“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 March 1940, Page 10

“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

BY

ALROY WEST.

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

CHAPTER IV. (Continued) She curled herself up in a chair opposite to him. "Now, suppose you reveal the mystery,” Storm suggested. "Why don't you want to see Bessiter tonight?” "Because he's not to know that I rescued you.” Storm nearly shot out of his chair. "Not to know!” he gasped. Manda nodded her head. “Phew! What am I to tell him? That they patted me on the back and told me to go home?”

“Of course not! You’ll tell him the truth. You’ll tell him everything you heard and you’ll say that you managed to get free and to overpower Voss. You will then relate how you contrived to get away from the place and that you saw Lovac driving in the vicinity. That’s not keeping anything back, is it?”

“Nothing vital perhaps. How did you know where I had been taken?" “I can’t tell you.” “Oh! How did you know about the other way in to the laboratory?” “The same answer holds good.” “Indeed.” Storm puffed at his cigarette. “I don’t understand you,” he said after a pause. “I’ll vow that you are loyal to Bessiter —and yet. . . ” “And yet what?” There was something faintly mocking in her smile. “I suppose I’m a mut,” Storm confessed. “I can’t make head nor tail of this. Wait a minute, though! You said

.. I was to tell Bessiter everything except • your own participation in my escape. Is that so?” ’ Manda seemed a trifle uneasy. “Yes,” she said slowly. “That’s what 1 I said.” “Then I can tell Bessiter that Dickin told me they had a man in their pay • working at the secret factory —where the stratoplane is being constructed?” The girl went pale. ’ “Did he tell you that?” “Yes.” Storm decided to press home while he had the advantage. “And strangely enough, Dickin added that this man had not been able to get any information through. Now Bessiter told me that he kept a very careful watch over Rush, and that he. . .” “Stop!” cried Manda. Storm spread out his hands. “That makes it pretty clear, doesn’t it?” For some reason you wish to protect Rush. Can’t you confide in me? I won’t let you down.” Manda stood up. “I don’t think there is anything more ■ to be said,” she remarked icily. “When you see Bessiter you’d better explain everything. I shall not hold you to your promise.” “I won’t mention your name,” said Storm quickly. “That’s good of you,” her tone was very icy. “Thank you very much for coming to the rescue. I’m very grateful." “Naturally I should help a fellowworker.” Storm crossed to the door. “Good-night, then,” he said. “Good-night.” He walked slowly down the stairs. Manda had put him in a very difficult position. After all, he owed a great deal to Bessiter. Bessiter was the one for whom he worked. Bessiter was the one who was giving him ample scope to make good. But Manda was so confoundedly attractive. Probably it would be all right to leave that bit out concerning Rush. It would mean an increasing responsibility but no doubt he would be able to keep an eye on the man and prevent him from doing any damage. There was, anyway, plenty of news for Bessiter. Storm engaged a taxi and it was not long before he was ringing the bell at Bessiter's home. Bessiter himself admitted him. “Storm! That’s good work! Glad you’re back. Come in.” He followed Bessiter into the lounge. “Sit down. Have a drink. I dont know how the devil you managed to get away. The men who were supposed to be guarding you got smashed up. I rather suspect that they didn’t keep their eyes open for a second car. Still, they’ll have to suffer for it.” “I hope none of them was hurt?’ “They were all knocked about a bit. They’ll live, though. But I haven't any pity for them. Bunglers don’t deserve pity. Now, what have you to report?” “It was Dickin, of course.” “Yes.” Bessiter’s voice was grim. “They stopped a car in front of me, and the driver beckoned. One of them must have slipped out of the far side and came round the back of the car. . They used chloroform on me. When I came round I was tied up in a chemical laboratory. I have an idea that the place belongs to a man named Voss.” “Voss! That’s interesting.” Bessiter . stuffed a cigar between his lips. “Go on!” he ordered.

Storm related what had happened, but took all the glory for the escape. He did not make any mention of Rush. “That’s good work.” said Bessiter.

“There’s one other thing. As I was driving away a car passed rne, very likely going to the laboratory. And the man at the wheel was Lovac.” Bessiter gave an ugly grin. "I'm not surprised. I'd give a lot to know whether he has been behind Dickin all the time, or whether he is just coming into the game. I've had further information regarding the Coordinated Transport shares. It seems that a rumour has started to the effect that labour troubles are expected. This was followed by a whisper that the American part of the company was going to break away. The most interesting point about that is that Lovac is at the head of the American section." “His game is pretty clear then. Dickin seemed troubled over the fake telephone call. He didn't know where it came from. He eventually seemed to have the idea that it was from Larkin's own place." "It was." said Bessiter. “I communicate with the secret works by radio. I fixed up a special short-wave device. It's possible to so arrange it that you can get a ‘silence' one within a certain radius of the transmitting set." "I feel very tired." Storm declared, j "Do you want me for anything more?" I “Not tonight. You did quite well." I Storm was glad to turn in. The excitement of the clay's events had thor-l oughly fagged him. When he awoke it was broad daylight.

“It’s a wonder Bessiter didn’t come up and pull me out of bed,” he reflected with a grin. There was no sign of his employer, and on making inquiries Storm discovered that Bessiter had gone out the previous night—evidently following on his own account of what had taken place at the laboratory—and had not yet returned. Storm was finishing breakfast when Bessiter came bustling in. "I’ll have some coffee," he announced.

“I’ll pour it then.” “Right. Well, our friends are pretty quick workers. I managed to find the place where Voss carries on his work — but it was deserted. I left a man to watch and he reported not long back that the laboratory is up for sale. There was also a bit of trouble at the secret works last night.” Storm stiffened in his seat. “What happened?” he asked. "Nothing, much. Somebody managed to slip away.” “Not—not Rush?” “Hey! What do you know about Rush?” “Nothing. Only you told me yesterday that you kept him more or less a prisoner.” “Oh! Just guesswork on your part, eh?”

“Absolutely,” said Storm. Bessiter reached out for the coffee and started to sugar it. He took coffee very sweet, almost syrupy in fact. “It was Rush. And he got away, too. I don't know why, but I'll find out; even if I have to flay everybody in the works.” “Are there many there?” asked Storm. “Find out,” snapped Bessiter. “It

isn’t part of your job to sit there asking me questions. And don’t get idling over your food. We start off very soon. Better get ready.” ‘Very good,” Storm pushed his chait back and started to cross to the door.

“By the way,” Bessiter announced, “our meh are not very badly damaged. A few days in hospital will put ’em right. I’d discharge them, but they may feel vindictive; in which case I can use ’em. That’s all. But don’t get ringing them up! I’m not going to have anybody weping over them. It was their own fault. I don’t employ people who are stupid. They can think they’re lucky that I still have a use for them.” “Quite,” Storm remarked.

He quickly got ready, but when he returned to the room there was no sign of Bessiter. He lit a cigarette and glanced at the paper. While he was reading it the door opened and Manda walked into the room.

“Hello!” said Storm in a casual tone. He concealed his surprise because he remembered how they had parted the previous evening. She gave him a wry smile.

“Hello! Where’s Bessiter?” “He’ll be back in a minute or so. Dying to have a heart-to-heart talk with him?” She shook her head.

“Not particularly. How much did you tell him about last night?” “Only those things which concerned myself. He doesn’t know that you had a hand in it. But did you know that Rush got away?” She turned aside.

“I heard,” she said. “Im a bit afraid —now.”

“I thought you’d get wise by the morning,” Storm said. “Is there anything I can do to help?” “I don’t think so, thanks.”

“Have you come along to confess —or something?” “I don’t think it’s much good. The damage is done now. And Bessiter is sure to realise that Rush may be dangerous.”

“I expect he will. Could you manage to lay your hands on Rush?”

Manda shook her head. “I think I could have done at one time. But things have changed so much since then.- I don’t know how I managed to get here this morning. 1 had to come, because Bessiter told me yesterday. But I’ve felt miserably afraid all the time.”

“Why? You don’t think he’ll find out, surely?” “It isn’t that. I had a telephone call this morning—quite early. I don't know who was speaking, but he was terrible. He said that he could quite sympathise with my position, but that it was really impossible to work for two sides, especially as it was bound to come out. He said that I was far too impetuous last night, and that I might have caused considerable trouble; in fact, I had made it necessary for certain plans to be changed. He advised me to wait outside the Central Station tonight at 8.30. Then he rang off.” “Oh! What was the voice like?” “A horrible voice. It was almost as though the man was smiling all 'the time. But it was expressionless as well.”

Storm bit his lips. “That was Lovac.” he said slowly. CHAPTER VIII. Lovac again! The man had only put in an appearance on the morning of the day before, and already he threatened to dominate the picture. He was playing a tricky game with the Co-ordinat-ed Transport shares, he was obviously at the back of Dickin, and now he was trying to weave a tangled web around Manda. “Lovac," said the girl thoughtfully. "We’re in a nice mess," Storm told her. “Lovac is a thoroughly unpleasant bit of work, and I'm afraid his capacity for making things uncomfortable all round is practically endless." “Sh!" warned Manda. "Here's Bessiter.” . . , Their employer came bustling mtn the room. “Ah!" he said, when he saw Manda. “Glad you’re on time. Come along—we’re going to the secret works right away. We'll have to find a new name for them —they won’t be secret much longer. One thing. Dickin is seared. I’ve just been informed that he s cleared out. There doesn't seem to be a trace of him." “I suppose you can trust the other two?” Storm suggested. Bessiter glared at him. "I'm not trusting anybody!" he proclaimed. “For all I know they may be i trying to sell me to another .market. I I've just weeded out one enemy—that’s I all. But don't spend your time asking ] questions. Go and gel in the ear." ) Manda followed Storm from the room.

(To be Continued.)