STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 18, 1 November 1938, Page 3

STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

A Vivid Story of Realism and Romance.

By ALROY WEST.

CHAPTER XVII. STORM IS SEIZED AS A HOSTAGE. “You saw my note?” asked Lovae gently. He smiled again. “I’m so glad.” ' “I don't understand you ? I haven’t had a note from you!’’ Lovac’s thin, dark eyebrows moved slightly. “No?” he asked softly. “I think you are mistaken. Of course, you may have assumed that the note was written by Rush.” Storm clenched his fists.

‘All right. Yon win. Now what?”

Lovac shrugged his shoulders. “We won’t have anything very dramatic,” Lovao purred. “I dislike it. You will readily understand that Rush, is in my care—at the moment.”

“What have you done to him?” Storm took a step forward. Lovae smiled once more,, but his eyes were devoid of any expression. “What a primitive imagination!” the man murmured. “I can assure you that the wretched Rush will not be harmed. He isn’t important, you know.” “Glad to hear it.”

“Oh! I agree that he is tactless. He must have spoken rather freely to you early this evening, for example.” “I see,” said Storm. “And so now you want to capture me?”

Lovac shook his head. “Sorry. But you don’t interest me sufficiently. Ido want you to do one thing.” “What’s that?” “Take me to see Bessiter.” “You know where he lives.” “Of course I do. But there might be difficulties. Bessiter does things in a rather unorthodox manner, and it is most important that I should bo able to leave his house promptly.” Storm frowned. “I don’t see how I can help you.” “Really? You will be a hostage. I shall take you to a telephone and you will fix up for Bessiter to see me. W e will drive to the house and you will remain outside—with one of my friends.” “There only seems to be your word for that,” Storm pointed out. “You don’t consider it good security?” The question was accompanied by a smile.

“Frankly, I don’t.” , “I’m so sorry. But come along, all the same.”

Storm hesitated. It might be possible for him to fight his way out. It was doubtful whether Lovac would have more than two men with him. But there was Rush to be considered. “Young men are frequently very foolish,”, said Lovac. “Suppose I stand aside for a moment?” Ho moved over, and Storm was able to see the man who was waiting at the top of the stairs. He caught the gleam of a revolver. “I’ll come,” said Sform. “I’m so glad,” was the gentle comment.

They went down the narrow stairs, and at last reached the street. There were two cars there. One belonged to Bessiter —it was the one Storm had been using, but there were now three men sitting in it. A powerful, grey limousine was just behind it. A uniformed chauffeur was at the wheel. “We take the second car,” Lovac said softly. Both cars moved away, drawing up at the nearest call box. “I’ll como with you,” Lovao said with a smile. “Just to make sure that you fix things up exactly as I require.” It didn’t take long to get through. Andrews answered the ’phone, and then fetched Bessiter.

“This is Storm speaking.” “Yes. What do you want? Haven’t yon found Hush?” The powerful voice seemed to reverberate over the lines. “No. I’m with Mr Lovac at the moment.”

“The devil you are!” “Ho is driving over to see you. I understand that I wait outside as a hostage. If anything happens to Mi Lovac—well, I get it in the neck.” “I understand. Tell him I’m sorry he’s losing his nerve. I’ll he waiting:” Lovac took the instrument from Storm.

“You will be very cautious, naturally? I am being very careful.” Storm couldn’t catch the reply, but Lovac’s smile as he replaced the instrument was of a very artificial nature.

“Back to the car now,” Lovac directed.

“I feel honoured at having so large an escort,” Storm said brightly. “You have quite a substantial bodyguard. I can’t compare it with that of my employer, because I haven’t seen his—yet.” Lovac showed his teeth in another smile. “My dear young friend,” he said slowly. ‘.‘There are times when caution is a very admirable thing. You’ll find that Bessiter will be quite prepared to adopt similar measures —when they become necessary. I’m rather sorry that you work for him.” “Trying to buy me out?” Storm snapped. Lovac, still smiling, shook his head. “I don’t tliink I should have much use for you—and, apart from that, I imagine that you are a foolishly stubborn young man.” “Thanks. By the way, what happens to Kush?” Lovac shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t think the question important. ’ ’ “There is one thing I should like to know.” “What is that?” “Who told you that I. was in Kush’s rooms?” Lovac seemed amused. “When the aeroplane was taken from the Co-ordinated’s airfield, wo knew at once that Bessiter was responsible. And it seemed that Kush was tin* onl\ person who would be likely to hand on the information. It wouldn’t be to Bessiter, but it might be given to Miss Williams. So we came along to intoiview Kush. He talked. That’s all. Storm’s eyes narrowed. “How did he come to talk?” “That primitive imagination again!” sighed Lovac. “I told him that if ho didn’t give ns the information, 1 would turn Miss Williams over to Dickin.” “You haven’t raptured Miss Williams, anyway.” Lovac smiled. “I anticipated such a happening, that

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

“I’ve heard that,” said Storm

(To be Continued).

was all. .Rush know that Dickiu was somowluit amorously disposed towards Miss Williams. 01' course, the girl doesn’t like him. 1 don’t blame her, because Dickin is' a fool. He should never have let Hush overhear our plans.” “He’d better keep away from Miss Williams, anyway,” Storm said grimly-

“Really?” Lovac smiled. “Just to set your mind at rest, then, I don’t intend to capture Miss Williams, unless, of course, future circumstances enforce to me to such an action. But I. was telling you about Rush. Wo made him talk by that slight distortion of the truth, and wo realised that it would hot be long before you came on the scene. So I left the note and we had a watcher at the cafe.” “The doorman?” 'Lovac smiled. “That is my secret,” he explained. The cars drew up outside Bessiter’s house and Lovac moved leisurely away. The man who accompanied them m the limousine kept his weapon trained ».n Storm. “Do you mind if I smoke?” Storm asked.

“No. But I’ll just make sure that you haven’t a gun; Frisk him, Joe.”

Jos was the chauffeur. “Mother doesn’t let him carry a gun,” announced Joe, after passing his hands oyer Storm. The other chuckled.

“I’m not badly disposed towards you kid,” ho told Storm. “So, talking as a pal, I’d advise you to keep away from things. If there's a girl in the case I should keep her away as well.” “What do you mean?” The man shrugged his shoulders. “Nothing—or a lot. Work it out for yourself.” “I will,” said Storm slowly. Twenty minutes elapsed before Lovac strolled back.

“Thanks so much,” he said softly to Storm.

“What happens now?” “Nothing. You go free. So glad you were able to help me. Good-night.” “Good-night,” said Storm.

Lovac was smiling as he turned to enter the car which Storm had just left

“I’d like to know what is amusing him,” thought Storm.

“Nice sort of fool you are!” came an angry voice from the gates. Bessiter was standing there, tho cigar between his lips. “I know,” said Storm, in tones of resignation. 1 “You might have got hurt, you young fool! Why you wanted to fall for a gag like that beats me! I did think you had a certain amount of savvy. Can you picture me falling for that?”

“I can picture you deliberately waiting in order to slam Lovac good and bard,” said Storm.

“Maybe. But I shouldn’t be expecting Rush to come in!” “1 made a mess of it. But you’ll do the same some day.”

“Not me! I don’t make a habit of that sort of thing: When I want to do a thing I do it!”

As they approached the house Storm realised that. Manda was standing in the doorway. He waved his hand to her.

“Don’t, let that gill turn your head —it’s weak enough already,” hissed Bessiter.