THE WHITE ANGEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21899, 7 September 1934, Page 19

THE WHITE ANGEL

By JAMES CORBETT

A SENSATIONAL MYSTERY STORY

CHAPTER V.—(Continued) 'Gregory shrugged his shoulders. " You seem to have mapped out a fine programme," he rejoined. McGrath rubbed his hands. He bad the air of a man who enjoyed the thrill of adventure, who seemed carved out for the big things. He was an individual who took tremendous risks, and he did so for the sake of sheer excitement. Yet there was something minister about his face, something that convinced Gregory about the man's , absolute ruthless:ies:». Swords had lieen drawn It was 7 now a terrific fight to n finish. " l air. glad you have the courage to talk like that," McGrath muttered. "It is something to know I have a formidable rival, Gregory. I also compliment you on your sagacity. Had you denied the impeachment, I would mot have believed you. Yet take my uord for it that this net is round you. There is no escape. The document has been traced to your custody, and I have come to gije a, friendly warning." The expert leaned back. Noli; a linuscle of his face moved. " You think I am not able to look jlifter myself? " he queried. McGrath gave an odd smile. " Do not let us talk like children," he begged. " For many years you have [performed the thnnkless task of a criminologist. You have hunted down murderers and solved crimes by the ttcore. All that is tin estimable record. j[ do not deny your cleverness. I admire it greatly. But now you have made a Iblurder. Perhaps the Prime Minister, for whom you are working, has made the greater errpr. You have wandered into the realms oi: diplomacy, of intrigue between natjon and nation, and all that is something of grave mfignitude. It is not too late to retrace your igteps, tjt> return to your a vocation of private detective." Gregory gave a dry cough. " Perhaps you will • tell me how you are concerned," ho queried in a low .voice, j McGrath gave 3 hollow laugh. Again ,that glint of savagery entered his eyes. /' I can hardly enlighten you," he responded, " but, as man to man, I regret you have been selected for this job. If an accident occurs —there are many accidents in this game—your loss will be deplored. Great Britain cannot afford to lose~men like you.V Gregory folded his arms. His cigarette he had thrown into the ash-tray. "I aril still in thevdark," he observed. " If I litm tryipg to serve my country, how call I be accuised of a blunder? " McGjjath gave a patient smile. " Yoiir country! " he repeated with a cynical sneer "Bah! I talked like that oncfe. Yes, once I referred to England iii that fashion, Gregory, but now England and I are strangeirs. I have grown to hate England. I am known as a renegade Englishman, a rebel, a traitor to the flag—yes, and I am proud of it. . . Now we understand each other., You have been concerned with crime detection and the ramification of crime. In this present venturer you are faced- witlr. a "different proposition. Instead of a single enemy vow have hundreds! leagued in opposition to your activities and : if I gave the wdrd there would be no hesitation in parrying out my commands." "•All L mighty interesting," Gregory drawled, " yet v?hy the warning to me? Am 1 accept it as a com pi imeitit, or is rt one of the whimsical notions entering your head? " McGrath stood tip to his full height. So far as he was concerned, the interview was at an end. "It is difficult for you to follow my methods," he agreed. " But I always give a man warning when he is in danger of losing his life. That is part of our code, Gregory.-Your demise will be a matter of regret,, not merely to myself,* but to a ; tremendous number of fools. Lawson has selected you to carry out a delicate mission, but long before the end of the journey you will be handicapped aicid defeated. That is the message I want you to eonvßy to the man at Downing Street." Gregory rose aliio, and the twoi men faced each other. , . _ "Supposing you are mistaken ? Gregory queried. Supposing you have jumped to an/ uttisrly wrong surmise? Supposing I had entered this game with the deliberate object of finding thfr na;me of the :juan who shot Auckland iii the Graftdn Cafe, Londoia? " The silence was terrible in its dramatic tensity./ ; Both men breathed hard. Theii the charming smile returned to McGirath's lip«. " I should love to make a mistake of that kind," he said enigmatically, and passed from the room. CHAPTER VI DAVIDSON SPEAKS "And who /is Stephen McGrath? " Vera asked. She was in the tearoom, alone with Davidson. He smiled oddly. " McGrath is a mystery man whom it is difficult to place," he answered significantly. "He is an individual with a sinister influence, a man with tremendous power, one who pauses at nothing to accomplish his object." Vera, sighed, i'he toyed witki her spoon, then helped herself to sugar and cake. A disappointed bok crept over the lovely face. The blue eyes were sad and weary I can j>;et facts from you," she declared. "Why not be frank? Why riot say that. Stephen McGrath is the man feared most by the Secret Service? " Davidson shrugged his shoulders. j I should like to know," he ventured, "what Grogorv and he are discussing Let us hope, your employer does not put too many cards on the table. McGrath has not an elemental notion of playing the game. If he had,, he would not be a renegade Britisher. That is why, we are determined to thwart him.", V , " You sav he has tremendous power? Do you mean h«i is the leader of a criminal gang? " " In that designation, you might not be far wrong. W< ! t classify him ns the Leader of the Opposition. That is much safer. We understand what is meant by that phrase." Vera helped herself to toasted scone. Around them waii a subdued murmur of conversation. I'he tearoom was getting more occupied, and waiters were passing to and fr;). Vera watched the dcor keenly She was wishing, with all her might, that Gregory would enter. -JBlie wanted him to tell her everything tliat McGrath had been saying. Perhaps that was,sighing for the mooij! I wish voir would not treat me like a schoolgirl," |he said to Davidson. "I should have more respect for the fainous Oscar if he scorned subterfuge. Why not admit that Gregory and you are agents of the Prime Minister? " t jDavidson looked in her direction. .1" Would that assist you in your task?;" he queried. • . Vera smiled in no uncertain manner. *v. was a serious umile.

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Author of "Murder at Red Grunge," "The Wlnterton Hotel Myatery," " The Miirrivale Mystery." " The Death Diamonds," etc:., etc.

I " I should be able to help more than you think," she said forcibly. "If necessary, I am determined to lose my life. 1 am prepared to make that payment. I must find the man who shot my father in the Graftou Cafe." Davidson stared into a remote distance. More clearly than ever he realised what vengeance meant to this girl. She had consecrated herself to one object—the hunting down of that London slayer—and happiness would never come until that man was hanged. His face softened. All the rigidity disappeared from his mouth. When he spoke, his voice seemed to have changed. i " 1 am going to let vo'u into a secret," he said quietly. " You are not alone in your quest, Miss Auckland. 1 also j>eek the man who shot your father." The silence was poignant with drama. Vera scarcely breathed, i She stared into those brilliant eyes. \ "You mean—you knew my father?" she said between parched lips. "You know who killed him?" Davidson looked at her keenly. " Yes," he said in a low voice, "I knew your father well —but the man who killed him is unknown to me. I have a suspicion—just a suspicion—but no real clue was left, and one cannot wreak vengeance on suspicion. We demand a certainty." Vera felt herself trembling. A bond was forming between her and Davidson. She knew he would never fail her in this respect. He would always be loyal to the great secret they shared. They sought vengeance on one man. It was a solemn thought. She rose at last and touched him gently on the arm. " Do you mind if I go to my room?" she said in that low voice. " I have just a slight headache, and I think I will rest a little. When you see Mr. Gregory, tell him I will meet him at dinner." Davidson sprang to his feet. " Sorry you have a headache." he said with quick sympathy. " Take it easy for an hour or so. I will see Gregory and explain. ... If there are any more letters to type, I promise to do them myself:" Vera shook her head. Yet her smile was gracious "I shall not be longer than half an hour," she promised. " But if there is anything urgent, do not forget to send for me. Au revoir, Oscar." Once outside the tea-room, she made straight for the office. Already she had an inspiration. "One moment," she begged the manager. "Is there a Mr. Stephen McGrath staying here?" The office manager consulted his book. Then his face brightened. "But yes, mademoiselle! Suite No. 5 on the second floor. He booked this morning." Vera murmured her thanks. Then she made one more query. . "May 1 ask if he is staying here long?" she ventured. ' " Impossible .to say, mademoiselle," the office manager responded. " Mr. McGrath is an occasional visitor. He may stay an hour or a month. We never know. . . . But I could ask?" " No, please, do not trouble," Vera said quickly. "It is not a personal matter. I am merely seeking information." She entered the lift, and as it passed upward she saw Gregory descending the staircase. xjth McGrath was at an end. Splendid. Should she risk it? There was just time, and she would never be niissed. Davidson would deliver his message. " Stop at the second floor, please!" she said decisively. The lift stopped. There was a thrilling pause, then she stepped out, a little breathless, but very determined. Yes, she would risk it. ' V . ~ She passed along the corridor. Ijt was a terrihlv daring* thing to do, but Gregory must not hear of it, and she was not afraid. Besides, it was her one big chance to get some inside information. No. 5 at last. She tapped quietly on the door. Absolute silence. Then the door slowly opened, and McGrath looked out. He seemed astonished, but quickly regained control. A swift smile passed over his face. He held the door open wide, bowed low. and made a courteous flourish with one hand. " You wish to see me?" he asked in a steady voice. " That is my mission," she answered slowly.* " I have come to ask you a few questions, Mr. McQrath. I am anxious for this interview to be private. My employer, Mr. Gregory, must : not • know of it." McGrath did not .hesitate. He knew the girl would not enter his room, and he would be a fool to ask her. He must play the gentleman for once. He must learn, at all costs, why she sought this interview. He ..closed the door gently. [ -"Let us stroll to the end of the corridor." he suggested. "If we are observed, that will seem as if-we met by accident. -What have you got to say to me, Miss Auckland?" She walked beside him, then halted near, the lift.; , ; He was staring-into her face, admiring her loveliness, sending her unstinted glances of admiration. She shivered instinctively. The man fascinated her, yet she was frightened of him. There was something repulsive about him, something she could never fathom. His grey eyes were like those of a snake. What a stupendous personality he had! " Mr. McGrath," she said quietly, " I must take you into my confidence. You may not believe me, but I am telling you the truth. I am acting as Mr. Gregory's secretary, but that is only a temporary appointment. 1 am engaged on a "definite quest. I am seeking the man who murdered my father in the Grafton Cafe. Loudon. Can you assist me in mj; task?" McGrath stood perfectly still. Yet a variety of emotions flitted across his face. One thought was predominant, and it gave him tremendous satisfaction. This girl was playing right into his hands. ' " Pardon me," he Baid slowjy, " but Ido not quite follow. W 7 hy should you come to me, Miss. Auckland? Your employer and rri3'sielf opposed in thought. Davidson is link'ed with your employer, and he bears me no affection. Why should 1 help you?" Vera flushed a trifle. Then the colour tibbed from her face. Something entered her eyes that startled McGrath. He had seen that look once before on a human beiijg. It was a terrible look. He knew before she spoke, what was in her mind. She had pledged hersolf to vengeance. " You do not understand!" she replied. " Let me explain, please. I shall know no peace of mind. Mr. MrGrath, until I solve the problem of that murder. The man who shot my father must go to the scaffold.' I do not know why you and Mr. Gregory are opposed. Neither do I understand the hostility of Davidson. I have nothing to do with that. They call you the leader of the Opposition. That is all a mystery to me. I have only been a few weeks in the service of my employer. He has been engaged on this case, but 1 am not satisfied with the progress we are making. We are not moving fast, eniputrh. We are getting no concrete information. It occurred to me that you might help." (To bo continued daily)