The Blue and White Papers

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

The Blue and White Papers

(A “Tommy Spindle’’ Story, by Detective Lloyd.)

A s the last stroke of eleven boomed from Big Beu, a ear drew up before Whitehall. Out of it stepped Tommy Spindle. He entered the building and, running up a flight of stairs, entered a small room. ‘‘l am Tommy Spindle,” he said to the girl at the desk. . “Oh, yes. You may go in; Mr. Stevens expects you.” Tom approached a door, knocked, and, in response to a deep voice, entered a large, luxuriously-appointed room. At a desk not far from the open window a man was writing. As Tom entered he looked up, smiled, and silently motioned Tom into a chair. He laid down his pen. “Well,” smiled Tom. “I’m on time.” “Yes ” said Mr. Stevens. “We’ll make a diplomat out of you yet. How is your father? Much better—good. Now, Tom, you know what you have called for?”

"Yes, the Blue and White Papers.” “Now, I suppose you’re curious why we picked on you?” “Yes,” replied Tom, “I am rather.” ‘Well, Tom, it is'because you will not be suspected of carrying important papers. Not only that, but you have done much in the past in helping your father. Have you ever heard of the Hawke?” asked Mr. Stevens suddenly. “Rather,” cried Tom. “Who hasn’t?” “The Hawke,” said Mr. Stevens, “according to our intelligence, has begun operations in England.” “Then,” said Tom, “he’s found out about the plans.” “No. It does not mean that. But I want you, if you see anything out of the ordinary in your way home, not to fail to act. Remember, return here within IS hours with your father’s signature on both papers.” Tom leaned back on the cushions in the car as the chauffeur swung it away from the kerb and drove it skilfully through the dense London traffic. Before long London was left far behind as the car sped on its long journey back to Spindle Manor. Tom closed his eyes. Mr. Stevens’s reference to the Hawke had given him food for thought. The Hawke, Tom remembered, was at the head of a clever spy organization, which the police of many countries had tried to smash, but had not succeeded. Somehow the Hawke had always managed to evade capture. “It would be a feather in my cap,” thought Tom, “if I could be helpful in the capture of the Hawke.” It was dark when Tom woke. The car was speeding down the lonely road, and the only sound he heard was the’ hum of the high-powered engine. “What’s the time, John?” he inquired of the chauffeur. “It’s seven o’clock,” came back the reply. There was silence for a minute and Tom happened to look back, and he saw in the distance the lights of a car. . “That car behind hasn’t been following us, has it?” “Yes, for the last 20 minutes.” Tom sat up. If it wasn’t for the papers he was carrying he would have taken very little notice of John’s answer. “That’s funny. If anyone in that car behind wanted anything they would have done something by now.” An idea came into his head. “Drive faster, John. Now we’ll see whether ” As John pressed down the accelerator and the car gathered speed, a cry left Tom’s lips. ■ . “That car’s gaining on us.l” Tom’s eyes gleamed as he leant forward to take something from the pocket on the door. Then it happened. Before he realized it, the car behind had come up and was trying to push them off the road. Tom was thrown violently into the far corner. In that split second he saw John struggling with

the wheel. There was a sound of breaking glass as the ear crashed into the ditch beside the road. Tom felt his head whirling: there was a confusion of sounds and bright lights, then darkness swept over him. Tom opened his eyes and groaned; his head throbbed horribly. He tried to rise, but fell back. Pressing his hand to bis head he turned over on his left side so that he could get a view of his surroundings. Through a window high up in the wall bright moonlight came through, and he could make out how large the room was. It was sparsely tarnished, ami the wallpaper was beginning to peel. He lay back and began to think. His hand wandered to his inside coal pocket. Yes, the plans were gone. He knew that. Tom smiled to hiuisell. What were those papers worth to whoever bad brought him here? They were no good without his father’s signature. _ Who had brought him here? The Hawke? Yes, it was possible. Mell, he would soon find out. In a room in another part of the house the Hawke and his gang were gathered. The Hawke chewed savagely at his cigar as he looked down at the papers. , ...... T > “Fooled,” he muttered. “Absolutely tooled. This is the first time Ive ever known this to happen.” “What are you going to do, Hawke?” usked one man. who was named Lefty. “I don’t know. But I must get that signature somehow. ’ “Well, you can’t set the boy ami chauffeur loose.” said Lefty. “I know that, you fool,” growled Hawke angrily. "Talk sense. There must be some way in which to ” Here he broke off and brought his fist down hard on the table. “Listen, this is the only way.” He leant forward and explained his idea. When he had finished the others looked at him admiringly. “Do you think it will work?” asked Lefty. “It can’t fail,” replied Hawke, “you can go and fetch Robert,” he said to another member. “You know what to do. Lefty, go and bring Master Spindle. What a surprise he’ll get,” and he smoothly rubbed his hands. Tom jumped to his feet when he heard the door open and saw Leftj enter. “Come on,” growled Lefty. “The Hawke wants to see you.” The Hawke! Then it was true. Tom felt the blood tingle in his veins. Lefty grabbed Tom by the wrist. “All right,” winced Tom, “you needn’t hurt me. I’m not going to try to escape.” , “You’d better not try,” Lefty hissed, “because it won’t do you any good. ’ He pushed Tom in front of him as he opened the door. They passed down the stairs and into the lighted room. Tom was pushed into a chair. Then he became aware of a man standing in front of him. “Well,” said Tom, taking him for the Hawke. “I am so sorry to inconvenience you,” said the Hawke smoothly. "I have a little surprise for you.” “Surprise,” exclaimed Tom, “I wonder! You know, you can’t get away with this. Besides, those papers are of no use to you. They have to have my father’s signature on them before the plans can be collected.” “I know,” said the Hawke, “but watch. “Bring him out,” he called. Tom’s heart quickened. What was going to happen now. He followed the Hawke’s gaze to a red curtain. Tom half rose iu his chair and slumped back. If he -hadn’t been sitting there he would have thought that he himself had stepped from behind the curtain. The cause of his astonishment was a boy about his own size, and height. The resemblance was amazing. (To be continued next week).