MR. DAVENTRY—EXPLORER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 309, 31 December 1930, Page 15

MR. DAVENTRY—EXPLORER.

SYNOPSIS,

In the library of the famous explorer's English home Dick Daventry heard for the first time full particulars of his father's coming trip to the Pacific. To the world it would be given -that Mr. Daventry, explorer, was visiting I'apua, but the rea? oDjeet of the expedition was to discover a little-known island, which is thought to be rich in oil. If the rumours are correct, the discovery would prove a benefit to the whole of the British Empire. An Australian company, trading in the islands, had heard rumours of this island, and had commissioned Mr. Daventry to investigate. . Several times the agent of this company had seen a strange ship, bearing neither name nor colours, cruising around in the vicinity of where the island is supposed to be. The natives know this vessel as the "Ghost Ship." Dick is informed that he may not accompany the expedition, but if, after six months he hears no further word from his father, he is to lead a search party into the Pacific. "I shall give you all particulars," said Mr Daventry, when Dick suddenly put his nnger to his lips and tip-toed to the window.

His father, always alert and ready for action, slipped his hand under the desk and when it reappeared a small revolver was gripped firmly in the brown fist. Dick was gazing cautiouely out of the big French window which led into the beautiful old English garden surrounding the manor. With a quick motion he lifted hie hand and beckoned his father to his side. Mr. Daventry had learnt the lesson of silent motion in the jungles of Africa- when the natives were on his tracks, and he glided noiselessly across the library floor to the window.

Without raising his eyea from the view outside, Dick spoke in quick, whispered tones: "There was a man out here a minute ago whilst you were speaking," he said. "He's just slipped away into the shrubbery over there. If I creep around the back of the house and along the wall I can come up right behind him. You can listen for a signal and then rush out here." The earnest tones of the youth sent a thrill to his father's epine, and, without a word of caution, he allowed his son to go from the room. Mr. Daventry—explorer— had enough faith in hie eon to know that the rapid thinking with which Dick had produced his plans would stand him in good stead when he Qame to grips with the intruder. There was no doubt in the man's mind that the silent listener at the window was none other than a spy of the mysterious force which was working against the firm to

which Mr. Daventry was engaged, and the knowledge that his son was about to enter into the. adventure which lay before them gave an added exhilaration to the zest displayed by the already hardened thrill seeker. .As he leant against the wall, one hand upon the catch of ihe window, the other gripping his revolver, his keen eyes gleaming, his firm lipe set in a stern line of determination, he had no fear of danger for Dick, for he knew the boy's strength and capabilities. Straining his ears to catch the slightest sound, he listened for the signal which would eend him through the window to the aid of his gallant boy.

I Meanwhile Dick had run noiselessly to the back of the house, let himself carefully out the back entrance and cut across the lawn to where a low brick wall encircled the house and grounds. Hie canvas shoes made no sound as he leapt over the wall and crept slowly behind it around to the front of the place. There, for a moment, he paused to search with a quick glance the bushes•in which he had seen the intruder disappear. With a thrill and a slight quickening of his pulee he saw, even ae he watched, a slight movement in the undergrowth which denoted the presence 6f the man. The blood coursed quicker . in Dick's veins as ne drew himself over the wall with elaborate care and climbed on hands and knees down into the nearest bushes. His tennis trousers had already showed signs of wear and tear and their, spotless white was now spoiled by splotches of dirt and brick-red. But Dick never gave a thought to such a trifling detail. -He had inherited his father's hunting instincts, his father's courage and love for adventure, and the thrill of stalking was at that moment uppermost in his mind. Suddenly, as Dick crouched down in the. low grass behind the bushes, he saw a iigure stealthily arise from the ehrubbery upon which his earnest gaze was centred. From the house Mr. Daventry saw the same sight and he vaguely speculated as to whether Dick would reach the spot or not before the intruder made a dash for the gates. He need not have worried himself with the thought for at that very moment Dick was slowly wriggling his way to where the upstanding figure was plainly apparent against the background of the bushes. Dick wa s like hie father in build—tall and sparse but his broad shoulders betokened youthful strength and, although his frame was not of a muscular pattern, the lines ; ol power were to -be seen in the rippling muscles of his body. Within a few seconds he was but a few yard S- from the unknown man and, hardly daring to breathe, he kept his ' eyes upon the figure in readiness to spring upon the huge frame which he saw looming above There .was a movement in the bushes and the intruder swung around, to meet the onrush of a youth who had apparently sprung from nowhere. Taken by surprise, he staggered backwards as the boy crashed into him. Up at the house, Mr. Daventry heard the shout which broke from the bushes. Unhesitantly, he rushed out to find his son grappling with a strong, powerfully-built man. If he had not appeared at that moment, Dick might have fared ill in the unequal combat. Aβ it was, his father saved him from the strangling grasp of a desperate man. The assailant, finding himself covered with an unwavering revolver, gave up in despair and stared up at Mr. . Daventry with blazing eyes. "If you try to escape, I'll fire," the exj p'lorer warned him in cold, level tones. There was a moment's silence, broken only by the panting of the boy. Then, "What are you going to do with me?" asked the captive in thick, guttural tones. Mr. Daventry smiled. "You'll soon find out," he said, and, turning to Dick, he asked, "Are you all right, Dick ? JTou'd 'better get up to the house and phone the police." Dick nodded dumbly, and, springing to 3 '"■ feet, raced' to where a dumbfounded housekeeper was interrupted while ringing up the tradesmen. In a few minutes a very typical English village constable arrived witli his companion and fellow-keeper of the peace, a tall, lanky fellow who insisted on calling his superior, "Sergeant,""although he was only plain P.O. Sneddon. Although the minions of the law arc supposed never to be surprised at any-;

thing that happens, P.C. Sneddon was considerably perturbed at this unforeseen crime committed in his own domain, and when he' took the "criminal" in charge the only clear recollactions of the interview which he retained were that lie must keep the prisoner closely guarded, that the gentleman would lay his charge against the prisoner on the morrow, and that —most surprising of all—Scotland Yard was to be called in at once. The last piece, for some unknown reason, made P.C. Sneddon swell to immense uro-

portions, since he considered it an honour that so memorable a crime as to necessitate the intervention of Scotland Yard had taken place within the jurisdiction of the village police force, notably comprising P.O. Sneddon and assistant.

For Dick, the following events came with astounding rapidity. On the next day, a Scotland Yard detective investigated tne case. He was acting upon the authority of the firm engaged in the exploration, and it was enough to .show the imperial importance of oil discoveries when even Scotland Yard was permitted to take a hand in the work. To the deep disgust of all concerned, not one bit of valuable information could be extracted from the prisoner a3 to Ms employers, his object in listening at the window, and also the appearance of the mystery ship. Concerning the latter, he confessed that lie had never heard of_ it and on the other mattore he remained impassive and stolid, refusing to utter one word about them. The detective reported his failure that evening Mr. Daventry and Dick visited the county gaol. They had discovered his nationality, but his name and business remained an absolute mystery. His fingerprints had been taken and some photographs were made to send to headquarters for identification on the criminal lists, for the detective was % sure that some previous convictions would be found against the prisoner or, had lie only just entered the country, the passports could be traced. From his pockets only one unusual object was obtained. It was' a little silver cross Avith a red star in the middle, Wlien Mr. Daventry heard that, his eyes lit up with suppressed excitement, and he.asked to see it. His request was soon granted, and he gazed upon the peculiar token with intent care. Then, with a sudden joy, he obtained -permission to visit the prisoner. Wondering what new turn the events of the day would take, Dick accom-

panied his father to the cell where the prisoner sat upon a rough bunk against the far wall. With peculiar abruptness Mr. Daventry went up to him and asked, "What is this?" dangling the silver token in front of the man's eyes. The foreigner, for such he was, started from his seat with an angry exclamation when he saw the object, and then retaining his customary stolidness, sank hack on the hunk, his eyes glistening as he watched Mr. Daventry idly swinging the token to and fro between his fingers. The explorer watched every motion of the prisoner, and his lips formed a smile. Suddenly, he leaned down and whispered in the other man's ear. The prisoner's face underwent a rapid change, and a look of fear was on his features. "How did you know?" he asked. Mr. Daventry waved his hand, indifferently, and countered the question with, "Where is the Star?" It was a fierce query spoken in a sharp lone, and the prisoner's face blanched. Still he would not reply, but Air. Daventry had discovered .enough. Ho left the room, made for his home without deigning to answer the questions showered upon him by both Dick and the detective, and there he remained till night writing in his study. Before dawn he awoke a weary Dick, placed a sealed envelope in the boy's hand, and said, "I am going on to London at once to tell Scotland Yard all I know about this affair, and from thence I will sail as arranged this evening. If I do not return within the six months you will communicate with the address on this envelope, and then sail under the orders contained in this document. I am not going to attempt an explanation of the mystery of the Star, but you will find out the solution when this document is opened." Dick looked at hie father with pleading eyes, and asked, "Won't you take me, father?" His father looked away as he replied, "You might have enough work on your hands before long." With this cryptic remark he left the room. An hour later saw him boarding the first morning train for London. From Southampton he wrote a farewell letter to Dick, and then there was silence for a full month. On the fourth day of November came the news from the county gaol that the prisoner had escaped. No information as to his identification or occupation had hitherto been discovered, and, despite the hue and cry set up at his escape, he was never found. On the sixth day of November came the awful news that the boat upon which Mr. Daventry, the famous explorer, had sailed was lost at sea with all hands on board, the wreck being found on a small Pacific Island. The real mystery had only just begun, for not a single body was found, either on the wreck or near the shores of the island! The wireless stations of the world flashed out the startling message to all civilisation, and the first act of the dreadful drama was played. (To be continued.)