“MAN FROM THE AIRPORT”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 12

“MAN FROM THE AIRPORT”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

By

LESLIE BERESFORD.

Author of “Mr Appleton Awakes,” “The Other Mr North,” etc.

CHAPTER HI. Continued. As they moved through the soft, warm night, and were passing the brilliantly lit portal of the hotel, two figures approached them making for the hotel. A small weekly dance was,being held there, and the strain of a dance-band drifted out through the open windows. The light from, these showed Peters that the two people approaching were Rose Hughson and her father. The girl pretended not to see Peters, while her father clearly did not do so. His face had a curiously haggard expression, and his staring eyes had a worried look, as he turned into the hotel. “A queer bit of news came my way about Hughson, I must tell you two,” de Brissac said suddenly as though sight of the man brought the matter to his mind. ‘I brought a little Jew fellow here from Toronto three days gone, and he was with Hughson in that hotel having drinks quite a while. I was needing a word with Hughson myself, and so was hanging around to catch him when the little Jew fellow had done with him. “Well, I got fed up in the end, and went to the mess for a bit,” he went on. “In about half an hour I thought I’d see if they were still there, and I came on them in the dark just near the hotel. They were quarrelling like the devil, and I couldn't help hear the little Jew telling Hughson he knew what was coming to him if he didn't find the money soon. Hughson sounded as if he were in a dead funk, saying he’d a plan to get it.” "And that. Pierre, may be behind what’s been going on Detween Hughson and me,” Peters said. "He confessed to me tonight that he was desperately in need of money.” “The devil he did!” laughed O'Corrigan. "You’re not after telling me that he was wanting you to find it for him? He'd some hopes!" “False ones, certainly.” Peters responded as they passed into his quarters. Here, is an few words as possible, he recounted the facts behind that night’s interview with Hughson, and his renewed attempt to join partnership with Peters over the invention. “How he got to know about it is more than I can understand,” Peters said in conclusion, “I’m sure, apart from talking to you two about it, I’ve kept it dark enough. The only other person who had any idea about it from me is that German mechanic in the repair shops, Kraus. I had to get him to make a little model of one of the parts for me.” "And Kraus is a regular yes-man, wher,e Hughson is concerned,” de Brissac nodded. "That will be it, sure enough, mon ami. You must have let Kraus know sufficient for him to havebeen impressed, and no doubt he curried favour with Hughson by giving him a hint about it. And Hughson, pushed for money ” O’Corrigan rocked with laughter. "That’s two fellows you've done out of money this very night, and good luck to you! All the same, since you’ve sacked yourself from this oufit, John, it looks as if you’re going to be pushed for money as well.” “Can’t help that!” Peters shrugged “Fortunately, I’ve enough laid by in the bank to hang on for a while. About —well, let me just have a look at my passbook ” As he crossed to the desk at one side of the room, he uttered a sudden little exclamation of surprise, then turned to the others: “Say. It looks as if someone’s been having a good rake around here, boys. Just come and cast your eyes over this.” It was quite obvious that the officedesk had been ransacked. It looked as if the person who had done it must have feared interruption, had hurried away before he was able to tidy things up and so conceal his visit. One of the drawers had even been left open, with its contents all over the place, and even on the floor.

“Funny that I didn't notice this when I came back from today's trip.” Peters pondered, then added: “Unless, of course, it was done since, while the three of us were talking to that little blighter from London. Anyhow, whoeyer’s been here must have wanted to find something. It couldn't be money

“Those blue-prints ” de Brissac suggested, and Peters nodded, then laughed. “If so, they've been disappointed.” he said. "That’s the very last place where I’d be likely to leave anything so valuable.” H* moved towards the bathroom, the others following him. and stood for a moment fingering the mirror in his shaving cabinet. The glass came away, and from behind this he brought out some papers, which he showed the others with another little laugh. "My blue-print designs are safe enough, anyhow," he said. "And they’re the only things like to bring anyone in here raking through my belongings.’ They began now to examine his quarters thoroughly, and everywhere they found signs that the place had been under rigorous search. "The hand may be anybody's." said Peters grimly. "Possibly that of Kraus. But I'll bet my boots the voice is the voice of Hughson.” "The sooner you and those blueprints. get. well out of Hughson's hands, mon cher. the better." de Brissac observed. "This very night." said Peters. "I'm going to pack right away.” "And where will ye be after going. Mr Streak of greased lighminp.”' asked O'Comgan.

And on performances of the Nazi navy up to date they have not very much to be proud of in the exploits ot either their raider- or then Raeder.

“New York, I guess. That's as much as my money will run to, if it’s to keep me going any while. I'm not keen on selling that idea of mine to the Yanks, but it’s the only thing to bo done. I'll be no time finding a market there, that’s a certainty." “Says he, having just turned down several million pounds!” laughed O’Corrigan, and then was serious. "Listen here, John. Why not let me go over to the hotel and tell that nasty piece of work that you’ll stretch a point, after all, seeing that there’s so much lucre waiting for you in England, and it does seem a pity to waste it?” “Never in your life, Dan!” he refused point-blank. “What do I want with millions, and millions I haven’t earned? No. Let their present owners keep them. I make my own money, or go without it. I’ll get it all right out of this idea of mine.” "My only regret is leaving you two fellows,” he added, a little emotionally, somehow only now for the first time having realised that this was one price he must pay because of the decision he had made.

“Forget it.” Debrissac surprised him by laughing. “You simply can't do that on me, anyhow. Because, wherever you go —well, I’m going there too.” “And that counts for me too,” the Irishman chuckled. "Do ye think Dan O’Corrigan would be staying here, after what Hughson’s tried to do on you tonight? Not while there's a drop of Irish blood in him! Like Pierre, I’m with you when you walk out of here, or fly, or whatever it may be in the way of transportation.” Peters, deeply moved and surprised, was unable for a moment to speak. Then he could only protest. “I can't have you two doing that, just because, of me,” he told them. “You. O'Corrigan, especially. You’re senior pilot here— —” “All the better for the man who takes my place.” “As for me,” de Brissac turned to Peters. "It is no good trying to persuade me to stay. On the contrary, if it hadn’t been for you two, I should have chucked this job long since. I could easily afford to do it. I have money. Besides . . .” "If I’ve any say in the matter, it won’t be to New York we’ll go, either," he added. ’That’s not the place to plant that idea of yours. What's wrong with London?” "Can’t afford the risks of going so far,” Peters answered. “Let me find that pass-book of mine, and show you “Show me nothing!’ de Brissac interrupted, laying a detaining hand on his arm as he was moving again, towards the office desk. "Now listen,” he said. "I’ve told you that I’ve plenty of money. What’s more, I've long had it in mind to trip over to Europe. I want to look up some relatives of mine in France. It wouldn’t do O’Corrigan any harm either to have a look at Ireland ” “And maybe it might!” O’Corrigan chuckled. "There’s people in old Ireland that would be after shooting me soon as they caught sight of my face. No. I bar Ireland. All the same, the idea of going to Europe is good. It pleases me." “Then that settles it," said de Brissac. and turned to Peters, who still locked doubtful. 'What’s the matter with you. mon ami? You can chuck away a fortune that rightly belongs to you, yet you don’t seem to fancy having a friend offer to help you out of a tight corner?” “You know it’s not that. Pierre.” Peters retorted emotionally. "I’m just staggered a bit over you two good fellows turning in safe jobs for the sake of going along with me. It’s so fine that I ” ‘lt would be a deal finer still, boy, if you remembered that we’ve all got thirsts,” O'Corrigan said. “We're not leaving any of that good liquor of yours behind, so let’s get busy drinking to -this trip to Europe we’re taking at five minutes’ notice.”

In the early hours of the morning, the three of them entrained at Otterbridge station. It. had been decided that the crossing should be made by sea as a pleasant contrast to their usual mode of travel. Besides, they were anxious to get out of Otterbridge so soon as possible. A hint as to the reason was given presently, as the train carried them away, by O'Corrigan, shaking with laughter in his seat. "I'd give a good deal to be able to see that divil, Hughson’s face." he said, ‘when he finds tomorrow that three of his pilots have hopped it in the night, and left no address behind them. Anyhow —here's to London and a bit of good luck!" CHAPTER IV. Al the road-house, known as "The One-Eyed Moon," nobody was at all interested in the fact that the mooii had travelled most of its course. The night might have been very young. The road-house was not only the very last word in elegance and extravagance. but it had also acquired a reputation which bordered on the scandalous.

On cross-roads in a delightfully wooded part of Hampshire, the slender buildings of this fashionable pleasureresort bleamed white against the dark green of the countryside. In the sheen of the late summer moon, its gaily-lit terraces and gardens and shining swimming-pool were sheer artistry in design. (To be Continued.)