THE SECRET POWER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21628, 21 October 1933, Page 11 (Supplement)

THE SECRET POWER

By BEN BOLT Author of "A Corinthian'a Bride," "Tha Cay Corinthian." etc., etc.

CHAPTER XIV— (Continued) Perris looked at the man. His face was resolute, but there was an expectant gleam in his eyes, which hinted at the possibility of regulation!!, being broken. He decided to risk hurting the man's feelings. Taking a note from his wallet he set it on the desk, keeping his thumb upon it. * " As a friend of the lady, you will cot deny me, monsieur, I trus-:;." The resolute look vanished before a smile. /" Monsieur is perhaps the lady's lover:"

" Say that I hope for that felicity," answered Perris with convincing estrn-

estness. " It would be unkind to nip romance jn the bud," said the clerk, n little doubtful. ...... . " Not unkind; brutal, mon ami, replied Perris, and lifting his thumb blew on the note. It drifted off the desk like n snowllake, falling somewhere on the clerk's side, out of sight. The man's smile grew broader. " One should leave brutality to the savages; nnd we are commanded to be land to one another. The address to which mademoiselle's letters are to he despatched is the hotel Beau-Rivage." " Merei, monsieur." They bowed to each other, two romantics, who understood each other very well, and exulting, Perriii went forth to despatch a telegram. That done he walked slowly back to the hotel, nnd reached there a little before the appointed time. Grandison loosed at Jjini a little quizzingly. " See the divine lady?" "No," he answered cheerfully, "but to-night or at breakfast time row"Great Scot! You don't m?an at Geneva?" "Yes!" Perris laughed suidenly. " We are to stay at the same hotel — the Beau-Rivage!" " The Beau-Rivage!" " That is the place. I remenber it dimly as rather a fine place by the Quai du Mont Blanc. We shall have a good view of the lake." "A' good view " Grandison v laughed. '' Nell will enjoy it, il we've time to look at it." Then his eyes grew serious. " So Asher has gone to Geneva too. I dare say he ~ read that paragraph in the paper about Zjeyd Pasha's arrival." . Possibly has an appointment with him!" suggested Perris off-handedly. .A* startled look flashed in the other s eyes. ~ " You didn't hear that?" " No! Asher doesn't explain hin movements to reception clerks!" laughed Perris. " It was just a wild surmise of mine." " Heck! But it might be a true one If it should chance to be so- " " Then I will back Asher to cook JThenard's goose to a brown nicety." "And Said Haditha's too! Heaven above! 'There'd be a turning of the table that would make some of the wire-pullers here gossip, and would flutter the diplomatic doves till they hadn't a feather left!" " I never cared for diplomats, anyway," laughed Perris. " They are less like doves than squawking ravens. . . But I have a fancy that I shall like the view from the windows of _ the BeauRivage. To-night there is a new moon " . ~ " Oh! If vou're going in for paetry, jibed. Graudison, " I'll go and write luggage labels." Perris was right about the new moon. It hung a lovely sickle of silver above the dark lake which mirrored it in beauty, but be had no eye for either the reflection or the beautiful original. For as with his companions he entered the hotel, tired after the long journey, the first person whom he saw wan David Lindrum talking with two men, who wore the uniform of the Genevese police. A single glance at his face told Perris that he was greatly concerned; nnd with a thought that some evil thing must have befallen Benjamin Asher, Perris stepped deliberately into the line of his vision. " You, Perris!" cried Lindrum, a flash of relief in his eyes. " Newly arrived from Paris," answered 'Perris. Then with a glance at the officers he asked, " You have trouble?" " The worst! God knows! I have just !been explaining to these two gentlemen. Ut is Hannah. She has disappeared." " Disappeared!" Perris stared at him Bghast. , . i " Abducted! ... A terrible thing. I dare not tell my uncle who is deep in .ibis affairs, and a sick man." " But how do you know that she has been •abducted?" demanded Perris, shaken by apprehension. <• ' For answer Lindrum produced a small 'sheaf of telegrams and thrust them into his hand. " Read!" be almost groaned. ( lhey Br( in correct order as received." • • ' Perris took- them wondenngly, and read aloud swiftly. J hey were all addressed to Benjamin Asher, except one --the fifth, which was to Lmdrurn, and they made a connected'series. Ihe first " You are commanded to relinquish your present enterprise and return to London forthwith." ihe second: " Your niece is in excellent health, fend in good hands."* The third: '• If you are wise in three days there frill he a happy reunion. If not The fourth: . , inri . "The lake at its depest sinks 10. Jo feet. It is. stated that executions by drowning were once common 111 its alut Waters. A sad thing to reflect upon. Tho fifth (to Lindrum) was brief and Pointed: . ~ " Don't let the old man play the fool." , Astounded, Perris turned the sheets over again, noting that the places o despatch wore all different, groupec more or less about the city, the last one from I'"ornev-Voltaire. When lie lifted his eyes they had the look of one Who visioned an appalling thing. " Heaven help us," he said. ' When did she go ? " t • i " Before ' dinner," said Lindrum. " She went for a walk as far as the Grand Quai, and did not return. Ino firnt of those telegrams arrived dining dinner, which I ate alone, mv uncle ■ dining 'in his rooms. As his secretary it uas brought to me. The others followed at intervals. 1 have not dared to tell my uncle. But when the third came 1 telephoned to tho police headquarters, and these two officers tame to report. So far they have discovered little, except that two of the telegrams were sent by a woman, while the others arc in a man's Jiandwriting.". ' . " A woman? . . . Ihirya Hunjar " Possibly! The description does not fit. The woman was old —a hag. She is remembered by the messages. The first find the fourth." " And the men? " It was Grandison *nho asked. . ~ " Thpy were not noticed, monsieur, replied,one of the officers. " The second message is not very unusual, and tho others, Which have nothing striking, were despatched at a busy hour." " You can guess who is behind this, .Lindrum? " "Can I "not!" But guesses are siot evidence. And to charge a man liko Thenard when I do not even know ho ; is in Geneva, is ridiculous." " But he is in Geneva! " said Grandison quickly. " He and tho others left Paris for here by airplanes this morning. An hour or two before you, as a flnatter of fact. And these mesHages speak for themselves. Tho nbdnc-

SENSATIONAL STORY OF LOVE AND TREACHERY

tion is just an attempt to scotch whatever action your uncle is contemplating and you know what that is." "No! He has been more secretive these two days. I have only a dim idea "

" We have heard something of that idea," broke in one of the officers a little cuttingly. "To suspect a man of the reputation of Monsieur Thenard of abducting such a ladv as mademoiselle is absurd, monsieur." " You think so? " snapped Grandison. " Then you've something to learn yet. What is your idea? "

" Well, if monsieur will reflect —• there are many bad men abroad in Europe at the present time, men who do desperate things for gain. Mademoisell's uncle is a man of great wealth, who might be expected to pay handsomely for the enlargement of his niece. And it would be very simple for such daring men to snatch a lady somewhere along the lakeside and place her in a fast motor-boat. No doubt if Monsieur Asher returns, to London, he will receive a demand for money . . . That is the way of

those cattle in America; and not a new thing in Geneva. Three years ago there was a child "

Grandison interrupted the story with a question, " You knew M. Thenard perhaps, monsieur? " The officer looked superior. " But, yes, monsieur, 51. Thenard is a frequent visitor in Geneva; and he is not ono to be overlooked."

" Have you seen him in Geneva today? Or heard of him? "

" Neither, m'sieurl " The officer apparently resenting this questioning turned again to Lindrum. " We shall make every effort, m'sieur. That woman who was like a witch shall be found. And we shall make her speak. Have no fear, m'sieor. We here have many delicate and difficult things to unravel. By morning we shall have news of mademoiselle."

He bowed ceremoniously, his companion followed suit, and the pair departed, leaving the four men staring at each other. Then Helensburgh broke out:

, " But that big paraffin fellow is in Geneva! He must be! "

" He may have landed further up tho lake —Lusanne, perhaps." - "An inquiry at Cointrin aerodrome will settle whether he came here or not," answered Helensburgh. . . " I'll take a taxi and find out at once." " Do, Nell! "

Helensburgh departed, and the three adjourned to a quiet corner of the smoke-room, where Grandison unfolded his view.

" Thenard and his crowd are at the back of this villianous business. Nobody else can be, as those telegrams reveal. And we've got to find Thenard quickly Not that you need to worry too much over your sister, Lindrum. The kidnapping is just an attempt to throw your uncle out of his stride; the threat no more than a bluff. It's too melodramatic, and the fulfilment of it too dangerous; besides, except in the way of revenge, it would be useless. Thenard, important as he is in the oil business and able to influence things by his wealth, can't take a chance like that. He will know that your uncle would hound him to the guillotine or to Devil's Island. If the bluff fails that crowd will turn Miss Lindrum loose."

" But if my uncle inquires " •" Tell him the truth. It will make him "swifter to act."

"But you may be wrong! There is something my uncle knows about Thenard which isn't known to others. What it is I don't know, but it is something very bad; I have heard him say the man ought to be hanged—seriously and literally so, I mean. And if he is that kind of man he may stick at nothing. These telegrams may be deadly earnest atd no bluff at all. I can't take a chance like that for Hannah."

"Well, the only thing is to find Thenard! " Grandison considered a moment, then he spoke tersely. " Look here, Lindrum, we've got to put our cards on the table —for your sister s sake. And I'm going to speak frankly. Your uncle is engaged on a business that we are engaged in also. His purpose is a private one, I expect; but ours is a government one. Thenard's on the other side, probably for private reasons —same sort as Asher's; but he is at the same time engaged in an international affair —a more or less accredited agent. The men with him are interested purely in the political aspect. And the whole business now centres about a man who is in Geneva or its neighbourhood 3t this moment; and whose presence here brought your uncle from Paris this morning." " Zjeyd Pasha? " " Yes! Know who he is? " "No! My uncle as I told you is secretive in some matters." " Well, perhaps he is wise. But I can tell you that Zjeyd Pasha is the most important non-European personage between Tripoli and Persia. We 11 leave it at that. If your uncle is here to see him " " There was a telegram from him awaiting us here. My uncle opened himself. I don't know its contents. "Then your uncle and I have got to talk. There's much more behind this than I'm going to tell you. Jf you have horse-sense, you'll take me to him at once." " He has been in bed two hours," replied Lindrum hesitatingly. " His rules are very rigid " " There never was a rule yet which circumstances didn't justify breaking. Go to him . Tell him what happened, that I want to see him about Zjeyd Pasha " Ho broke off, and then as Lindrum plainly hesitated he broke out almost stormily: " For God's sake, go man! Think of your sister!" " I'll go," answered Lindrum, and went. Grandison watched him depart; then spoke a little hardly. " Thank Heaven I'm not the nephew or son of a multi-millionaire. A sergeant-major with a raw squad; or u bullying colonel with his subalterns is a sucking dove to any of those Midases. There goes a perfectly decent follow —afraid to step on his uncle's shadow." Perris said nothing in reply to that, but asked a question. "Do you really think those telegrams are a melodramatic gesture, Grandison." " No, I don't!" replied the other harshly! " I think whoever sent them is in dead earnest. If Asher baulks them, as they're afraid he may, they II have their revenge. Thenard's a bully, Haditha is a fanatic, Hamdi is a libertine turned politician; and Thirya has her own hone to pick with tho Lindruins. After that affair in Paris she II have her knife in the brother, and may get square on the sister. Some of these Eastern women are tigerish by nature, nnd anyway Thirya Hanjar is a sheik in petticoats." His voice took a sudden hoarse intensity. " Miss Lindrum is in a very perilous situation. I am convinced of that, but it was no use harrying Lindrum with the truth. Wove got to get in touch with Thenard, and find that girl just as soon as we can; or heaven help her." Perris held the same conviction with sevenfold intensity, and when Lindrum returned to conduL-t Grandison to Asher's room and he was left alone, reflection fanned his burning apprehension. The coil of intrigue and mystery j

(COPTRIGBT)

into which he had stumbled was no longer merely an international one. By reason of his interest in Hannah Lindrum it had become an intensely personal affair; and when Helensburgh returned he hurried to meet him, with a question in his eyes. The other shook his head. " No, no," he said. " Thenard did not land at Cointrin." He moved abruptly to a window and stared forth on the now dark face of the lake. " Somewhere further up, I expect. Lausanne possibly, as the Captain suggested. They have an aerodrome there. Or, heaven knows, that crowd may have come down in a field —miles from any of the lake towns. . . We can do nothing till daylight." " No!"

" Question is, where we're to start looking. . . That girl—you know her, Perris?"

"Yes," answered Perris a little tonolessly.

" Rough on her to bo kidnapped by n set of sweeps. The fellow who shot Dainton in the train won't be squeamish about a helpless girl."

Perris shared tho conviction but he made no reply. Staring out of the window on to the lake he was thinking of tho half a hundred places to which Hannah Lindrum might have been taken and unconsciously he thought aloud, " Bellevue, Anieres, Hermance, Coppet, Thonon, Evian " "I beg pardon, Perris. You were saying something " " No," ho answered quite unaware that the names had been on his lips; and with a bleak look in his eyes stared fixedly into the night, visioning terrible possibilities. CHAPTER XV A BLIND SEARCH Hannah Lindrum had twice previously visited visited Geneva, aud it was with no idea of exploring tho city that she had left the Beau-Rivage in the falling dusk. An entirely modern girl, she wanted air and exercise; and accordingly walked briskly along the Quai du Mont Blanc, turned on to the bridge across the Rhone and swung left along the Promenade du Lac where the festooned lights flashed into sudden radiance. There wa3 a fair number of other people moving about, some hurrying on their lawful occasions, others merely strolling, or like herself, parading at a sharp pace, with a view possibly of stimulating the appetite for the dinnerhour ahead. She gave them little attention, and certainly did not notice the two men walking behind who had followed her all the way from the BeauRivage. Even if she had they would have meant nothing to her; for the quays are free to ail, and she was unacquainted with Baptiste and his friend the bum-bailiff, who were keeping a regular distance behind her. The former complained of the pace she made.

"Diable!" he grunted to his companion. " One might t'ink dat mademoiselle was tralnin' for a race."

"Steps out, for sure!" laughed the bum-bailiff. " Where shall I mak' my bow?" asked Baptiste. " Dere are many people about. 1 ' " Somewhere in the neighbourhood of a seat," answered the bum-bailiff.. "One of us will have to fetch the launch across." " Dame! 1 had dat forgot."

In entire unconsciousness of the pair Hannah Lindrum continued her constitutional as far as the .Tetee des EauxVives, paused there for a minute or so watching the lights of the launches scurrying about the lake, then reversed for the homeward track, walking a little more slowly. At a point further down, | near the Pierres du Niton, she halted again, her attention arrested by a motor-launch which, racing as of making a record, bumped another launch rather badly. The occupants of the second launch, with just ground for complaint, complained loudly, and she laughed as she thought to herself that on land the wordy altercation would probably have degenerated into a fight. It was when she assumed her way •that the bum-bailiff, noticing an empty reach of promenade ahead after a swift glance over his shoulder, gave the word to Baptiste. " Now! "

Leaving his companion, tho bumbailiff hurried ahead, passed the girl, and two seconds later heard Baptiste crying as he hurried forward: " Mademoiselle —votre bourse! "

There was no other mademoiselle in sight and Hannah Lindrum, half turning, saw the man hurrying to her with a long leather purse in his hand. Mere politeness made her await his coming, and as hat in hand he proposed to present her with the purse, she exclaimed: " But the purse is not mine." " Tiens! Mais —"

It was at this precise moment that a sound behind her stirred a swift suspicion of the man. She turned to go. As she did so, and arm was flung round her neck, something was clapped over her mouth and nostrils, and while she strove to release herself and to cry out, her mind was acutely aware that she was being chloroformed. She tried to hold her breath. Someone must come along in a moment and these ruffians would release her and flee. The attempt to hold her breath merely resulted in the end in a deeper inhalation. She breathed two or three times and was aware of a sound like the rush of water, of a certain numbing of her mind, against which she fought. She hoard one of the men cry out, as from a great distance. " Mon Dieu! One comes! "

Again she tried to cry out, thought that she had done so, and then for the time being thought no more, but sank limply in the arms that held her. Those arms chanced to be tho bumbailiff's, and as lie carried her to a neighbouring bench he looked swiftly round for the person of whoso coming Baptiste had given warning. The man, apparently unaware of that attack on tho girl, was in the act of reversing, exactly as if he had been doing sentryK o. The bum-bailiff grunted relief and arranged himself in tho seat with his arm round the unconscious girl and her head upon his shoulder, in a way not uncommon among lovers of a certain social status in these degenerate times. It was rather a cold night for that kind of thing, as the bum-bailiff was aware, but then, any madness might be accredited to a pair of spooning lovers, and tho bench was sufficiently in shadow to hide tho girl's face. " Bo slippy with that launch, Baptiste. The first pier there will do. Give a double hoot when you're due." (To be continued on Suturdny next)