"THE SOLITAIRE MAN"

Opunake Times, 26 January 1934, Page 1

"THE SOLITAIRE MAN"

Based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Ma-yer picture with Herbert Marshall, May Kobson and Mary Boland.

The plane nosed its way through the dense fog which whs forming over the English Channel. In Ids little cabin, the pilot peered at the lighted dashboard, making rapid calculations. His six passengers were all but forgotten as he went about the task of finding his way safely to the English shore and the flying field. .Mrs. Hopkins, sitting by herself in the rear seat, kept reminding the little company that her husband, Elmer, would be lost without her. If only he hadn't missed" the plane! She was a large garrulous woman, dressed in the height of Paris fashion. She wore orchids at her shoulder and talked continually about her husband and (he chain of American Coffee Tots he intended to start in England. The others listened irritatedly. or not at all. Baseom, a young Englishman with a wild look in his eves, squirmed in his seat and looked oil! into the mist. Oliver Lane sal just behind Airs. Va.il. a dignified appearing lady of middle age. and Helen Heining, who was young and very personable.. The sixth member. Wallace, a rather stocky man with dark features, who seemed to be studying his shipmates intently, but not obviously. * * * Unable to get a job after the war, Oliver Lane, an ex-officer in the British army, turned crook ;:t the head of a band composed of Mrs. Vail, HelerJ and. Baseom Young Baseom had been a mere boy when he was sent against *"hc Hindenburg Line. Shell-shock had turned him into a dope fiend. Working with calm precision Always, Lane supplied the trio with jewels which they sold to credulous Americans like like Mr. and Mrs. Peabody by concocting romantic stories about them. Lane was clever, but bis robberies became keen and branded as those of the "Solitaire Man." Even his faithful trio did not know that he was this mysterious thief. He worked alone when it came to the actual robberies, using the gang only to dispose of the. loot. Now, having made enough money to insure luxury:, he planned to retire and take his retinue with him to live in security in a beautiful country house in Devonshire, which he had just, bought. Now, he was able to ask Helen, whom he loved and who loved him, to marry him.

Bascom, however, had other ideas. He too loved Helen. But with nn intensity that approached madness. He hated Lane because the girl loved Oliver. When everything seemed set. and they started for England bv plane, Lane discovered that Bascom had complicated matters bv stealing a diamond necklace from the safe of the British Embassy in Paris. Hurriedly. Lane tried to smug- • lu I lie necklace back into the safe hi the dark room Lane became aware of the presence of another thief. When Inspector Kenyon of Scotland Yard burst into J he room the unknown intiruder shot and killed him. Lane, hidden behind the window curtains, grappled with the murderer but the man escaped. The necklace was still ill Oliver's possession. • # » Lane rose. "He can stop," Lane insisted. •"Can't we make him stop and turn back to find Elmer?" Mrs. Hopkins asked tearfully. "No, he can't stop. It's against Jules." Wallace said easily. "If it's terribly important, 1 guess " be began. "it's been done before —When a woman fainted." "Want me to throw a faint?" Mrs. Hopkins asked hopefully. "No, that wouldn't be necessary—if the oilier passengers are agreed. Miss, would you object?" lie asked, turning to Helen. "Why, no." "You, madam?" t'hen to Mrs Vail. "Anything for quiet." Lane looked at Bascom, who shrugged his shoulders. "You?" "I wouldn't mind." "Well. I would." Wallace insisted. "I'm not going to lose time because a woman mislaid her husband." "I didn't mislav my husband. I lost him." "Get him a nurse. There's going to be no landing." "I'm sorry, but you're in the minority," Lane said quietly. "You don't want to make a landing for her. You want to make a landing for yourself." "What do you mean?" "You know well enough," said Wallace, walking t 0 the centre of the plane. "You want to make a get-away." "Ocl-awav?" Lane stared lyHelen could not conceal her concern. Mrs. Yail riffled a pack of cards very viciouslv. Bascom looked out of the window, trying to be nonchalant. "Stop it!" Wallace sneered. "I suppose you don't even know what a safe looks like." "Do aeroplanes always affect you this way?" Lane enquired. "Did you ever hear of the Solitaire Man?" I'Qi course! I read the newspa-

pers." "I suppose you paste the notices in a scrap book." "Do you think I'm the Solitaire Man?" Lane asked very calmly. "Think? I know you're the Solitaire Man." "Are you by any chance a detective?" Lane asked amusedly. Wallace took an official looking paper from his, nocket. "Name's Wallace Inspector you?" "No! You're quite an unexpectWallace. Didn't expect me, did ed pleasure." Wallace advanced; Lane put his hand into his pocket. "Keep your hand out of your pocket." "It's my own pocket." "Now, if you make a move " Wallace said, beginning his search "May I help you? Just what are you looking for? I have no pistol—and I'm doing my best to keep my temper.'" "That's good," Wallace said. "Where's that necklace?" "Never wear one," Lane replied "I'll have a look at your bagrrn CTfi "Look here, sir, this has gone far enough. I demand that we make a landing at Le Bourget at once." "I think we'd better." Mrs Vail said. "I didn't book passage in a magistrate's court." "Neither did I." There was a murmur of woinens voices and vociferous nods on Mrs. Hopkins' part. She glared at Wallace. "And it'll give me a chance at Elmer." "I'll tell the pilot," Helen said. "I'll ask you ladies to keep out of this," Wallace said. "And the English arc supposed to be so polite," Mrs. Hopkins said. "We're not gom;* to land at Le Bourget, Lane." Wallace stated. "Why not?" "Because the minute you get on French soil we'll have an endless fuss over the extradition business. Why do you think I arrested you in midair?" "Wallace, do vou know the penalty for arrest?" "You're the man I want all right—you and no one else." (To be continued)