THE MYSTERY-MAKER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20152, 12 January 1929, Page 12 (Supplement)

THE MYSTERY-MAKER.

BY SEAMARK.

A ROMANCE OF THE SECRET SERVICE.

CHAPTER X.—(Continued.) Hawker looked diffidently at tho empty firegrato. " That means I don't got the warrant, eh ? " he asked. " Not necessarily. You know Stnyne's end of it better than I do. You know where ho stands. You have already told mo the lino ho intends to adopt if we swing tho chargo against him. It seems to mo that as fast as you collect now evidence against him ho replies with alibi 3 that prove conclusively that ho was not there. When I say conclusively 1 merely refer to a judge and jury, of course." Tho intonation was as moderately regulated as though the chief were discussin.' the merits of various holiday resorts for that year's vacation, but Ilawker was not deaf" to tho bitter, accusatory noto of failure that bit through it. Hawker plunged. " Chief." ho said, dispassionately, let me put it this way. I can't do much while ho remains at liberty, checkmating every move ue make. I say ' we' because I mean that I am not alone in this fight— Stayne is twiddling you round his fingers as much as ho is inc. I can do a hell of a lot ofice I got him cooped up in a twelve by eight. Once let me get him isolated away into a cell and I'll bav.- all tho evidence you want. I'll bust up his alibis inside fortyeight hours. I'll get my witnesses lined up sc. that the Lord Chief Justico himself couldn't pick a holo m their depositions. I'll have the wholo lay-out fixed against him so that Lloyds would bet ten to one on a full conviction." "Yes?" said the chief gently. " I certainly will," declared Hawker. " You know as well as I do that Stayne alono planned tho cstapo of Varris from gaol. Ho alone put it through. He alone has kept bun out of my hands ever since. That's crimo enough to sling any man into the jug for a good long stretch. You know as well as I do that ho worked that passport business, and you know—better than 1 do—that he is up to his ears in this banknote swindle. Marienne Varris went to him right away. Demorval has killed himself. Lady Demorval doesn't know which way to turn. Tho Embassy over there is at its wits' end. yelling to us for help by every post. Both Varris and his sister were employees there. They know tho full strength of it. If they tvere on the straight, why didn't they c->me to us? No. Being crooks, they prefer the crook course. Marienne goes to John Stayne for help, and Varris himself takes five years' penal rather than open his mouth. That's the evidence, chief—and it ought to be enough. You know it's the truth, and I can establish it up to the hilt as soon as I get Stayne shut away. On top of that Stayne (ells me he is going over to Paris to-night. Once ho gets over there where will I be ? Hey ? In the name of Cod, tell mo where I'll bo!" Marbury looked up and his eyes met Hawker's. " Stayno goes to Paris to-night?" ho repeated. " Told me so himself. Boasted it. Chief, you've got to give mo the warrant. You "know what these French police are. If I've got to hold up this business, Stayne has got to go under lock and key!" Marbury reached over for a new pad. There was neither hesitation nor diffidence in his voice. " You get it, Hawker," he said. " I'll stand by you, if I have to get remands till the cows come home. Why the devil didn't you tell me about Paris before? Heavens, man, things have moved too fast even for me. Get him! Arrest him on sight." Hawker did not pause for thanks. He saw the brief order written ,and signed. He saw tho chief bang his thumb on a bell push and pass the order over to the messenger who entered: and ho saw, the messenger depart. Without a further word ho wont out, a rankling sore simmering hotly in his breast. If Marbury had only done that two days ago—when all the fingers of common sense and logic pointed avidly in that obvious direction — the whole job would have been over and done with by now. He went down to his own office and waited for the order, discussing the entire case with his team. His own pointed belief was that as soon as he had roped in the Mystery-Maker the whole problem of the Continental banknote swindle would be laid bare. And at last he had got tho chief round to his way of thinking. No longer was ho harassed with the knowledge that he was working alone and in the dark. The chief was in with him and the whole power and resource of the Yard was now lined up behind him. He knew tho signs; he knew what it meant when the chief dropped that assumed air of courteous suavity. The mask was off, and the chief was out for a fight. He would stand by now to the last clang of the bell. Hawker mado his dispositions, apportioning his men where they would do most good in this new drive. Ho 'phoned the houso opposite, where ho had taken tho front rooms. "Anybody arrived?" ho asked, pointedly. " Yes, sir. An old gentleman with a slight paunch and a stoop of his shoulders, heavily pebbled glasses and walks badly; fallen arches or flat feel, I think. We let him go through." " Good!" breathed Hawker to his crowd. "Varris is in. We get 'em both together. How long ago was that?" " A little under an hour, sir. Nothing further has happened. Three men arrived soon .after and sent word through. They're operating at the back, in the house behind Bb. They're dressed up as decorators. You'll notice them in long white coats. Wo haven't heard from them for lialf-an-hour; but I reckon they've tapped that tunnel by now. They were to report back here again inside half-an-hour if they ran up against a snag. Looks to me as though they've got through." "Fine! Hold on there. We've got 'em now by the scruff of the neck. Stayne himself will bo along soon—in a few minutes now. He may take some fool disguise, but tabulate every man who goes in. The boys round at the back will safeguard that end of it. Arrest out of hand any man who comes out! Get that? Mako no bones about it. Arrest 'em, and I'll stand for it all. The warrant for Stayne is coming through right now; and we've got tho blighters where wo want 'em. They'ro making a break for the Continent to-night, and. our job is to grab 'em all betoro they can get to Victoria, If you let mo down on this I'll rub your faces out. Has tho window-cleaner boen out again ?" " No, sir. I've seen him in the breakfast room again, in his ordinary kit. He's changed back again." " Well, don't, risk him again. If tho butcher boy calls, haul him back to the shop and get him identified beforo you let him go. That brute could get his living as a quick change artist in vaudo ville. Shadow everyone wlio goes through, if it's only the rate collector." " I'll see to it," camo tho cheerful response from the other end. " And another thing—has anything come through from our man on tho Exchange?" "Yes, sir That's how we knew here that they were making a break for it. Tembridgo lias telephoned through, reserving two firsts on tho boat train through to Paris." "Two? Sure it wasn't three?" " No, sir; two. They booked right through. And a couple of district messengers were sent for later on to sco to their luggage." " Great *tuff, Tom. Which messenger office was called ?" " Victoria, sir; just by tho station." " Well, don't even trust them! Question 'em when they arrive and make 'em show their credentials. Bind them to silence and then let them through. We'll havo this business fixed up and exploded before the sun goes down. I'll be along there insido half-an-hour. Keep your end up.."

(COPYRIGOT.)

" You bet." Hawker banged the receiver down and hurried through to the great main yard where his car stood panting against tho kerb. In twenty minutes ho was round in the front room, tho whole atmosphere electrical with expectation. Tom, his eubordinato, was waiting for him. " Tho Exchange man has just been through again, sir," ho said. "It waa To. ii ib rid go on tho line. He's ordered a taxi to connect with tho boat train." Hawker rubbed his hands. " Planning out fine," he breathed. " Pity that Exchange man wasn't put on before," he said. " How long lias ho been on tho board ?" " Something under an hour. Couldn't get headquarters' permission before. There's been a bit of love-spat between us and tho P.M.G. over it." " Ho t hoy suspect us yet at 8B?" " Don't think so. Calls come and go just tho same. 'lt doesn't matter anyway. We've got 'cm cooped up inside. Varris and Tembridgo are there; Stayno is on the way. As soon as they are all in we'll go up and raid. I've got ten men posted at Victoria and six men havo gono down to Dover —just in caso they work another miracle —which they won't, curso 'ein," "Are you going out, sir?" " Yes. Your orders are to watch — and wait. And act on instructions. Don't nrguo about it. Just grab 'cm off as they como out. I'm going round to see what's doing at tho house at the back. Keep nio informed of anything happening by 'phone. Daleson is on the 'phono round there; got tho number.'" " Suro I'vo got it. Our man is attending to our section of tho switchboard. He's guaranteed mo a seven seconds service." " Great stuff. See you later. I'll be back again in a quarter of an-hour. We may be able to make a surprise entrance from round there and take 'em in the act. I'm just itching to get Stayne napping. He's had it all his ow r n way up to now. But I've got tho backing from the iilside now—and I'll roast the liver out of him." Hawker hurried down tho stairs and out into tho bright sunlight. He strode swiftly down tho square and crossed over tho road. All of a sudden his pace slackened and ho stared. His heart took p violent jump into the region of his throat and little imps of joy began dancing about in his soul. Coming toward him was his chief, Marbury, head of the C.1.D.; Marbury, tho ice-cold block of logic, tho terror of tho wrongdoer, the man who held in his hands the swift direction of all the vast authority and power of Scotland Yard— Marbury come to take charge himself! Just for a moment Hawker paused indecisively. There was no mistaking that elegantly groomed figure in the smart Raglan and soft grey hat. Never a detectivo on earth looked less like his part than the slim, neat figure walking quietly up that square. But to those who knew him, the look, tho walk, the dress, the air of quiet assurance and that indefinable, unanalysable air of authority that grows round a man in high State employ all betrayed him. " Marbury of the Yard." If a further hallmark was required it was there in the slim, black cane with the big ivory knob, carried slantwise under the arm at just that well-known angle and tho pale lemon gloves slipped casually into his left hand crooked over the stick. Marbury came on, approaching without even a sign of recognition. He took Hawker, fiat eyed and square in the face —and looked not at him, but through him, sheer through him as though he either did not exist or was as dirt beneath his perfectly shod feet. Hawker thrust a pipe into his mouth and fumbled for a match, taking a cue long since known between them. "Got a match, sir?" he asked affably as Marbury drew alongside. " I have —yes." Tho chief stopped, and the box was handed over. " Varris is in here. Stayno hasn t turned up yet, but he's on tho way." Hawker was talking through lips that were stiff and motionless. Marbury turned away indifferently. "Oh, yes?" he said in the same odd, ventriloquial way, "and what else?" " They're booked through to Pans. Next train from Victoria. Two of them. They'ro aiming to park V arris somewhere on tho way. Two district messengers arrived to fix their luggage through. They'll bo in disguise, and won't risk bobbing up at the customs. An old > trick —but it doesn't get by, this time." Hawker puffed awav stolidly at his pipe. Marbury carefully flicked a speck of non-existent cigarette ash from his coat sleeve. . . " Are you going in, sir? he asked in between puffs. . " Yes. I'll hold it from inside. Wait for my signal, before you raid. A blind will bo pulled down in the front room. When that comes down, step into it, lively. But that won't be until Stayne appears. We can rope in tho others and put them on the grid. Tembridge may stay dumb, but 1 can mako Varris recite his piece. Aro you going round to the back?" " Yes, sir. 1 was on tho way. Ihree men aro already round there. "It will bo a cellar entrance; bound to be. You'll find tho trapdoor and station your men underneath. Then wait for a signal. Any sort of a noiso in the cellar aoove will do—knocking over a barrel or loosing off a gun. When they hear that, let them come swarming up. The Dover end all fixed?" " Six down there. With photographs of them all. Stayne they know on sight. Marbury nodded, slightly bored, and held out his hand for the matches. " Thank you very much, sir," Hawker touched his hat in polite salute and walked on down tho road. Tho chief continued his quiet stroll up tho square At 8b he paused, walked up tho steps, and knocked. Belham, tho imperturbable opened tho door. What si <T n passed between the two was not visible, but it went over to perfection. Marbury stood for a moment, Idly swinging his cane, chatting away as though discussing the advisability of waiting for someone who obviously was not m. Eventually Belham bowed, held the door wide, and tho chief entered. As soon as tho door was closed behind his back lie mado a lead for the stairs, going up them two at a timo. " All ready, Tembridge?" he called through to his assistant on the first floor. , , " Ail ready nnd waiting, sir. lhere s a thousand pounds in notes in your wallet and your passport is iu your pocket." Stayne was pulling off his moustache as ho went up, refolding it back into its tiny si Ivor case. Up m Ins room ho got through to Number One again ' More trouble?" camo the soft voice from the other end. " All fixed now, sir. With a bit of fast work from you, I think we can make it. Perrigo goes over to-night. We're on Ins trail all tho way. The soft voico cut in gently. "There must bo no arrest, Number Three, you understand that?" This matter- must uever come up in tho courts." " Obvious. Perrigo and Canning will not trouble any judge in ermine. They go tho way of Kuhlmann, Velpan, Murdis, the Little Dancer, and a good many more wo needn't mention. I will see to all that, y Best they should die in Paris, I think. It will look like suicide—and tho French polico will stand in. Their end is already fixed—and they'll do it of their own free will!" " One day," said the chief softly, "you shall tell mo how I've yefc to hear a story from your own lips—and I think it's timo wo met. Kuhlmann was a stroke of genius; Murdis was an inspiration. Yes —oriM day we must meet. We owe it to each other, Number Three..''

" That will bo when you are out of har-1 ness," said Stayne with almost a hint of an old-standing grievance in his voice. " I've had perfect help from you up to now—and now I want some real fast stuff, chief." " I know." The voice at the other end was tolerantly good-humoured, but somewhere in its fibres was that ring of steel, that undercurrent of deadliness that marked the man who dealt continuously in matters of lifo and death. " I know—our man has been listening in, too." A gentle chucklo camo over the wire, F and tne level voico said, " Well? Anything yon want from our end will be delivered at your door, in plain vans, tout suito. What can Ido ?' 4 If you'vo been tapping in on the lino thero isn't much in uio telling you, is there ?" said Stayne. " To begin with, I believe you want two long-service district messengers. Yes ?" " Never wanted anything rnoro urgently in my life." " Don't worry. They'ro arranged for. They'ro hero now dressed and waiting. It is not necessary for you to know their numbers. Commissionaires. I thought they would bo better than district messengers, and they're nearer to your own height. On a quick job, I think, they will pass all right." " And a taxi-driver. " Certainly. I couldn't, sec how else you were going to work it. Suit-cases are in his cab right now. Ifo shall be at your door in 35 minutes —that is, ten minutes after tho commissionaires arrive. Your own order for a taxi has already been cancelled, by hand. I couldn't trust the phone. The rank number is on vour oxcharigo, and (lie Yard man might have got it. Was that what you wanted ?" " Perfect." " Anything more, then ?" " No. Except to tell your two men that they will bo questioned by Hawker's men. Their job is to get our lug gage, tak* it to Victoria, and book it right through to Paris—register it. The two big suit cases go inLo our carriage. Wo already havo a wholo first-class compartment booked. When Hawker hails just tell them to play up to surprised innoconce. They'll get through all right Just one more thing. I think you had better send a second taxi to wait foi us. Tho two commissionaires will go off with our luggage in tho Grst taxi. Then the second one drives up u minuto or two later. Hawker will let the first one go; only too glad to gex the commissionaires out of the way." " Agreed." Again the amused chucklo floated over from the other end. ' That's all then, chief. And —thank you! " ' Please don't. 1 hope the Channel's flat. Io our first meeting." "Not, I hope for years. You are much too smooth to work with." Stayno hurried out, and relocked the great library into its place. Tembridge he found down in his owd room. Ho was already dressed for his part, looking the" capable, dependable commissionaire to the life. His get-up was perfect, even to the thick-soled, industriously polished boots. The knap sack slung across his back at just the right angle, and his cap was as square on his head as though balanced and held there by straps. " There's yours, chief," he said, pointing to another complete suit on his bed. " They're watching us from the house opposite. Better change in here." ' i ll go and show myself in the breakfast room first, just to satisfy Hawker that I'm moving about unmolested. Hp won't raid till he gets the signal. That will be just five minutes too late for him to get to Victoria. Where's Varris ? " " In the breakfast room, for the same reason. Showing himself." "How does he feel about it?" " Beginning to like it, I think. He's all primed and knows just what to do. His taxi-driver's license fame through this morning in the pocket of a suit that has ostensibly just been returned by the cleaners. I'll say Number One certainly knows how to get things through. Tho post office detectives would never have dreamed of examining that parcel. It actually carried a genuine cleaner's label.' Stayne went through to the breakfast room. As he entered Varris looked up and started badly. His face drained white and he half rose from his chair. Then he said: " Oh—it's you, is it ? " Gosh, you gave me a fright." " Keep it up—keep it up," said Stayne quickly. " They're watching you from opposite. How did you spot me ? I got past Hawker with it just now—and he knows Marbury well." " That tie,'*" said Varris grimly. " It's the same one you were wearing this morning. You don't trump tho same trick twice, colonel." For the benefit of those across the way, Stayne raised an imperious hand. " Come with me," he said, and Varris, the much-wanted gaol-bfeaker, went meekly out. By * the time they got back to Tembridge's room the assistant had got Varris' disguise ready. The great wardrobe was wide open, and from it Tembridge had taken a taxi-driver's dress, complete right down to tho obvious signs of long usage and the short-peaked cap. " Quick; jump into that lot," he said. " I'll fix your faco as soon as I've seen what the real taxi-driver looks like. Y'ou take his place on the wheel. And you carry on driving round London till we get back with the job done. As a taxi-driver you can get digs anywhere you like. Setter take some clothes out into the cab with you; leave them inside with our luggage, and then carry them off when you leave tho station. Fresh number plates will be in the cab. Change them quickly. The driver will tell you where you garage—somewhere in one of the Government Service garages. The changed number plates won't excite any interest there—it happens too frequently to that bus." Both Stayne and Varris were rapidly changing, while Tembridge was rummaging about in the bottom of the wardrobe among a heap of leggings, trying to find a pair to fit Varris. Stayne, half-way through making up his face to a duli, weather-beaten red, tapped Varris on the arm. "Are you ail right for your piece?" he inquired. "All sot and ready," replied Varris, cheerfully. "But you'll have*to give mo a minute or two at that wheel beforo you come out. I'vo never driven a taxi before." " You'll fall into it all right. The gears are simple. Now get this, and don't make a slip, for God's sake: You will be waiting down in tho front hall. The commissionaires will arrive and enter the house. That will give us timo to put the finishing touches to our make-up. Then the taxi arrives. The commissionaires—Tembridge and myself—begin carrying out the luggage, while the real commissionaires aro downstairs waiting in tho servant's hall. Tho taxi-driver stays at tho wheel." " Yes, I've got nil that." " Belham appears at tho front door and asks the taxi-driver to give tho commissionaires a hand with a particularly heavy steamer trunk. During tho timo of waiting I shall havo had timo to finish off your make-up to get you as near as possible to the Secret Service driver. Tho driver enters, thirty seconds elapse, nnd you reappear, helping us with tho trunk. We fasten it down with ropes beside you. You get up on the scat and wait for us. You'll have timo to feel your gears and clutch then. Tho real driver accompanies Belham down for a drink. Tembridgo and I climb into the cah nnd you dnvo off just as tho second taxi arrives. Got it?" " Fine." Varris rubbed his hands together and his eyes shone. " You'll bo as safe as houses. No one would ever suspect the man wanted for breaking out of Scrubbs Prison to be fooling round London on tho seat of a fullylicensed taxi-cab. Licences aren't obtained as easily as that, and there's a devilish stiff road knowledge test to bo passed. Know your way round London pretty well ?" " Well enough on all tho main points. But I reckon I can get away with it. What I don't know I can ask. And, anyhow, I shan't be too particular about picking up fares." .(To be continued daily.).