THE WRATH TO COME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18947, 19 February 1925, Page 4

THE WRATH TO COME.

BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENfiEIM. Author ef "Tha Hillman," " Th® MaviSS. 1 Finser," " The Templing' ol Tavoroake," "The Mitfeia? Mori/' "Th® Wicked Marques#," Etc.. Etc. (Copyright.) CHAPTER XVII. Captain Martin and Chief Engineer Nicholson were smoking a pipe together when the door* of the cabin was abruptly opened to admit two of the ship's guests, Cornelius Blunn and Baron Funderstrom. "Good evening, gentlemen," the captain said. "We want to know, Mr. Engineer, what is wrong with your engines. Why can't you start up and get us back to Monte Carlo according to promise ?" "My engines! Who said there was anything wrong with my engines?" Nicholson demanded.. "Mr Siattery told us, not a quarter of an hour ago, that you were afraid tc start them for fear of an accident to one of the pistons." "Well, if Mr. Slatter aid so," the chief engineer observed, "he's doubtless right." "We have reason to suspect," Blunn ; declared, "that Mr. Siattery is trying to keep uk out here all night for a purpose of his own." "You'd better go and complain to Mr. j Stettery, if there's anything not to your liking. My job on board this boat is to take orders from the owner." "We have complained to Mr. Siattery," j Blunn rejoined. "He has refused to order you to start the engines." "They'll start as soon as Mr. Siattery j says the word, and not before," the cap- j ta'in intervened. Cornelius Blunn realised that threats were not likely to help him. "Look here," he said: "You two are! sensible men. Mr. Siattery is playing a j very dangerous game. He is pretending to be broken down to keep this gentleman j Baron Funderstrom, from attending the j Nice Conference to-morrow." | "Aye, aye," the engineer observed, "He has some good reason, no doubt." "I am not going to threaten you with what may happen if this conspiracy is persisted in," Blunn went on. "I want to put the matter to you another way. Start your engines up. and get us into Monte Carlo before morning and you shall have a draft for five thousand pounds, 'during the day." . ' "Five thousand poundsV* Chef Engineer Nicholson exclaimed. "Five thousand pounds!" the captain echoed. "It's an enormous sum," the former declcircd. "It is yours, if you'll do as I asked,** Blunn assured them. "What's the matter with Mr. Slattcrv giving me my orders?" Nicholson demanded, . "Mr. Siattery has already given you his orders, and wo don't approve of them,' | Blunn replied. " It's a pity, that," the chief engineer regretted, "for Mr. Slattery's ar© the only orders that arc likely to receive any attention on board this ship." "If io that five, I were to add another two?" Blunn suggested. "Seven thousand pounds! Why man alive, it's a tremendous sum," gasped the engineer. "I'd not know what to do with such a fortune." "That, is for you to decide, Blunn said impatiently. "You can make your own arrangements with the captain. All we ask of you is to start your engines, and of the captain, to take Us into Monte 'Carlo. Come! This shall mean your fortunes, both of you. It shall be ten thousand pounds between you, paid in cash torn r> rrow morning.'' "Ten thousand pounds!" Nicholson repeated. "Did you hear that, Captain j Martin? Five thousand apiece! Why, man. the money would be a temptation to us. Like as not w$ would stay 011 land and get drunk, instead of coming to sea, like decent seafaring men should." "Will you do it, or won't you?" Blunn demanded. The chief engineer knocked the ashes from his pipe. "There isn't a self-respecting officer born who'd take his orders from arty exempt his skipper. Yru're simply wasting vour time here, gentlemen. If you'll excuse. me I'll be getting along. I've a fancy for a word with Mr. Siattery." "You'll stay her© for the present," Blunn declared coolly. "Don't make a fuss abont it, please. No one wants to hurt you, but there's a great deal at stake, and a few men's lives won't make much difference." The engineer looked in genuine amazement down the black muzzle of Blunn's automatic, "Take your finger off that trigger, you blithering" idiot.'' he shouted. "Don't you know it, might go off at any minntc ?" "It's very likely" indeed to go off if yon move." Blunn assured him. "Just as you are, please, both of you." Baron Funderstrom stepped backwards, and Blunn followed his example. Outside, they shut the door, and locked it. The two officers stared at one another openmouthed. " So that's the game," the engineer exclaimed. "We're feecping that warmed-up corpse of a lop-eared Germain from going to the Conference, Abductors! That's what we are." Tito, captain helped himself to whisky and passed the decanter. "Fill up, Jim," lie invited, "and then you'd better press the bell." Nicholson did as he. was bid. "That fat. chump wasn't quite such a Rat as all that," he remarked, 'Wire's cut outside." "If this doesn't, beat the band!' 4 exclaimed the captain. "To think that I've been going to sea for 30 years, and have never been in a hold-up before! Drink up, Jim. There must bo something we. can do." The Chief Mate, Henry Fosbrcoke, was standing, his back to the rail, watching the somewhat erratic antics of an uncertain wind in his mainsaij. The yacht being for a watch under his control, he was speculating as to the reason for the curious instructions he had received. To him. out of the gloom, came Blunn, bulky, ponderous, slow-footed, followed by Funderstrom, grey and cold, silent as a dead man. "Are you the officer in charge?" the former asked. "I am, sir, for my sins, we're giving you a queer sort of entertainment tonight." "My friend here. Baron Funderstrom and I, are the victims of a pratical joke," Blunn continued. "We have a proposition to make to you." "If it is anything to do with getting busy down in the engine room. I shall bo glad to hear it," said the officer. "T. don't fancy this flopping about, with squalls -in the offing." "Neither do we," Blunn declared. "Wo want to turn the tables upon Mr. Siattery. Is there a second engineer on board ?" "There he is, sir," the mate answered, pointing to a gloomy figure standing a low vards off. "I* should like to speak to him for a moment, please call him." The appearance of the second engineer was encouraging. He was a youngish man, with shifty eyes, and furtive manner. "Is five thousand pounds apiece any use to you young fellows?" Blunn asked, addressing them both. „ They could only stare. "Get down to your engine room, start up and head this yacht back for Monte Carlo," Blunn continued, "and the money is yours." "Without Mr. Slattery's orders?" the officer of the watch gasped. "Mr, Siattery, at the moment, is not in a position to give orders." "What about my chief?" the engineer demanded. "He is in the same position. . You have got the run of tha ship. : for a time. Do as I say and I swear you shall'have the money." "I'thought there was some queer work afoot. "What's wrong with Mr. Siattery?" the mate exclaimed. "Nothing serious," Blunn assured them. "I have locked .hira. up. He is trying to play a trick oft us. . It is perfectly fair and just to defend ourselves. Ho is .endeavouring to keep us from making land before dawn. Wo are determined to get : there, somehow ar other. It Is five thw*

- -T" " ' L 1 r mi sand apiece. There's some fun to be ?oS for five thousand, you know." "I'm on -it)} - ay," the seiond engineer decided. "We can't'be getting anyone mto bad trouble."' "You will'not'be getting anyone fete * ' trouble at all," Blunn declared. "'My fjnond here is Baron Funderstrom, Scandinavian delegate 'at 'the ."Nice Conference. .WWI 1 Mr. Siattery is trying to do is to prevent his attending the meeting to-morrow ujorn- | ing, for political reasons. We intend.' that iiigt i he shall be there, " | "But what's become of my chief?"'his j subordinate asked anxiously. 1 ''Locked up in his own room/' was the ' blunt reply, "and the captain with him. That can't last long either to get back I to Monaco, with a full, head of steam on," [' "All right," the officer of the watch ! announced. "I'll take her in charge. We've scarcely any sail on her now. We'll get. : | rid of that directly. Five thousand pounds; each, mind!" "It is a bargain," Bhinn assured them. ? They disappeared in different directions. I Blunn, followed by Funderstrom, strolled along the deck. Susan looked up as they approached: "Where's everyone? They all seem to have gone to sleep." "Where is Mr. Siattery?" Gertrude demanded. "And what have you dons with ■ my husband?" "They are all trying to solve the proble.ro! of this slight breakdown," Blunn explained. "It seems to be a more intricate affair than we thought." "Is Siattery really down in the engine room ?" asked Lancaster. "I left him there," Blunn told them* "Like every owner, I believe he fancies that his presence encourages the others." "By jove, it, has, too!" tha young mm exclaimed. "Can't you hear the thud % The engine's started." There was a chorus of exclamations, Susan rose from her place and glided unnoticed round the other side of the deck* CHAPTER XVIII. Susan passed nnseen down the company ionway and into the saloon. A single steward was there, busy at the sideboard* "Do you know where Mr. Siattery is ?". "He is in his room with another gentleman." Susan continued on her passage through the saloon. The man deferentially but, effectively barred the way. "If your ladyship will excuse me,** he said, '"'Mr. Siattery gave intructions that he was not to be disturbed." "You're telling me a lie. Mr. Siattery gave no such orders," "Well, the gentleman with him did, your ladyship." "Stand aside, please,*'* said Susan. The man hesitated. He was a somewhat' undersized person, and Susan felt, herself' possessed with the strength of half-a-dozen such. She swept him on one side, and! passed ' along tha passage beyond the Saloon. At the second door, which she knew to be Grant's, she paused, knocked, and then tried the handle. "Who is there?" Grant's voice inquired.."(Curse you, shut up!" von Diss mottered angrily. "Grant, is anything wrong!" Susan called out "A great deal.** ho answered, "and you - seem to have been the only person with common sens© enough to find out. Can. you get hold of Captain Martin, and tell him there is a mutiny on the ship? I'm locked in here." The door was stealthily opened. A hand flashed out and caught her by the wrist. She felt herself being dragged into tha room., And then pandemonium. The sudden opening of the door showed her what had happened. Grant, lounging on his bunk, covered by von Diss' weapon, took advantage of that sudden torn, to make the spring which he had been contemplating for some time. Yon Diss' right arm was knocked up by a cruel undercut, one barrel of the pistol went off harmlessly into the wall With the other hand, Grant struck him on the side of the head. He collapsed with bar el v a groan, half on the Soor and half on the sofa. Grant picked up the pistol, "Bless you, my child !** he said to Susan, standing amazed, but unshaken, on thi threshold. "What does it all mean?" she demanded. "Oh, wo asked for trouble all right. We're abductors, pirates, whatever von like. 1 don't blame these chaps for not taking it lying down. But I think they might have put up a better class fight. Now let's get on deck. I want to find out who the mischief gave orders to start the engine." . " "What about him?" pointing to <h> floor where von Diss lay moaning and , half conscious. "I'll send a steward down,* 8 Grant promised. "He's got lota of nerve, I will say that for him. He got me covered and his hand was like a rock. He'd have shot ;me all right if I'd have moved. He madci i the mistake of his life when he took ilia ! eye off mo to pull you in. Now we'll hi>vo to sec about theso engines." They made their way through tbfl deserted saloon, up the companion-way, and out on to the weather side of tea. deck. A young officer came along. Ho. saluted as" Grant spoke to him. "Who's on the bridge, Simpson? "Fosbrooke, sir. It's my relief but he preferred to go on for another hour. Said ho had some special orders." "What's our course ?" "Almost duo north, sir,* the. you. a answered. "Wo ;>hall fetch Monaco in about two hours." „ Grant nodded and walked forward to the steps leading to the. bridge. The look-out man stood behind 4ho white canvas. A solitary figure was pacing backward and forwards. "Stay here." Grant whispered. "There's probably somo one else lurking about to see that this fellow isn't interfered with. "Not I!" she insisted. "I'm coming up with you. You haven't another pistol, have you ?" , "No, but you can have this one. : ho answered, pushing it into her hand. "They won't suspect your having one, and I m pretty useful with my fists. Got, it ? Good! ; Now, go round the other side and tell ! Gertrude to look after her husband. See What's doing, and then come forward. I can't think what's become of Martin and the chief engineer." She glided away through the darkness. Her slippered feet were noiseless upon the deck, and in her black gown she was almost invisible. Grant mounted _ the steps rapidly. There was no sign of any unauthorised person upon the bridge. Tha words of stern inquiry were already framed upon his lips. Then, just as he stood on the last step, something swung out from behind the canvas protection. Me felt a crashing blow on the side of his head, a sudden sensation of fury, followed by on'' of darkness. He fell down the steps and collapsed on the deck below. Cornelius Blunn, an ugly block of wood still in his hand, peered over and looked at him. There was a certain irony about Susans re-appearance aft. A steward was handing orangeades, whisky and soda, and some cup. Funderstrom was sitting upon the outskirts, cold and silent as ever. Gertrude and Rose were listening to ths music, but the latter was clearly uneasy.. She welcomed Susan eagerly. "Susan, where is everybody? I never knew anything so mysterious. Mr. Siattery hasn't been back all the time. Prince Von Diss has disappeared, and now even Mr. Blunn has deserted us." "I suppose it's the trouble about, the engines," Susan observed. "The sea's quite calm even if we do break down." Mr. Cornelius Blunn came into evidence. Be stepped through the companion way with the obvious air of' having something to sav. "There is no cause for alarm," he assured them, "the whole aflair is a mere trifle, but Mr. Siattery has met with J* slight accident. Ho seems to have slipped coming down the steps from the bridgeWe've taken him into the saloon. If one of you ladies, who is accustomed to band* aging—" . (To he continued daily.)