The MDNIGHT AVIATOR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21886, 12 September 1936, Page 7 (Supplement)

The MDNIGHT AVIATOR

WHAT HAS HAPPENED Larry Cromer, junior prefect at a school on the West Coast, called Crofton House, is surprised after the ransack* ing of the French master’s study, by the sudden appearance of his chum, Jim Tower. Tower informs him of the disappearance of Terry Maclean, a newcomer to the school, and while they are discussing the mystery, the midnight aviator again appears. The two prefects now decide to waylay Maclean.

CHAPTER VII. By night everything looks very spooky and weird, and no matter how much like Nelson one is, to walk down a long corridor in an old school after midnight, takes grit. “We’ll have to be jolly quiet!” whispered Larry Cromer. “I wonder if anyone else is awake!” “Well it wouldn’t be .any use enquiring,” returned Jim Tower with a grin. “We’ve just got to risk that. Let’s hope none of the masters is doing any nocturnal exploring. I don’t fancy a month’s detention at present, with these sports engagements so near.” Cromer secretly echoed his chum’s remark. Discovery would probably mean a public enquiry, followed by personal interviews with Dr. Crofton, and all attempts to solve the mystery would have been made in vain. Cromer’s bedroom door opened on to a small landing near the stair end of the corridor. A few yards from this landing the passage turned a corner and ran straight along past Mr Grant’s study to the eastern gable where Jim Tower slept. In the moonlight the two boys stole noiselessly from Cromer's room. The incessant tick-tock of the school clock in the hall below, and the muffled breathing of the sleeping occupants of the dormitories, were the only sounds which now broke the silence. From the study of the French master shot a cross-current of light, which immediately attracted their notice and caused them to exchange significant looks. It almost appeared as if at that unearthly hour Franky Bill had also been disturbed by the midnight aviator. Profound silence, however, reigned within. Instinct told the boys that there was no one behind the closed door. ‘T wonder if he’s gone off to bed and forgotten to put out the light,” mused Larry, thoughtfully. Not without some trepidation Tower resolutely clutched the handle and turned it slowly. The bore-riddled woodwork creaked eerily. With a slight shudder the door swung back and the two prefects peeped fearfully into the roomThere was no one there. Every detail was e: actly as Jim had noted it three hours before, with one exception: the window was partly opened and a rope manufactured from twisted bed-clothing bad been tied securely to a nearby radiator. Cromer and Tower blinked at it incredulously. They had read of such escapade!? in adventure yarns, but in school? it was invariably the boys, not the masters, who played truant. Full of curiosity, Jim was about to peer out of the window when Larry pulled hint back. “Here?

someone might be watching from below,” Cromer warned him. “You might give the whole show away by shoving your head out just now. Let’s hide somewhere and see what happens.” Catching sight of a curtained wardrobe in a darker corner of the room, be propelled Tower towards it. “Let’s stow away in here,” he suggested. “And keep yourself as flat as possible, otherwise We’ll be caught.” They were not a moment too soon. An instant later the crisp crunch of gravel reached their ears, and peeping out through the opening in the curtains, they saw the roughly constructed ladder become taut. Scarcely daring to breathe the two amateur detectives glued their eyes on the window ledge and waited In a lever of expectation for the appearance of the unknown intruder who was clambering up the wall with apparent difficulty. Fully expecting to see the face of Terry Maclean come into view, they

were both dumbfounded when a man's hand clutched the wooden frame and Kelly, the caretaker, swung himself over the windowledge.

Larry Cromer heard his chum breathe deeply. This was certainly more than either of them had speculated on. Both r> jted the strained expression in the man’s eyes and the determined set look on his sallow face. Catlike he drew himself into the room. In one quick nervous glance he had taken in every detail —the position of the master’s desk, the bookcc.~e in the corner and the clock ticking away indifferently oh the mantlepiece. Switching off the light he fumbled with something that eventually emerged from his pocket as a small torch. Advancing to the bookcase he flashed the bulb carefully over each volume, with one hand stroking his short black beard as if in perplexity. Behind the curtain Jim Tower set his teeth. Feeling choked, he strained his eyes to follow every movement, while in his mind he went back rapidly over the earlier hours when Franky Bill had acted so strangely. At that moment both boys felt conscious cf a queer tied sensation, a strong repelling force which overcame the wild impulse to reveal themselves.’

Perhaps it was fate that held them back, for now another sound penetrated the gloom. Someone else with youthful speed and agility, was ascending the rope. In the dim light Cromer and Tower could see that Kelly was genuinely scared. Hurriedly extinguishing the torch he slunk back into the shadows, just as Terry Maclean wearing^a dark blue overcoat over his pyjamas, appeared at the window.

Rigid with excitement the two prefects waited. They observed at once that Maclean was puzzled at finding the room in darkness and they guessed that he had left the light on as a guide. Kelly, like a hunted animal at bay, suddenly sprang on the newcomer and a short scuffle ensued.

"Maclean stared wildly at his mysterious aggressor, a vague light of recognition dawning ij* his eyes. “Ha, I can see you remember me,” panted Kelly, with a cruel twist of his thin lips, “I’ve followed you up

for that plan, the one your guardian stole from my pal at the front. And you’re going to tell me. young sir, where it is— ’’ His words ended in a menacing snarl. “I tell you I don’t know anything about it,” came the words in a choked protest from Maclean, “I’ve never even seen it!" “You can come off that old yarn,” Kelly interrupted grimly, “That tale dosn’t convince me. I haven’t come here to slave as a school janitor to fail this time. The money's buried somewhere in this glen, and it’s my aim to find it even if— ’’ “Yes. even if what?" came the enquiring echo in the crisp tones of Cranky Bill, as the room flooded with light. Kelly, taken completely by surprise, shrank back in terror, while the colour rushed into Maclean’s pale face. The master stepped over the threshold and coolly clicked the door behind him. “If it’s that plan you’re after, my man,” he said addressing Kelly, “you may rest assured you’ll never find it. Probably a phantom flier from the past is the only one who knows that secret,” he added mysteriously, watching the caretaker closely. “Now get out!” Franky Bill spoke sharply indicating the window. Entirely cowed Kelly- muttered something under his breath and re- I

treated in haste down the tope while the master watched him a grim silence. J Mr Grant then swung round impatiently on Maclean. “You'll please mind your own business future,” Tower and Cromer heard him say coldly. “We both know notr that that man will stop at nothing, and it’s quite evident who is responsible for these raids on my study. I’ve already told you that you must restrain your passion for aviation. It cost your father has life and he was my best friend. And what’s more, I won’t have you breaking bounds to spy on me. Do you understand?” Maclean hung his head and made no reply. Mr Grant slapped him on the back. “Come on now, thaf* not the way your father would have liked you • to behave,” he said awkwardly, “you must try to take more interest in school life. What , about the junior fifteen? 1 made arrangements for you to get yoor chance in the team. Now pull 'u? . that rope and get back to your dorm, or we’ll have the whole school about our ears.” listlessly obeying, Maclean folded out the twisted sheets and in the company of Franky Bill left fJjßf. room- As soon as their footstad*; had died away, Larry Cromer ■•Off Jim Tower, chilled and sufflef^jgl l from cramp, stepped from* nmSr hiding place. ■ ■ -’M “Well, we've certainly learned; something to-night,” ejaculated JiWt ; in a hoarse croak- A?! “Yes, how to stand upright for an hour when you badly want tej sneeze," said Larry with a stifl*|*i atishoo. fj|| “Don’t be funny!” returned Jhffia with a yawn. “A detective JBBf&Z learn to discipline himself.” jra# "Well, I’ve had enough for night.” said Cromer. “It’s nearly. 2 o’clock and the breaker bell goes; at 7." THE MYSTERY WILL BE SOLVED NEXT WEEK Plaza Birthday Competition If your birthday is next week you may enter for the Birthday PuzzleTickets for the Plaza will be awarded girls and boys sending in the correct solution. Mark your letter “Birthday Competition” and send it to Lady Gay enclosing » stamped addressed envelope f° r your ticket. A halfpenny stamp will do. Plaza tickets may be used any afternoon.