BLAKE OF THE R.F.C.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17380, 31 January 1920, Page 3 (Supplement)

BLAKE OF THE R.F.C.

|f|- M, AIRMAN'S LOVE STOyV L\V:,. BY L*r.-COLONEL B. CURrffig. i'W' ■ ' Wh * n En C lal,d • Sleirt," .to. i" . Autaor <>t " When Encland etc. (COPYRIGHT.) J-' ;.' CHAPTER X^(Wtinued.)' "•■' fflKg&ln 1 • large : bay■ formed by an aw„ supporting part of -the battlement* B tood . white turban. In hWnMMi&WMA Iwitnhi. back to him, • it § m ™& •» wearing along black flowing robfLd a white turban. In his right Cd he ii J 6 ™ I ™, town, the: hamlet ban and. Bkctc him at the other end of, the bay, stood officer in iffi g l»ra,.and a *ery pretty voumr siVl- jwl held their hands. Shore ffliffita " N& pig dog-1" cried the&ian speakm? English with a fc went, "you. can see how T Li XS §&.-; mil de pistol, that last bullet St r erased your ear, the. next I will Egg »•«»«, centre of your' ■tenid » head if you - da to disobey my com mande by a smgle move. You hea> S Wfrf'-.-Ty* l * English miss," be cried/ > fev** better advise him to be careful and Ife act gwicKly t, hen I do speak " . ; •■ ■ '.™ 1&&. Suifc f^ 01 ' ; Mur," the girl pleaded frantically., '~ " »- .-So. Now you yill continue your proife'™!"?, m >:W down below where we » ; n!J ■ W soma : quieMtaJk' tcgetherSgwito KWoriabk • fcow, you English miss! who is not gwite worthy of the nttenffegtkffia of a German officer, m.irch, and » : keep your English fool of a lover from ffef dwdheving me, m I scatter ', his stupid ?i> : : English brains all over ycnr fine drew." ifff. ;-l guess not,' remarked • Brent, step'"T "-. Pnwtjn** view; there was the crack of a revolver, which reverbertvled into': the caverns of the old place, and the Egyptians revolver, struck by a bullet was flips out of his hand tlmost tb the feet HI of hi* victims. In a moment Arthur £-> Blake -was upon ,bimri W d had thrown -. him to the ground. .', .-.-h''■;•, s|f< : -:.^Brent : gave'* casual look at the two Joggling en the ground. " "I guess your m& «■ • „™ Bsa ' ii " want ; any assistance, $%' 1 ? 36 ' ,he remarked, coolly replacing |§p.;hja revolver in his hip pocket, "It was fc>f lofty thing t was heeled.-; "Whom have p&: I the i|!is»sure of addressing?" f >f£ •■'. |P|> Tarn, lady Vera Staunton, ana* this rf %i| Chplam Arthur Blake, of the Royal Hying Corps." ;.' > ..-„■.' ■ f;,..•'-•;,. s -;■ ft : & -*P Jtia .to meet yen aid, your friend jg ? Lady > Vera, I have just left your father mm the DWeL I'm sure he'll "be g.ad to bear si.- arrived in time to s givo Vj bis daughter a little assistaK«». T*W pfe heve w»» German Task was inclined to itl *55«, mischief. Hero,: Captwn;' be t fe added, "tot ;ma-.gSre you a hand in bind* uig hutt up. I see ron have got his torban.;©?, and it-makes an excellent rope Mm to tie > disagreeable petpfe\TOf with. -X plrv" baw' seen H done before." ' With *\ few «!**t«H»is. (urns, having Pi fust torn the ttaban linen in two long i -.- strips they were at last able thoroughly §&■• to, secure f their prisc-mer, who* never for g .cue moment ceased to 'revile them. Mi $&s™** « f pig dogs." .'■!»'■• «creamed, : fe ihieves, you haf stolen my fin© l, i; . T«>be which is worth six of vour old omnibuses. I rill haf back mv Tanbe « if tout life I vill haf sua" the life of;th»t . ; Englishwoman. And vc2."' he added W.l . turning his head towards Brent, ' almost p;. .ipittin;; out his words, "how dare you W.r » touch a Cherman officer, von a vile' civ|f > ~ Kan.'* .;-• . -.. v.. *,i -.. -~?;,:. • '"If yon dun't''moderate tow remarks p . * bit, -my ftffljj." said Brent ten? coolly, Hf- 1 grass the < German officer will get * rgomvl American kick."';■": '*>; . : ".'>'^,' f '#i "Oh! yon are American, ' are Ton,"'tbß p German screamed. ?'Gotfc ittrafe Amerwfc* . 1/ •, 'Thank * you," the American replied, W 'the Almighty nunishes' wicked people, g. peonle who murder harmless women and ;? children. But : tell me," he added, turn- ?. ing to Arthur, "how did you '■, get into I this, p&lere?" ,«; ...,;,_... '' Arthur was straigbteniig bis- uniform ; . after histusslit; ■ .■: :'. j\ r-x; v . "We ran nvier be sufficiently thankful to you,*' be awwered,J?' for vour timely shot.. This Seraan spy obtained .entrance to the Citadel in the;disguise, of an Egyptian Sheik. I strongly suspect he had other designs, bat .he evidently recoimised me, and the temptation to! murder me swamped all his other plans." | "What have yon been doine to excite hi? special wrathf' the American asked. i Arthur smiled. "My oetrol tank got hit the other day, and I had to descend into the enemy lines," he said. "Chance gave mo the opportunity to get away in one of this German's Taubes.. That's where the shoe pinches." <\ ./; "Pig. dog! thief!" yelled (ha German, "and the woman, the English miss was with him dressed '< ■ as r a' man.'* "Hold your German tongue," # cried Arthur, "or I will put half & brick in your mouth." (There were plenty.about.) lie American saw; there was something unusual in the air,' and being a gentleman, ignored it.' "But how did you get here?" asked Arthur. t "Lady Vera and I who are engaged .So v, be married," he explained, at which announcement Brent bowed to the lady. ■ "were walking on the- battlements, and ( w.Ben we came to this secluded corner found this spy waiting for ns, Ho was ' in a perfectly safe place, and covered us both with his revolver. He threatened to shoot, Lady Vera if I refused to do I •what he asked, and he threatened to toll I me if Lady Vera disobeyed him. I was not : armed, I had to do what he asked, and in-the end he made us walk before him down here." • . . ; "Then ho knows the place! Brent sug- ' "I don't tlink there is a doubt about it. My opinion is that he hd been here before in that disguise wanminicating with the piisonera probably.The German, gave » hearty l»g • "You fools," he'iemarketl, "a child could take you in." . ~ , , & "You seem to hate met hwa before, f Captain Blake, do you happen to know ■i ' who he is?" « *be Hauptaann yon 'Tes, he is the Hauptmann von Bclienck, a German airman. • , TSerr Hauptmann, pig dog," corrected the German. . , _ „_ - "Well Hcrr Hauptmann pig-dog, or , von Schenck, or wUver «m rname mav be" broke m Brent, "I think you S «me to the end of your tether. Being ■ taken prisoner as a spy in civilian clothes is a serious matter." r».»m an ■ "To shall see," returned the German, faming with rage, "you haf called me pigdo?, and I demand satisfaction. "I euess you've bad quite enough satisfaction for one day, Herr Hauptmann. Now I suppose," continued Brent, turning to Blake;" yob intend to lay th« gentleman by the heels?" , .„ . „ , "Yes, I don't think t'aere will be much difficulty about that. If you will kindly stand over him with your revolver for a minute or two, I can call to a sentry from the wall above and he will turn the guard

" Now yon go with Captain Blake, Lady Vera/' Brent replied', " while I keep the Herr Hauptrjann company. I shall to** no need to draw my revolver, captain, x can put ray hand on it pretty quickly when it's wanted." , " Before we go, let me have the pleasure of knowing our deliverer's mime, Blake fcdded. . . ... " Willoughby Brent, a citizen of the United States, at your service," he answered with a bow to Lady Vera. l ' Gott strafe America!" remarked the tied up German with fervour. " Just 60," commented the American. "If the States ever fall bo low as to kill babies and ill-use helpless wonten, I liopft He will." Blake gave Lady Vera his arm, and led her back again up into the open air. A shout from above announced to Brent that Blake was communicating with the sentry. In a few minnutes Blake returned with a corporal's guard. "Unbind hie legs," he said to the noncommissioned officer, " and let hiffli WiilK 1 to the guardroom between you. Keep a sharp look upon him, as he is a slippery customer, and you had better run your hand over him for concealed weapons before you start." , j •'X The corporal, an old soldier, did this v very thoroughly, and then the German was | marched of. _ " I vill make you pay for this, English lij-| pic-dogs," he screamed _as he was *ed sway. "I am a Prussian officer and I Wk vill.be treated rait great respect." " Now we have got rid of him,V comiUi menicd Blake as he disappeared, "I must:

, S> and ; report tie wholv matter to the ;• ovenioi," ' Blake and Willougbbly Brent walked to- | jWtnei'back to the Governors house! Lady l Vera Ihad already preceded them with, the | hews, and there was quite a crowd on the h parade to see them return. They had * just .enjoyed the spectacle of the German being i conducted across the pjads'.to the main guard. Blake met the dragoman \on ' hi' steps ' and told him he .had important business with the Governor at.'once. '.' '■ > ' ""I 1 ; "Very good, sir,V the man refilled, "I ' t will tell the Governor's orderly at once. His ' Excellency ■is engaged ■ at'; pre o en vin 'i his i private office with His Excellency lbvalr.m , Pacha." ; " Ibrahim Pacha 1" . Arthur. could not, help; ejaculating. ;■ The dragoman -looked at him sharply, ; but said nothing, '■ , k »~ * ; ; ». J : .• ■ " Ibrahim Pacha > seems , to; have upset . your equilibrium, ' captain," Brent' w- , marked. "It seeJis to me he has a finger iin everybody's : pie/ : here in Cairo.":,;'; , "Have i you ; come across him ' before!" ; B'ake asked. " - - - •' "Oh! yes, I met him at our consulgeneral's. % ; He seems (to ; have a ' gorgeous reputation here.*l- -- , ' The dragoman returned... .; '''•■-' t: "His) Excellency ; the ■ Governor wi3 see you at once," he announced.'-•■.)'""CV. "I'M% _" You had better come in with me, Mr. Brent," Arthur suggested; " yon are really entitled ' to ail the i praise for the captdio 1 of the German and the saving in all frobability of Lady 'Vera and myself from a , terrible fate." :>■■'■'-:'iQ ■ -h "J don't want any praise/' tho American replied, " but do you really wunt me to go with you?" . v ; " I should Abo obliged if • yon would ; come," Blake replied. •' ' <,; >.;■ >" "The>ji thaC settles it," Brent answered. The dragoman led them to the official side of the house and handed ihfciU over ;to the Governor's old. orderly.'*'' ■ ■". ft To Arthur's , surprise, Ibrahim Pacha, [ 0001, ■ collected, and with a smile upon his handsome face, was still there wh?n they entered the office; hcth. he and the general rose to receive them. s f . • w . " Good-evening, Blake," the general said good-naturedly, " and you too, Mr Brent." he lauorhed. "Why, what is all this excitement about!" . /.;:".,' , :[£. ] .^slt; was very clear that he had not seen Lady Vera, . *, : ' r .. * % x.' v > Arthur looked towards Ibrahim Pacha before he commenced to tell^ the Cgenaral the 'incidents which had just taken ; place. j and he was ) answered by' a frown. - ■' •; Arthur bowed in subraissitai, but yet , Wondered in his heart how this man, re- ■ pttted;;,by.- the Intelligence Department to be ; a pro-Turk and pro-German, was a] { ;• lowed to remain and hear tha communica- , he was about to make. However, he had been ordered to epeak, his presence, and the blame would not be with him; v.•"Be' seated, gentlemen," Lord Mellinjrboremgh said, \ and -with \ a smije to Wil- . loughby Brent Ibrahim sat down again, and the others followed hin example. • 'Che marquess passed round a.silver box of cigarettes, and Blake related his narrative in a short, sharp, eoldierly manner, giving : full ! credit for the rescue and the capture, of the German to Willooghby Brent,' .„.,,.„.., , v ...,.-. ;. <

The general got up and shook the latter by toe hand. ••Ihrah&n, during the whole of the narrative, had sat placidly smoking his cigarette; only "once' did his features stow->iy. intense interest, and that was at, the mention of von Schenck's name; hut -it was the merest tightening of the lips, with a, snap of«the dark grey eyes, sad then the face was as before—placid, stron?, but telling nothing. */"' Blake finished his narrative wittf the account of the German beine handed over to the main guard, and waited for the general's comment ;r;' f . ! , | " Ho must be treated as an officer," said Lord Mellingborbugh; :"then,. is no doubt that he is one. You have absolutely seen hun m an i officer's uniform, have you not?" ■■'■< "■ y-;ji ; ,-•;•;-..:;.■-•?;■•. v->

" Yes, that is so, sir," Blake confirmed, He noted how the general avoided mention of his daughter. ;. " '" ; ."Then eo at once and rW tip the assist, ant-provost marshal, and when he arrives hand ran Schenck over tc- him." i " Very well, sir," Arthur answered, and left to carry'oift the general V order. The desultory conversation between Ibrahim, the general, and Brent which followed was broken into five minutes later by the hurried return of Blake. •*• ' "I rcieret to inform you, sir," he said, audressm* the mru-queas. "that vnn Schenck has escaneH from the ward." He caneht eight of Ibrahim's face as, he spoke, en d *pere was the same quiet smile upon it which ha had noted when they first entered jlat room. CHAPTER XIV. / ' : VOW SCHWfOT. SEEKS THE PACHA. . Late on the night of the escape of the German, Von Schenck, from the Citadel, Ibrahim Pacha Was busily engaged in bis private room at his own house in the Avenue Marabout. Seated at a big office table covered with papers and under a strong green-shaded light, he was working hard in absolute stillness, his 'whole thoughts concentrated on a pile of papers befom him. He had removed his red fez, which was on the table by his side; his close-dropped black head, with the white hjflr Allowing oversee temples was bent over hie work The night was hot, the long French windows of the room stood open, showing, a flood of moonlight in the garden beyond. He had been nt work hours, for he" did not spare himself, and the night'was waning; already the wailing of a Muezzin in the minaret of a distant mosque could be heard calling the people to priirer before the dawn. Ibrahim got up, took, a cigarette from 1k big cabinet in which were thousands, each sort having a compartment to itself. He walked two or three times up and down th* room, smoking his cigarette, and then the cries of the distant Mujzzin were mixed with another sound, the soft tread of a raui'i footsteps. A native, in a long black robe came through the French window, blocking out the moon.' light, which was merging '.-, j the faint dawn. The man was expected and Ibrahim beckoned him in« • "Sit there, Von Schenck," he said, "and we will talk this matter over." The German came in and took a seat. " Have you got/ a cigar?" he asked. Ibrahim indicated a box on bis table and a tantalus of spirits: Von Schenck helped himself to both and watched the Pacha walking to and fro as he spoke to hint " Allow me to point out, Herr Hauptmann," Ibrahim continued, "that to, ring me up on the telephone 2nd demand assistance in your present predicament was an unwise- and very hazardous proceeding from your point of' view, but that is your affair, not mine." " I frequently do unwise and barzardous things," continued the German in his own language. "I like doing them." Ibrahim bent his head. " Well, what do you expect me to do? he answered. The German gulped down some raw brandy and turned upon him savagely. " 1 'expect you to g've me every assistance in your power as becomes the servant of my Imperial master the Kaiser." The Pacha's body seemed suddonly to stiffen, „ „' "Not quite so fast, Herr Hauptmann. Your assumption goes too far." " Too far, do you deny—" Ibrahim cut the German's sentence short by holding up his hand; " Yi-u are going ahead too fast; you are assuming too much." Do vou deny," said the German in a bullying tone, "that you are taking the gold of my Imperial master? _ The Pacha answered him quite coolly: "Let us make a little review of the ■situation," ha suggested, halting in his walk and facing Von Schenck; "now from vour'po> nt oi; vie ' il is B ' mlv J!" 8 ,: fiv s years ago you and I met in Berlin. I was at that time doing some confidential work for your Foreign Office, and was of course being paid for my trouble. During the verv pleasant time I spent in Berlin we became friendß. and tasted some of the pleasures of your capital in each other's society. is so," continued the Haupt- " That is so," continued the Haupt""Then wo drifted apart, you to your armv work, I to finish up the somewhat complicated task I had been given to perform by vour government, and when that was completed, to take service with another country." I (To be continued on Saturday next.)