DR. BURNEY'S GREATEST CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1925, Page 20

DR. BURNEY'S GREATEST CASE.

BT DIXON KATE.

CHAPTER XXXV.—(Continued.)

Going at full speed down the dri,ve, the pursuers caught a glimpse of the long grey body of the leading catturning sharp to the right towards London. "If they are bound for London," the superintendent cried, "they must pass j through St. Albans, and there we will get them. You get down at Cheetham, Johnson," he called to one of the constables on the car, "and telephone to St. Albans to stop the grey car as it comes through." But he might have saved himself the trouble, for the chase had not covered j teir miles when the grey car headed off, across country, with the police car tearing after it. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the roads were outlined as sharply as iv clear daylight. The cars were well-matched, but it was clear the leading car possessed the finest engines; the chauffeur driving the police car remarked that it was a pleasure to hear them. ! His own car, hastily commandeered ! by the superintendent, was the property ' of a rich Eedborough manufacturer fond of racing, and was a marvel of speed; in fact, there was very little to choose on that point between Helmores' car and the superintendents. "There's money in this," explained the police officer, "apart from the sport of it. There's a reward of five hundred pounds for the capture of Lord Helmore and the Indian from the Government, which the police cannot touch; but there is also a reward of one thousand pounds from Captain Melrose's family for the same object, and that the police can take the stipulation in it 'dead or alive,' which 1 don't believe is strictly regular, but I expect the Melrose family will pay it all the same. Mr. Melrose, the captain's brother, is very keen about running down his brother's murder.er." But the superintendent's words fell on deaf ears; all Gilbert wanted was to get his plighted wife back from the hands of these villains. Why on earth, he asked himself a dozen times, did this man Helniore want to take Cora away with him, when he would be lucky if he saved his own neck? Was it possible that they intended to hold her as a hostage? "Now' where are they bound for?"' asked the police officer.

The chauffeur was used to the country and knew every yard of it. "In my opinion," he said, "they are heading for Huntingdon. It is the only reasonable conclusion, as they have taken this road." "But what can they want to go to Huntingdon! for!" asked the police officer.

"Don't ask mc," replied the ehauf- I feiir. "Probably to put us off the j scent." It was a wonderful race; sometimes the police car would overhaul the other and there would be a shout of exultation from the police and tlie chauffeur. Then the fugitive ear would put on a spurt and get, ahead again. Finally, the two cars were proceeding through these cross country roads at a speed which could only be called terrific. In the day time it would have been impossible; even as it was the few constables they encountered on point duty tried to stop them, but without avail. On these occasions the superintendent would throw out. to them hastily scribbled pages from his note book, explaining matters, and giving instructions as to telephoning ahead of them. He did Aot hesitate to state that he was pursuing £he much-wanted Lord Helmore.

And now, as they approached Huntingdon—confirming the chauffeur's prophecy—the sky 'became overcast, ""cloiids rolled up, and the once brilliant moon was hidden. In addition, a strong head wind got up, making the going all the more difficult. . The race now developed a totally different phase. The heavier of the two cars, that of the pursuers, had the advantage. Leaving Huntingdon on_its-left, the leading car now branched off* at, some cross-roads about two miles from the town. "Now," asked the puzzled chauffeur as he turned after them, "where?" "Where do you think?" queried the police officer. "It might be anywhere/ was the reply. "It is quite certain that the man who is driving that car knows this country well." "He ought to," answered the superin-

tendent, "his country house is on the 'borders of Norfolk in the midst of a splendid game country." "That accounts for it," the chauffeur replied. "I expect he knows these roads and cross-roads by heart; but nevertheless, he is trying to shake us off and lose us, but we are gaining on them at last.'' The direction of the leading car was not long in doubt. When they had been racing at full speed down one of those long road 9, so common in that part, -which seem to have no end, the leading car suddenly turned into a broad main road which crossed it; the pursuers were then creeping up at every mile. "Cambridge,"' exclaimed the chauffeur, "that's where we are bound for." Almost at the moment he spoke a builet whizzed over their heads, and a flash and a sharp crack came out of the darkness ahead. "That's a rifle shot, sir," remarked one of the constables in the car to the superintendent. "I should-know that sound after two years in the trenches in France." At intervals the car in rront gave them similar compliments, but the shots were ill aimed and generally Hew high over their heads or ricochetted off the road far in front and went shrieking away in the air. "They are trying to shake us off at any cost," remarked the chauffeur. "and, in addition, to get out of the head wind." Now a new element appeared; it began to rain in torrents. After running a course or about fifteen miles, wheni the pursuing car had closed up to within hurling distance, Helmore's car "turned sharp to the left into n big main road. in. the Kings name/) cried the, superintendent. «, ±rj.i The answer was■ .A rifle bullet fired from about thirty yards, which passed within a few feet of his head. ~.,,.. "Now where arc we?" cried the. dm er. One of the policemen turned an electric torch on a signpost as they swept twenty-wen aiilM," *» « ied -

"Then what's his game now?" asked the chauffeur. "He's heading straight for the sea."' CHAPTER XXXVI. j "If Lovd Helmore and the Indian are heading for the sea," commented Super- j : intendent Thompson, "what can be his | | object V -j ! The chauffeur shouted through the blinding wind and rain as the car swept on: — "He has been making for this point ail along, in my opinion, doubling to try and 'shake us off." "Then you think lie has some good reason for making for the sea?" asked j Gilbert. "Yes, the very best of reasons, sir," i the chauffeur answered, "as we shall soon know." "Do you think he is going to King's Lynn?" asked the superintendent. "I am sure he's not," was the answer, "but I think I know where he is going. You see, I am almost a native of this :part; I was born and bred at Wisbech."' i "I suppose you cannot tell us the i exact spot?" said the police officer; "it might be of service." "I cannot," was the chauffeur's reply; "it would only he guess work and might be wrong, and would mislead you. You will see for yourself directly." The two cars rushed on, and it was perfectly clear that the -police r.vere i gaining. I With the first streak of dawn, the two cathedral-like towers of St.

Margaret's. King's Lfc-nn came into view, but the daylight brought no signs of the abatement of the storm; it was blowing a hurricane as the long grey ear in front branched oil" to the left of the Lynn gates, on which the quarters of many a traitor had hung, and made for the Wisbech Koad.

"I thought so,"' commented the chauffeur; "now we shall see some sport." -

In a minute they were at the long suspension bridge over the River Ousc, but scarcely a hundred yards beyond, the leading car was held up by a level crossing, the keeper of which was just closing the gates. The chauffeur, the police officer and Burney, distinctly saw the driver of the leading car throw the man a white packet, and he closed the gates immediately after letting the grey car through, almost as the second car touched them.

"That won't do," cried the superintendent, standing up in his car and displaying his uniform. "We saw you take a bril>e from the occupants of the car in front who are criminals escaping from justice. I order you in the King's

name," cried the superintendent, "to open those gates immediately, or I will arrest you."

"Then you will cross the line at your own risk," answered the man in a surly tone as he reopened tlie sates, for already there was an ominous roar quite- close. They liud barely cleared the line before an express train, travelling at a high speed, came roaring round tho corner from the bridge ■ over the river before they could be closed. "ily word!" cried the chauffeur," that \va- a close >!iavc; I absolutely felt ihe wind of the train as it passed." The leading car was now a third of the way down that long straight threemile road leading to Wisbech; there was not a, soul in sight to see this race for life. The leading car, forging ahead in the storm of wind and rain, seemed to realise that on these flat straight roads the heayy car of the pursuers had an advantage.

The rihe in the foremost car was now brought out again, and a shot or two hit the road in front; evidently they were being aimed-at the .wheel's of the pursuing car; but none took effect. The person who used ihe rifle, believed to lie the Indian doctor, was either very nervous or a very bad shot. "It's a good job Lord Helmore can't leave the wheel," commented the police officer, "or I think he'd make better practice. He's used to deer stalking. We cannot return the fire and damage their wheels, for hear of hitting Miss Westcliffe." So the chase swept on, past the ledge gate of an old Manor house, through the village of Tilney, and there the leading ear turned sharply to the right at the cross-roads. "I knew it!" cried the chauffeur: '••he's making for Terrington Marsh 1" "And where is Terrington Marsh?" asked Gilbert anxiously. "It is straight in front of us," was the answer; "a desolate spot by the sea, not far from where King John lost his crown jewels. On and on in the teeth of the gale and the blinding rain the second car gained foot by foot on the foremost. At no part of the long chase had the situation been so exciting. Aa the ears passed the great church of Terrington, big as a cathedral, the second car had gained so much, on the first that the figures in it could be plainly seen; one broad-shouldered man at the wheel, who was recognised by the superintendent as Lord Helmore. by his police description; a slighter man, the Indian; and the cloaked figure of the woman on the back seat. Through the village of Terrington, with half-soaked labourers with head to wind, flying to the sides of the road to save their lives from the rush of the big cars. A sharp turn to the left, and a grand sight came in view- the tide was nearly at high water, and great white-crested waves were, rolling in from the North Sea. The wind had lost none of its intensity, and was driving them with terrific force on to the flat beach, which at low water was a vast expanse oi sand. They were pursuing now a road running straight to the beach betweer deep dykes full of .water. The 'superintendent called continually to the fugitives to surrender, waving f revolver the while, which he feared ti use on account of the cloaked figure now plainly visible in the foremost car In a flash, a change of seats ioo\< place in the grey ear. The driver anc the Indian changed places; then th( rifle went up. There was a flash, i crack, and a sharp report from tin pursuing car's off-side wheel, which immediately began to sag and bump— the tyre had been perforated by a bullet, Even aa the pursuers looked, anc their car lost way, a big motor-boa 1 was pushed out from a shed close t( the sea. and run down to the beach or rollers by four men. Tlie, leading car ran down close tc the beach and- stopped while th< pursuers looked on helplessly. The twe men they had chased all night left it. and '-the swathed* figure of the womar it still contained. As the police officers, with Gilbert left their car and gave cfiase on foot the two fugitives reached the motor boat, now on the edge of the boilinj sea, and climbed into it; the four met in* waiting-' pushed-".it down into tin tumbling surf and jumped- in them selves; then the engines 'began to worf at great speed and the motor-boat faced the tremendous waves.

"They'll never live in that sea," cried the disappointed police officer; "it's pure suicide. The chauffeur shook his head. "1 don't know," he commented, "The boat's half decked and those engines have go: tremendous power. I should say it's about the last word in motorboats." But Gilbert ran straight to the deserted car and, in a moment, .uncovered the muffled figure within it. "My God!" he cried when he had felt her pulseless hand and looked into her eyes, "it is my Cora, and she is dead." (To be continued daily.)