The RIDDLE of LOCH LEMMAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

The RIDDLE of LOCH LEMMAN

by I CAPT. A. O. POLLARD, V.C., M.C., D.C.M.

CHAPTER XXX. An Argument Over a Parachute. Leach's reaction to the emergency was automatic. Training and experience, made it second nature, in the event of a forced landing, to put his machine into a glide. Accordingly, he. depressed the leading edge of the radio 'plane and was pleased to discover that the normal gliding angle was very flat. Tho altimeter showed eight thousand five hundred feet. That meant, at the pace they were dropping, that they had nearly ten minutes before they hit the deck. A machine can glide a long way in ten minutes. Would they lie able to make Loch Lemman in .the time? He glanced down. He was in time to see the Richthausman 111. strike the water. There was a mighty splash as it disappeared. No wreckage rose to the surface to mark tho spot. Weiman was gone for good. Instinctively he measured the distance they were from the coast. It was under a mile. But, as he tried to decide what was best to be done, he became aware of a fresh menace which threatened them. Streaky wisps of mist were stealing across the landscape. A sea fog was creeping inland. In a few momenta he could no longer see the coast. What should ho do? If he attempted to make Loch Lemman now he ran a risk of piling up on the cliffs or the hills beyond. At all costs they must keep away from the shore. They would have to come down on the sea and wait until the mist cleared. He looked westwa/d. There it was, a solid bank rolling and billowing some thousands of feet below them. In a few seconds they would be in it. It was the very devil. His curious machine, which acted so easily under power, was a very different proposition when gliding. The very ease of control was dangerous. Whilst he could sec the horizon, it was not difficult to keep at a safe glide; but once they sank into the fog, it would be a very difficult matter. Supposing, unconsciously, he stalled her? They would go crashing seawards without a chance of recovery. He turned the wafinstat so that they were headed at an angle away from the land. The wind, what there was of it, was from the south-west and would tend to carry them shorewards. He clamped the control in position and turned to Adrienne. "This is a devil of a fix to be in," he observed calmly. "If it wasn't for this damned fog we should be all right; but as it is—" "As it is," Adrienne finished for him, "It's on the cards we ar© going to follow Weiman. This is all my fault, Stanley. You warned me against trusting Genjiro. I wouldn't listen to you. Now he's betrayed us." "You think he cut off the current deliberately?" queried Leach. "It certainly looks like it, but why should he have done so now, when we arc within sight of home, instead of on our outward journey?" Adrienne shook her head. It was a question she had been trying to decide ever since the current failed. She was unable to follow the workings of the Jap's mind. She could not possibly realise that he had acted solely on impulse. Although he had never shown the •lightest inclination to make love to her, she always believed he admired her as a woman. • It was very difficult for her to conceive that she meant nothing to him. All her life men had looked up to her. She had been able to play upon their emotions. Even whilst •he took every precaution against Genjiro double-crossing her, not the least part of her safeguard) was in the fact of her personal attraction. Even now that the current h»d failed she could not credit that he was responsible. Surely he could not do this to her? She seized the microphone and called into it. "Genjiro. Genjiro, what are you doing? What's happened? Turn the power on again immediately." There was no reply. The instrument was dead. She looked at Leach wild-eyed. Her thoughts were not for herself, but for. him. If they were going to crash, she would be responsible for his death. She had led him into this against his hetter judgment. All along he had warned her, but she had pooh-poohed his warnings. It was very bitter to think that this was the end of all the work she had done for him. Oh, God! How useless her life had been! It seemed that some devil possessed her. She was fated to harm everyone with whom she came in contact. "Oh! Stanley, my love, to think I have brought you to this." "Don't reproach yourself, darling, you're not in any way to blame." Leach took her hands in his. "I'll do my best to get us out of our predicament. If the current's failed, T'm sure there's some reason for it. Besides, we aren't dead yet. But this is a strange machine and—anything may happen." She smiled bravely. "I don't really mind. Stanley, so long as I'm with you. That's all that matters as far as I'm concerned." He rose to his feet, and looked out. The fog was dense below them. Above, the sun shone serenely. It was terrible to bo in such a position. He was a man of action and he hated the long wait. Even supposing they got down safely? They might strike a rock, or they might drift out across the Atlantic. He didn't mind for himself, but was there nothing he could do to make sure of Adrienne's safety. Suddenly he remembered the parachute. He had brought it with him "just in case." Now the emergency had arisen. He made a rapid calculation. Tf Adrienne was launched on it now she would travel shorewards at the same pace as the mist. She. would make the hind and he safe. He picked it up and held it towards her. "I want you to use this, dear. For my sake,'' he added, as she hesitated. She laughed in his face. "Do you think I'd leave you alone," she challenged. "Not I, darling. You don't know your Adrienne very well, if you could even dream of such a thing." He bit his lip. This was going to be very difficult.

(Author of "The Havenhurat Affair," "Fire Eater," "Rum Alley," "Death <- Flight," etc., ete.)

"Now. lojk her, Adrienne." he 1 began firmly. "I can quite understand your feelings and all that, but this is a case of common, sense. Supposing we (In stay here together? Supposing we get down safely, as we undoubtedly shall? If thih mist lasts we may drift out anywhere and never be heard of again. It's a certainty that if you start now you'll reach the land. Then you can get help and send a boat out to pick me up. Don't you see dear, you'll be doing me far more good by going than by staying." Adrienne smilod enigmatically. She could appreciate there was a lot in what ho said, but she considered it from the angle of a woman in love. "What'll you do after I'm gone, Stanley?" she a«ked quietly. ••Dor" I shan't do anything. What is there to do except wait until the bus strikes the water?" She nodded. He had said just what she expected him to say. "Quite so. You will do nothing because there's nothing to do. Well, I can do juet that as well as you can. You take the parachute and jump for it. As a man you're far more use organising a rescue party than I." He frowned as he realised how the had tricked him^ "Nothing of the sort," he said angrily. "I insist on you going, and at once." He took the harness and placed it on her shoulders. She twisted in his grasp and clasped him in her arms. "Stanley, darling," she whispered, "I love you more than life. You're everything in the world to. me. If there's a risk I'm going to take it. There is a risk I know, or else you wouldn't be so insistent on trying to save me." She pressed her lips against him. "I love you, Stanley, and I'm going to save you. Nothing you can do will prevent me. Fasten this thing round you and go, because I ask you to." He vigorously shook his head. "Never, darling. Apart from everything else, I shouldn't be a man to leave you If that's what you feel about it we'll stay and face it together." He threw the parachute on to*the floor, thinking the subject closed. He should have known her better. He had put a thought into her mind which she applied to him. There was danger. There was a possibility that they might both bo killed. Unselfishly he had considered her safety. Well, now she would consider his. If someone was to be saved it must be he He had his career before him; his honourable record behind him. She had nothing to live for on her own. Her life Was a series of crimes. Without him .in the future, there was nothing but black remorse. She must makx certain of hit* life. Afterwards, if she came through, he would be waiting for her. She bent down and lifted the discarded parachute. Her face was white with resolution "Put this on, Stanley," he ordered. "If you don't, I shall make you." He looked her sternly in the eyes. "Make me ? I warn , you—if you try, I shan't be very gentle in my response." She laughed gaily. The thrill of a contest fired her blood. "I don't want to have to do it, my dear. With your proud nature you'll consider I've humiliated you. But all the same I mean it.'' She took him firmly by the lapels of his coat He seized her wrists. This was ridiculous. For a moment they glared into one another's faces. His wa3 grim and set; hers were smiling. Long afterwards he remembered the tender light in her eyes. But at that moment he came near to hating her. He tried to wrench himself free. She moved her body eyer so slightly. With the flat of her hand she struck him on the forehead just above the eyes. He sank unconscious at her feet. She turned him over on his face; slipped the harness of the parachute over his shoulders; fastened it in position. She unscrewed the door at the back of the radio 'plane. Lifting him, she staggered towards it. He was big and heavy and she had some difficulty in thrusting him through the opening. With one hand she held him balanced; with the other she seized the ring of the rip cord which freed the. pilot parachute. Sho pulled and thrust him out. Looking down she saw a flash of white as the parachute opened. An instant later he was swallowed tip in the mist. "CHAPTER XXXI. Leach Finds Loch Lemman Deserted. Leach quickly recovered consciousness. At first he could not make out where he was. All around him was thick cloud. He seemed to be suspended in space. He closed his eyes in an effort of concentration. This must be a dream! He would wake up in a minute and find himself in bed. A fit of coughing seized him; it was difficult to breathe; the atmosphere was oppressive. Where was he and what did it all mean ? He moved his legs and arms; they met with no resistance. Where were the bedclothes and the bed? There was absolutely nothing beneath him 3 He put his hands to "his head; his wrists touched the cord which supported him. It awoke a memory in his mind. He was suspended in space. He was hanging from a parachute. He remembered now. Adrienne had defeated him with that cursed jiu-jitsu, in which she was so skilled. The thought was hitterly mortifying. To be overcome by a woman! Then, broadmindedly, he realised the motives which had influenced her. She wanted to save him because she loved him. She was undoubtedly the finest woman in the world. He had no, sensation of moving whatever. , But it was not the first time he had descended by parachute and he knew that he must be steadily nearing the earth. Presently he heard the roar of the waves as they broke on the shore. The rattle of the shingle was plainly audible. He must be less than a thousand feet from the ground. In a few minutes he would land. He began to consider what action he should take when he did. It was no use thinking of sending out a boat in this mist. The search would be fruitless. He would hurry to Loch Lemman and find out what had happened. Perhaps—forlorn hope—it was merely some slight hitch that had occurred in transmitting the power. Perhaps Genjiro was working with all his might to get it in order again. Perhaps by the time he got there they would already be in touch with Adrienne. He must hurry. Curse the slowness with which his parachute ' was falling.

I All the same, when he did touch the ground, it came in the nature of a surI prise. He struck the side of a hill and ! was dragged some twenty yards before Ihe could release himself. He unfastened ' the strap at his waist and, without bothering about the parachute, rose to his feet. For a hundred yards or so he groped his way through the fog. Then, to his delight, he came across a fairly wide road. A road must lead somewhere. He followed it downhill as fast as his legs would carry him. He had gone for the best part of a mile before he met anyone. He inquired where he was. The man was a Scottish peasant and could not take in what he said. Neither could Leach understand his rep]v. He left the man staring after him and hurried on. His nerves were all He must get to Loch Lemman and get help. c After half a mile he found himself on the outskirts of a town. Someone informed him it was Laxford Bridge, there must be some means of conveyance here he could hire. He went into a garage and asked for a car. The proprietor slowly shook his head. His only vehicle was out. There was another parage at the end of the town. Leach turned away in disgust. Supposing the other garage was equally unhelpful? in \ ma £- T a L standi "g h 7 * motor cycle wallet g * Leach pU " ed out his "^ W „,l nuch for the !<>an of that machine?" The man laughed in his face. -Uo you ta' me for a fule'" Leach was desperate. Here was a ■ machine and he was in a hurrv He , Mixed the handlebars. The man caught , him by the collar. Leach struck him on , the point of the jaw. The man reeled backwards Throwing his leg over the saddle Leach kicked the self-starter \ ' moment later he was roaring down the street, unruffled by the clamour which broke out behind him. .t It took him more than twenty minutes to reach the camp. The thickness of the fog obliged him to feel his way. He made quicker progress in the las* few miles. The mist was becoming patchy; a sure sign that it would not last very long. He leapt from his machine at the camp gate and hammered on the door -No.one answered him. A stnse of foreboding seized him. There was something funny here. He looked up and 1 wondered how he should face the • obstacle. The gates wer e ten feet hi"h < surmounted by sharp spikes. He might ' reach the top by standing on the saddV of his bicycle. But even then he (loubted whether he could clamber over. He took out his gun and pressed the muzzle to the lock of the postern. He ! took three shots before he blew himself a passage. He entered cautiously. A glance i revealed that the guard-room was empty. He moved slowly forward to- , wards the main buildings. Nowhere was there any sign of life. As he drew abreast of the engineroom he heard the , hum of the huge turbines. They were ' still running then. That meant that the power was unimpaired. He hesitated for a moment. Should he go in and • make sure? No. If the power was on he would go direct to the control tower. The chief thought in his mind was to ' get in touch with Adrienne as soon as i possible. As he groped his way along, a fra<ri ment of paper blew against his foot \ breeze was stirring. If j ts strength , increased, the mist would soon be cleared ; away. He switched on the light at the foot of the stairs which led to the dome , and mounted swiftly upwards. The , control room was just as he had last , seen it. He paused and looked aboi-t him. He could not afford to make a , mistake. Adrienne's safety depended on I his success. , Rapidly he examined the various , instruments. Which was the main , switch? Ah! here it was. He threw it over. As he did so, the platinum . surface of the map once mor e lit up , He examined it eagerlv. A tiny dot ; some ten miles distant "showed him the , position of the radio 'plane. It was J about four miles from the coast. He sw-itched on the microphone. ; "Hullo! Hullo! Adrienne! Can vou hear me?" J ; His voice shook slightly with agitation. Was she all right? There was no reply. He called again. "Hallo! Hallo! Radio 'plane. Adrienne, its I, Stanley. Can't you hear me?" Suddenly the loud-speaker behind him relieved the tension of his nerves. "Is that you, Stanley? Adrienne ' ?J5 ea , k,n , g - You ' re at the camp, then? . Well played. What happened?" 1 -J? d ° nt know ' : can'* fl "d anyone. Where are you? Did you get down all ! right ?" i "Yes, I'm on the sea, and the mist seems to be lessening." i Leach felt a revulsion of joy surge i through him. She was safe. AIL he had I to do was to guide the machine back to 1 the camp. In ten or fifteen minutes— . half an hour at the most—they would ? be together again, i Adrienne spoke again, f "What happened at the camp?" she 1 asked. "Where's Genjiro?" How did the current come to fail?" i "I've no idea. I hurried straight here to get in touch with you. We'll investil gate when you're safe." s He seized the wafinstat to set the radio 'plane in motion. He looked at . the map to make sure in which direc- , Hon she was moving. As he did so, the ? light which illuminated it suddenly 1 went out. The needle of the meter i showing the amount of power passing 1 fell to zero. The current had failed again. v Leach sprang to his feet. As always ? in an emergency, he was cool and colr lected. This second failure could only 2 mean one thing. Genjiro was revealed f as an enemy. With gun ready in .his • hand he moved cautiously to the door. »' Someone was coming up. He tiptoed to - the other side of the room and waited. r He heard nothing. But after a few interminable minutes the door of the e control room began slowly to open. A o hand came into view holding a pistol. i Followed the head of one of the Japan- - ese workmen. a Crack! Leach fired. This was no - time to stand on ceremony. The man e pitched forward on .his face. There was - a clatter of footsteps on the stair. Leach s ran to the door. A second man was n making good his escape. Leach fired • twice, but missed. The man ran out of - the tower, slamming the door behind e him. e (To be continued Saturday next.)