THE FLIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 283, 30 November 1931, Page 17

THE FLIGHT.

(By SERGE TCHERNINE.)

(SHORT STORY.)

The specialist put down hie glasses on the flat desk, before him with a little precise click, and joined the tips of his fingers together.

"Well, Mr. —" he gave a quick glance at the card on a small silver tray on his right,—"Mr. Emmet, I'm giving you a true diagnosis of your case."

His patient stiffened a little in his chair; and' his pale blue eyes blinked behind their pince-nez.

"Your case is very serious," the doctor continued, "the heart is weak: I could explain its position in detail, but that would involve technicalities* which as a layman you would not understand, and it is not up to its work. Overstrain to a man in your state, however slight, is dangerous." He paused a moment and leant back in his swivel chair.

Emmet stared at him in a dazed way. It eeemed so impossible; the man was practically telling him that he might die at any moment.

"Doctor," he half whispered, "is there any immediate danger?""

The doctor ignored hie question. > "May I ask," he pursued, "what is your profession?"

"I'm a bank cashier," replied Emmet more quietly.

"Not an arduous profession,"—the doctor allowed himself a slight smile—"but still too much for a man in your condition—l adviee absolute rest."

"JBut that's impossible. I couldn't leave my Avork. I have . . . "he faltered a little and shifted his feet on the soft carpet. "I have no other meane, apart from my work." The doctor looked at him a moment; a bell tinkled in the distance. "I'm sorry, Mr. Emmet, I can't alter my opinion of your case, absolute rest is essential. You are taking a very grave risk if you continue in your present occupation," he said with finality. Emmet found himself being ushered out by a silent-footed maid and the front door'of the doctor's house closed softly behind him. ' He tried to-collect his thoughts as he wandered down the grey street. He must get back to the bank, "but he wanted a stiff drink first. A vague plan was. beginning to form in his mind. He entered a saloon bar, ordered his drink, and sat down at an unoccupied table. The plan horrified him at first, but as the spirit warmed him, it didn't seem so impossible. "Is there a trunk shop near here?" he inquired 6f the barmaid. She looked rather surprised at the rather, unusual request, but told him of one in the neighbourhood. When he returned to the bank he was carrying a large suitcase he had purchased on the way to the shop indicated. The commissionaire at the door saluted him. "Going away for the week-end, sir?" he inquired carelessly. "No," exclaimed Emmett, "I'm going to a dance to-night. I've got my dress i clothes in here." Something in him laughed ironically. "I suppose it's all right for those as likes I*, sir," replied the commissionaire. Sims, the. junior cashier caught sight of him as he came behind the counter, and he had to explain again. "Fancy tripping on the light fantastic toe at your age," he said, fingering a, t pile of paid-in cheques. Emmet murmured something. Why couldn't they leave him alone ? He'd got it all fixed now. He would come three times to the bank with that suitcase—and- the third time—he smile.d rather wearily. Meanwhile he would have to stand their stupid jokes.

This was the third time, he must contrive to be the last man to leave the building. It was Saturday afternoon and the clerks were eager to be gone. Some even forgot their closing-time cirarettes and pipes in their haste. This was all to the good. He had purposely dallied over his Avork in the morning and there still remained a quarter of an hour's checking and posting. The door clanged behind the last,departing clerk, and the commissionaire lit his pipe and retired into his box, near the door, with his paper. From his position behind the grille Emmet . could see the whirls of smoke curling up from the man's pipe, but luckily, the commissionaire's back Avas turned to him. Everything was going in his favour, he thought, but hti must be quick. He deftly packed the Avads of pound notes in the suitcase, and snapped the locks home. "Finished, sir?" called the commissionaire. "Yes, I've finished," replied Emmet in an elaborately steady voice which sounded terribly unnatural in his "own ears. • ' "Good afternoon, Baxter." "Good afternoon, sir." Hoav simple it had all been. He walked down the city street, among the already thinning pedestrians; the sun shone ' fitfully through the mist, it reminded him of that imaginary place he had set : his heart on—some place that was sunny,* where the sea Avhispered on a shingly beach, quietness all around and rest. "Carry your bag,-sir?" A hoarse voice broke on his dreams. His heart beat painfully at the sudden interruption. He refused curtly. If the fellow only knew what was inside —twenty thousand in cash. ■ • He hailed a taxi and stood irresolute for a moment as to where he should go. There were two clear days in front of him; nothing Avould be discovered until Monday. "Charing Cross, quickly," he told the driver. The cab rumbled away, and on either side the London he kneAv unfolded itself —Mansion House, St. Paul's, Fleet Street, the' Strand, streamed by. He was leaving them for ever. On reaching the station he chose a name at ramdom on the time-table and obtained a ticket; he never let the case out of his grasp. His arm was getting tired, and it Avas with a sigh of relief that he got into the carriage and sat back, the case between his knees. The engine gave a few preliminary puffs; the guard blew his Avhistle and the train slowly moved out of the station. The movement soothed him. He. was petting away, making it more difficult for those who would be on his track. What a turmoil there avouM be at the bank when they found out. Sitting back at ease, lie revieAved the situation. He must leave the country, that was certain. He descended at the little wayside station; he Avas the only passenger to get out. He turned up bis coat-collar. It wouldn't do for the stationmaster to remember him or his appearance. He surrendered Iris ticket hurriedly, but the man did not seem to take any particular note of him. It was a quiet little country town. - It had, however, a. garage, which Emmet discovered from a distance by the petrol signs hanging outside the building. It turned out to be a large shea-like, building with very few- cars:.in it, and apparently no one in charge. He

tapped impatiently on one of the iron sliding doors. A man came out and rather surlily inquired his business.

"I want to buy a cheap car. I'll pay cash right away for a reliable one."

The man brightened up at the mention of business, and' pointed out a small two-seater parked between two larger cars.

"You can have her for fifty quid, and not a penny less; she's sweet running. Take you to Edinburgh and back as easy as. winking."

Emmet stood back, and pretended to consider the machine. He made one or two comments, comparing makes .and prices just as his racing brain visualised what a man would do in an ordinary case.

After a short trial spin, upon which Emmet insisted—again to stave off suspicion—the purchase was made, and Emmet drove off. The suit case bumped on the seat beside him. He went along the narrow country lanes slowly. There was plenty of time, and he had a vague idea of making for the coast.

He had travelled several miles when the engine suddenly failed. He pulled up beside a large field and got out of the car.

"Hullo, have you conked out?" called a voice. He turned round sharply, and was surprised to see through the twilight a man in aviator's kit striding across the field. In the distance he was able to discern the shape of an aeroplane. The man spoke again.

"Take you for a flip for ten bob? I was.juet going to put her to bed, but I'll take you up if you like, and then I can give you a hand with that car of yours. I'm starting a school of flying here shortly." Emmet looked at him for a moment, then quickly removed the case from the front seat. ; '

"Never mind about the car, I want to go a long way," he said suddenly and decisively. "Will yoix take me across the Channel to —er—" he hesitated —"to Brittany? Just tell me how much you want."

The other looked at him in amazement. While he was considering, Emmet returned to the car, and took some notes from the case. The airman had edged nearer. "You've got a lot of money there, haven't you? I'm beginning to see your game!" he exclaimed. Emmet whitened and closed the case with a snap. He gave up the thought of bluffing it out. It wae all up unless he made a bold move. "I'll give you a hundred pounds to take me across and not ask any questions." Emmet gave him a keen, anxious look, but he could read nothing in the other man's rather hawk-like face. It seemed a long time before the other answered, and fear was beginning to tug at hie heart. The fellow would give him in charge. Just as well, lie thought wearily. "All right, I'll do it, come on," said the airman roughly. They made their way through the damp grass to the machine. "Get in the «vibin," 'he continued, "you'll find it quite v»arm." Emmet did as he was bid. This was the first time he hau been up in the air, and as the earth reeled away from under, him, he felt his heart thudding sickeningly. They were rising rapidly, the fields beneath them reeolved themselves into little regular square and oblongs, with here and there a farm. How small everything seemed below. He was gathering courage. They were reaching the coast now, and in a few more minutes they would be over the sea. The drone of the engine , made him sleepy. He was surprised when the door of the forward compartment opened and the pilot came in. "It's all right," he said quietly. "I've strapped the controls, and- fihe'll keep riaht on—yes, right on," he smiled oddly, and Emmet at first could not gather the drift of the remark. Then the horror of the whole thing broke on him. He got up suddenly, but the other man gripped him. He groped free only to be knocked down. The 'plane swayed dangerously, but continued on its course. It was getting dark and lights were already twinkling in the world below. "What are you going to do?" he called hoarsely. "This money \-~. "s much mine as yours, and I'm taktaff it." ..The man opened the case and f>. couple of notes fluttered on the floor. Emmet made one last attempt to Dannie with his opponent. J'She's heading for the Atlantic," the man laughed ruthlessly. "Mavbe vou'll make the other side—good-bve." He lurched against the door of the 'plane, it nnened and hr> hurtled out snace. faw him fo 1 ! come distance. tlipn his parp"hi'te, wnioh wp<» stAnner , to him. like a flower, and bo-A its freMit tr> earth. tottered wildly to t^e o+her *"i fl " of +1, " 'P 1" " , f>oll fell inertly to the floor. The 'nlane with its '«traT)"R burden went droning through the night.