at lacked "Oh. I had a good look at him for ten seconds or thereabouts." agreed , Ho" B Oerrnsn. though not WlVh’iT .°nP' bP|n* "hd sinewy, with Mack eyes and bushy black hair, • >nd a sallow, oval fare. I should maglne he halls from what used to ;c Derma,, Poland. roun„ about Ra° Ituh «r 1 Pn' 1 K,,PBB his age at 36 .-.the th" '1 "mal1 moustache—has III, tveihp " r °f " ,orp|Kn musician I is vehrows are thick and arched — o;, ed t^n~h|l" *PP,h «ven. but dls Liu. i y clgaret smoking His ^wnhf Nr',omr'w,'at more than mv LX'; , ;''* I I inches, and he Will "Hot i 1 wn" In—" the ot or "•? rr!'nU,P' Blr " Protested d right hnt°U V" 'ukPn hl" measure ... I K- hut "'V "horthand Is a |,it !egmiy."°W ' " KPt n" ,hat <1«wn rile Inspector’s memory, however xontnTned and hlB ,wrl"'n statement *.*/.- idtho.iVLry .h nR pp|hBm Had ibotigh h- had to ask how to tlmied!<tl l,h' The" ,h° rPr"‘I ,on "MIh jacket suit Is dark, prohshlv a deep grey. Ills shirt I, a yellowish cot on with a sof, collar „f material and a black tie, of t|,jn mn. terlal, as the knot is very small. A gold bar pin holds the ends of the tie in position. On his left wrist is a silver watch set in a leather cover. By the way, his wrists are remark ably hairy, and his neck rather scrag gy as compared with Ills face, which is well molded. His nose Is small and straight, and his chin rounded—a handsome sort of chap, I should say, when he smiles. But he didn't smile at me, so I'm only guessing.” * "By jing, I wish most folk who come here to report crimes could guess half as well, sir. Now, two more questions, and I'm done. Have you ever seen this man before?” “Never.” "So you have no idea why he should assault you, or try to, as I gather you did the assaulting?” "It seems he must have mistaken me for iny cousin, whom I resemble.” "That you do, sir, an' no bloomin’ mistake, 'specially afore 'e was hit,” blurted out the lodge-keeper. The inspector read through v his notes again. “You say nothing about his hat or cap.” he commented, nibbling the pen holder thoughtfully. "No, because he was bare-headed. There was a lump in the breast of pocket of his coat, so he may have stuffed a soft felt hat In there.” “Sure as a gun, you’re right!” cried the inspector. "Well, thanks to you. sir, we’ll know this beauty if we get hold of him.” ‘‘If you secure him" within the next day or two you’ll find his small nose considerably larger and badly bruised. . . . That all? Thanks. I'll just light my pipe. Where can I pick up a taxi?” "Pardon me, sir,” put In the con stable anxiously, "but when you was on. the ground you said something about breakfn’ my neck. I’d like to know how that could have been clone.” "When I turned over on my back, if I had not seen you were a police man, I would have pulled your head and shoulders down, planted both knees In your stomach, and sent you flying In a somersault. Never forget that the muscles of the calf are seven times stronger than those of the arm..” "That first trick was a bit of all right, too. You’ve skinned both my shins.” •Sorry. I couldn’t tell. May 1—•• "No. sir. Much obliged. But, what should f have done?" "Jammed one knee between my legs and tackled me sideways. Then, it I flattened out, push my face Into the ground. It’s all a matter of lever age.” Pelham went out. The Inspector nodded to the plain clothes man, who put on a trench mackintosh and cap. and followed sw'iftly. So, In due course, one taxi stopped at Innes more Mansions, and another, which had also come ail the wav from Mort lake. passed the end of the street. Pelham, examining his clothes In his sitting room, discovered that they were torn, one elbow and both knees having had rough usage. "Dash it,” he growled, "that bohby can grow a new' skin, but I can’t grow a new' suit, though. What is this worth?” And he scrutinized the auto matic pistol, concerning which he had said not a word in the police sto tion. It held seven cartridges, of .880 caliber. "It’s a thoroughly modern weapon," ho mused. "Cost the best part of a tenner, I fancy. Well, let’s call It quits.” Then locking the pistol In a trunk, he had a bath and went to bed. Next morning with Mrs. Smith name the hall porter to announce that a gen tleman, "name of Prldeaux,” had called about lunch time the previous day and said he would look in again at 10 a. m.. hoping that Captain Pel ham could make it convenient to sec him at that hour. For the moment the use of his military title did not puzzle Pelham_ it was too familiar in his ears—but the visitor's name was unknown. What sort of a chap was he— ar™y man?" he inquired. "No, sir, more like a swell Jockey or on actor. N’eat little man, small hands an small feet, verv snrv At first I thort ’e was a Jap " "A Jap!” n ell. sir. It was his funny fire, all screwed up an’ wrinkled, an’ his black eyes—like gimlets, they was Demme quite a turn until ’e smiled." F elhani recalled his own phrase to the Tslewortb Inspector, and took thought before he answered. .... UtKht-o, ’ he said. "I'll he around. U hen Mr. Prldeaux arrives bring him up—don t send him up." The "Agony Column" was devoid or personal interest that day. Pel ham was deep |n an article" on the new Trans Indus tribal levin, when the bell rang. He unlatched the door. htu] the hall-porter presented "Mr. Irideax." of whom he had given a saM-* iMb,e portrait’ The newcomer “Captain Pelham? Let me Intro whl*hmy*af’”, and hanf,ed a card, «h Ch read: "Mr. <’. F. Prldeaux. He tective Inspector, Criminal Investiga tkm Department. New Scotland Yard. "Oh. come in," smiled Pelham, with a nod of thanks to the ex marine. "You Were here yesterday. I un derstand?" he said, when the two were alone. ’.’Ye,." ».”K°uu 7ar,n0t ba anything connect *»*«. last night’s affair. What’s I really don’t know. I want you to tell me." J Then a light broke on Pelham. Great Scott!" he cried. "It can’t he about those infernal advertise ment*: "Hut it lw.*’ "Well, well. This calls for a smoke. Take a pew. Will you have a cigar or>_a cigaret? I prefer a pipe." "If you must bemuse your brains nnd poison a young and vigorous frame, stick to a pipe, especially a briar, which is not a briar, but a heath, the bruyere of southern France. The disintegrating process will take longer, at any rate.” ‘‘I may assume, Mr. Prldeaux, you don't disintegrate?” "Not through nicotine.” "Ho you mind—” "Not at all. I have a respected chief who literally kippers me with the incense of potent Havanas." Pelham filled his pipe leisurely. He was inclined to like Mr. C. F. Pri deaux. though it came hard to asso ciate him with the august C. I. D. He was such a frail little man, and so perfectly dressed. His clothes, hat, linen, tie, socks, shoes, were but parts of a harmonious whole. His face, too, was that of a comedian. One could imagine him a member of the Comedie Francalse, and playing .Scapln or Tartuffe. But, adetective! Never. Pelham, therefore, gave a miss in balk. "I haven’t been in Kngland much longer than thirty six hours," he said, "so feel myself rather out of touch with things. In the circum stances—” “You want to know what right I have to question you, and whether or not I really represent Scotland Y’ard. I’m glad you’re cautious, which is erroneously supposed to be the sole prerogative of the Scotch. Now, I'll clear the ground.” Then, to Pelham's growing bewil derment, his visitor reviewed with an almost ridiculous certainty all, or nearly all, his movements since he arrived at the Savoy Hotel. No item connected with the visit to the news paper office or the fray at the gate of Cedar Lodge was missing. To one hitherto unacquainted with the thor oughgoing methods of the criminal investigation department when Intent on any inquiry, the completeness of Prideaux’s information was almost uncanny. "And now." said the detective, after reciting the inspector's report, "I want you to explain matters." "Meaning why I Joined the advertis ing stunt?” "Everything." "There's not much to tell. The yarn is perfectly silly." "Yarns generally are silly unless the narrator is an accomplished liar.” Well, you've left me no chance. The only thing you’ve missed is the strange story of one Jenkins, railway porter at Victoria station. Oh. and one other thing.” Pelham rose, went to his bedroom, and returned with the automatic pistol. "Better not handle that unless you are acquainted with such toys. It's full to the bung, and the pull-off may t>e very light. I haven’t tried it, of course." Prldeaux took the pistol, and emp tied the magazine. Then he snapped the trigger. "Less than four pounds, I should imagine,” he said, "Is this Exhibit A?" "Yes, I took it from the gentleman whom I put on the mat in Barnes. It struck me he was going to use it, so I struck him first.’* t "You slid nothing about it at the police station?" "No. Why should I?" "Because you are liable to a heavy fin* for carrying a loaded firearm without a permit, and you couldn't have obtained one in the time.” “But, look here, old top. X wasn't carrying it. It was the other scoun drel.” "Hum' They ought to have known at Mortlake.” “I shall quarrel with you If you pitch into the Inspector and his mer ry men. They were quite decent. Even the sly fellow who followed me home in a taxi didn't actually come to the door.” Prideaux smiled. He, of course, had taken Pelham's measure at a glance, but he was hardly prepared for such powers of observation as the concluding remark revealed. “Good!" he cackled. “That’s a score for you. But what about Jenkins? I like the sound of his name." He listened with obvious relish to the railway-porter's reminiscences of the Xiattle of Boos. “That's splendid!" he cried, leaning forward, with a hand on each knee and grinning joyously. "That's quite remarkable! We must hear more from Jenkins. It's wonderful what precious metal you can extract from coarse ore when the treatment is correct. So that’s the connection, is it ? I couldn't fit those links or th* chain together. Captain Arthur Pelham, advertising as 'Bull' in connection with three dangerous criminals, who were German spies during the war, might or might not he a crook him self, hut the same gentleman's be havior outside Sir Arthur Pelham's house a few hours later tended to exonerate him—to a certain extent. Your advertisement was a little Joke, arising out of Jenkins' statment—a bit of comic relief with tragedy. Well, well. ‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely play ers.' No, no!" and held up a warn ing hand, since Pelham's eyes shot a stream of questions. “Please un ewer m* now. On your willingness to co-operate or otherwise depends whether or not I can afford any con fidences. Why did you describe as a German the man who attacked you?” {Continued In The Morning Ber. Christmas Shoppers You who hav# al E| ways admired El jjlj dridffe’t Gift# will r® find many atartlin* ■ \aluet at 11 during | thia tale. But there can ba no delay— O 1 tha tala and* 8AT Ociie CRD AY avaninff. Do Your Shopping Now ELDRIDGE 1313-1319 Farnam St. j Think_ of the actual shopping satisfaction you derive by patronizing a store where the quality is un questioned, the price al ways fair, the service as humanly perfect as oblig ing, courteous salesmen can make it—Pray’s is such a store. Two Store* 1509 Farnam 1908 Farnam With Pot-Roast Djd you know that Cranberries cooked with pot-roast or other boiled meats make these cheaper cuts more tender and much more delicious? To prepare a 5 7b. pot-roait i Brown maat In 3 tablespoons of hot fat. When surface la brown, re move maat from pan and add three caps of water; stir until boiling, than add 2 cnpa of Cranberry Sauce, mads laaa sweat than usual; replace meat In pan with this gravy aauca and proceed arlth cooking In ordinary way. Whan tbs maat la half cooked, season arlth aalt and pepper. Thera Is a real difference In Cranberries. Insist on getting "Ratmor” brand. AMERICAN CRANBERRY EXCHANGE, SO W. B’way, Now York, j Rock Springs COAL This Coal purchased through Car bon Coal & Supply Co., Omaha NONE BETTER Updike Lumber & Coal Co. Four Yard# to Serve You Burgess-Nash Company. * EV ERYBODYS STORE" Baby-Day Specials Infants’ Sacques $1.69 Crocheted sacques in a , large number of styles in pink and blue. Very spe cially priced. Mercerized Silk Capes, $3.95 Pink and blue silk mercerized capes with dainty hand-embroidered collar. Outing Gowns 65c Gowns of good quality white outing flannel. Gingham Dresses $3.75 to $5.75 Pretty gingham dresses in a wide range of spring patterns. Attractive ly made. Sizes 2 to 6 years. Beacon Crib Blankets, 79c Soft Beacon crib blan kets in pink and blue with nursery designs. Baby Hoods, 69c Silk poplin hoods trimmed with lace and v touches of silk ^embroi dery ^ and g e o r gette. Bootees 3 Prs., $1.00 Three pairs good quality bootees in pink or blue. Specially priced. Tan Sweater Set $1.85 Fancy knit baby’s sweater set in tan. But ton front. Kimonos, 85c t Dainty white out flan nel kimonos with em broidery finish on front and cuffs. Crib Blankets $2.39 Soft, serviceable crib blankets in tan, blue and pink. Very special. Girls’ Coats $9.00 to $12.50 New arrivals in girls’ coats in red, brown, tan and copen. Sizes 2 to 6 years. Third Floor 3-Piece Knit Set $2.50 Beautiful 3-piece knit set with sweater, hood and bootees in pink or blue. Red Star Diapers 1 doz. $1.98 Excellent qual ity Red Star diapers, dozen in a sealed package. Instructions in Lampshade Making Free instructions in malting lamp shades are given in our art embroidery department. Here, under expert super vision, one can make intricate shades in many shapes. Sale of Sterling Silver Thimbles Each 35 c A beautifully engraved ster ling silver thimble that is priced $1.00. Each is nicely boxed and would make an at- * tractive Christmas gift. Main Floor Beautiful Hand Bags $1.49 A host of attractive leather handbags in popular styles such as pouch, flat bags and vanities in all col ors. Many leathers are rep resented in this assortment, including tooled, plain and novelty leathers. Handbags at $3.95 Silk, velvet and leather bags of unusual styles—new frames, new shapes, beautiful leather. Some have gold frame plates for marking. Priced at $3.99 each. Main Floor Brief Cases $5.00 , Black arid brown cordovan brief cases of genuine cow hide. These are constructed with heavy handles, lock and double strap. The spacious llxl5-ir.ch sire is convenient for business men or women. Music Cases $3.50 A practical folding style case of black or brown cow hide with double handle. Its sire makes it practical for younger children. Maia Floor Clearance Sale of Corsets and Girdles Offered at substantial savings. All the * models in these three groups are taken from lour regular stock; some are slightly soiled, others discontinued models. All sizes are included in the as*>rtment, but not all styles. Values from $4.00 to $6.00 priced— $1.79 Ytluei from $3.00 to $4.00 priced— $2.49 Values from $7.50 * to $8.00 priced— $3.49 Second Floor Girls* New Winter Dresses $16.95 S' Soft woo! jersey dresses, French serge, Poirot twill, velvet and chenille frocks made in straightline styles and brightened with touches of colored braid, ribbons or cords. i Youthful models suitable for school or " party wear are included in all the wanted colors. Sizes 6 to 17 years. Third Floer Removal Sale of Laces—T rimmings — N otions To Make Room for Christmas Merchandise Fn order to make room for the enormous quantities of Holiday merchandise which is arriving daily we «re forced to move our l^ace, Trimming and Notion sections to the Second Floor. Although we arc very sorry to inconvenience our customers by changing the location of these departments we feel that they will be more than repaid by the conveniently located Christmas merchandise. Metal Lace* Yard, $4.95 Value* to $12.50. Metal luce flouncing in 30 inch widths. Gold and silver patterns. Chantilly Lace Yard, $2.95 Value* to $6.95. 3 0 - i n c h Chantilly lace flouncing: in an assortment of patterns. These are an un usual value. Narrow Metal Laces 20c to $1.59 Met.nl laces in a wide vari ety of widths from H to 3 inches. These make dainty trimmings for Christmas gifts. Braid Ornaments Each, 49c Braid ornament* and head tnitkles in a large assortment of colors and styles. Attrac tive additions to any frock or coat. Notions—Specially Priced 65c Leatherette 47/* Shopping Hag*. » w 10c Coat Hangers, C each . $1.25, $1.60 and $1.76 Cretonne Aprons with fancy emhroi- OQ_ dered pockets.... Mev 20e Wire Hairpins, t 4/» assorted sizes, box.. * 49c Hickory or Hr. Parker's waists, all *l7/» 10c Safety Pins, >7 all sizes, card. • C 89c Ironing Hoard CQ Pads, each.OJJC 16c .1, P. Coats' Crochet Cotton, all 11 sizes . XJlt. 60c All Rubber OQ I Sanitary Aprons. C | 4'Jc Ironing Board 0>7 ('.ivers, Mth . 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Real Chinese Filet and Irish Lace 9c to $4.95 One-half to 9 inches wide. Edging, bandings and insertions. Values to $9.50. Fur Remnants 1/2 Price An assortment of fur remnants, including thibet. seal, caracul, fitch, opos sum. boaverettc and chin chilla. •Vv k 1 i a V Jiffy ^ Baby Pants . «3 # C J.V Hahtea' Knamrl- 1 /J ♦ti Coat Hanp*r> .. IOC