THE GIRL IN THE PURPLE MASK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 34

THE GIRL IN THE PURPLE MASK.

By ROLAND VANE, Author of "Butterfly or the CaTmret," "Serat the Sheik," etc. CHAPTER XXXIV. Was it the End? Helpless as he was, Woodward knew that it was useless to do anything else but accept his position with resignation. Therefore, with perfect calmness, he looked up at Barrowby. "And what do you propose to do with mc V he asked. "That you will discover in due course," was Barrcwby's answer. "In the meanwhile, however, you are booked for a trip down the Danube. This barge leaves to-night for its down-river trip. You're going into the hold with the other cargo. And, once you are out of Vienna—well, anything might happen!" There was something in the tone with which he finished up his sentence that sent a chill down Woodward's back. "Do you mind telling mc what is going to happen to Marion Scarborough?" he asked. , "Marion is coming with mc," was the reply. -"So long- as she remains with mc she will be safe., If she tries to double-cross me—welh she won't be but of the hands of the polico for long. But I think Marion will prove -a sensible girl. When she finds that you have- —shall we say abandoned her ?—she is likely to turn to a more considerate lover." "And that lover will be yourself, I presume?" said Woodward, struggling hard to keep cool. Barrowby took out a cigarette and lighted it before he answered. Then, blowing out a cloud of smoke, he turned to Woodward with a sneering smile on his lips. "What do you think you could have given Marion Scarborough?" he asked. Why, you're practically penniless. Now, I can glve her everything a girl of her station requires." ~" Z •£* ? 7 mone y honestly, anyway," was Woodward's retort. Barrowby did not eee'm at all put out by this remark. Instead he merely smiled. J "Well," he said at last, "it's time I was pomg Packing is such a beastly job. Good-bye, Woodward. I hope you'll enjoy your trip down the Danube. If s the last you'll ever have. I'm sorry it's got to be 'good-bye,' but you've brought this on yourself."

"Don't be too sure about the 'good--bye,' Barrowby," was the answer. "I may yet live to see you at the Old Bailey and to give evidence that will send you on a long holiday— at the Government's expense."

"Bah!" said Barrowby, and then, turning away from Woodward, he addressed the bargees m German.

Woodward, keeping silence, watched the proceedings. Money—a large sumchanged hands, and then Barrowbv turned to leave. He waved a mocking farewell to the helpless captive before he went, and then Woodward wai'left to the mercies of the rough-looking bargees.

He was not left long in peace. Suddenly one of the men whipped out. a dirty rag from his pocket and tied it round Woodward's mouth. It proved an effectual gag. Then the two men picked him up and carried him on deck. While one gazed round carefully to see, that they were not observed, the other took off a hatch from the barge's hold. Picking up Woodward, the men crossed to the hatch, and then, without further ado, threw the helpless captive into it.

Woodward's" fall was broken by a bale of something soft, but he rolled from the bale and fell to the bottom of the hold, striking his head against some cases that were standing there. It almost stunned him, but with an effort he kept his consciousness.

Then everything went dark, for the been replaced. Woodward struggled to a sitting position, and began to review the fix he waß in. It was a position which might have made anyone quail. The men on the barge were obviously ruffians of the worst type, who would not hesitate at murder. And then, at night on the Danube, who'could say what might happen? A crash on the head, a splash—and a body brought from the river many miles further down. It would not bear thinking about. How long he lay there Woodward could not say. He strove to make himself as comfortable as possible ,and rested his back against a case .in the hold. Suddenly he winced. Something had stuck into his back. Feeling with his bound hands behind him he discovered that the case against which he was leaning was an iron-bound one, and a.piece of the iron had come adrift. It was this which had stuck into his back. A gleam of hope came to him. Shuflling along, he brought his bound hands in contact with the piece of sharp iron. It was hard work to rub his bonds up and down on the iron, but he managed it. Occasionally they slipped, and the cruel, sharp edge cut his wrists. But he persevered. • —•

The barge gave a lurch. The next moment he felt it being dragged through the water. There was a clamping of footsteps on the deck above him, and he knew that the barge had cast off and was now being towed down the river. He worked away .more frantically than before.

Suddenly a frayed strand of his bonds parted, then another, and he felt the rope giving way. Bit by bit it frayed, and then at last his hands were free I It took him some time to restore the circulation in his hands, and then he set about removing the gag from his mouth j and the rest of his bonds.

After working what seemed an age he stood up He was free of his bonds, but he was still, a prisoner in the hold of the barge. And the barge was being towed further and further away from Vienna every minute.

Only too well he knew the speed of the current in the Danube. Already the barge must be well on its journey He clambered to the top of the cargo In the hold and strained upward at a hatch It did not move!

"Battened down!" he ejaculated. "That means I'm trapped. There it no war pi escape!" "" -

CHAPTER XXXV. Barrowby Reveals His Colours.

Weary with the long journey, Marion Scarborough alighted from the train at Paris. Barrowby was at her side. He had been remarkably quiet during the - journey from Vienna, and occasionally, as she glanced at him, she had' seem him smiling to himself. But he had said nothing to her v of Woodward.

Marion's thoughts had turned to Woodward. Where was he? Had he followed them to Paris? Was he on the train which had brought them?

She had gazed round the restaurant car during their meals, but had seen no one resembling Woodward. Suppose something had happened? Suppose he had been delayed, and had missed the train? How could he hope to run across her in Paris?

She delayed as long as. she could at the station'barrier, in the hope that, if Woodward was on the train, he might see her. Barrowby perhaps suspected what was in her. mind, but he made no attempt to hurry her along. For he was sure of. things now. Woodward was out of his way-^-forever! "You have fixed up an hotel?" asked Marion, as they left the station, and Barrowby signalled to a taxi. "I have fixed up everything," he replied. He handed her into the taxi and followed her. She did not hear the instructions he gave to the driver, but soon they were off, dashing through the . traffic as only a Paris taxi-cab can do. It was ■to the south side of Paris they drove. From the Boulevard St. Michael they turned off to the left, and were v soon lost amongst a labyrinth of small streets in the Quartier Latin.

Eventually they drew up at a dilapidated house in a quiet street. Barrowby swung open the door of the taxi and alighted, turning to help Marion. "Where /have you brought mc?" she demanded. "Why haven't you taken mc to an hotel?" He smiled.' . _

"Have you forgotten that you are wanted by the police?" he asked. "At an hoTol you would not last two days before being arrested. Here you will be safe." ■.-.".•

Marion did not like the appearance of the house. It was in darkness. But Barrowby gave ier no choice. Paying off the taxi-driver, he rang a bell at the side of a door. After*?• few .minutes' waiting, shuffling footsteps were heard, and the door was opened a few inches. "'-'* '■ . • Barrowby aaid something in French which Marion did not catch, and the door was immediately opened wider. Taking her by the arm,, Barrowby led tbe way through. _ It was dark in the corridor, but still light enough for Marion to see the evilvisaged woman who had admitted them. The door was closed after them immediately. Taking no notice of the woman, Barrowby led Marion along the corridor and up a flight of stairs. Throwing open a door, he bade her enter the room into which it gave admission. She entered, and found herjaelf in a gloomy compartment, very

poorly furnished as a sitting room. Barrowby followed her and put down the luggage, which he had carried from the taxi.

"You will be safe here, Marion," he said.

She sank on to the settee which stood in the centre of the room.

"And what do you propose to do now?" she asked.

"That depends upon you," he answered. "If you want to know, I have come to Paris to dispose of the jewels which you stole from Mrs. Lambert. They ought to bring in a very handsome sum. After that —well, what do you say to a trip to South America until certain little things have blown over?"

He leered at her, and sat down beside her.

"They'll he enough to give us a nice holiday—a very nice holiday," he continued. "And—well, Marion—you. and I might be—er—something more than just business partners, eh?" "What do you mean?" ehe gasped, springing to her feet. "You know pretty well what I mean," he answered her. "You're an outcast now. You've got to rely upon mc, whether you like it or not. I've put up with your nonsense just as lon gas I'm going to. Now I'm going to do some straight talking. You're mine—mine, do you understand? There's no hope of escape from here, and you'll do as I say in future."

Ho laughed harshly. > "Oh, I dare say you've been buoying yourself up with the hope that that fool Woodward would save you. Well, put that out of your mind. Harvey Woodward by this time is floating face downward in the Danube. Oh, you took mc for a fool, but I discovered he was watching mc in "Vienna, and I took steps. Don't hope to see him again. No one will ever see him again in this world!"

Marion's face was bloodless now. Her hands ■clenched and unclenched rapidly. 'Tou mean that you have—have murdered him?" she gasped. "I mean that he is out of the way of interfering with mc any more," he answered heartlessly.""And you, Marion, are in my power now." \ He rose to his feet and strode towards her. His face leered into hers.

"I've waited long enough for you, Marion," he said hoarsely. '.'But I've got you now. You're do you understand? Body and soul you're mine."

She shrank back from him. "J~eave mc alone!" she cried. "Let mc go from this vile place 1" "When you go from here you go with me—and on my terms!" he hissed. "By heavens, you are attractive, Marion. I can ; understand that poor fool Woodward being -madly in love with you. But he'll never have you!" ■ %•■ His arms went out, and the next moment Marion found herself clutched in. grip. She fought to get away from him, but she was helpless in his hands. Nearer and nearer he crushed her to him, while his face was thrust into hers.

6ta saw his lips approach hen, and •ho turned her face aside. He laughed

and gripped her tighter—so tightly that she winced. i "Help, oh, help!" she cried, weakly. "There is no help for you here,* he whispered hoarsely. She felt her strength giving way. Her brain was reeling, but it was not of herself alone she was thinking. What had he said about Woodward? He was dead! Surely it could not be? "Oh, Harvey, Harvey!" she cried, distractedly. "Why are you not here to save mc?" ; i.*~. (To be continued daily.)