Stratosphere Express

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22670, 6 March 1937, Page 12 (Supplement)

Stratosphere Express

By ALROY TOST / Author of " Hate laland," " Death Messenger," etc.

CHAPTER Vll.—(Continued) "Now, suppose you reveal tlio mystery," Storm suggested. "Why don't you want to sco Bessiter tonight ?" "Because he's not to know that I rescued you." Storm nearly shot out of his chair. "Not to know!" lie gasped. Manda nodded her head. "Phew! What am I to tell him? That they, patted 1110 011 the back and told me to no home?" "Of course not! You'll tell him the truth. • You'll tell him everything you heard, and you'll say that you managed to get free and to overpower Voss. You will then relate how you contrived to get away from the place, and that you saw Lovae driving in the vicinity. That's not keeping anything back, is it:'"-

"Storm was glacl to turn in. 'Jho excitement of the day's events had thoroughly fagged him. When ho awoke it was broad daylight.

"it's a wonder Bessiter didn't come up and pull me out of bod," ho reflected with a grin.

There was no sign of his employer, and 011 making inquiries Storm discovered that Bessiter had gone out the previous night—evidently following on his own account of what had taken place at the laboratory —and had not yet returned. Storm was finishing breakfast when Bessiter came bustling in. "I'll have some coffee," ho announced.

"I'll pour it then." "Right. Well, our friends aro pretty quick workers. I managed to find the placo where Voss carries 011 his work — but it was deserted. I left a man to watch and he reported not long bnck that the laboratory is up for sale. There was also a bit of trouble at the secret works last night."

"Nothing vital perhaps. How did you know where I had been taken?" "I can't tell you." "Oh; How did you know about the other way in to the laboratory?" "The same answer holds good." "Indeed." Storm puffed at his cigarette. "I don't understand you," he said after a pause. "I'll vow that you are loyal to Bessiter —and yet . . . "And yet what?" There was something faintly mocking in her smile.

Storm stiffened in his seat. "What happened?" was asked. 1 "Nothing much. Somebody managed to slip away." "Not —not Bush?" "Hey! What do you know about Rush?"

"Nothing. Only you told me yesterday that you kept him more or less a prisoner." "Oh! Just guesswork 011 your part, ell?"

''l suppose I'm a mut," Storm confessed. '•! can't make head nor tail of this. Wait a minute, though! You said I was to tell Bessiter everything except your own participation in my escape. Is that so?"

"Absolutely," said Storm. Bessiter reached out for the coffee and started to sugar it. Ho took coffee very sweet, almost syrupy in fact. "It was Rush. And he got away, too. I don't know why, but I'll find out; even if 1 have to flay everybody in tlio works."

Manila sewned a triflo uneasy. "Yes," she said slowly. "That's what I said."

"Then I can tell Bessiter that Dickin told mo they had a mail in their pay working at the secret factory—where the stratoplane is being constructed?" The girl went pale. "Did he tell you that?" "Yes." Storm decided to press home while he had the advantage. "And strangely enough, Dickin added that this man had not been able to get any information through. Now Bessiter told me that lie kept a very careful watch over Rush, and that he ..." "Stop!" cried Manda. Storm spread out his hands. "Tha,t makes it pretty clear, doesn't it?" For some reason you wish to protest Bush. Can't you confide in me? 1 won't let you dowu."

"Are there many there?" asked Storm. "Find out," snapped Bessiter. "It isn't part of your job to sit there asking 1110 questions. And don't get idling over your food. We start off very soon. Better get ready." "Very good," Storm pushed his chair back and started to cross to the door.

"By the way," Bessiter announced, "our men are not very badly damaged. A few days in hospital will put 'em right. I'd discharge them, but they may feel vindictive; in which case 1 can use 'em. That's all. But don't get ringing them up! I'm not going to have anybody weeping over them. It was their own fault. I don't employ people who are stupid. They can think they're lucky that I still have a use for them." "Quite," Storm remarked. He quickly got ready, but when he

Manda stood up. "I don't think there is anything more' to be said," she remarked fcilv. "When you see Bessiter, you'd better explain everything. I shall not hold you to your promise. "I won't mention your name," said Storm quickly. "That's good of you," her tone was very icv. "Thank you very much for coming to the rescue. Ihn very grateful." "Naturally I should help a fellowjvorker." Storm crossed to the door.

"Good-night, then," ho said. "Good-night." He walked slowly down the stairs. Manda had put him in a very difficult pssition. After all, he owed a great deal to Bessiter. Bessiter was the one for whom he worked. Bessiter was the one who was giving him ample scope to make good. But Manda was so confoundedly attractive. Probably it would be all right to leave that bit out concerning Rush. It would mean an increasing responsibility, but no doubt he would be able to keep an eye on the man and prevent him from doing any damage. There was, anj'way, plenty of news for Bessiter. Storm engaged a taxi and it was not long before he was ringing the bell at Bessiter's home. Bessiter himself admitted him.

"Storm! That's good work I Glad you're back. Come on!"

He' followed Bessiter into the lounge. "Sit down. Have a drink. I don't know how the devil you managed to get away. The men who were supposed to be guarding you got smashed up. J rather suspect that they didn't keep their eyes open for a second car. Still, they'll have to suffer for it." "I hope jione of them was hurt?" "They were all knocked about a bit. They'll live, though. But I haven't any pity for them. Bunglers don't deserve pity. ,jN T ow, what have you to report?" "It was Dickin, of course." "Yes." Bessiter's voice was grim. "They stopped a car in front of me, and the driver beckoned. One of them must have slipped out on the far side and came round the back of the car. They used chloroform on me. When i came round I was tied up in a chemical laboratory. I have an idea that the place belongs to a man named Voss." "Voss!' That's interesting." Bessiter stuffed a cigar between his lips. "Go 011!" he ordered.

returned to the "room there was no sign of Bessiter. He lit a cigarette and glanced at the paper. Whilo ho was reading it the door opened and Manda walked into the room. "Hello!" said Storm in a casual tone. He concealed his surprise because he remembered how they had parted the previous evening. She gave him a wry smile. "Hello! Where's Bessiter?" "He'll be back in a minute or so. Dying to have a heart-to-heart talk with him?" She shook her head. "Not particular. How much did you tell him about last night?" "Only those things which concerned myself. He doesn't know that, you had a hand in .it. But did you know that Rush got away?" She turned aside. "I heard," she said. "I'm a bit afraid —now." "I thought you'd get wise by the morning," Storm said. "Is there anything 1 can do to help?" "I don't think so, thanks." "Have you come along to confess—or something?" " I don't think it's much good. The damage is done, now. And Bessiter is sure to realise that Bush may be dahgerous." " I expect he will. Ccyild you manage to lay your hands on Rush?" Manda shook her head. "I think I could halve done at one time. But things have changed so much since then. I don't know how I managed to get hero this morning. 1 had to come, because Bessiter told me yesterday. But I've felt miserably afraid all the time." " Why? You don't think he'll find out, surely?" \ " It isn't that. I had a telephone call this morning—quite early. I don't.know who was speaking, but he was terrible. He said that ho could quite sympathise with my position, but that it was really impossible to work for two sides, especially as it was bound to come out. Ho said that I was far too impetuous last night, and that I might have caused considerable trouble; in fact, I had made it necessary for certain plans to lie changed. He advised me to wait outside the Central Station to-night at 8.30. Then he rang off." " Oh! What was the voico like?"

Storm related what had happened, hut took all the glory for the escape. He did not make any mention of Rush. "That's good work," said Bessiter'." "There is one other thing. As I was driving away a car passed me, very likely going to the laboratory. And the jnan at the wheel was Lovac."

Bessiter gave an ugly grin. "I'm not surprised. I'd give a lot to know whether he has been behind Dickin all the time, or whether he is just coming into the game. I've had further' information regarding the Coordinated Transport shares. It seems that a rumour has started to the effect that labour troubles are expected. This was followed up by a whisper that the American part of the company was going to break away. The most interesting point about that is that Lovao is at the head of the American Section." "His game is pretty clear then. Dickin seemed troubled over tho fake telephone call. Ho didn't know where it came from. He eventually seemed to idea that it was from Larkin's own place." "It* was," said Bessiter. "I communicate with the secret works by radio. I fixed up a special short-wave device. It's possible to so arrange it that,you can get a 'silence' zone within ascertain radius of the transmitting eet." (

- "I feel very tired," Storm declared. Do you want me for anything more?" "Not to-night. You did quite well."

(Copyright) DRAMATIC STORY OF LOVE AND ADVENTURE

"A horrible voico. It was almost as though the man was smiling all the time, But it was expressionless, as well."Storm bit his lips. •" That was Lovae," ho said slowly. CHAPTER VIII. e Lovnc again! The man had only put in an appearance on the morning of the day before, and already 110 threatened to dominate the picture, He was playing a tricky game with the Coordinated Transport shares, he was obviously at the back of Dickin, and now he was trying to weave a tangled web around Manda.

" Lovae," said the girl thoughtfully. li We're in a nieo mess," Storm tolci her. " Lovae is a thoroughly unpleasant bit of work, and I'm afraid his capacity for making things uncomfortable all round is practically endless." " Sh!" warned iUanda. "Here's Bes-

sitcr." Their employer camo bustling into the room.

"Ah!" he said, when ho saw Manda. " Glad you're on time. Come along—•we're going to the secret works right awav. We'll have to find a new name for them—they won't be secret much longer. One thing, Dickin is scared. I've just been informed that he's cleared out. There doesn't seem to be a trace of him." " I suppose you can trust the other two?" Storm suggested. Bessiter glared at him. " I'm not trusting anybody!" lie proclaimed. " For all I know, they may bo trying to sell mo to another market. I've just weeded out one enemy—that's all. But don't spend your time asking questions. Go and get in the car." Manda followed Storm into the room. " He's in a had temper this morning," she confided. " You can tell bv the way his month is twisted up in 0110 corner. That's a snro sign that squfills are 011 the way." Storm laughed. " I don't find him hard to get on with," he said. " I don't take any notice of him—and he realises it." " You wait. You don't know him yet.''

There yas a telegraph boy at the door. Manda stepped closer to her companion. " I wonder what that is. Do you think Lovac -would give mo away?" Storm shook his head.

" Not until there is a chanco of striking a bargain with you. He'll delay exposure as long as possible. It's the only hold he has on you, remember."

" I suppose that is so. Bessiter seems to realise that it is serious about Bush. I'm thankful about that."

" Tfcst Bessiter," said Storm with a grin. " He suspects nearly everything. Hello! Here ho comes. Looks more put out than ever." "Storm!" Bessiter called. " Yes."

" There's another hitch, confound it! I had a man named Macready comiug along. We were to meet at Larkin's place. Macready was going to pilot the stratoplane for me. He'd have been useful in one or two things at the works to-day. Now there's a wire saying that ho can't get here until to-night. That means that I shall have to bring those infernal plans to the house. I don't like doing that—especially at a time when those boys aro out of action. I'll break Dickin's neck when I get hold of him." " That hardly solves the problem of safeguarding the plans," Storm pointed out.

" Smart this morning, aren't wo?" growled Bessiter. " You'll have to be, because I'm giving them to you." "To me?" asked Storm in dismay.

" Yes. I'll hand them to yo'u, and you can bring them back. I'm sure that they'll never expect me to let the plans leave my own hands. .The unexpected nearly always fools people." " I don't like the responsibility," Storm protested. " I didn't ask you whether you did. You're having it—that's all."

Storm shrugged his shoulders. " Very well. Don't blame me if they get lost."

" I shall," said Bessiter grimly " Now get inside that car." Storm took his place beside Bessiter, and Manda sat at the hack. The journey was made in absolute silence. In fact, it was aiot until they were standing in tho room which contained the gloaming model of the stratoplane that f3essiter made any comment.

" You asked about my special diagram of the upper atmosphere. You know, tho crazv whim." " I remember,'' said Storm.

" Good. Now I'll show von something about it." Ho crossed to the wall and pressed down tho switch which o]>cr»ted the sliding panel. Then lie moved the second switch, which illuminated the wavy lines.

" Now look at that stone," he commanded.

Storm glanced at the massive square. He had only given it a casual glance on his last visit, but now he noticed that it had a metal base. Bessiter was right against the panel, so that it was impossible to see just what he was doing. But after a second or so he forgot about Bessiter. The stone started to move. At first it wasn't like a movement, but more like a sudden fault cracking the stone. This crack widened and became a definite slit. Slowly the two halves moved apart. Bessiter hurried over to them, and Storm followed him.

Looking down, lie could see that there was a shallow cavity, normally covered by the great square of stone, Bessiter took some papers from this cavity. " The plans for constructing the stratoplane," he announced.

Storm whistled. "And how does this opening stunt take place?" ho asked incautiously. " Ddta't ask fool questions! Do you want fo take my place, or "No. I was just interested." (To be continued daily)