OUR SERIAL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS THE LOST WORLD

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 263, 24 November 1939, Page 2 (Supplement)

OUR SERIAL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS THE LOST WORLD

By LAWRENCE STOUT

The story so far: Dick Thorne, a 15-year-old boy at Paikapakapa School, is selected by a relieving teacher to return a book which she has read to the class to an uncle of hers, who lives in the neighbouring township. The uncle is a retired trader, whose house, an old vicarage, is a museum of trophies. The book was the story of a man who found a “ Lost World.” That man, the trader told Dick, was none other than himself, Albert Richards. Dick was greatly impressed by Captain Richards, who had led a life of adventure in strange places, and Mr. Richard’s young niece, Evie, whom he met at the same time, also interested Dick. It seemed that Mr. Richards had some interest in Dick, for he had asked him to call as soon as his holidays began. Intrigued also by hints thrown out by Evie, Dick lost no time in complying with the Captain’s request to call again. On calling at the old vicarage Dick almost collided with a car full of angry men. Inside he found the dead body of the faithful dog, Togo, and the unconscious Captain Richards. Dick rode to Dr. Mathieson, the local doctor, who returned with him to the old vicarage. The doctor said that although suffering from a blow on the head Richards would probably live. After making a statement about his discovery of the crime, Dick returned home hoping to hear from Miss Campbell or Evie. Dick had not long to wait before Evie arrived in a powerful car and took him to the old vicarage, where Captain Richards offered Dick a job. On the way home from this visit Dick caught a glimpse of a yellow face peeping out of the hotel window, and recognised one of the men he had seen in the car —the men who had attacked and wounded Captain Richards. In a lonely Thibetan monastery a seer predicted the return of a man, also that others were following him. On a lonely Pacific island four men held a council. They were Jim Mathieson, Fritz, a renegade viscount known as “Mr. Smith,” and a Chinaman, Wung. They discussed methods of securing a secret from Mr. Richards, and eventually decided to split into two groups, one of which would kidnap Evie; the other would follow Richards in the hope that he would lead them to the lost world.

At this moment Evie was stopped by two school friends, who were also climbing on board. “Hello, Christine!” she called. “Hello, Millicent! Who are you seeing off?” “Mr. Dcnce, the curate,” replied Christine, who carried a under each arm. “tie’s going,” said Evie, indicating Dick. Together they trooped into the saloon, where the other passengers and their friends seemed to have gathered. The babel of conversation, the whine and groans of the dock cranes and ship’s winches loading the last of the cargo, and the air of bustle and excitement, suddenly became alarming to Dick. He realised for the first time that he was leaving the land of his birth the only land he had known for what? Perhaps she sensed his feelings, for Evie, too, was conscious of a similar dread. “I don’t like it, Dick,” she whispered. “I’m afraid. I have a feeling something dreadful is about to happen!” “Nonsense!” said Dick. “I only wish you were coming with us.” “So do I,” replied Evie. The bugle for all clear rang out. Soon Dick and the Captain were leaning over the rail watching the waving figures on the wharf slip further and further away. “ Well, boy,” said the Captain, putting a massive hand on Dick’s shoulder. “We’re on our way. Take a good look at Auckland, because it may be a long time before we see little old New Zealand again.” The twinkling lights of Auckland were no more than specs on the horizon when they turned from the rail. “You know, son,” said Richards, “that niece of mine is an uncommonly fine kid. I should never rest if anything happened to her.” “What—what do you mean, sir?” queried Dick. “Boy,” replied his companion, “we’re up against a pretty tough bunch. They’d nab her as quick as look if they thought it would influence me.” - “But you don’t think she’s in danger?” asked Dick, concerned. The Captain looked at him for a minute, then solemnly lowered one eye-lid in a ponderous wink. “No, son, not with you arouiid.” With that he left Dick sought his old friend the “Doctor,” who was the captain of the good ship “Port Moresby.” How long Dick continued to stare out over the* rail he could not say, but suddenly he became aware of another presence, and saw another figure watching him from the shadow of a ventilator. His first instinct was to run in search of the Captain, but this gave place to curiosity. Who was it who wanted to watch him unobserved—and why? He wished that the great bulk of the Captain were close at hand, for he felt a momentary spasm of alarm. Suppose the watcher should attack him? Dick had read of people being thrown overboard. As these thoughts flashed through his head, there was a movement in the shadows. Dick turned to see a slight, agile man make off down the deck. He made no sound, for he wore black crepe soled shoes. Cutting through a passage, Dick hurried to the starboard deck so as to intercept the watcher if he should pass that way. But after waiting some minutes, with no sign of the man, Dick was convinced he had gone forward down the steps bv the bridge. Dick was about to follow there when he caught sight of the man with his face pressed against the port hole of a deck cabin Richard’s cabin. So intent was he on his prying, that he did "not observe Dick, who had approached to within ten feet. After assuring himself that he would recognise the watcher when they met in daylight, Dick went in search of the Captain, whom he found in the “Doctor’s” comfortable state-room. From the litter of bottles, it appeared that the genial Scot was celebrating the (presence. of liis old friend triitntionai -nuplner /Oyy drinking far too ?much. neat Scotch whisky. “Devil the lad!” cried the Doctor affectionately. “ Where’s ma scapel? I must operate on him!” Richards had much difficulty in persuading the one-time medical * student that Dick was in no nee? of being operated upon. .

The ss. Port Moresby was a small cargo steamer of about 4,200 tons, which plied between Singapore, the Celebes, New Guinea, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia. Besides as varied a cargo was ever lowered into the holds of a tramp, she boasted accommodation for eight passengers. Seldom indeed, did “ The Doctor,” a , canny Scot, who had once studied medicine, have to complain that this accommodation was insufficient; but on this trip all eight berths had been taken, and there were two would-be passengers who had offered him a bribe to find room for them. The news of Captain Richards and Dick’s departure on the morrow created a sensation at lunch time. Evie was much put out because she was not included. Indeed, it was some time before she would even discuss her own future. A council of war was held in the Captain’s room after lunch. There was no time for him and Dick to return to the old vicarage, as they had to equip themselves in Auckland. The Captain, like the cunning old fox he was, had, unknown to Dick, brought many of their clothes and effects to town with them. Mrs. Bell and Evie agreed to return and lock the house up. After that Evie would go to some friends who lived nearby, while her mother would leave for the South Island. There was much to do before the boat sailed. The Captain gave Dick a list of things to buy, and a thick wad of pound notes, which made him feel like a Bank of England messenger as he threaded his way through the busy streets. Evie went with him, and although they were allowed to take the car, it was closing time before they had completed half the required purchases. Next morning Dick was up early. In his room were a pile of new things his employer had bought for him new clothes, a new suit-case and several books. The hours slipped past so quickly (if seemed to Dick) that before" he could really convince himself that he was about to leave New Zealand on a long voyage, he found himself being driven along the wharf. Evie had been very quiet during tea, and as they walked up the gangway she -caught Dick’s hand in hers.' - 1 ‘ .*• v “Oh, whispered,- "iV do hope nothing will happen to you while you’re away.” Dick, too, felt a lump in his throat as he held her hand, but his voice, when he could speak, was brave and cheerful. “Of course I’ll be all right, Evie, but I’ll miss you.” j' “And I’ll miss you, too, Dick.

Chapter IV.—THE HAND OF FATE

“Are you sure?”aske< tor in a disappointed tc even an appendix ye’d moved?” j “Well, Mac,” said I rising, “it’s time I wen So, taking their lea they returne comfortable four-berj which they shared. * I Once there, Dick toll of the strange man hi looking in at the port-1 “One of Jimmy’s I marked Richards. “I cl they’d be quite so quicl must have followed ul “What do you thl do?” asked Dick, feeliil comfortable at the prl member of that notol on board. ■ “Nothing,” assured* “ until I move. They jl find out what I’m doiiß After this he fell sifl they fell asleep to I mic creaking of the sfl as she pitched genth® swell. I Evie and her m® south in silence the n® Dick and the Captai® Evie felt the loss ® panions keenly; anc® possible to have -® that night, we might® tear-soaked handker® The old vicarage H place, with the ai® thick on the paths.® glad when their wo® pleted. H “Now, Evie,” said® “What are you goir® Evie thought “Christine and asked me to spend®' them. They live or®| in the middle of Au® ‘ “They are rath<®| you?” asked her “M’m, yes,” acH “They are a little l|| but we have lots of®|| ' “Very well, my ®|| her mother. saying you will Thus it came and the Captain w® out Evie and her to Auckland. The]®B a little brown close behind the®® down, but the t\®|| dittle car noted th®S ment. The lights of I homes twinkled ir®fiw| as Evie and her HHI into a taxi that vHH to the station. J®UI milled round train while a were being reserved a berthH®| which would ably to Wellingt<HßH As the train H|||| waved dejectedh®H| all her friends E®® Feeling a touch ® turned to see ®HH with a peaked c®®| “Miss Bell?”® -J “Yes,” “Car waiting he said, touchinj®l|B “But I Evie, puzzled. ®|§S “Mrs. said the fat mai®|||B Evie did notH®| licked his lips, bH®S[ kind of Chris send a car for ®||B “All right, Evie, following®®® large black car®®® ing in the yarcSHH on the eyes. ®H® There was H®® gears, and EvHß®| of the car corners. She her eyes destination. with her eyes was unusuall®lllllp there was a the car “Mrs. Bull*fg||| the driver. “HHBH • call for her? Evie got The door tniddle-aged ® “Is Mrs. B®f|§p Evie. IMIIMI “Miss Bcl®|gß in a flat, ton®®®® expected. (To l®! /■