By Breathless ways

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12095, 24 March 1925, Page 3

By Breathless ways

A ST6RY OF MYSTERY, CRIME AND LOVE.

BY A POWERFUL WRITER

By

Ben Bolt.

Author of “Love in the Wildi " "Love F indl the Clue," "Linked by Peril," etc., etc

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.]

CHAPTER XIXAs the whisper reached her, Catherina Vospero promptly switched off the light and locked the door, end then ran towards the man in the chair. “Father!’' she cried in a whisper. “Father!'’ “Yes, my dear,’’ answered the man, rising and putting his arm round her. “And how is my t.atherina ?’" 1 ‘Worried to death, almost, about you,’’ answered the girl, promptly. “Oh. I am so glad to see you! There are so many things I want to know ’’ “You’ll have to select, my Catherine.” said Vospero. with a laugh. “I’m afraid I’ve only a few minutes to spare. It null not do for me to linger.” “Y'ou are in danger?” she cried. “A little,” he answered, with the laugh of a reckless man. “I fancy I was followed litre, and I was delayed ir. ilie office, learning the number of this suite. Anybody following me must have had a fair view of me. But I felt, that I must see you—talk to you. Who is Charles Woganp” he demanded abruptly. In'the darkness Catlierina’s face flushed warmly. “How did you know of him,?” she asked, quickly. “Miguel Concha told me. He thinks lie is no class for you to be on-r-ei — friendly terras with.” ‘•’The terms are more than friendly," said Catherina, with simple directness. “iso I understood,” replied Vospero, drily. “And Concha doesn’t like it. I am not sure that I do, cither, from his account of the man.” “There must he reasons for Senor Concha’s dislike cf diaries Wogan,” answered the girl quietly. “Senor Concha has just told me that to save your life I must marry no one but himself.”

“What? To save my life I "What Is the fool talking about?” “You know that Salvano is dead? You know that ho was stabbed P” asked the girl, quickly. “Yes, poor fellow! They might have let him alone.” The girl’s heart gave a bound. “Father,” she cried quickly. . “You do not believe that he was a traitor?” “Salvanol Good heavens —no! He was the most faithful fellow that ever wore hoots!” “Then you did not kill him,” asked the girl, with a glad not of relief in her voice. “Kill Salvano 1 Never! Why, the lad would have died for me. Who put such a notion into your head, little girl ?" “Senor Conoha,” answered Catherina, promptly. “He has just been here. He showed me a knife, which he said was taken from Salvano’s heart, a pearl-handled knife with your initials in silver —a knife that He knew was yours ” “lie was right there,” broke in Vospero, grimly. “But I didn’t kill Salvano. But go on, Catherina.” “He said that if that knife were sent to the police here with certain information, you would certainly be hanged, and to save you he pressed me to marry him.” “To save me! How? I don’t understand, Catherina!” “If I refused to marry him, I think he meant to give information to the police ’ ’ “Ah! now I have Miguel Concha I Salvano was right. The consul is a traitor in grain, and his little game is no doubt to marry you and get rid of me. and then—.— ’’

“Yes,” said Catherina, quickly. “What else?” • Her father laughed shortly. “Don’t let it hurt your pride, little girl; but Concha didn’t want you for yourself alone. That’s not his style. There’s no need to go into that, however. Con--cha’s over-reached himself. I have him between my finger and thumb now, . and I’ll make him squirm. I don’t wonder he is down on your Mr Wogan, if to marry you is part of his game. But this Wogan, tell me about him.” •

Catherina told all that she knew, which was not very much, and her father listened, the leaping flames of the fire lighting up his strong face, and revealing the thoughtful look upon it. When she finished, Vospero smiled.

“Sounds the right sort,” he said. “Most English officers ore like that. I could do with him in San Balvador, but I wouldn’t take you there for worlds, child! I don’t want you to make a mistake. You’re old enough to know your heart.” He gave a little laugh. “And I think you’re wilful enough to fallow it. But before vou marry him I should like to see him. We must arrange it.” “Oh, I shall he glad to——” “I expect you will, Catherina. But I must not stay here longer. Sometime in the morning I will send for yo.i to come to-me for an hour, and then we will arrange to lunch with Mr Wogan at my apartments. You—” He broke off sharply, as from one of the rooms that formed the suite there came a sound, as if someone had inadvertently kicked a chair in .the darkness.

“What was that?” he asked, in a startled whisper. “I do not know,” -answered Catherina. quickly w “There is no one here but you?” he questioned sharply. “A maid or——” “No one,” answered the girl. “But there is someone in that room. Someone who followed me to this hotel, or who had designs on you. I must find out. It is necessary. Go towards the outer door. Open and shut it when I say adieu, and he ready to switch the light on when I tell you. Heavens, wliat a business it- is to pick one’s way through traitorous intrigues.” He raised his voice as the girl began to move towards the switch. “Yes, I really must go now, my dear. Dolano is waiting for me. But I shall see you again very soon: and before long all our troubles will he over. Adieu, my dear Catherina. No,” he added, as Catherina opened the door. “You .shall conic with me down the lift, my child, to the very steps if you like. We will say our farewells there”

All the time lie lied been talking he had been moving obliquely in the direction of the room whence had come the sound that had indicated they were not alone in the suite. As Catharine opened and closed the door, he moved

quickly, placing himself in n position just out of sight of anyone who might open the door, then as the girl switched off the light, lie waited for any sign of the intruder. Catherina also waited. There was a tension at her heart, and her breath came in quick gasps as her excitement mounted. Very dimly, a mere shadow against the wall, ste could discern the tall form of her father, and as she waited, anxiety for what was to come mingled with her excitement. A minute passed, two minutes ticked out with slow regularity by the clock upon the mantelpiece; a tram-bell clanged in the street below; a motor-horn tooted furiously, and on the heels of it came a sound at which her heart seeiped to stand still, the sound of a door handle being cautiously turned. The noise was unmistakable, and the girl looked fixedly at the door of the room where, as she now knew beyond all question,' an intruder was concealed. It was opening—very slowly. Inch by inch she saw it, and then came a sudden crack that must have arrested the attention of anyone in the sitting-room. For a moment the opening door remained still. Catherina held her breath, and glanced at her father, who still stood like a statue againßt the wall. From the direction of the river came tho harsh hooting of a steamer’s foghorn, and then the door was jerked suddenly wide, and a man stepped out of the shadow of the doorway into the shadow's of the fire-lit room. As he did so he gave a little laugh, as if assured that he was alone in the suite, and m that moment Vospero launched himself upon the intruder. ■ The man fell to the floor with a halfchoked cry of alarm, and then for a full minute the room seemed to be full of the sounds of struggle', blows, the hoarse panting of wreaking men, and a horrid sound as if a man were having tho breath choked from him. Dimly the girl perceived the men on the floor, like monstrous shadows, heard a snarl, a strangled cry, and the sound of a fierce Mow followed by a thud, and then <m the stillness that supervened broke her father’s voice.

’’Switch on the light, Catherina 1” Promptly she turned the switch, and aa the light flooded the room she looked at the two men on the floor. The intruder lay quite still, with her father, breathing deeply, kneeling upon him. The stranger’s face was very white and hiS eyes were closed: and as Oatherma took a step forward there was a .sudden clutch of fear at her heart. “Oh!" she whispered. “Is he dead Vospero laughed discordantly. “Nor* Knocked senseless, that is all. He will be himself in a few minutes.” “Do. you know himP” she asked. “YesJ He’s a Balvadorian. one of the crqwd, who are after me. His name is Manuel Vincente. 1 ought to kill him if he were in San Balvador I. would. But this- native land of m-ine is more particular than my adopted one." He gave a abort laugh and added, . ‘lt doesn't’ recognise the right of private vengeance. That’s the worst of a thousand years or so of law. I shall l^avc to let this fellow go notwithstanding that sooner or later he will try to get me.” “But what was he doing- ” - “Followed me into the hotel, or saw me, when I entered, knew where this suite was, and made his way here before I came up. Meant to get me I. expect, and was waiting for the chance when you showed up and complicated, matters a little. I imagine he was waiting for me to enter that room ” “Oh!” whispered Catherina. “What a good thing you did not.” “The question is what are we to do with him. I can’t wait till he comes round, for there may he others of this tribe about, and if' I tie him • uj> hv’ll be an embarrassment to you." “Leave him hereP” said the grl quickly, “i will go down into the lounge, ana wait there. When he recovers he will be only too glad to go “Something in that,’,’ agreed her father. Then he nodded his head, an.', standing to his feet, began to tidy himself. “Take a look at the •Vl'ow, Calherina, then you’ll know to 'e on your guard if you run against him.” Catherina took a step forward and looked at the unconscious man. He was tall: with very dark hair and eyebrows, with a fieroe moustache of the once popular Kaiser type, and he was obviously young. She stared steadily at the unconscious man until she was sure that the face was stamped upon her memory, and then she nodded. “I shall remember him.”

“And I also,” said her father, with a grim laugh. “And when I go hack, if ever I catch him running round San Balvador ” • He left the threat unfinished. “Time T was going, Catherina. But tomorrow morning I will send a car for you; then I will send for your Mr Wogan, and we’ll have a heart-to-heart talk, together, and see what can he done. You- must wait in until my messenger cornea. ’■ “Yes, father.”

“Now, we’ll go. But rub your cheeks, Catherina. You are not used to rough-and-tumbles. You look as if you had seen a Tegiment of ghosts.” The • ex-president of San Balvador laughed as he made the suggestion, watched his daughter whilst she obeyed him. and then nodded approvingly. “That will do nicely. Come along, my dear. We’ll prove if this scoundrel was alone." They passed out of the room together, closing the door behind them, and scarcely had the handle turned, when the man on the floor opened his <?‘R and looked cautiously round. Then finding that he was really alone, he sat up A snarl came on his olive-coloured face. Hi« dark eves seemed to snap fire. “Madre de Dios!” he whisnered savagely, “But for this Aon shall pay mo. Senor Vospero; you and the beautiful senorita.” He staggered to his feet, and gave a little groan as his hand went to his neck. “Yes!—for all von shall pay!” he snarled, whimperingly, staring in front of him; as if lie were arthall.v address ing the enemy. “And the way von yourself have shown me. An excellent wav. by the Sacred F'ood —yes!” ITc moved slowly towards the door, opened it, and glanced eanliouslv un ami down the corridor. There was no me in sight, and having made sure of ♦ hat. he sl'in-d outside and closed tho door behind him.

(To he continued.)