CHERRY FAYRE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 June 1935, Page 15

CHERRY F AYR E

CHAPTER XIV. WHO ARE YOU? Pandemonium seemed to have broken loose, in the offices of the Molhuish Automobile Company. When George walked unsuspectingly into the room of the managing director he was unprepared for the strange scene that met his eyes, although he had wondered why the clerks in the outer offices were gathered into excited little groups instead of being as busy as they usually were. They had been warned not to talk about what had happened so nobody made a move to acquaint Dallas with the extraordinary events that had occurred during the night. Molhuish was perched on the edge of his desk confronting several men who were firing questions at him. Another stranger was busily engaged with a , huge, and apparently old-fashioned, j stand camera while two more restless , individuals were prowling about the [ apartment. |

“What on earth . . .?” George began, when, he was interrupted by a crisp “Who are you?” “This is Mr Dallas, the inventor of the new car,” Melhuish hastened to explain. “And these,” he told George, “are representatives of the Criminal Investigation Department.” “The deuce they are! What’s happened?” “Another attempt on the plans.” ‘ ‘ Successful ?”

“I was just, telling the full facts to Inspector Wandlc, here. You’ll be interested as well. The safe has been opened all right and some plans have been taken. But I’ve been careful—and, I venture to suggest, a bit c-levcr. In view of previous experiences I prepared myself a set of dummy drawings that would deceive anybody on casual examination, although an expert would soon realise their uselessness. They have gone.” That was the gist of the story. Details were filled in by the examination of various witnesses.* Apparently tho night watchman had been knocked on the head and fendetjed] unconscious. By the.-, time s he . had been discovered the theft hacl been accomplished. Presumably the intruder had been sufficiently deceived by the false package. There would be little time to study details and Melhuish’s copy had been an ingenious imitation. The real drawings were safely stored at his own home. George, of course, was unable to supply any information of value. Ho answered- what questions were put to him and was, interested to observe how the detectives measured and probed for clues.

“Not a professional job in the ordinary way,” announced Inspector Wandle. “Cracksmen invariably supply their own tools. This was done by somebody inside.”

“How do you make that out?” Mel huish asked.

“Well, like this; whoever cracked this safe knew the ropes pretty thoroughly. He knew that the watchman responsible for looking after thus section of the building had a certain tour of duty, and that he had to get round within a stated time limit. Also there was the necessary apparatus for doing the work right to hand—and the most efficient and quickest method possible. Probably he smuggled the portable electric welder into the room, all nice and handy.”

Inspector Wandle glanced towards the safe. “Getting into that tin box would be child’s play. An experienced man could do it with a jemmy and a few wedges if he had reasonable time. With that thing naif an hour would be ample. It’s strange how business people spend big sums on alarm systems that can be thrown out of operation, in no time by a crook who knows his business, while they economise on the strong room.” “Well, it is no use crying over spilt milk,” Melhuish said resignedly. “Not a bit, sir, as long as there are the police to mop up the mess,” retorted the Inspector. Another officer had some questions to ask. “Who had access to the safe?” “Only myself. Normally the keys are never out of mv possession.” “That’s unusual, Air Melhuish.” “Perhaps it is, but that has always been my practice.” “I see! And what abqut the people who had right of access to this room?” “Quito a number. Yarious clerks, mv secretary, several of the executive statl' —well, it was never a close preserve."

“And all these people would know the movements of the night watchman?” “Hardly. Many of them would have finished work before lie came on duty. Certain heads of departments and technical supervisors would naturally be familiar with the routine. But you eotiid hardly suspect any of them.” “Why not, sir? The higher you <ro or the lower you go arc the most likely persons. Folks in the middle are either too comfortable or too slow-minded. That’- what we find.”

“Then you’d better have a word with ITcrron first.” said Molhuish ironically. “Next to Ah- Dallas and myself he knew:- most about tho new invention.” “’Thank you sir,” the officer said. stolid!v. “Let’s talk to him . . .”

THE MISSING MAN But Ilersen was not to be found. He hail no’ turned up at the works that morning. Inquiries were immediately

I set on foot and the unpleasant truth was revealed. The traitor had, indeed, been one of the men at the top spoken „r by the Inspector. Relentlessly the probe went deepe-. It was a slow and searching process which brought to light many unsuspected facts. Hcrsen had been living beyond his means. Hcrsen had made certain overtures to employees, promising big rewards on behalf of the European Trust. Herscn had left England by 'plane for an unknown destination abroad. Hcrsen had taken with him three picked men. One by one the pieces were placed together until tho truth was complete.

There was, at least, some satisfaction in knowing who they had to fight. Now that the man had gone openly to the continental rival, taking with him others who placed personal gain before honour, the Melhuish concern could push ahead in an effort to uphold their position.

“Production must go forward at once,” Melhuish insisted. “We have passed the experimental stage fairly well. Within a month the first cars should be in the hands of the public.” “How long would it take for an imitation to get on the road?” George asked.

“That depends on how much information Herscn has been able to supply and what use can be made of the material and personnel lie has got. Less than a month, perhaps.”

“Won’t that be serious for us?” “Probably, although I have no doubt our product will be superior.” “But it will no longer be unique.” “Quite right, Dallas. That is our biggest blow.” “Then I suggest we begin to get tho public thoroughly interested straight away. So long as there was no possible chance of competition secrecy was all right. Under the changed circumstances, it seems to me that intensive propaganda is indicated. My first model is good enough to break a few class records and meanwhile you can get others ready to demonstrate on the roads and prepare the public mind for the new development in motoring.”

Melhuish nodded his head. “Very well. It might help.” That, really was the beginning of the battle. All the other moves had been preliminary skirmishes. Once ready to dash into the thick of the fray the Melhuish concern made wonderful progress.

George was agreeably surprised at the speed with which the plant was being organised for the making of his type of cars. And the publicity department was working overtime. From the “hush-hush” stage the newspapers had turned to a welcome for the startling British motoring invention that was to mark a new era in mechanical transport. Having read similar things before, the public exhibited the usual mild interest, hoped there might be something in it this time and promptly tried to find subjects of more assured value. Every time they were jerked back to the Dallas patent and the Melhuish exploitation of it.

Other firms became anxious. Thero was the anticipated wavering in market conditions. Melhuish bad not wished this and to avoid it he had tried to ensure secrecy until the last minute. His own firm, like others, was upset by the fluctuations. Prospective buyers of cars were holding their hands, waiting to see if the good nows really was true.

That was the moment George seized publicly to demonstrate the new car. As a racing driver he lacked experience. Never before had he competed in trackevents, so it was obvious that whatever successes came his way were duo to mechanical advantages rather than to his personal efficiency. Brooklands has its own type of spectator. As a rule they have a sort of specialised interest in motor vehicles. You rarely see these people at cricket, football or ordinary sporting functions although some of them occasionally patronise Hendon. They are of a now generation that is seeking thrills suited to a mechanical age.To an even greater degree the distinction exists among the technicians and drivers who concern themselves in these twentieth century gladiatorial displays.

Among them, George Dallas felt like a stranger in a foreign land. They regarded the newcomer suspiciously, Iml hardly with resentment. His car they dubbed irreverently “the piece of cheese,” and it was in its more dignified form of “The Wedge” that this unusual vehicle was destined to be titled. Nobody treated the arrival very seriously at first. So many odd and eccentric cars are thrust upon tho race tracks from time to time by enthusiastic designers. As a rule their only merit is to provide a quiet chuckle for tho experts, who are too sportsmanlike to betray amusement publicly. Besides they know that occasionally the peculiarity that seems so astonishing to-day may be the commonplace of tomorrow. (To be continued.)