STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 14, 27 October 1938, Page 7

STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

A Vivid Story of Realism and Romance.

By ALROY WEST.

CHAPTER XIII

It. was Manda who mentioned Rush. “I don’t .know what to do about him,” she confessed. “I suppose,” said Storm, “that there is some particular reason for you to he shielding him?” She nodded.

“I think the best way out is for me to have a talk with him. I suppose you can tell me how to get hold of him?” “I’m not certain, but I have a fairly good idea.” “Suppose you leave it to me, then?, 'Wo shall know where avo are and not have the constant worry. I expect a fair amount of damage has already been done, but avg might manage to put the brake on to a certain extent.” “I’ll give you the address,” Manda said.

“Splendid. Then, when I have a few moments' to spare, I’ll look him up. ’ “I think that’s the telephone bell, said the girl quickly. “Splendid! I’ve been wondering when Bessiter would get through. Ex-' euse me for a minute.” Storm hurried from the room. Andrews had answered the ring. “Mr Bessiter wishes to speak to you, sir,” he announced, and promptly Avitbdrew. Storm took up the instrument eagerly. After a very brief conversation, he Avent back to Manda. She jumped up as he entered the room. ’ “What neAvs?” she asked eagerly. “The plane Avas tampered with. Somebody managed to fasten that Aving Avitli soft metal, so that Avhen there was any strain it started to give.” “I’m so thankful,” Manda cried. “Yes. But there’s a serious .side to it. Larkin and the three men Axdio helped him are missing. Bessiter can’t find any trace of them.” Her face changed. “That’s terrible!” she exclaimed. “Larkin is the only one avlio knoAvs how to deal Avith that new process of firing gas from the stratoplane!” A TRAITOR BECAUSE HE HATED BESSISTER. Storm made his Avay up the miserably narrow, uncarpeted staircase which led to the top of the building. Manda had Avanted to come Avith him, but he hadl been firm in his refusal, thinking that he could deal more effectively with Rush on his oavia. Outside the door of the solitary room he paused and gave an imperious knock. “Who is it?” an anxious voice asked.

Storm recognised the speaker as Rush. But it Avas clear, from the change in the man’s voice, that he Avas deeply troubled. “I’ve come about Manda Williams,” said Storm slowly.

He heard quick steps, then the sound of a key being turned in the lock The door Avas opened slightly and Rush peeped out. Storm had his foot ready to thrust in the slight space, but such a manoeuvre was not required, for Rush opened the door. ■ . “Please come in,’’ he invited. The room was mean and badly furnished. There avas an unmade Ltd along one Avail. A solitary chair \vas drawn up by a rough table on which Avas spread an evening paper. The only light was that of a flickering gas jet,, contrasting badly with the brighter lighting of the stairs. “What do you want with me?” Rush asked. There was no serenity uoav about the grey eyes. They moved restlessly from side to side. “Just a quiet little talk,” said Storm closing and locking the door behind him. Rush crossed to the table and leaned against it. He passed a shaking hand over liis eyes. “Is she all right?” he asked sudden-

lyStorm realised at once the reason for the misery written so plainly on the man’s features. He didn’t know what had happened to Manda! It wouldn’t hurt him to be on the rack for a few seconds longer. “So you know something about that monoplane?” Rush took a step forward, raising his hands in appeal. “I didn’t! They never told me until it was too late. I’ve left them. I managed to slip away.” “I see. But you know who was responsible for it?” Ruipii (straightened ulp. He didn’t speak, but nodded his head. Storm leaned against the door.

(Copyright). (Author of “Messengers of Death,” “Hate Island,” Etc).

“doing to talk;'” lie demanded. “Tell me liow site is!' What happened? Can’t you see it’s driving me crazy?”

“I’ll toll you—if you talk. That monoplane crashed badly, you know.”

Rush moved uneasily. “I might as well,” he said suddenly. “I’ve betrayed one side, so I might as well do the same to the other.” He camenearer to Storm. “I suppose you think I’m a pretty low sort of a creature? Somebody who should be trampled underfoot?” Storm shook his head. “Manda wouldn’t shield anybody who was useless,” he said slowly. “Especially when it was making things difficult for her.” He remembered that glimpse he had had ol something better in Rush. “That’s way I expect yap to come out boldly and save her. Ton don’t want her to tall into Lovac s clutches, do you?”

Rush started. ‘ ‘Lovac! Ho can’t! Ho ...” “Yes, he can,” Storm cut in brutally. “He knows that the girl is shielding you, and he’s threatening to tell Bessiter. He wants the girl to go with him. Perhaps you can imagine why.” Rush looked up. His face had dened.“I’ll tell you everything,” lie said grimly. “Good. Manda wasn’t hurt when the monoplane crashed. I was up with her. She seemed dazed, but I made her take to her parachute.” Rush turned away. Storm saw his shoulders quiver. “I think I’m about finished,” said Rush. “Will you sit down? I feel I can talk better if I can move about.” Storm perched himself on the table. Ho offered Rush a cigarette, which the man took eagerly enough. Lighting his own, he puffed away at it while Rush made his confession.

“I don’t suppose,” said Rush, “that you have any idea of what hatred can do to a man. It can poison his life. It can make him stoop to the lowest tilings. I expect yon know that I hate Bessiter. I’d like to strangle him but I’m not big enough to do it. That’s the tragedy. We don T t understand these things when they happen to others. Every fibre of one’s being crying out in hatred, and yet one isn’t sufficiently strong to come out and fight. Only big men can join in a struggle. I wasn’t horn a big man. “I had a son. He was a splendid fellow. And he worked for Bessiter. Thera was another youngster with Bessiter at tho time. Malcolm Williams, Manda’s brother. Malcolm was clever. He was always inventing things. My boy,” Rush gave a wry indulgent smile “was more for action. He loved, flying. Ho could do anything with an aeroplane. “The two youngsters started to put their heads “together. Williams had the brains to invent improvements, and my boy had the nerve for testing u>m. Together, they would have done amazing things. But both were killed. They were trying out a new machine for Bessiter. The machine was faulty. I felt certain, for some time, that Bessiter was to blame. He was impatient for results and sent tkat plane up before it had been overhauled. He said afterwards that it was in order, but I never believed him. There was an inquiry of course but it didn’t get very far.

•“Bessiter seemed genuinely sorry about it, and when he offered me a job I took it. I felt then that Bessiter had make a mistake, but was trying to make amends. He treated me in a very off-hand fashion, but that was just his way. “I had been working for Bessiter at the Essex Street factory for a year or so. Then he had his new place, the secret works, constructed, and informed me that he wanted me there. I was elated at the trust he was placing in me, for J had got to like him,- despite tho fact that he v was very brusque at times. (To be continued.)