“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 March 1940, Page 12

“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

BY

ALROY WEST.

(Author of “Messengers of Death,” etc.)

CHAPTER IV. (Continued) ‘T thought you boys were going to look after me,” he pointed out. ••We’ll rescue you all right." said one of them. "Tell you what,” said the man at the wheel. “If they hit you over the head when they capture you, we'll just notice who does it and we'll undertake to break his jaw.” “That’s fine of you!" Storm said enthusiastically. “And if they try to give you the works we'll break every jaw we can find,” offered another. “That will suit me—but don’t include me in the treat!” They laughed at this. "You’ve spirit," one admitted. “Have to have. I'm with Bessiter most of the day!"

"That’s a good one. Say—is that fellow ever human? They ought to have given him the job of cleaning up the American gangs. He’d have done it with his hands tied behind his back and his eyes bandaged over." "This is the place," announced the man at the wheel.

The car drew up at a corner. Storm stepped out and looked about him. "Lonely spot," the driver said, quite unnecessarily. After talking a minute or so. the car was driven away and Storm was left alone. He looked about him with interest, not unmixed with apprehension. The meeting place was just round the corner in a deserted street. There didn't seem to be any houses near. Glancing at the wooden doors of the nearest building, he realised that he was close to a timber yard. He had an idea that one of his companions was going to get into this place and keep watch from the top of the wall. On the opposite side of the road was a warehouse. Presumably there was a night watchman somewhere or other, but Storm could not see any lights in the building.

He glanced at his watch. It was exactly half-past seven. If Dickin had passed on the information it was about time for something to happen. A man, raggedly dressed and smoking a pipe from which a foul smell came, crossed the corner and stared at Storm. He lingered for a moment, seemed as though he would come across, and then evidently changed his mind and hurried away. Storm smiled. "Probably thinks I’m a plain-clothes man,” Storm reflected. Then a car came along. It pulled up a few yards away from him and the door was opened. Somebody looked out and beckoned. Storm hurried forward. As ho reached the car and leaned forward to speak to the driver, he was seized from behind and something sickly-smelling was placed over his mouth and nose. Instinctively he struggled, but could not free himself. Things became far and blurred.

A man on top of the timber yard wall quickly climbed down and sprinted away. The raggedly-dressed man with a foul pipe showed his yellow teeth in a grin and also slipped away. When Storm came round he felt stiff and confined. It was not until he was once more in full possession of his faculties that he realised he was secured to a large chair in a place which had the appearance of a chemical laboratory. He was not alone, for there was a white-clad figure wearing a white mask. This man turned round and came across to him.

"Drink this,” he ordered. "It will bring you round properly.” Storm was grateful because his throat felt dry and almost sore. He nodded his thanks.

The man moved away and evidently pressed a button, for after a minute or so the door of the laboratory was opened and a man, similarly attired, came hurrying in. “Can I question him?" he asked eagerly. “Yes. He is quite fit to give answers." “Splendid!”

The second man came near to Storm. “The papers you have had in your possession were worthless. Did you know that?" Storm shook his head. “I don’t know anything about the papers. I was told that they contained particulars of a new wing construction, but I don't know anything about such matters, and. apart from that, I never looked at them. They were in an envelope." The man tapped his foot impatiently. "Yes, yes, tnat may be. You work for Bessiter?” “Do yon like him?" , , : ‘ "No." ■ i " "Then why do you stay in his employ "It's better than starving." "Um. Have you been to his factory?" "Yes.’ “When?” "This morning. That was where 1 received the instructions about the papers." The man gave a gesture of impatience. "I dont mean that place. I mean his other factory.” "I didn't know he had another one.” said Storm. “Where did you go with Bessiter this morning? It’s no good trying to lie. We know what time you left Bessiter’s house, and we also know what time you arrived at his factory. Where else did you go?" “He called on somebody. He didn't tell me who. I had to wait in the car." "Where was this call?" "A private house. 1 don't know where it was. It was a fresh locality to me." "Could you lake u.c to it’’”

Storm shook his head. "I’m afraid not. I was reading some things over to nim. and so did not lake particular note of the route." "Do you know anything of this wing construction?” ’Tve already told you that 1 don’t." At this moment the door was opened again. It was Dickin who came bustling in. "It’s a trap!" he cried. “Bessiter had men watching. We’ve managed to wreck their car, so that they can’t follow us here, but it looks bad. No wonder the papers were useless! The whole thing was a put up job!” He crossed to Storm. "This,” he said grimly, “is where you’re going to- do a lot of talking.” CHAPTER VI. The situation was awkward, but Storm did not feel that it was anywhere near desperate, because he knew that Dickin would realise there had not been time for him to acquire a great deal of information. The only disturbing feature was that Dickin had come into the open but on reflection Storm realised that once the man was certain the whole thing was a trap he would abandon any attempt at deception. The man who had been questioning Storm turned to Dickin. "I don’t quite get this,” he declared. "How did Bessiter know you were trying to get the information?" Dickin shrugged his shoulders. ■ “Better ask him that." was his comment. jerking his head in the direction of their prisoner. "How was it. Storm?' the man wanted to know. “I couldn’t tell you.” "We’ll see about that a bit later. Now, Dickin, how did you find out that there were men watching? 1 gave our men the most careful instructions.” “I know—but I decided to be on the scene as well. In consequence I was able to observe the car which started to follow them.” < “And you managed to put it out of action?” Dickin laughed mirthlessly. “I squeezed them at an awkward corner. I don’t know which was damaged the most, their car or the wall. I didn't stop to satisfy my curiosity.” “That's all right as far as it goes. Now, where would that telephone call come from —the one you overheard when you were in Bessiter’s room? Would it be from the secret works?” Dickin shook his head. “I think it was Larkin. He’d be speaking from his own place. I don’t know how Bessiter managed to get into touch with him. He may have sent Storm there, but I doubt it. Probably some other faithful servant.”

Storm was not listening very intently. He was trying to work things out. Evidently Mlanda had taken the message to Larkin. The fact that Dickin had not suspected a trap proved that he was not working in with either Man ell i or Purcelowe. A comparison of notes would have led to the immediate exposure of the trick.

It was bad luck the car being put out of action. He wondered whether any of the occupants had been hurt.

“Well.” Dickin said at length, “we'll proceed to get some information from our friend here.” He turned to Storm. “It will save us considerable trouble if you will meet us half-way. Of course, you will realise that it is quite out of the question for. you to be able -to return to your late employer. We can arrange for you to disappear; but we don’t fancy that sort of thing. I suggest that you remain with us for a short time, give us what information you can and then, when things are settled, you can go free.” “I’ve already stated that I am not in a postion to help you," Storm pointed out. “I’m sorry you’re taking that attitude. I assure you that it is very stupid. Wc have, as a matter of fact, a man at the secret works. Unfortunately for our plans, he has not been able to communicate with us. No doubt he will do so sooner or later. But the trouble is that we need certain information very much sooner.” Storm shrugged his shoulders. “I still can’t help,you,” he announced. “We’ll see. I want you, Voss." The man. who had given Storm the drink came forward. "You can make him talk?" Dickin asked. "Yes," said Voss. "I can make him talk very easily—and he will be very truthful." "What is all this?” asked the other man. “It is very simple,” Voss explained', “There have been so many ways of making men talk, and a great number of them have been exceedingly barbaric. This method is comparatively now aud it' is known' as ‘norco-analy-sis.' One injects into the subject a new form of chemical sedative. This drug is injected into a vein, and during the injection one makes the subject amenable to hypnotic analysis. 1 have tried it on one or two occasions with remarkable success. So I suggest. . .” He paused and spread out his rubberencased hands. Dickin and the other man exchanged glances. "I think that will do splendidly. Voss. You heard that, Storm? Arc you going to help—or must we put the plan into practice?" Storm did not know whether this was bluff or not. He resolved to fight it out. “You'd better go ahead. I don't sup-, pose my sub-conscious mind will bo able to help you; that is. if this method gets into touch with it.” “Go ahead, Voss," said Dickin. “Very good. It will take me a few minutes. Will you wait—or come back?"

(To be Continued.)