The FLYING ARGOSY

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 213, 9 September 1935, Page 15

The FLYING ARGOSY

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CHAPTER XVI. Alone. Ho sat for some time without moving, thinking over Aldringham's story and listening to the wind outside. Then, feeling very tired, he rose, lifted the lamp from the table and went into the inner room. Like the one lie had left, it was scantily furnished, but had a comfort-able-loking single bed in a corner, with a couple of good rugs upon it, and some cushions. He partly undressed, lay down upon it, and drew the rugs over him. After the reaction of the day's events he was completely worn out, and in a few mumtes was fast asleep. He had left the lamp burning on the mantelpiece, where it shone feebly in the darkness, growing dimmer as the night wore on. Outside, the weather changed, and heavy rain began to fall. The wind and rain'beat against the window, but through the long night Vanderdoss slept on. Daylight, like an uninvited guest, was stealing reluctantly into the cheerless room when at last he opened his eyes and looked round him with a start. At first he did not recognise his surroundings, then the memory of the previous day returned. With a pinched face he lay there with an expression of despair, as though he read in that stagnant place his doom. Then he pulled himself together and got up. In the kitchen he found towels and soap, with sufficient conveniences to have a wash and freshen himself up. Then he lit the paraffin stove and made some tea. After having a breakfast of bread and butter, he lit a cigarette, wondering how he was. to pass the time away. He could do nothing now but wait, as lie depended on Aldringliam. It was evening before he came. Vantlerdoss was sitting soberly smoking, when the door opened quietly and he appeared. , Vanderdoss glanced at him quickly: his face was grave. "The worst has happened.' he said, without preamble. "The body has been discovered and a warrant issued for your arre«t. The woman in the flat opposite heard the sounds of quarrelling and a shot. and. looking through her front window, saw you leaving the flat. It was she who gave information to the P °Vanderdoes' heart quickened its

beating. , . ~ "Do they know about—about — "About "Mrs. Jervane? The evening newpapera say nothing of that. The young man nodded dumbly; Ins lips refused to speak. "I had to be doubly careful coming here," went on Aldringham. "As you are aware. I am watched, , "Do you think you were followed? queried*Vanderdoss in alarm. "If I had been I shouldn't have come, was the emphatic reply. "Now I am here, we must decide our future course. I may not be so lucky again." He strode up and down the room in thought, while Vanderdose mutely watched him. . •'What we need is time." said Aldringham at length, turning abruptly. -There is some terrible mystery in all this which I don't understand, but 1 am <roing to try and find out." These word* seemed to brighten \ anderdoss. He looked up and said: "Do you think you will be able to do so?" T "I hope so; you must not despair. 1 have more resources at my command than perhaps you imagine. Stay here for the present. It is safer than anywhere else, unless you could escape from he country, but that is impossible." "But if the police should come here? asked the young man anxiously. "This place is supposed to be untenanted." "They might visit it and search it, nevertheless." Aldringham shrugged his shoulders and remained silent. Vanderdoss struggled with another question on his lips. "Is this place yours?. Have you any right to it?" "It is not mine, though I have the right to occupy it. Do not ask any more questions about it, for I cannot answer them. Just accept the refuge offered to you. and hope for the best" This was obvious to Vanderdoss, but he did not understand. He glanced at Aldringham, but his face was inscrutable. He had to trust him, if he could. Aldringham struck a match and glanced at his watch. "I shall have to go shortly," he said, "as soon as it is dark. Fortunately there is no moon." They sat silent. Darkness deepened in the little room until Vanderdoss could hardly see his companion's face. A slight noise in the kitchen startled him. e Aldringham lifted his head. "A rat," he explained; "there are plenty here." Again he relapsed into a fit of musing, but presently rose. "It is quite dark; I must leave you now," he said. Vanderdoss regretted it. The older man's presence, despite the strange atmosphere of secrecy and reserve which surrounded him, kept the younger mans gnawing thoughts and anxiety at bay. Aldringham radiated a kind of mysterious strength, and Vanderdoss needed all the strength he could gain just then. But he said nothing. His companion went on: "You mustn't show yourself outside. You understand that, of course?" "Yes." "I will give a single tap when I return it will probably be at night. Let me in at once." "I quite understand." "I'll be off, then. Good night!" "Good night." He went out without a sound. Vanderdoss turned the key in the door and went back to his seat, feeling like a man alone in the world. His greatest hops rested in the hands of Aldringham, but how far could he help him. and what was he really doing? Vanderdoss couldn't tell; he could only .wait, and, in Aldringham's words, have courage. He lit the lamp and prepared his supper. When lie had eaten it he cleared away everything with sailor-like neatness, and lit a cigarette. For awhile he sat smoking: then, feeling cold, he got up and walked round and round the room, not unlike a prisoner in his cell. He paid small heefl to tlie passing of time, so busy were hie thoughts. At last, when lie did glance at his watch, he was surprised to see

(Author of " Island of Destiny," " Threshold of Fear," " Greymarsh," "Moon Rock," etc., etc.)

that it was after ten o'clock. The evening was gone, somehow. He decided to go to bed. Entering the other room, he quickly undressed and laid down. Again he fell asleep almost immediately, and did not awaken until morning had come. The day passed slowly, with no sign of Aldringliam, and another day followed in its wake. When the third day came to an end, and he did not appear, Vanderdoss felt a renewal of his mistrust. On the other hand, something might have gone wrong, and perhaps he had been arrested, as ho feared. If he didn't come back, what was he to do? Face to face with his desperate situation, Vanderdoss spent his time revolving anxious thoughts. He was aware that he couldn't stay there indefinitely, and yet he dared not depart. More than once he felt inclined to risk it, but Aldringham'a warning returned to him, and better counsels prevailed. After another twenty-four hours of solitude the place began to get on his nerves. In the semi-glooin the furniture took on strange shapes, especially at night, like crouching beasts watching him, waiting to spring. In bed, as he lay beneath the rugs, spectral shapes swarmed about him, staring at him. All these thingw, together with his thoughts, threw him into an infinity of despair. It was futile to give way, and he knew it, but his nerves were in a very bad state. And, on top of all, there were the rats —though they were real enough. And then, when he had given up hope of ever seeing him again. Aldringliam came. In The Night. Vanderdoss was sitting smoking after dark when he heard a single tap at the door. He opened it quickly, knowing it was Alriringham.

"THE SIGN on the ROOF" 1 Another of Peter Cheyney's snappy and intriguing stories of mystery, death, and tangled sentiment. The "Auckland Star" has secured the serial rights of "The Sign On the Roof," which deals with dramatic high-lights in the drab environment of a dull London suburb. A newspaperman unravels an unsavoury plot against the good name of Diane Vallery, the wife of an unwholesome husband, and the action moves cleverly to a piquant finale. The opening chapters will appear in the Magazine Section of the Star on Saturday, and will be followed by • daily instalments.

"I am sony to have left you so long, he began, "but it wasn't eafe to venture before; the police are combing the riverside. 1 require more time; you must simply trust to luck. I have come at some' risk this evening to bring you some food, and give you a word of hope. I believe [ am on the track of the robbery—l know now how it was done." "How can I repay you for all you are doing for me?" "That's all right. I hope to learn more to-morrow, so you must keep a stiff upper lip and wait. If I am successful, I will take a certain course ot action, though I won't act until I am sure. But you look strung up, and no wonder. Better have a whisky." He got out the bottle and two glasses, and mi.ved two stiff drinks. As lie sipped his own, he glanced round the room. "How have you managed?" he inquired. Vanclerdoes shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, pretty well, though time goes slowly. For'one thing, the lamp gave out." . "There's no more paraffin, I m afraid; I never anticipated this." "It doesn't matter; I found a candle or two." Aldringham nodded, and sat down. , "I will stay with you for an hour or two," he said.

He poured himself out another whisky and drank it thoughtfully. Then, with undiminished quietude, he began to talk, relating some episodes of his life in Italy, and hie quests, on Iris American friend's behalf, for curios and articles of virtu. His patron reposed Implicit faith in his judgment, apparently, and had commissioned him to go to various places in order to examine and pick up rare paintings, pieces of furniture and articles of jewellery. Aldringliam gave an account of these expeditions In picturesque detail, and Vanderdoss listened to him with interest, half-torgetting his own troubles as he did. At length Aldringliam roee. Vanderdoss felt better for his visit, and said so. "Expect me to-morrow about the same time," Aldringliam said. He shook the young man's hand, and was gone. Left alone, Vanderdoss sat for a while musing, then poured himself out another whisky, and went to bed. But this night, for some reason or other, he was unable to sleep. It was as though the spirit he had taken had filled him with a kind of inward seething excitement which he found hard to keep in check. He had set his watch going by Aldringham's, and its muffled beat beneath the cushion he used as a pillow sounded like a hammer beating in his ears. He heard the scuttle of a rat across the kitchen, followed by a squeak. And then, 5n the intense stillness, lie was conscious of a faint, stealthy noise outside. With his nerves in a state of abnormal activity he started up. Could it possibly be Aldringliam returning? But he knew that it was not. It was as if someone were creeping stealthily around the house, trying to see ill. He was glad now that he had extinguished the candle before coming to bed. In the gloom he sat upright, his eyes directed towards the back, where he had first heard the noise, listening intently. He had not been mistaken; he could hear footsteps now, moving cautiously towards the window. Thero was a pause, as if whoever was outside had stopped at the boarded-up window and was endeavouring to look in. With his heart beating fast, Vanderdoss heard the footsteps retreat. There was a brief silence, followed suddenly by a loud knock at the front door. Vanderdoss slipped from the bed, and crept towards the kitchen and the back door. The knocking, after ceasing for a moment, recommenced, sounding in the stillness like a fusillade. Stiffened into immobility, Vanderdoss listened, crouching in the kitchen by the wall. Another brief silence was broken by a harsh, imperative voice: "Is there anyone in?" (To be continued daily.)