THE LORD OF TERROR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22241, 16 October 1935, Page 23

THE LORD OF TERROR

By SYDNEY HORLER Author of "Tha Secret Agent," " 5.0.5.," "The Spider's weo, etc.

(COPYJIICnT)

an enthralling story, packed with thrills and adventure

CHAPTER Xlll—(Continued) - " But I've brought my note-book I thought—" " Never mind what you thought, my dear. I want to have a private talk with you. But first of all, is that chair comfortable?" " Oh, very comfortable, thank you." This earnest solicitude was making her feel embarrnssed. Van Dressier placed in a cut-glass ashtray tho cigar ho had been smoking. " Have you thought anything more about our conversation of yesterday? Because," without waiting for her reply. " I am afraid I must como to a more or less immediate decision. Quite shortly I expect to go on a very important trip—oh, business, of course,'' lie added quickly; " and in that event 1 shall expect you to accompany me, Miss Carruthers —that is assuming, of course, that you are not going to turn my proposition down." The look which accompanied the words, was significant; it told Mary very plainly that if she did, her stay in that office was not likely to be prolonged. " You have had time to think over what 1 was talking about yesterday—most girls would feel flattered, 1 imagine." Hero was a chance to keep out of tho way of Johnny Cardell —and thus save him from perhaps terrible danger. It would he a big sacrilice, but — " Thank you, Mr. van Dressier. If you think I am capable of carrying out the duties, I shall be very pleased to become your travelling private secretary." "Good! That's the way I like to hear people talk. Quick decision, and no beating about the bush. Anyone with any character knows what be or she wants and reaches out to get it." Whether or not ho was being carried away by his own words, Mary could not decide, but certainly the hairy though well-manicured hand of her employer reached out and caught her by the upper part of her left arm. He gave the flesh a squeeze. Van Dressier, seeing her wince, made his idea of an apology. " You mustn't mind me becoming a little boisterous, ihy dear; to tell you the truth, I am delighted that you have made such a decision, and 1 promise that you will never regret it." Mary kept silent. She had spoken on the impulse. The words, indeed, had been uttered before she could examine them.

" Then we will call it settled —eh, Mary? Now that you are to become my private secretary, ' Mary ' will be shorter and more convenient than the more formal ' Miss Carruthers.' I hope you will not object?" She. sought refuge in an evasion. " Thank you, Mr. van Dressier. Is that all?" " That is all, Mary. But i shall expect you to start your new duties tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. I will inform Miss Somerton and she "will make the necessary arrangements." He bowed to her and she considered this a form of dismissal. Back in the typing-room, Mabel Dunn gave her some additional news. " Someone rang up for you, my dear, but that slug Melksham was in the room and he answered. He said you were taking dictation." "Who was it?" Her mind instantly went to Johnny. " Couldn't tell you—why, Mary, you're blushing!" " Don't be silly." " Well, tell me what the boss said." Mary thought it would be better if she told the truth. " Mr. van Dressier said he wanted a travelling private secretary and offered mo the job." "But you didn't accept? " I did." " What—after „all I told you the other day? Mary Carruthers, you'll end up by finding yourself in the Sunday newspapers, that you will I You know: ' Interviewed, tho young woman in question said—' " " Mabel, do stop your nonsense." She felt she was not able to stand much more of the other's spirited banter. There was no answer, and turning, she saw the reason why; Mabel Dunn, with a misleading angelic expression on her freckled face, was typing away as though her life depended on tho quickness of her fingers. " Will you kindly toll your young men friends, Miss Carruthers, that it is a striot rule of the office that the telephone shall not be used by employees for private messages?"

Melksham! " Certainly, Mr. Melksham. I had no idea that anyone was ringing me up. Was any message left?" "No message, Miss Carruthers. I told the gentleman in question that you were busy at work, taking dictation, and that consequently you were unfortunately unable to speak to him." " Thank you, Mr. Melksham." Her heart seemed to keep pace with her rapidly-moving fingers as she resumed work. Melksham, all unconsciously, had told her what she wanted to know; it must havo been Johnny Cardell. This prediction proved correct when, on leaving the office at two minutes past one o'clock, she felt her arm seized. "Mary!" " Oh, Johnny, how you frightened me!" " I rang you up, but the snooty hound who answered said that you were taking dictation. But never mind, I've got you now —look, here's a taxi; wo can go to the same place again." , It hurt her terribly, but she had to do it. " No, Johnny." " No?" * 3 <iT " No, Johnny," ehe repeated, I mustn't be seen with you." "Why? Do I smell or something?" " Don't be silly. But you got that letter I sent you?" " Yes " Then his face sank. " But you needn't worry, my dear; no harm's going to come to you. I've arranged all about that." " It's not that I'm thinking about. But if I'm seen with you, those people —whoever they are—will get to know,; and then they will vent their spito on you." "Look hero, Mary," he broke m sharply, " we're merely wasting time — and you've only got an hour for lunch — less than an hour now; it's fivo past one." " But I'm not going to that expensive place." " All right," looking surprised, "we'll go wherever you like; I'm not fussy." Without answering him, she led tho way to a teashop. Tho 'place was crowded and tho din deafening. Her spirits sank; but this would be better than tho famous restaurant, where they would be far more likely to be seen. During the plainest of meals they talked of various matters and then: " Now, Mary, what about to-night? Can't I see vou?" Johnny asked. " I don't know." " Why don't yc)u know?" " Because " —hero she paused—" I have to start a new job to-morrow." " What? You're leaving van Dressier? Good! Ho hasn't insulted you, has he?" he asked quickly. Sho had to soften the blow as much as was possible. " No—he's offered me a much bettor position and I've accepted it." It hurt her to see his expression change; but, all the same, ho had better know the truth. " What kind of position?" " He wants me to be his travelling private secretary." His face went white.

" You're going travelling with a man like that—and after what I told you about himP"

" Johnny, I'm not a child; I can take care of myself." " I tell you, he's unspeakably vile. Every newspaper office in Fleet Street has enough stories about him to sink a ship. Oh. my God!" Both hands, clenched, were placed on the marbletopped table. She would have liked to say something, but did not know what words to use. He had taken it so badly that she felt a pain at her own heart. " When do you start on this —new job?" What contempt he put into the last two words! " To-morrow morning at 10 o'clock." " Well, Mary," he said with infinite bitterness, " I wish you joy of it. So that's why you won't see me, tonight?" " I can't see you." " All right." His face rigid, his head held high, he stood up, and tho next moment was threading his way fiercely through the serried ranks of very com-mon-place lunchers. As for Mary, she felt at that moment that she would like to die. CHAPTER XIV y.l. HE A ItS SOME NEWS AND DROPS A niN'r In spite of his many professional preoccupations, Sir Brian Fordinghame, Chief of the Y.l. Department of tho British Secret Service was a sociablo being, and, although his leisure was strictly limited lie belonged to three clubs. His favourite, the Century, in Pall Mall, saw most of him, and it was toward this haven of good conversation, excellent food and real man's comfort that he was walking now. It was his favourite time —a little past six. He liked, whenever he could afford himself-the luxury, to spend an hour at the Century before going home to Hyde Park Gato to dinner. That respfte, brief as it was, helped him enormously. Ho could depend at the Century upon being left alone. Only a few of his fellow members knew his real occupation. Tho general impression was that ho was merely a highplaced civil servant —and those in his confidence kept the secret to themselves.

On this particular afternoon the club seemed deserted. Walking up the magnificent staircase to the first floor, Fordinghame' looked in at the various rooms and presently decided to take his hour of rest in the smoking room. This was an especially cheerful apartment. It was long, lined with books, and had a huge fireplace at either end. Dotted about all over tho place were the usual leather settees, sofas and deep armchairs. There were only half a dozen members in it when he entered, and none of these lifted his head to see Who the newcomer might be. Ordering a whisky and soda, ho sank into an armchair to the left of the far fireplace and pulled out a pipe and tobacco pouch. He badly wanted to relax. That afternoon there had been an especially acrimonious meeting at the Tjreign Office, It which ho had been bidden. Europe looked to be on the verge of chaotic war once more, and it seemed inevitable that, if this happened, England would bo dragged in by her coat-tails. A political firebrand of the usual publicity-hunting brigade—a man with more powerful social connections than common sense —had been complaining to the Foreign Secretary that tho British Intelligence Service on the Continent had gone to pieces. The charge had been based on very flimsy evidence; but, as Fordinghame felt it necessary to point cut, with the Secret Service grant cut to tho bone, he had the devil's own job in maintaining an efficient organisation. That had been one worry. The continued silence of Wauchope, an extremely valuable man, was another. It looked as though tho British agent in Pe had been taken off to one of those damnable concentration camps in which Kuhnreicli and his Cabinet specialised. Of course, if the Dictator of Ronstadt came out into the open and branded Waucho, o as a spy. Fordinghame would be powerless to help. Tho British Government would have to disown their own representative, as always happened in such cases. ... Oh, well, ho was going to forget it for an hour, at any rate; but, just as ho had lit his pipe, a familiar figure lounged over and held out a hand. Walter Moorhouse.looked like a prosperous farmer, but was actually one of tho world's greatest financial figures. Indeed, the house of Moorhouso Bros, played a very important part in regulating tho money markets of the world. Theso two men, so dissimilar in appearance and occupation, were great friends. Each found in tho other an interest which his own job could not possibly provide. Moorhouse's favourite literature was l endless supply of "shockers," while Fordinghame, an ardent horticulturist, loved nothing better than to discuss roses with the financior. But this afternoon Moorhouse's talk, directly the financier had seated himself, took an unexpected turn. Usually he spoke of commonplaces—at least, for the first ten minutes. In answer to t!ie query as to whether ho was leaving Lonclon—for tho financior had thrown out a hint to that effect some time before —Moorhouso gavo the other a curious glance. " I suppose you'vo read all about this hew airship, Sky King, Fordinghame?" ho asked. Tho Secrot Service chief nodded. " Of course." " Well, I'm going to bo one of the passengers on her initial trip." " Oh, really? How far are you going —Amorica?" Tho financier smiled. << No—only to tho North African coast. I'm interested in flying, and there's a business end as well. You see, it's like this: Ronstadt has somo petiol wells in North Africa which she says blio is anxious to disposo of. I can t quito see the sonso of that; but feelers liavo been thrown out and hints dropped that these petrol wells at Leopina are for sale to tho highest bidder. 1 understand that fivo of us havo been approached." " Who are they?" * " Well; there's van Dressier. " James van Dressier?" " That's tho follow. You know a good deal about him, I supposeP "As much as I caro to know, was tho curt answer. " Scotland Yard knows a bit more, 1 shouldn't be surprised, because his special kind of highway robbery i omos more strictly tinder their aegis. But I'm telling tales out of school," Fordinghame went on. " I shall respect your confidence, was tho financier's reply; "and, as a matter of fact, 1 hate van Dressier like poison myself. In my opinion ho's tho sort 'of fellow who ought to be put painfully to death. I don't fear his competition —he can make a million a minute if ho wants to —but 1 detest the typo; ho always reminds mo of some overfed rattlesnake looking round for something fresh to kill." " Well, that's enough of van Dressier. Who eljo is going?" " Otashi, the Japanese," he answered, "and Walker, Harrington and Jameson. Oh, Easthampton, the owner of the Skv King, is going, too, but petrol wells won't appeal to him." "In fact," summed up Fordinghame! "six 'of tho world's richest men. Bo careful someone doesn't hold you to ransom." ■ Moorhouso stretched his legs to the cheerful fire. (To be continued daily)