THE LAW OF THE KNIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 16

THE LAW OF THE KNIFE

By CARLTON DAWE

CHAPTER XV.—(Continued) Precisely at ten minutes past two on tho following afternoon I entered Wally's suite, to find him engaged with the Hungarian impresario, who rose stiffly from his chair and greeted me with a stiffor inclination of the head. " Como right in, son," cried Mr. Wallington cordially; " you're tho very man I want to see. Mr. Malnar and I have been discussing a little business proposition, and as you know more about these things than I do I guess I'd like to know how. it looks to you." " That provincial tour you spoke about, Mr. Malnar? " 1 asked. "Yes, Colonel. With the incomparable Dianova as our premiere danseuso I think wo may anticipate success, though, as you know, one can bo sure of nothing in these days." " I guess it'll be O.K. with Dianova topping tho bill," said Mr. Wallington.

" I agree with you," resonded Mr. Malnar; " in fact, I have never really had a doubt."

" And a little substantial backing ought to assuro success," I ventured. " Precisely," agreed the Hungarian, " though I do not anticipate having to touch our capital beyond the initial outlay."

Author of " Leathermouth," ** Lawless," "The Amazing Woman.

" Know anything about the theatrical business? " I asked the apparently willing backer. Not a thing; but it looks good to me, and, incidentally, will givo-a certain little lady of my acquaintance tho chance she's been hankering after." He smiled and looked knowing; Mr. Malnar also looked knowing as ho stroked his beard with large whito fingers. " I promise her every opportunity ±o exhibit her talents," ho said. "Name in big letters," insisted Mr. Wallington; " thero'll he hell to pay if we don't." " Next to those of Dianova and Derjinsky, if you wish it." " That'll pleaso her quite a lot. Though she is only a little lady, she has a mighty big opinion of herself." Mr. Malnar's smile implied that he was not unfamiliar with the species. " But get this clear," Mr. Wallington continued, " Dianova and her partner are essential if tho deal is to go through."

" "I quite understand, and believe there will be no great difficulty." " Pity we can't get Kaplan," I remarked; " lie would ensure the success of the venture."

" Why can't we? " asked the financier. " This show's gotta be just as tip-top as money can make it."

" He happens to be dead." " Then I guess that sees him out. But who was he, anyway? " " A knife-thrower of exceptional skill," I explained, " who failed tragically one night in Liverpool, and subsequently died of grief. Was never known to miss until that fatal night." "And then missed badly, eh?" " Killed the girl." " Sure that was mighty rough on him," murmured Mr. Wallington sympathetically. * . " It was the sorrow of his life," said Mr. Malnar, who was nervously stroking his beard. " Though 1 cannot say for certain that ho is dead, I greatly fear so; he took the accident so much to heart that ho vanished compctely." " And you haven't seen him since?" asked Mr. Wallington. " No. ; ' " there is no one to take bis place? "

" There was not such another artist in the world." " Well, I gness we can put on a singing turn in place of him, though j it won't be so exciting. Personally I like an act with a spice of danger in it. To me that knife-throwing business looks like the goods, and is a sure money-maker. The public in these days clamours for sensation, and we've sure gotta give it to 'em good an' plenty if we wanta get away with the bacon. What about the Willian Tell act? Arrows flying round a girl's head ought to be interesting and fill the public full of hope." 1 Air. Malnar agreed, but politely demurred at the project, seeming to think it scarcely feasible. Besides, he knew of no such act, which he believed would be quite unnecessary. The public would come to see Dianova and her art; they must stand or fall by Dianova. Personally he thought they would stand. " All the same, I sure wish you could find that knife-throwing guy," said the backer in his best transatlantic accent. " Looks to me as though he was the goods. The audience would sure bo thrilled to death with every shot he took. Think the Thames has got him? " The Hungarian did not know; it \yas very possible. Never had ho known a man so stricken with grief, so overwhelmed with remorse. One would need a steady nerve for such an act, and he feared that even if Kaplan were alive his nerve had been irrevocably shattered. However, ho would at once get in touch with Dianova arid her partner, and did not doubt that ho would succeed in convincing thom of tho attractiveness of his offer. They had still another week to run at the Paliscuin, and ho would at once get in touch with certain provincial managements. Before setting out for tho country ho thought they might do a successful suburban tour; in fact, saw no reason why they shouldn't. He had Mr. Wellington's permission to see what could bo done? INIr. Wellington said " snro." Mr. Malnar thanked him and took his leave. The door having closed upon flic impresario, Wally mot me with a keen look of inquiry. 1 liodded. " You agree," he said, " that he doesn't believe a word of it? " Not a word." " What's his ganieP " " I wish I know." " Pretty daring, whatever it s. Ho can't hope to pull that bluff on us and get away with it? " " About as successfully as you did with your mythical lady friend." " A bit of trimming," lie admitted with a grin. " But not .impressive. Anything happen before 1 came? " " As affable a rogue as over pulled wool over innocent eyes, and as enthusiastic! as u nigger in a chicken run." "My arrival seemed to dry up Lis eloquence," 1 observed. " That mug of yours would turn any can of milk sour." " Bed Rufus pulled his board," I reminded him. " Bully for Hod Rufus. I had a longing to play with it myself." " Looks to me as though that longing may be gratified." Mr. Malnar had reminded us that Dianova and her partner had another week to run at tho Paliseum. In that time he apparently hoped to achieve not a little. On the nature of that achievement I speculated with consid-

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orable anxiety. Had it been n subtle, bold intimation of possible developments?. That the man was equal. to tin's "I believed. If 1 had ever ft doubt of bis mettle this negotiation with Wally would have banished it. It was not credible he should think the success of such a venture possible. Then why attempt it, unless urged by superior authority? Could Wallington himself bo the objective? Ho was rich; there were groat possibilities in him. A handsome sum might be extorted as ransom. Or did Malnar and his employers hope to get at mo through him ? Poliski was still at large,, and the mythical : Donskoi. Why had the finances suddenly dried up? Had Moscow called oil' the deal, assuming that lirst orders had come from there? Marina? But many opportunities to intfict injury on hor must have presented themselves'during her stay in America. She had not hidden herself; hail made no attempt to hide herself. If still interested in her, Krazan would have known where to find her. Probably he had now other interests of a more absorbing nature. By all accounts he had not yet wholly succeeded in annihilating God. Hero was someone whom the Ogpu could not arrest, interrogate, punish. It might do its best to destroy, but it could not kill. It could' net even lay the superstition that clung to the idea. Very curious how ideas survive when all that is tangible ■ passes. It would seem that Holy Russia had not been entirely cured of her holiness; that people still bowed the knee to the Idea, and probably would while there was a knee to bow. Intellectualism scoffed and whipped and killed, but could not kill the all-pervading Idea. Krazan was no fool; hd would know that tyranny must defeat itself in the end, though not prepared to acknowledge it openly; dared not, in fact, acknowledge it. He was bound to the wheel and had to revolve with it. Empty bragging to stand up arid defy the Almighty to strike him down. He would also learn this in .time, if he hadn't already learned it, and then even he might know fear and wonder. This inert mass of superstition deeply embedded in a people's mind, what was a man to do with it? Punish it, surely, but eradicate it, never. Marina Postov would have seemed a small thing beside all this; La Dianova oven less. And probably tho blame for his defeat during a recent visit to England would not be wholly apportioned to her. Like all women, she was swayed by the emotions, subject to impulse, inconsistent; might even have been swept by a sudden desire to be good. Was he big enough to appreciate this phase, and put her aside with other past things? What was a woman more or less in a man's life?

As I expected, Malnar paid another visit to the Paliscum that night, and on the following morning, in answer to Marina's call 011 the telephone, I drove round to her flat. SJie herself opened the door to nie, her maid lingering discreetly in the background, and taking me by the hand led mo into the sitting room, carefully closing the door after lis. I questioned her with a look. " One never knows," she said. "But you trust her?" " I did, of course, and there is really no reason why I shouldn't; but in a way I am beginning to distrust everybody but you. Money, my dear, might corrupt a saint. It seems to me that she is rather enthusiastic over Malnar's project." " Why shouldn't she be?" " I don't know; perhaps 1 am absurd and a little nervous. The sight of that man destroys my nerves; lie is so suave, so Soft, so horrible —like slime." "He told you he had found, a backer?" " So. But is it true; is Mr. Wallington in earnest?" " Did bo mention Wellington's name ?" " No, but ho said there was plenty of money. Derjinsky is driving me mad to agree. Acting on your advice I said I would consider the matter; that at present I was not eager to tour the provinces, but if nothing better came along—well, one has to work. He promised big money, great publicity, and a return to London in triumph. He also asked me to lunch with him to-day. Fancy lunching with him, that horror!" " Especially when you arc going to lunch with me." "Am I, my dear? Where?" " I thought of somewhere down on the river. What do you say to Windsor or Maidenhead ?" " Anywhere you like so that I am with you. When sball we, go?" " Now. The car is at the door. How long will it tako you to dress?" " Two minutes." She opened the door and called, "Louise!" " Yes, madamc," came the answer. Louise was evidently not far off. " I am going out to lunch. Quick, my things." " Yes, madamc." " Hurry, girl, hurry," cried madame. " Two minutes, my dear; one, half a 011 c. Do you know you excite me terribly—Leathermouth." " You know the penalty for the use of that word?" " That's why 1 use it." " Incorrigible!" She laughed softly in her throat. CHAPTER XV L. THE KMPTY FLAT rhero was still a week to run before Marina's engagement at the Paliscum would terminate. Nothing, I presumed, would happen before the expiration of that period. Malnar, I did not doubt, would play bis part of the active impresario with his' accustomed air of sincerity. Wally might bo subjected to some importunity, but as no decision could be arrived at without Dianova's co, ,>nt, and ns such consent was not likely to bo forthcoming, lie was not likely to bo greatly embarrassed. That last week was to me full ol bewildering conjecture. That something was in the air 1 did not doubt, though of its nature I had no inkling. That a blow would fall 1 felt convinced, but when, where, or how, only the enemy could say. Nothing suspicious happened; Malnar was no more obtrusive than tho situation warranted. He had been in touch with certain managements, who had apparently responded favourably to his suggestions, lie did not again ask Marina out to lunch with him. Clearly his interest in her had no more' than a business basis. He came and went like any other honest man engaged in his lawful pursuits. One would never have imagined that he was'boing shadowed; one almost wondered if lie really did know. Albert still searched in 'vain for another glimpse of Poliski, and was exceeding wrath in failure. And quite frankly he admitted that he didn't like the look of things. Tho whole affair was running too smoothly; there were no storm clouds from which one thought of seeking shelter. The stillness was ominous and rather intolerable; the guns were over there, but refused to speak. And Malnar lived respectably in his respectable Bloomsbury hotel, and imperturbably negotiated for the tour of the new Hungarians. ' (To bo continued dnily)