THE FLYING COURIER

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 20 May 1933, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE FLYING COURIER

By BOYD CABLE. Author of "Action Front!" "Between the Lines," etc.

CHAPTER I. Complete With Gun. Norah Seaman, hurrying through, the te oil to the Croydon aerocftome, overtook and passed a young men in leather o+ nnd helmet, and next instant halted bo abruptly that he almost bumped into me." she said breathlessly, nd look i tic about her with a somewhat Lrildered°cxpression, "Can you tell ftie w hich is the Indiiin mail plane? <f Yes, there she is, said, the lcntlierlad man with a flip of his hand towards the hi" 40-seater waiting on the concrete floor out in front of the offices and control tower. "But you'll have to hurry If vou're gcir'S "» ller - e re due to takc off in minutes now. Come along." I'm not going myself," she as she moved forward at his ■He "I came to see some friends oft and traffic delays kept me late. But I onlv expected to sec one machine." "Other two are a French liner and a Dutchman, ho said. But I'm afraid vou're late to see your friends. All the "passengers are in their seats by now, and the steps will be taken away in a 111 "That's too bad," she exclaimed in tones of vexation. "I'm her pilot, said the man. "I could pive a message to your friends if you I'd be so glad if you would," she said "rat of all v as they came to the little knot of people standing about the steps up into the saloon. "My name is 3liss Seaman, and my friends are Doctor and Mrs. Byrne." 'Tm Elliman—Glynn Elliman," said tlie pilot- " l ' u S ive y° ur message and all apologies for missing them. Time's up, so I'll be off. But I'm sorry you're not coming with lis," he added with a smile. 'Thanks again," she said, flashing a smile back at him. "And—yes, I'm almost sorry myself." He saluted licr with a half bow and a touch of his fingers to the leather cap, and was turning away when a shout stopped and turned Mm. "Glynn'. Hold on, Glynn," came the shout again, and the waiting group looked curiously towards the bareheaded man running towards the machine,, with another man on his heels struggling into a leather coat as he ran. . The first man made for Glynn. and takin" him by the arm led him a little aside,"speaking quickly. The second man made straight for the machine, and. clambered swiftly up. Next instant the' stcp3 were hauled away, the spectators were ordered to stand clear, and the big engines revved up from a quiet ticking over to a long-drawn booming roar. The huge machine began to r#vll majestically forward, swing ponderously, and move off on to the 'drome. Glynn Elliman was still talking to the bare-headed man, but a moment later was left alone as the man made for the office again. Norah Seaman, intently watching the liner gather way, lift her tail and go racing out across the grounds, and then slide smoothly and gently into the air, heard a voice at her side. She turned to find Elliman there.

"Sorry I couldn't give that message ,aftpr all, Miss Seaman," he said. "Why, what happened?" she asked in surprise. "I thought you said you were pilot of that machine?" "So I was," he grinned cheerfully. "But the office switched me at the last moment with orders tc hand over to another pilot, and stand by for some other special job." "Rather sudden, isn't it?" she commented. "Do you get many of these switches and special jobs?" "Not as often as I'd like," he said." "We've a pretty routine job as a rule. But there was a rumour floating round thi# morning that a pilot might be wanted to take a machine through, to India, and maybe that's the job.'' They began to move slowly side by side towards the gate. "How interesting," she said. "You know, I half think I'd like to fly when I go back to India. I'm only home here on holiday, and then I go back to my father, who is employed out there." "I say," he exclaimed suddenly, "Would you think it cheek —I mean, would you mind my asking you to have a spot of lunch with me here and have a yarn about India. I was out there for years, and know lots of people and places. We might dig up some mutual friends." She hesitated a moment, and he hurriedly renewed his plea. "Lunch will be all ready in the hotel here. I have to drive in to the London office after, and I'd love to give you a lift in." "All right," she said with a little nod. "If you're sure I'm not keeping you from anything." "Great," he answered. '"Come along."

Over their lunch they chatted about India, hut it turned out she had only been there a year and all the time in one station, and as he did not know it or its people, they found no mutually known friends. But they both enjoyed the meeting, and when Glynn Elliman told her frankly that he was mighty glad he had been hekl back and so had tliis chance to know her, she had to .admit it had been rather pleasant. By the time he had her seated beside him in his car and was driving out towards Croydon, his mind was very firmly made up that he was going to see £ good deal more of her, and he told her $o, smilingly, but with an evident resolve at tlio back of his half joking ■words.

"Look," she cried suddenly as the car slowed a moment in the traffic close by ?• newspaper boy carrying a placard with heavy lettering on it:—"Prince Flying to India."

"I wonder if that is your special job?" iShe said. "I suppose you know who the Prince would be?"

"I dare say it's that Napalata chap ■ylo is crocked up here," he answered. "I read something about it being urgent for him to get back to India." "Napalata is the neighbour State to ■where we live," she explained. "So naturally I'm interested and know tlio story as far as it lias been published. The reigning Prince died out there recently; the one hero is his eldest son and he is supposed to proclaim himself iPnd tako possession within so many days. But his accidcnt prevents nim from travelling to get there in time; and there's a rival claimant in Napalata who might make trouble." "Well, I suppose they'll just have to postpone the proclamation and taking hold," said Glynn easily, "or fly him out, if that will get him there in time. Yes, maybe you're right, and that's the special job I'm booked for. Bo rather a nice trip, I'd imagine. Sure to do the thing in style."

"Let's get a paper and see what it says," she put in eagerly. "I'm luily interested." ,

They bought a paper and pulled in to the kerb to a halt while they read the scanty paragraph it gave to the item. Reports had been cabled from India that there was serious unrest and grave news of religious and racial trouble being fomented in the State of Napalata, that persistent rumours were being circulated that the Prince in London was dangerously or even mortally injured, and that the true facts were being withheld from his people in India.

It was believed that only the presence of the Prince in his own capital could disprove these rumours, and it had been stated that this need was felt to be so urgent that plans were being made for the Prince to go by air to India. No confirmation nor denial of these plans had been offered, however, by the Prince's staff in London.

"There's nothing much there that we didn't know before," said Norali Seam-in when they had read this thro igh. "Except the bit about the possibility of the Prince flying out."

"Wonder why they don't say right out whether it's true or not," said Glynn, driving on again. She laughed. "The usual secrecy of the Oriental mind," she answered. "You know them better than I do, but even I know what a passion they all have for being mysterious and telling nothing."

"That's true," he admitted. "But they'll have to double-padlock ilieir secrets if they want to keep them from the Press nowadays."

As they drew nearer to town, she asked that she might be dropped at one of tho underground stations from which she could make her way to the house where she was temporarily staying with friends.

"When am I going to see you again?" he demanded, when he had found a station that suited her. "Soon, I hope? What about this evening?"

She shook her head. "That's not possible, I'm afraid. I know we are booked to go out somewhere to-night. And besides, you won't know what your orders are until you've been to your office, will you?"

"Don't suppose I will," he admitted reluctantly. "But if it's this Prince flight job, they can't well be chasing off tonight."

"But you don't even know that is the job," she pointed out. "I'll probably hear within an hour," he answered.

"I confess, I'll be most curious to know," she said. "Perhaps that's deplorably inquisitive of me, but it's really quite exciting to be in touch with things like this. And the Oriental secrecy makes it all tho more intriguing." "Tell you what, then," he said. "I'll give you a ring after I hear anything certain —• this evening perhaps. What time will you be in?" They arranged an hour for liim to ring, and he noted the telephone number. "And when I phone," he added, "I hope youH let me fix another meeting as soon as I know what my movements will be."

"I'd like to," she said frankly, as the car stopped. "And I'll ask my friends if you may come along and pay them a call."

"It's a bet," he said cheerily. "And £ ring you this, evening." He watched her disappearing into the station, turning to wave her hand as she went.

Twenty minutes later ho was being shown in to the manager at the airways office. "Afternoon, Elliinan," said the manager waving to a chair. "Sit down. Have a cigarette 1 I suppose you're wondering why we hauled you off your run at the last minute?"

"I was wondering if it was anything to do with that Prince fellow that's talking of flying to India," said Glynn casually, taking a cigarette. "Good Lord!" exclaimed the manager in startled tones. "What put that in your head? Has anybody said anything?" "Only the newspapers," said Glynn calmly. "They've got a yarn that it's rumoured the Prince wants to fly. I know the routes to India. I speak Hindustani, and I'm pulled off my regular job in a great hurry. Putting two and two together, that makes four—or maybe I'm making it look like all the fours possible." "If that's all, it doesn't matter," said the manager with a distinct air of relief. "But let'e get this clear first of all —this business is the most complete and cast-iron hush-hush. You'll be given a holiday from airways while you're on it, and you'll draw treble pay and a present at the end if you do it well. But you must give me your word not to. tell a living soul what the business is, where you are going, what you are doing until I say you may. Can I count on that implicitly ?" "Why, certainly," said Glynn readily, and then as he suddenly remembered' his promise to telephone he added, "But if you don't mind, I'd say the best plan is for you to tell me nothing more until the job starts. Just leave it that I'm to stand by for' orders that may come at any time. Then if anything leaks elsewhere you'll know it was not through me." "Perhaps thrt's best," said the manager thoughtfully. "And it may save you straining your conscience or your powers of invention if you re asked questions. So here is all you need to know meantime —get your kit together for a two or tliree-day stay out of town, and ring me at my home number at eight to-night for further instructions. That clear?"

"Quite clear," said Glynn simply. "Take this cash then," said the manager opening a drawer and taking out an envelope. "\ou may need it for fares and hotels. Just sign the receipt for it, will you?" Glynn took the envelope, and scribbled his name on the receipt form.

"That's all then," saic' the manager briskly. "Oh, ono tiling more—unless you have one of your own youd prefer, you'd better take this." From the open drawer lie lifted out a small automatic pistol and pushed it aero si the desk. Glynn picked it up, looked at it, and handed it back. "I'll "•et out my own," he said, adding with a mildly inquiring look in his eye, "if it's likely to be needed?" "You're getting treblr pa/," said the manager significantly. Glynn grinned happily at him. "And that takes earning these days," he amended. "But I don't mind owning that the chance of earning it by ways out of the usual is one better than getting it." "Which is one reason why I picked you specially," said the manager, and rose holding out his hand. v

CHAPTER n. 1 Plot and Counterplot. About seven that evening Glynn telephoned Norah Seaman as he had arranged. His call was answered almost on the first ring, and he guessed rightly that it was the gill herself who answered him. "It's Miss Seaman speaking. Is that you, Captain Elliman?" "Yes," he answered. "You have a good ear for a voice to recognise mine so quickly." » He heard her laugh lightly. "Partly recognising it, ard partly because I expected you. Well, any news?" "Not a thing," he told her, "except that it evidently isn't that job we guessed at. I'm shunting off out of town to-night, probably, but expect to be back in a few days."

"It certainly can't be India if you're to be back in days," she answered. "I hope it isn't a tiresame journey for you?"

There was the hint of a question in her tones, and he answered at once. "Don't even know where I'm going yet. My boss is to tell me this evening, later."

"More and more mysteriouser," she laughed. "Almost sounds like the Orient after all."

"Oh, no," he assured her. "It's all in the clay's work for lis to got chased off on hush-hush jobs to look over some new type of bus or engine or something. I'd guess it's something of the sort."

"Then perhaps I'll hear from you when you get back to town?" she asked, and he answered quickly. "You certainly will. And I'm going to see you again as soon as possible after that."

"All right," she agreed. "But remember if it should turn out to be India after all, I'll expect you to tell me all about it."

After lie had finished their talk he hung up the receiver anad stood thoughtful for a moment. "Wonder why she's so keen about news of that Napalata biz?" ho wondered to himself. "Knowing his country a bit I suppose, and interested in the local gossip of it. Oh, well "

He put his other call through at eight o'clock and again was answered promptly this time, by the manager of Airways. The instructions he got were brief to a point of curtness—to take a cab to a house of which he got the address and where he would be expected and admitted 011 giving his name, to takc what orders were given him there, and carry them out without question.

"No need to report any further to me, Elliman," the manager finished. "You're officially on holiday now, and I'll be told about it as and when you're reporting back again. Gffod-night now, and good luck."

"Certainly gets mysteriouser, as that girl said," reflected Glynn as lie hung up. "Taking orders from a man I don't even know the name of, or anything about except his house number and street. But at least it's out of the routine, with treblo pay tacked 011, and that's good enough." At the house of which he had got the address, a cl&se and anxious discussion was then in progress. On a big bed in the dimly lit room, the Prince of Napalata lay, liis liea(| and shoulders slightly raised on the pillows behind hiin. Seated at one side of the bed were two very famous specialist surgeons, and facing them 011 the other side of the bed sat a man known to the surgeons as high in the confidential affairs of the Government and of India. Ho was speaking slowly and deliberately.

"His Highness wished ine to meet you here, so that I could give you ruy assurances in addition to his that it is of serious importance —the most grave importance that lie should he flown to India at the earliest possible date." "Within a week from now," added the Prince, with his eves on the surgeons' faces. "I fear it is impossible to promise that," said tiio one quietly; and the other added, "I take it_ the importance of getting to India is loss than tli© importance of preserving the Prince's Wei" "Sir Aylmer liero may toll you it is perhaps of less importance that I live if I am not in my palace in the next two weeks or so," said the Prince. "Hardly that," said Sir Aylmer. "Yet grave enough. You have both heard of the rumours being spread through Napalata, and the dangers of riots and outbreaks being stirred up. The most dangerous lie is that the Prince is dying— without hope of recovery —and that when ho dies it is planned to put an impostor in his place." "But surely," said the one surgeon, "our word as specialists, quoted by such an authority as Sir® Aylmer, should silence such rumours." The Prince laughed shortly. "You do not know the East, gentlemen, nor the rooted belief in the powers of Princes— and of bribery." "It is true," cut in Sir Aylmer quickly, as lie saw a look of distaste on one of the faces opposite. "My own official cables and reports have been discredited."

"Most curious," murmured one sujjreon, and the other shook his head in puzzled agreement. "Of course," said Sir Aylmer slowly and with a side glance at the Prince, "there is an influence in Napalata —" "My own half-brother," exploded the Prince. "No use mincing words, gentlemen. My half-brother—the Vulture as they have rightly named him. He aspires to my father's royal seat, and if I am not there to check him is. like to seize it," unless my troopers' swords are strong enough to deny him." "And that means riot, bloodshed,'civil and religious war," added Sir Aylmer quietly. "It might mean another outbreak'like Moplali, and worse. This is why my Government, and the India Government, is so urgent to get the Prince out to Napalata." _ The surgeons glanced at each other a train. '"In a fortnight from now, it is just possible the Prince might risk travelling, but I see no hope before," said one, and the other added briefly, "Nor I." "In sixteen days from now the gutters will be running'blood," said the Prince steadilv, "unless I am there." "The" law of Napalata," explained Sir Aylmer, "is that the heir to a Prince who has died must proclaim himself in his capital within seventy days. The seventieth day, as it happens, is the day of an important religious, festival one on which every year there is danger of religious strife, only averted with difficulty. The priests on both sides are frenzied by the rumours and tales going round; the troops and police are tormented with the doubts instilled in them—" j, "And the Vulture feeds the flames with threats of punishment to those who oppose him, and promise of reward to those who help him on the day of the feast," broke in the Prince bitterly. He moved abruptly, but stilled a<*ain with a grimace of pain. He motioned slightly with one hand, and a figure moved silently forward out of the shadows at the side of the room into the light round the bed, a dark face under tlie gleam of the white turban. "It is the hour," said the Prince. "See if the pilot has come." (T« be continued