THE WHITE ANGEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21911, 21 September 1934, Page 19

THE WHITE ANGEL

CHAPTER XIX. A CLEVER RUSE Meanwhile, in the Kurtsal Hotel, Berlin,, luncheon had just finished at one of the small tables. As a matter of fact, McGrath was just in the act of drinking His coffee, while Sir Horace Digbv and Felix Gregory were smoking cigarettes

"Well,"/ Digby observed, after a pause, " have you thought how we are going to spend the next few hours? I understand there is u special Casino nttarhed to tips hotel, and play begins about three o'clock. We could watch how Berliners spin the roulette wheel; or, if you like, have a quiet game of cards;. 1 suppose you have.no objection to McGrath joining us? We may as well keep him innocently employed instead of deliberately plotting against our lives."

Gregory gave a nod of assent

" There is no objection to McGrath jn the least,'' he affirmed. " That is, if he is not otherwise engaged. I suggest we stroll along to the Casino, and see how the Berliners disport v themselves in the afternoon." " [ will join you with pleasure," McGrath called out in an easy voice. " Just let me finish this excellent coffee and then I will be with you in two seconds. . . As regards plotting against your lives, I think you ought to' know, Digby, that murder is not in my category. It's all a game, my dear friend, and I can participate in one game with as Diuch *est as another. Let's have a turn at the roulette wheel in the Casino."

Hb looked slightly round, and' at that instant an interruption ensued. A waiter approached Sir Horaco Digby and told him he was wanted on the telephone. Digby rose with a significant glance at Gregory, and left the table with a formal apology. " Poor Digby," McGrath muttered when he had gone. " An exceedingly nice chap, Gregory, but a brait.less fool as I have hinted." " What exactly do you mean ?" Gregory queried. He was not in the mood to hear any disparagement of his colleague, and that superior tone of McGrath's was getting on his nerves.

" I mean. I have followed his career at the Foreign Office," McGrath proceeded in an even voice, "and believe me, it is a record of complete ineptitude. By f that, I do not mean inefficiency. Digby is a hard worker and as loyal as you make them, but he lacks the saving quality of finesse. He doets not know the real meaning of the French word,* diplomatique. To put it in a nutshell, he seems to commit all kinds of stupid blunders, anci that is simply because he has no tact of any kind. Look[ for instance, at the glance he threw you as he left the table. Anyone but Digby would have nut that out."

" And/ what do you imagine the glance signified?" Gregory queried. " MerelV that he had received the expected calf from the -Wilhel mstrasse, and that evidently he next person to be interviewed by Sir Charles Rolleston. A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse, and that cue from Digby gives the whole show away. . . Poor phap! One can understand why he has never received promotion." Gregory, grinned. There was more than an element of truth in McGrath's observation. Sir Horace Digby was not the man he would have selected for a delacate piission. 41 And this visit to the Wilhelmstrasse?" Gregory asked. " Does it mean you are going to set a trap for the poor /fool 3 Perhaps, indeed, the trap is already prepared. If so, I may anticipate the same attention concerning myself. Well, in either case, McGrath, let us hope that it will be slightly less crude than the one you prepared for Davidson. The idea of starving a man to death seems utterly repulsive.'/ McGrath shook his head.

t " I should pever have gone as far 'as that, hp ventured. That was merely a little coercive measure on my part. I anticipated surrender through weakness long before the starvation limit would be reached, but you, unfortunately, disturbed that plan. . . Look, there is someone signalling to you from £he door. Ah, it's Digby. He does not want me to overhear. He has a message intended only for your ears. Perhaps you have been selected to visit the Wilhelmstrasse first." Gregory looked in the direction indicated, and there,, sure enough, was Digby making a significant move with his finger Ho wan manifestly beckoning toward Gregory, urging him to come for some confidential message. " I wonder what he wants?" Gregory muttered aloud ati he rose leisurely from the table. " Looks as if that little visit to the Casino is going to be postponed Pardon me one moment. Gregory made his way toward the figure in passage, and, with that discerning eve for which he was famed, noted that Digby was standing somewhat in the shadow. Evidently he wished for secrecy, or did it mean •? " What the devil is wrong?" Gregory queried as he reached the passage. " You seem inightv upset about something, Digby. What has happened? Has Rolleston changed the programme? Am 1 to see him first?"

Digby drew him aside, farther into the shadows.

His voice waf agitated. It quite hoarse, and the man seemed trembling with excitement. " It a message from Rollestan, all right, ' he exclaimed. " But something has happened The Duchess has been trapped «n the road to Vienna, and we have to set out at once as a rescue party. Go upstairs to my room and we wili discuss things. It is room twenty-five, on the second floor —and 1 will set;' if ; can put McGrath off the trail. I will join you in a few seconds." All the time these words were being poured into his ears, Gregory, more hypersensitive than most men, was keenly conscious of a sense of danger. There was something about the business that made him hesitant, a strange feeling of suspicion that rose almost to certainty, then inspiration came to him in a flash. ~ . " That's the plan," he agreed. 1 will wait tor you in your room. Spin Mr-Grath any yarn you like, but got him off the scent. Be quick about it. If the Duchess is at the mercy of that group, it means her life is in danger. ..." Digby gave a nod of comprehension, then returned to the table at which McGrath was seated, but, acting on instructions, Gregory took the lift and made his/ wav to the second floor. Room 25? Ah, the last on the right. He opened the door without hesitation and walked inside. Then he paused. A dwarf-like figure stood at the far corner, in his hand a revolver,

(COPTMGBT)

By JAMES CORBETT 'g;;r„T., H :g. sr-*-

A SENSATIONAL MYSTERY STORY

and it pointed steadily at the newcomer. Ilio man with the gun was Ralph Gaumont. There was a line about his lips that revealed his terrible earnestness. Gregory saw that in a flash. He knew lie had walked into a trap, but not so innocently as McGrath imagined " Come inside and take a chair, Mr. Gregory," Gaumont said in a soft, whining voice. " The Chief will be along in a few seconds, and I hardly think you will be detained longer than necessary. Meanwhile, I suggest that patience is virtue, and that you will be well advised to keep your arms up. Quick!" Gregory raised his arms with a slight smile. He even seated himself in the chair indicated, but his eyes watched Gaumont like a hawk.

" leather a strange reception, isn't it?" lie queried. " 1 had an idea I would find Sir Horace Digby here, but probably 1 have mistaken the number on the door. 1 was told to go to No. 25. This is twenty-five, isn't it?" " This is twenty-five all right," Gaumont assented with a grim smile. " But perhaps Digby made the mistake. He was always a bit of an ass, eh?"

Gregory shook his head. " He may not be such a fool as he looks," he warned. " However, what's the big idea, Gaumont? You made rather a quick getaway from the Rue St. Philippe. Pity you did not take L'Estrange with you. He's lying now in a Paris hospital with a bullet wound in his shoulder. You caught that Berlin train in rather a hurry, eh?" " Yes, 1 caught it in a devilish hurr.v," Gaumont admitted, keeping his revolver levelled. " Had to act on instructions, you see, and no time to argue. . . . You may rest your arms on that table, Mr. Gregory—no, your elbows, I mean —and do not try any clever tricks. I have orders to shoot, and it means my life or yours. You must remain here until McGrath arrives. He will take over proceedings in a few minutes." '

Gregory gave a mute nod. " Very nice of him, I am sure," he drawled. " Wouldn't you like one of my cigarettes, Gaumont? You will find the case in the left-hand pocket. Best Russian, I assure you."

" Nothing doing," Gaumont muttered with a polite grin. " I have made a mistake of that kind before. No, you just remain steady, Mr. Gregory. 1 could not fail to miss you if 1 pulled this trigger, and I am taking no chances. Ah, thank Heaven, here is the Chief at last I"

McGrath entered quietly and locked the door.

" Sorry to inconvenience you in this way, Gregory," he said with one of his charming smiles. " But it was really necessary to have a private chat, and I did not wish to be interrupted by that ass Digby. Gaumont. I admire your pertinacity with that gun. Just keep it levelled in that fashion while I conduct this conversation with our mutual friend, and do not hesitate to shoot if you think it necessary." " Right you are, Chief," Gaumont muttered. " 1 have had him covered since he entered. Jle realises that prudence is the better part of valour, and that is one point in his favour at least. Keep the elbows steady, Mr. Gregory. That swaying motion may affect my aim!"

" 1 apologise," Gregory rejoined in the most casual tone. " And as for you, McGrath, I really am disappointed. Believe me, these methods of yours do not enhance your reputation. I took 3 T ou for an intellectual. Irfstead, I find you resorting to tricks of a generation ago. , A hold-up with a revolver is rather ancient, isn't it?" " Still, it is effective," McGrath rejoined. " You see, Gregory, I should hate to order the destruction of your life, but the mission on which I am engaged leaves me no room for clemency. Davidson was searched last night and nothing was found. We should have subjected , him to a more detailed examination, only you chanced to come to his rescue. As you are aware, 1 do not know which of you carries that paper, but I am doing my best to find out. You will not object, I hope, if I make a systematic search in your case also?" (To bo continued daily)