SCORPION’S REALM

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 250, 3 August 1946, Page 7

SCORPION’S REALM

5 B S Serial Story: E

| BY L, C. DOUTH WAITE S

5 (Copyright) gf

CHAPTER XII. PLANNING A VISIT

When they rose from the table, Dr. Gage drew Lord Stonehouse into the surgery, closing the door behind him. When, twenty minutes later, they came out, the liftshaft was clear, with, at-the head, an improvised Avindlass about which was a stout rope that terminated in a loop. First Dr. Gage, then Lord Stonehouse, Avere lowered to the room below. It was a quarter of an hour before the signal came that Colin also was to descend.

He found Dr. Gage speaking at the telephone, and with the first words he overheard the heart of Colin Riversleigh broke into a paeon of thanksgiving. Nor was there need to inquire with whom the conversation Avas being conducted. And while from the first, in the quaint Victorian figure at the telephone he had recognised an individuality far out of the common lun, now, to use his oavu Canadianism, he knew him as a “AAdiole man from (he middle both Avays!” It Avas without apology that lie reached for the evuension and Jistened-in. •

“To-night,” the Doctor was saying, “it is my intention to fetch Miss Denstone from The Red Dragon.”

The laugh that came over the wire, low-pitched, purring, yet cold as liquid air, Avas beyond conception terrible. “My pied a terre having been divulged in the babblings of a dying incompetent—l refer of course, to the egregious O’Grady,” Ihe voice was saying, “I shall be more than happy to receive—and entertain—you in person. At what hour am I to have the honour of preparing your—reception?” To Colin, the tone, sinking in that last covert threat to a thin and sibilant Avhisper Jt-hat yet was clear-cut and distinct as if spoken directly into their ears, Avas as cold fingers about his brain, i

“Twelve o’clock to-night,” said Dr. Gage. “You mean that? Literally?” There Avas a hint of incredulous exultation in the cold voice, as of a stroke of fortune too good to be authentic. “That you will' visit me—alone?” “With one companion,” Dr Gage qualified, and there was a long silence. Then:

“One Avord of ; advice, my friend.” If The Scorpion’s voiee was a shade suppressed, it Avas even more deliberate than before, “advice—and warning. If behind that suggestion is some scheme whereby you hope to deceive or get the better of me, for your own sake, and for the sake of my present gue3t, I would suggest that you reconsider.”

Dr. Gage made no reply. The Scorpion Availed, for a moment. Then: “If the question is not an impertinence, L confess it would interest me to know who will be your companion in this—enterprise ?” Colin said, loudly and impulsively:

“Riversleigh!” From' the other end of the wire came a pause, distinct and definite, in which Colin thought- he detected an element of surprise. But .when at last the silence Avas broken, there was only added satisfaction in the voice. “Following a three years’ knowledge of that enterprising gentleman, and apart from yourself Dr. Gage,” The -Scorpion said suavely, “there is no one with whom I am more anxious to—come to terms.” Without a glance at Colin, Dr. Gage said into the receiver: “That is a pleasure that necessarily myst be deferred. Mr Riversleigh will not accompany me.” A little laugh, coldly contemptuous came back to them; one which, to his annoyance, Colin found himself flushing. • “From Avhich I infer,” said The Scorpion, “that the yellow streak thqt, as a Mounted Policeman, our friend Avore down the seams of his breeches, has become transferred in private life to another—element—m his equipment!” Colin’s heated declaration that at all costs lie would be at The Red Dragon that night was stopped by Dr. Gage replacing the receiver. “I have other and more importantwork -for you, my friend,” he • said quietly, and taking the ex-policeman by the arm led him to one of those other rooms where, about the wall, was a collection of Avigs and costumes that would have done credit to Mi Clarkson himself. Here, abruptly, Dr. Gage turned to him. “We are sending you upon a mission, Riversleigh,” lie. said gravely, “that Avill require not only courage of a high order, but in addition very considerable histrionic powers. It is not too much to say indeed, that upon you Avill depend not only Ihe safety and well-being of Miss Denstone, but what is of infinitely greater importance, the safety and well-being of your country.” Colin’s heart mounted. Here, apparently, Avas action demanded and above all that Avas what lie needed. Anything to feel he was contributing to the release of the girl who, from the moment of his first sight of her, had meant more than, except to the one most concerned, he ever would be able to express. As Avas his way, he cloaked that exultation. “From pitch and loss to God Save [he King,” he said, “anything you sav goes with me.” Deliberately, and with infinite clarity, three distinct times, Dr. Valentine repeated his instructions, and when he had finished, made Colin go over them thrice also. When there was no possibility of mistake they chose as his costume that of a respectable journeyman mechanic, and in addition a bristling grey moustache and slight sideboard whiskers that, being all the hair beneath the policeman’s helmet with which his disguise was crowned, added a good ten years to his age. He carried, also, in a straAV toolbag, a slightly too-large boAvler hat, and covered his working-clothes with a policeman’s greatcoat. “One of the constables working on the lift Avill be kept here until dark, so that no more shall go out than came in,” Dr. Gage promised. And with that, a final' handshake, and three uniformed policemen for company, Colin left.

An hour and a half later, from the back entrance of the City Police Headquarters in Old Jewry, trudged the shabby-respectable figure of an artisan to catch a ’bus for the Strand. At Charing Cross he changed to a Number 9; dropped off at Hover Street, where at the' Underground he took a ticket for Hammersmith, and the instant he reached the platform turned about-face and bolted for the stairs. Half-way up, however, he stopped, and with that check came a lessening of confidence that he had escaped ob-

servat-ion. He was aware, in that first instant of pausing, of footsteps clattering behind. A split-second later, they, too, stopped. _ A moment Colin stood hesitant. With the elevator in commission, unless- Avith some motive similar to his own, it was unlikely a passenger would trudge that long steep flight. The difficulty was that it might not. be a passenger ; equally well it might he one of the underground employees on his lawful occasions.

Then, quite suddenly, into the eyes of Colin Hildebrand d’Arcy Rivers-; leigli came that particular gleam of laughter that appeared only in his most dangerous moments. The thought had come that if the one who walked behind was indeed but a harmless passenger or workman, it looked like being pretty hard upon innocence. He recommenced his climb; thia time quickly and loudly. When he had ascended perhaps twenty _ stairs he stopped, turnedand on tiptoes descended—and sighed with relief at what he saw.

The figure pressed so hard against the Avail in an attitude of listening was no honest workman; on the contrary he was a thug of particularly loav order. Ornately-clad, of course, but in that, light-waisted, accordion-pleated-trousered fashion that, to the initiated, is the hall-mark of the gangster. And iiis eyes Avere shalloAV, and closely-set, and his mouth that of a vicious rabbit.

Without hesitation Colin struck, and the gangster shot down a, dozen steps and stayed put. Whereupon Colin cantered quickly up the remaining flight, ’bussed to Hover Street, doubled back to Piccadilly Circus, took the Underground to Holland Park, and from thence travelled by bus to Victoria, where he booked to Croydon. He found there everything ready for him. It was just after noon that he presented himself and his credentials at Police Headquarters in Rotterdam. (To be Continued.)