The PRINCE of VEGA

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

The PRINCE of VEGA

"As soon m we get the information out of him we'll have to get him to pat that poison without using violence—any marks on him might give us away but if we can get him to eat the poison himself we're safe. It kills—and leaves no trace. A doctor would say—heart failure." "You'll succeed," Afa said wearily. "Only have patience." Rogers rose suddenly, his calm .gone for the moment. "But we have no little time—«o little time! Soon the inland people will be wondering why they do not get an answer to their cablegram telling Vedi that his grandfather is dead, and that he is king. Soon they will be clamouring for him!" "

V edi -king!" Peter muttered. "So wonder they are in a hurry." "And I've pot to ha vp those ppnrls Afa -do you hear! Those beautiful, beautiful pink pearls -that are worth ft King's ransom!" H e laughed suddenly, n harsh sound. "And you've got to be king so that there will be no one to ask what you did with the pink pearls. Come, Afn. we've work to do. I think I know one or two tricks that will force that youn" man's silence!" H Together they left the room, and tho tour eavesdroppers sat back on their haunches. "Rotter," Nick muttered. "Beastlv rotter!" "Swell sort of uncle to have around." Pepper said, "nice, lovable sort of chap." '".knock that red moustache into the middle of next week ypt'" Peter said fiercely. "In the meantime we v« got to And Vedi—and we've r, ot to be pretty quick. That devil meanbusiness !" CHAPTER XVII. Pepper Sleuths Again. But it was already nearly morning and despite their efforts they failed to locate Vedi that night. In the dark tho only moans of ingrosg tliey could find to the board inghouee— other than actually breaking one of tho windows, which would make too much noisp to suit their plans—was by a small scullery window on the ground floor. They each had ft turn at entering the dingy and rather • melly building, and each crept • ilently up and down stairs and along passages, opening all doore that would open, and hearing a great variety of snores, but no trace of their missing pal. Daylight at length overtook them and they were forced to beat a retfeat to the empty shop, which they decided to make their headquarters, Peter having soon discovered that a hairpin would pick the old lock. By peering through cracks

Thrilling Serial

'By M. Thorpe Clarb

Era ♦*£? W °? lwork form i"g the track of the window they were able indVo* RO<>d V CW ° f the front street' find eo see almost everything that I hey had to keep out of si<»ht aa much as possible themselves ° Not <»nly on account of Pierre but oecause they thought it very ™ infon Jd 1 " h the P«''ee would be informed by now that thev were them 7," V? the '-K-out Tor beinw ™ • 110 lnte "tion of VedC " nt they had found

At firet they had considered the idea of calling the police to their aid, but remembering that Vedi himself had been very much against this plan, they had decided to carry on alone.

Bennies, it would probably be e while before any policeman would 1«e 1 love their story, and by the time lie had got m touch with Dr. White and fooled around generally, too much precious time would be"'lost. rheir first step was to decide on their line of action. Whether Vedi wa« actually in the boardinghoufle or not was the knotty point. They deckled that the easiest way to find him was to let Pierre Rogers be their guide. Somehow they must shadow him. Though how they were even to t>e<rin was a problem," because they wouldn't get up on the roof in broad daylight and look in at his window. They were still pondering this point when Rogers hinwelf appeared.

"There he is!" Nicky, who was on watch, exclaimed excitedly. "Just came out of the piece and started to walk along the street—right past the shop!"

"Go to it, Pepper!" Peter said tersely. "Keep him in sight even if you have to run all the way—vou're the least dangerous looking of the lot of us. Are you ready?" Peter's hand was already on the knob of the front door, and, at Pepper s nod, he opened it just enough to let Pepper through, closing it quickly after him. Pepper stood in the doorway for a second or two to

give any suspicious passer-by the impression that he had been standing there for hours, then he moved smartly forth on to the footpath, to break into a run almost immediately. He could see his quarry 6ome distance ahpad walking at a steady pace, as though he had some miles to cover, and he was hardly prepared for him to turn sharply in at the wide open front of a big garage and service station. Still he managed to idle past the <^'? or an d stare in at the workshop, where several men were busy, without appearing too inquisitive. He saw Rogers approach what was evidently the owner of the garage, and question him about a powerful-look-ing bus that stood in a corner, a little to one side. Judging by his air, it belonged to Rogers, who had evidently garaged it there during his stay in Durham. ° Pepper decided to enter the workshop. He c'id so with a cheeky whistle on his lips, and his cap on the back of his head, hoping to pass for one of those pertinent young men who rob a garage proprietor of the joy of living. He got near enough to Rogers to hear what was said. Want you to give it a good overhaul," he waa saying. "Take a look at all the important points— want her greased thoroughly. Got a long, fast drive ahead—and don't want any breakdowns. Understand?" . Yes- perfectly!" The garage proprietor's tone was brusque, he was evidently not used to such curt commands. Then his eye fell on Pepper and his wrath exploded. Beat it! ' lie said tersely and then, when Pepper seemed disposed to linger, "Beat it! Got no time for your sort round this garage. Lazy young loafers don t get any encouragement here. Now, scram!" Pepper decided to scram. The garage man had big feet, and if the toe of his boot landed .. just where the safety-pin was holding the remnant of his trousers together after the bulldog incident he might be reduced to his under-garments. So he scrammed. But not before, out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Pierre Rogers was going to wait on his car. He evidently intended to make sure that the job was done thoroughly. Pepper hung around, trying to make himself inconspicuous by screening himself behind the many vehicles that pulled in and out to the pumps at the kerb. It was a couple of hours later, well into the afternoon, that Rogers drove the car forth. For a moment Pepper wondered how on earth he was going to follow him. But when he saw him turn in the direction of the

boarding house he commenced to run as fast as his rather short legs would carry him.

The car was standing in front of the boarding house when he arrived, and Rogers was' still outside, too, having a final inspection of what lay under the bonnet. As he stood there Uncle Afa came down the steps and, quick as lighting. Pepper pulled his cap down ovw his eyes and edged behind a convenient electric light pole,. not that there was much chance of Afa recognising him in his different clothes. "Car's ready," Rogers greeted him, satisfaction in his voice. "Running like a top, too! Now all we've got to do is to get our little job over— an beat it. I'll leave the car here for a while in readiness." He he still refuses to 6peak," Afa faltered a little. So you went and had another look at him!" Rogers was furious. ' Didn't I tell you not to go near?" Afa just stared ahead of him as though he hadn't heard. i'ou're a sentimental fool!" Rogers spluttered. "You'll land us in a fix yet, with not being able to forget that he's your nephew. The quicker I settle this matter the better!" Afa made 110 reply, but turned and went slowly back into the boardin" house. 0 It was then that Rogers noticed Pepper, who, in his excitement, had edged beyond his screen. There you are again—you overfed rat! Rogers grasped him roughly by the shoulder and shook him as he would the said rat, his weight bein* nothing in the half-caste's powerful arms. Just wanted—to see—what the name of the car—was—Mister," Pepper muttered between rattling teeth. Just wanted —to—see—" He found himself dumped harshly m the gutter, a place of mixed, unclean refuse, and turned to see Rogers stride up the steps and disappear into the building. CHAPTER XVIII. Pepper Finda His Pal. Pepper shook himself angrily. To be dumped, like so much rubbish, in the gutter!—a dirty gutter at that! . nger took hold of him and seethed through him. Well, his turn with Pierre Rogers would come—and he'd bounce a jolly sight harder on hi« stomach than he had on the chemist's eon' 9! Now he must aot. He felt that things were going to happen upstairs in the next little while, and, with never a glance v at the empty-looking shop, he made a dart for the steps leading up to the entrance of the boarding-house. He had an idea that his pals might be a bit put out about him not rushing back to tell them just what he had seen and heard, but he silenced hgs conscience by remembering thait he had been admonished to keep Rogers in sight. Besides, they had laughed at his last efforts at sleuthing; this time they would not laugh. That shaking had sent his caution scattering to the four winds. (To be continued.)