The Blue and White Papers

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 154, 25 March 1939, Page 7 (Supplement)

The Blue and White Papers

(A story by Detective Lloyd, continued from last week.)

’"/'■'.LEVER?” asked the Hawke. “It’s wonderful wnat a little make-up will do.” “You won’t get away with it!” gasped Tom. , , . “Dear me,” smiled the Hawke, “even now he won t believe me. Robert, convince him will you, that there isn’t a flaw.” Tomjistened dazedly to the words that tumbled trom Roberts lips, the voice! How uncannily like his own. Tom realized that this was no ordinary boy. He was a born actor and no doubt was a valuable asset to this gang. The plan was clever. They were going to send Robert to Spindle Manor, posing as him. The story they had made up was plausible. Tom met the mocking gaze of the Hawke. Something snapped in his head and he leapt from his chair and smashed his fist into the Hawke's face. The Hawke stumbled against a table, knocking it over. The suddenness of Tom's attack look them off their guard; but Tom was not quick enough to take advantage of this to make good his escape. They quickly grabbed him before he reached the door. "Take him upstairs and tie him up,” grated the Hawke, “he 11 suiter lor 4 1S Tom was dragged upstairs and they left him bound and gagged on the bed. He struggled to free himself. He must loosen his bonds. Robert must be on his way by now, and it would only be a matter of hours before the whole gang would be out of the country. * “Good heavens!” exclaimed Sir Humphrey as the study door opened, and what appeared to him to be a caveman burst in. lie recognized it as Tom, what he could see of him, for he was in a mess. But that dishevelled being was Robert who, taking advantage of Sir Humphrey’s amazement, and, knowing that by his appearance Sir Humphrey would note no difference, quickly dropped into a chair and told his story, “Do you mean to tell me!” gasped Sir Humphrey. “Yes, yes,” cried Robert. “I managed to escape, but John is still there.” “The papers?” asked Sir Humphrey. “I have them,” and he handed them over. Sir Humphrey looked at them. Robert played his last card; on this he depended. “Don’t you think,” he suggested, “that if you sign them now, and I go and have a rest, then I can leave for London in the morning?” He held'his breath. Would'his last words have their desired effect? Or would Sir Humphrey leave it till the morning? He breathed freely when he saw Sir Humphrey lift his pen and sign his name. •“Yes,” he agreed, “you’d best go now to your room.” Robert grinned at this. As soon as lie was out of the study he would make his way quietly out of the house. ■“And now,” said Sir Humphrey, “if you escaped from the house without them seeing you, I’ll ring down to the village for a body of men to surround the house.” Robert felt like choking. To him the room had become unbearably hot. He had not bargained for this. He must .stop Sir Humphrey. But how? Just as Sir Humphrey put out bis hand, the door opened and Dick entered. “Well, well.” Dick cried, “you can run, Tom.” Robert, started. He remembered, when running up the passage, that he had nearly knocked someone down. “Yes,” lie muttered thickly, “I can.” “Don’t worry him now, Dick.” broke in Sir Humphrey. "He’ll tell you tomorrow.” Robert stretched out his hand and picked the blue and white papers off the desk. * ♦ * Perspiration poured off Tom’s face as he struggled to free his hands. For hours, it seemed, he had wrestled with the cords round his wrists till they were nearly cramped with pain. He looked towards the window, and saw that it was nearly daylight. How could he, even if he freed himself, be in time to stop the gang' from getting away? Suddenly he heard a loud scuffling from downstairs. He heard the crashing of furniture and scattered gunshots. His heart leapt. Had the plan failed after all? Or were they quarrelling among themselves down there? There was a pattering of feel along the passage, and before his startled eyes the door flew open and in rushed Paddy and Dick. Sheer stupefaction spread over his face as they swiftly untied hirn. Two days later Tom was seated before the fire, listening to bis father. “With the capture of the Hawke and his gang we’ve smashed one of the biggest spy organizations in Europe.” “Yes, I know,” said Tom, “but how did you penetrate Robert’s disguise? It was perfect. Even to the voice.” “Wo have to thank Dick for that.” his father replied. Tom turned ’nquiring eyes on Dick. "Yes,” smiletr Dick, “his disguise was perfect. But there was one flaw. When he picked up the papers he used his left hand!”