STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 22, 5 November 1938, Page 2

STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS

By ALROY WEST.

CHAPTER. XX T. THE FIGHT AROUND THE MONOPLANE. As Bessiter brought the touring ear car to a standstill, Mack ley leapt out and charged towards the pilot of the green monoplane. Storm followed hot on his heels, but a second man, also in flying kit, tried to tackle him. Storm side-stepped and lashed out a terriffie blow, which caused the man to stumble and drop to the ground. By this time Mackley was at grips with the other pilot slamming home punches with grim satisfaction. Bessiter sped past. Sorm. He was hound for the cabin of the monoplane, evidently to ensure that it would not take off. Two men were coming near, carrying a cylinder between them. Their companions were trying to ward off a hotlypressed attack by Bessiter’s men. Storm sped towards the two with the cylinder. Seeing him coming, one of them left) it and rushed at Storm. Storm warded off a punch, „ and smacked in a quick blow which iliook his enemy. He followed up this advantage by a quick series of jabs, but was suddenly attacked from the side and sent sprawling. It^was the- second 2>ilot, who had recovered from his fall. Storm darted up and did a rugger tackle bringing the pilot swinging to the earth. One of the others jumped at him, but Storm was quick enough to 1 '

grasp the man by the legs and fling him to the ground. The pilot staggered to his feet but went down again tc a powerful punch which landed on the point of his jaw. Storm leapt back tc avoid, a rush from one of the other and then found himself in the midst of something which was a. cross between a. nightmare and <a rugger scrum. It was impossible for him to distinguish between friend and foe, so he slipped past man after man until he was safe on the outskirts. Mackley joined him, grinning broadly. “I’ve just put Ilroy out,” he announced. “And I’ve settled hiss partner. , 1 thought it was the man I jumped the other night ” “It. was,” said Mackley, with a chuckle. “We shall have the police here before long,” Storm remarked. “I wonder what our best move is.” But Bessiter solved this. He came running to them.

“This way,” he snapped. They followed him to where a little knot of his own men had taken posses--sion of the cylinder. “Over to the car with it,” Bessiter ordered. This move was observed by the enemy, hut Mackley,. aided by Storm and two others, managed to cover Bessiter, who struggled on with the heavy burden. Once it was in the car, Bessiter took the wheel, Storm and Mackley climbed into the back. One or two attempted to stop them, but were quickly dealt with. Tilts car rapidly increased speed and was soon back on the road. Mackley looked hack at the fight.. “Those boys seem to he enjoying thorn selves,” he said with a grin. ' On the road, they passed a perspiring policeman on 1 a bicycle. Bessiter roared with laughter. “I’d love to go hack and see limv he

handles them !” lie exclaimed. He drove straight to his home and put the touring car in the garage, while the cylinder was stored away in the greenhouse and 'was covered ovei with all manner of rubbish. '

“They won’t think of looking there,” Bessiter announced with satisfaction. Manda was alreadv there.

“I feel hungry,” said Bessiter. He crossed to the door and called for Andrews. “Bring some sandwiches,” he ordered. f Storm and Mackley helped themselves to whisky. I

“What’s the next move?” the former asked as he splashed soda into his glass.

Bessiter scowled. “I’m waiting for Manelli,” he said slowly. “What do you think he’ll give you?” Bessiter had a drink before making any reply. “I hope he’ll have unearthed just what happened to Macready,” he said . “Manelli should have been back long before now. He rang up to say that his investigation had brought to light something of great interest.”

“Wouldn’t he say what it was?” Storm asked.

“Not over the telephone. But he was returning, right away. I think we might as well wait for him. Unless, of course. . .”

“You think something might have happened:?” Manda. asked anxiously.

Bessiter nodded. “Far too many things have been happening,” he said gloomily. “Are you investigating about Rush?” Storm asked. “I’m putting Manelli on to that. Manelli should have been a detective.” After a. time the telephone rang. Bessiter went to answer it. He returned smiling. “The batle is over,” he said. “I believe it was very amusing towards the end. Neither party will give an explanation. I had to give instructions to that effect to one of my boys before we departed; so hurriedly. And Lovac’s men are always paid to keep their mouths shut.”

“I’ll say they are,” out in Maolirley. Storm smiled. “I’m going to have a rest,” he announced.

“I fool like turning in.” said Mackley. “I’m not used to so much excitement in one daj\ I’ll take another drink and some ox these sandwiches to my room.” Storm and Manda were left alone. “I wonder if anything has happened to Manelli,” said the girl. “I should think he could take cave of himself. Brtt Lovac is very smart at causing trouble. I’m sure that there hasn’t been much work done on the st'ratoplane since I came into this case. I arrived just before Lovac came into the open.” Manda gave a little shiver. “That man gives me the creeps,” she said. “I’m sure he isn’t human.” “I feel, when I look at him, that I’ve been transported to the snake department at the Zoo,” Storm confess-

A Vivid Story of Realism and Romance.

:: (Copyright).

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

(To be continued.)

About half an hour later, Manda was at the window. “Jim!” she called. He jumped up from Jiis chair. “What?” “Here’s Manelli. And he’s in a hurry!” Storm quickly crossed to where she stood. He could see the dapper figure of Manelli coming up the path. The man was not only moving quickly hut was apprehensive. He kept oil glancing over his shoulder. MANDA USES WOMAN’S PRIVILEGE. Storm frowned. “Looks to mo as. though he’s expecting trouble to break from some quarter. I’d better help him.” Manelli was nearer now, dodging from sido to side. “Why does he do that?” Manda asked. Storm peered at the bushes nearer to the gate. “Keep away from the window,” he exclaimed, giving her a push. He flung up the window and dropped out on to the flower bed,. Bending, ho prised a convenient piece of stone from the rookery and then glided forward. Manelli came round the last bend

and slackened speed. At the same instant, the man Storm had observed some distance behind Manelli came out into the open and raised, his weapon—the type of sub-machine-gun frequently used in America. Storm, praying that his aim would bo good, flung the piece of Stone. At the same time he shouted: “Down, Manelli!” Two things happened very quickly. Manelli, quick-witted as usual, flung himself sideways and thus gained the protection of a shrub. The stono crashed against the path and came up, striking the intruder on the leg. It was not a hard blow, but it was sufficient to put him off his aim. The gun spluttered, and, then there was silence. The man peered about him, clearly undecided what to do. The problem was solved for him, because St-orm heard the vicious crack of a revolver. The man ducked his head and then raced down the path. Storm realised that pursuit would he futile since the man would obviously .nave a car waiting outside. He turned round to see who had done the shooting. Manda was .standing in Che window, the revolver in her hand. •’

“I told you to keep out of the way!” Storm cried,. She laughed at him. “A woman’s privilege is to disobey,” she declared. Manelli hurried across to Storm. “I am very grateful,” he said, with a flashing smile. “I feared that I had been followed, but I did not know that the man was so close.” “Wise for you to get indoor as’quic-k----y as possible,” Storm said. “Yes, yes.” They climbed in through the window :md then closed it behind them before Toing in search of Bessiter. They round him using the telephone.

SEARCH FOR CLUES AT MACREADY’S. He put the instrument back as they came near him. Storm thought that his expression was rather grim. “So you’re back, Manelli; Had trouble?” “Yes. Plenty. And somebody tried to shoot me as I came up to the house. Storm here saved me.”

“Be b, lesson to you. Take mo-o care in future.” It was characteristic that he had no word of praise for Storm’s action. “Do you want Mackley?” Sli.vtn asked.

“No. Close the door and we’ll hear what Manelli has found out.”

The swarthy litle man glanced at Manda.

“It may, perhaps, give some pain to Miss Williams,” ho said gently. “She can stand it,” said Bessiter. “Fire away!” Manelli perched himself on the corner of the table and lit a cigarette. He blew a smoke ring before speaking. Bessiter shuffled impatiently, whilst Storm crossed to where Manda. was sitting. “Of course,” Manelli said, “the official view is that Macready perished because of some engine trouble, or because he was flying too low.” “In other words,” cut in Bessiter, “the officials couldn’t account for it.” Manelli smiled.

“Exactly,” he said gently. “There was, unfortunately, very little evidence. The fire destroyed so much that it was impossible to make a very thorough investigation. I soon realised that there was not sufficient there to give me any clue, *> I proceeded to Macready’s home and made a few inquiries.” He paused to blow another smoke ring.

“Go on,” Belsiter urged. “There was only one line I could adopt. I had to discover if Macready had any visitors, or if any strangers had been seen about. Fortune favoured me, and I was able to discover that Macready had given a man some odd jobs to do—including the painting of the hangar where the plane was kept. Macready had sufficient ground for him to !>e able to use his own pjace as an aerodrome.” “I knew that,” said Bessiter. “Macrendy was wealthy—he was a different typo from Mackley, my now man. Maeready would only have piloted the stratoplane and assisted with some of the details because of his interest in aviation. Mackley will pilot the plane because of the pay.