MARKED DOWN FOR KILLING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 223, 28 June 1940, Page 7

MARKED DOWN FOR KILLING

i By SYDNEY HORLER.

: • (COPYRIGHT).

I Story of British Intelligence Service.

LilAl 1 Ill'll aaIV . RAHUSEN TO THE RESCUE. Outside the side-entrance to the Ronstadtian Embassy a caller whose euriously-rosy face was puckered into lines of anxiety, continued to argue with the servant who had been roused from his sleep, and was ill-tempered in consequence. “I tell you again it is impossible to see any of the Embassy staff,” the servant said, “they are all in bed.” “Then I will see Herr Greisner—l’m quite sure he’s not in bed because I happen to know, first, that he is now in the Embassy, and secondly, that he does not sleep here, but at his flat in Mount-st. . . Now, hurry, man, unless you want me to get you dismissed.” “I have no authority to allow you in to see anyone,” the servant replied stolidly. “Thbre is my authority,” retorted the last caller; “give that to Herr Greisner.” He put a copper disc into the servant’s hand. “I will tell Herr Greisner,” he said; “but if I should have done wrong ” “I’ll see that you don’t get into trouble,” was the quick reply. * id * * Just as his finger was about to pull the trigger a knock came on the door. Greisner swung round with an oath. “Who the devil’s that?’ he demanded. The door was opened; a servant entered. He was already very nervous and when he saw the revolver in the hand of the man to whom he was due to speak,’* he trembled.

“Yes,” was the. slow reply, “a man’s ears never change, however much liis face may alter—l should have remembered that. However, it is not too late to stop further mischief being done. Stan dish, our friend Carlimeoro may bc-l angry with me, because lie. had sworn to kill you himself, but I cannot help that. In any case,” picking up the revolver which Greisner had laid down when he. had left the room, -“a bullet kills quickly; you’ll he lucky . . * * * *

The voice of Sir Ronald Waters, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, was polite but grim.. “Your Excellency,” lie said, ‘ I apologise for troubling you at such a late hour, but I have just received reliable—very reliable— information to the effect that your Government, contemplated putting into effect a certain plan. I wil make no comment on this plan, except to say that it is revolting to the average, civilised and normal mind in the 'highest degree. “The plan in all its details was brought to me through a. member of out British Intelligence l . His name is Standish, and I am given to understand that he is at present being held a prisoner at the Ronstadtian Embassy. “Now, Your Excellency, I want you fully to understand that if Mr Staudish is not immediately released, the consequences will be most grave. In the first place, photostatic copies of the documents in my possession will be issued to the Press of the woild. The result must be overwhelming disapproval* —even detestation of the methods your Government contemplated using against this country. ; . . . You will release) Mr Standish immediately? Thank you! I will send a car round to the Embassy at once . . . No, I am afraid I can say nothing about the documents until I have consulted further with the Prime Minister, and a special meeting of the Cabinet has been called.” He replaced the receiver. “You may possibly have saved' peace to-night, Waters,” remarked the Prime Minister. “I wouldn’t bank on that, sir, was the comment of Sir Harker 'Bellamy ; “and in any case, I’m, thinking of Standish . . . may I go?” The Prime Minister nodded. “Bring him round here—l should like to thank him personally.”

“Well, fool?” , “Pardon, mein herr, but I was asked to give you this,” and he presented the copper disc. After he had looked at the emblem of the Ronstadtian Secret Police, Greisner bellowed.

“Who gave you this?” “A man who came to the side door and said he had to see you. He seemed very impatient and angry and said that if I gave you that,” pointing to the copper disc, “you would understand; lie said it was his authority to see you.” A minute later the man who had saV ed—at least, momentarily—Tiger Standish’s life walked into the room. He had a rosy face, and an authoritative manner.

The door burst open. , “Don’t shoot you fool!” cried Greisner, and, rushing forward, he knocked up Rahusen’s arm. The bullet, which had been intended for Tiger Standish s brain, buried; itself in the, ceiling. “He is to be let go,” went on Greisner; “it is the Ambassador’s own orders.”

“Ludx!” exclaimed Greisner, “what do you mean by this? How——?” He wqs interrupted by an uplifted hand.

Rahusen smiled. “So once again, the final settlement is postponed, Standish.” “Yes, old cock!” was the answer.“And I do hope that if you mess about with that mug of yours any more, you won’t forget the ears • * • . w * * * *

“My real name is Rahusen,” replied the caller, “and I am here by the order of Brassiano himself. These are his express instructions. The disc of the Secret Police belongs to the time when I worked for Ronstadt, Herr Greisner.”

Sonia, too happy now to bother about the past laughed as she showed her husband a newspaper photograph. “Who did vou get to represent you at the, Swifts match on Saturday?” she “Whilst 4 was very much otherwise engaged? Oh, that Was Claude Ravenswood ,the film star. Fortunately lies much about my build, although Benny had to do a good deal of padding with his clothes, and the joke appealed to him. He seems to have done the .ion pretty well. Of course, if he had gone on the field • • ” The invalid was interrupted by a weight suddenly falling on the. bed. It had beautiful fur and it purged like a dynamo. , 1£ Richard, the Lion, the finest nallPersian in Mayfair settled himself comfortably on the shoulder of the man he loved best in all the world. (THE END.)

“Bless my soul!” exclaimed a voice; “what is a bloke to do when he has too many enemies? How are you, Rahusen?” The man with the rosy face turned to the speaker and smiled. It was a horrible smile. • “I’m glad to see you’re still alive, Standish,” he replied. EARS NEVER CHANGE. Greisner went scarlet. “Be good enough to confine your remarks to me,” he Replied stiffly ; “this man,” indicating Standish, “is no concern of yours. ‘"Jhat is where I beg to differ,” was the equally firm reply; “Mr Standish is an old—a very old—adversary of mine, and if he is to be killed, as I am afraid' must be the case, for he is a dangerous enemy of both our countries, then I claim the honour.’ 11 “You cursed fool!” exjUoded Greisner; “do you dare to dictate to me? Where is your authority to be here at all?”

For reply, Rahusen pulled out a piece of paper which he hejd before his critic’s eyes.

“That is my authority—and I think it will suffice,” he said. “And, since you no doubt wish to know my reason for coming here so late to-night, I will explain that I have just received a message from Rrassiano himself, ordering me to receive from you a full explanation of what he terms ‘the abominable treachery’ Ronstadt has endeavoured to play off against Caronia. He knows, by the way, that I am here, so that should you attempt to do anything foolish ... well, there might be very awkward complications.”

The words sobered Greisner somewhat, but he quickly regained his former arrogance. “Thei proper person to have come hefre for information was a duly-accredited official of the Curonian Embassy,” he shot back. \ ‘‘ln the oi'dinary way, yes,” he was informed, “but it happens that this is purely an Intelligence affair, as you yourself know very well.” “I have no power to tell you anything,” was thei answer, and Greisner turned to the envoy who had ar/rived from Menket in such peculiar circumstances that night. “It is a matter for the Ambassador himself,” stated the latter, speaking for the first time. “Then I will see the Ambassador, remarked the visitor.

Greisner stamped his foot. “The Ambassador is in bed sucli impertinence!” he cried. The other remained unimpressed. “I came here as the personal representative of Brassiano; you’ve seen my authority. I suggest that it would be wise, perhaps if you informed Ins Excellencv that I am here.” Greisner hesitated. A glance from the envoy persuaded him. “Very well,” he replied. “And meanwhile, I will have a little talk with Mr Standish. ' # I presume that it is entirely due to his becoming involved in this same affair that he is here with us? Well, he is a. very capable secret agent, as I know to my cost —the best in the British Intelligence Service • otherwise, I doubt if he would have penetrated my own ideal- “ You should have got your plastic surgeon to change your ears Rahusen, was the comment of the prisoner.