THE GREAT LAROCHE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE GREAT LAROCHE

(COPYRIGHT)

THRILLING DRAMA OF SECRET SERVICE

CHAP PER Vlll.—(Continued) 1 he Prime Minister fidgeted with his collar, a habit of his when agitated. " You have heard nothing from Air. Kenton ?" " Nothing," admitted the man to whom the question had been put! "The surrounding country is being searched?" \ " Every inch of it." " There does not appear to be anything more to be discussed, then—at least not for the present," announced the Premier. " We can only wait—and hope for the best." This side-tracking remark, so characteristic of the man who said it obviously irritated the more energetic Secretary for War. " livery policeman—every soldier in the Homo Counties come to that — should be mobilised and put on this search," ho declared. The Prime Minister shook his head. " That would create the utmost eonfusion in the public mind," he replied, " and, besides, the newspapers would be sending their reporters. No, Hathaway, I am afraid that suggestion cannot be adopted." " But something will have to be done." The War Minister came back to the attack with considerable heat. " That is unless we arc prepared for this country and everyone in it to be blown to the devil within a week of war breaking out." At the murmurings of protest and indignation that came from his listeners, Hathaway added: " I am convinced that the whereabouts of this inventor, Marve, is easily the most important circumstance'at present in our national life." The bond of the British Government did some more'fidgeting with bis collar. " We can but wait. Well, what is it, Stephenson?" he demanded as his principal private secretary was seen crossing the room toward him. ' "J beg your pardon, Prime Minister," was the answer, " but this has just arrived at No. 10, and I came over with it straight away." It was noticed that the Prime Minister's face took on an additional pallor as he re-read the paper which had been handed to him. " When do you say this came?" " Only ten minutes ago, sir." " Who brought it?" " A Post Office special messenger." " Is that all you know, Stephenson?" " Yes, sir." " May 1 butt in?" inquired a grufT voice, and Sir Harker Bellamy thrust out a hand. " H'm!" he commented after he had conned the feAV tvpewriten words on

the single sheet of notepaper which he had taken out of the Prime Minister's nerveless fingers. "This is bad," ho admitted; and as the others stared at him, ' I am afraid, gentlemen, our worst fears are realised —Marve is in the hands of England's worst enemy." , " His name?" demanded Hathaway, hoarsely. " Laroche," was the answer. CHAPTER IX. THE AMAZING IMPERSONATION The time was five minutes to midnight. In that beneath-the-water room the three prisoners sat gripped by despair. None of them had spoken lor several hours. .Peler Ponton's thoughts were particularly bitter; paralysing fear besieged him; if Susan had got away and had established connection with Q.l. help from Bellamy would have arrived long before this. There could bo only one conclusion; his sister was sharing the same fate as himself and had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Yet if this was so, why had Laroche not arrived to make the announcement? ##*#** Up above in the saloon of the houseboat Laroche was raising his glass to toast the visitor ho had impatiently expecting. Oscar von Staltheim briefly nodded his acknowledgment. "I am sorry I could not arrive before," he said in the guttural tones Laroche knew so well. "But we at the Embassy arc kept exceptionally busy," he said; "you realise that for yourself." Laroche* nodded, waiting to hear more. This soon came. "You have the man Marve safely, you say?" i . - His companion siniloci in whr.t jig conflidered to be justifiable triumph. "What I promise to do 1 generally accomplish—you should know that, von Staltheim," he returned. "Yes, J have the man Marve, and two lesser fry in the persons of a girl who calls herself his niece and"—here his eyes glistened —"a young British Secret Service agent who lias given Ronstadt a good deal of trouble in the past. For instance, a few months ago he returned to this country after spending no fewer than three months investigating the rearmament campaign_along the Caronian fiontiei. I shall be reluctant to give that young man up." . . The military attache smiled grimly. "You have done well, Laroche, and it would be churlish on my part to deny it. And now," rising, "I will relieve you of all your responsibility. Laroche stared. "1 don't quito understand,' he said.

By SYDNEY HORLER Author of "Tiger Standish," "The Evil Chateau," etc.. etc.

It is easy to explain. Directly your message arrived at the Embassy, 1 got into communication with Pe. Kuhnreicli was delighted—•" "Naturally." Von Staltheim ignored the comment. "Shortly afterwards, I received this special message from His Excellency. Shall J. read it to you?" "If you like." Beyond giving the other an unequivocal stare Von Staltheiin did not answer, but, taking a paper from his pocket, read: - • • "My best thanks. Laroche should be complimented. You have my special orders concerning Marve. Shall expect you in Pe within twenty-four hours. — Kuhnreicli." "You see, there's nothing to be done, except to obey. His Excellency appears to be resolute on one point—the mfln must be taken to pe immediately. 1 have a fast machine waiting." "You go by air?" "Yes. And now—" "One minute," interjected Laroche. "The agreement, 1 believe, was that .1 was to be paid the sum of twenty thousand English pounds. Correct me" —his voice was dangerously polite —"if lam wrong." Von Staltheim did not debate the point. "The money is waiting for you at the Embassy." Put the other did not appear to be satisfied. "It would have been more convenient, for me, at least, if you had brought it with you," he remarked. it Mas then that the man who claimed to represent the world's most powerful Dictator lost his patience. "Silence!" he roared. "Do you realise to whom you arc speaking?" L,'troche remained unimpressed. "To the Ronstadtian military attache at Hie Court of St. James, Major Oscar von Staltheim. Yes, 1 know," he retorted. "Good! I thought just now that you must be mad! Do you understand that I have the special confidence of Kuhnreicli ?" "And I"—here the speaker smiled provokingly—"have the special confidence of"—he paused again—"myself." Von Staltheim breathed heavily. "Please inform me exactly what you mean by that?" "It means that Kuhnreicli or no Kuhnreicli the man Marve does not leave this houseboat until I receive my payment —twenty thousand pounds, the original price, plus another hundred for being forced to lose my temper. You can take it or leave it, Von Staltheim." There was a moment's pause. Then came the decision "Very well —" "Docs that mean you have brought the money?"

"I am not accustomed, even in. this admirably-policed country, to carrying twenty thousand pounds about with me. But 1 have a cheque book," and he pulled it from his pocket as he spoke. It was now Laroche who hesitated. He had no suspicion of the cheque itself; what irked him was the knowledge that the matter was'now going to be taken out of his hands. Still, it had been an easy day's work and the payment was satisfactory. "I'll take your cheque—make it out to 'bearer,' " he said. "And now," stated the visitor, when he had passed the grey slip of paper across the table, "I should like to see the prisoners." "Prisoners?" echoed Laroche. "Surely Kuhnreicli does not want to be bothered with the girl and Ronton?" "My strict instructions were to take all three back with me to Pe," was the quick reply. "As you say yourself, this young feliow Ronton has given us a great deal of trouble in the past, and it is time the account was squared." The speaker pulled out his watch. "1 can spare no further time," he said. "The air liner I have chartered leaves within an hour." Laroclie's quick-work-ing mind made him ask yet another question. "Can you manage them all on your own ?'' "Easily. I presume you have taken ordinary precautions?" . "I have put handcuffs on all of them, if that is what you mean." "Good. Then we will get to business. Lead the way pleaso, my dear Laroche." it was so unlike Oscar von Staltheim to evidence any sign of graciousness that the ex-priest stared. "1 will call the chief warder." he said witli a grin that answered the smile on the other man's face. A few seconds later Kulin showed himself. And who the'"devil do you say this is?" thundered Von Staltheim. It seemed that the unexpectedness of meeting such an apparition had monientarilv shaken his nerve. Laroche bowed like an impresario. ".This, my dear Von Staltheim, is my major-domo, my chief of staff, my cook, my head warder, and on occasion my personal persuader." "Talk sense—what do you mean 'personal persuader'?" "Call it torturer and you will not be far wrong," was the answer. "Tell him to go first," was the military attache's comment. '#*»*** The prisoners stared as the three men entered. f J he eyes of the girl lacked lustre, those of'the inventor were haggard; only Peter Renton of the trio showed defiance. (To be continued daily)