Four Flush Island

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1935, Page 13

Four Flush Island

(by

“They may suspect he found the gold and beat it,” Tim suggested. “If it comes to a showdown I shouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t sneak off on his own —in the night, and without a word to Stagsden—with just that idea. There isn’t one of that bunch who wouldn't sell his own mother for the price of a drink.”

“In any case they’re bound to come back,” Kit said decidedly. “When they do, we’re here to greet ’em . . . You pulled the canoe right up into the scrub, Tim?” he Went on to ask, ahd his Subordinate nodded. “Then I guess We’ll let those two birds get right into the shack, and then jus” call in arid Collect ’em,” Kit said.

They decided that the raid would occur at night. A system was arranged Whereby one or other of the two men would Watch during the night and take his sleep during the day.

“What about Johnnie Bill?” Natalie inquired. “Aren’t you going to use him? He gave them a pretty warm welcome last time.”'

“Sure we’re going to use hint,” Kit said heartily. “Not that I think his being here would make Platt, side-step; he’s out for that gold at any cost . . . I forgot to tell ybu that he only got away from London by the skin of his teeth, and even then had to leave all his funds behind.”

“How do you kribw that?” Natalie inquired. •

“Sergeant , Bletso cabled Scotland Yard,” Kit told her, “and Word came back td arrest him on sight. Not only had the Public Prosecutor issued a warrant bn a charge of publishing fraudulent prospectuses, but he’d sequested Ills banking accounts in the bargain. He’ll be short of money, our Mr. Platt will.” Natalie said slowly: “In that case he’s a pretty desperate man. I don’t think a little thing like Johnnie Bill being here is going to stop him paying us a visit, and mighty soon at that.” CHAPTER XXVIII. A PLAN OF ACTION. “Have you any scheme in mind?” Natalie asked. Kit pointed to the small archipelago between the shack and the mainland. “If I’m not mistaken,” he said, “those two gunmen have a hidey-hole on one of those. Not only is it a logical supposition, but everything points to it. It was from there they Watched you go to Crawfish Island, and just fondwed on behind and swiped ybur canoe. I’ll bet dollars to dbughnuts, tbb, there isn’t a thing goes on here they don’t watch like a terrier at a rat-hole.” “In that case,” Natalie said quickly, “they must have seen you arrive.” He nodded, a frown bn his face. “Shall I make a confession?” he said With a rather rueful smile. “Do,” She said, smiling , too. He said slowly: “If ever a policeman made a mess of a Case—fight from the beginning, from sOtip to nuts and from overture to the National Anthem, that policeman is Christopher George Montague Champneys. I wouldn't admit it to Sergeant Bletso, and I’d slay Tim Saville, if he hinted it, but its a lead-pipe fact, just the same.” “Unto the end shall charity endufe, and candour hide those faults it cannot cure,” Natalie quoted. “I need all the charity there’s going just now, believe me,” Kit said, and she knew that his admission Was sincere. "What, exactly, have you done that yOu shouldn’t, pr haven’t done that you should?” she asked. “To let Johnnie Bill get away with Pearhe was bad,” Kit Said slowly. “After the chase I had after them in British Columbia I must have been sound asleep and snoring not to have recognised Platt and Stagsden. But worst of all » . .” “Yes?” she prompted, as he paused. “Was to land on this part of the Island to-day,” he said. “We should have dressed as prospectors, and skirted to the south of the island as if making for Ptarmigan Lake, which as you may know links tip with the Grassy River to make a short cut to the Barren Lands. Then w£ could have landed at the far side of the island without those two crooks knowing, ahd have comb to the shack overland.”

If, as he had suggested, the gunman had established an observation post there was reason in this, and Natalie did not attempt to contradict him. Instead:/ “Blit you didn’t know we’d been marooiied, or that they'd been’beaten off when they tried to land,” she argued in an attempt to justify him, but could see that he remained unconvinced. “I knew they’d left Lurgen’s Landing together,” he argued. “Where else would they be bound for?” She let it go at that; once he had gained an impression he was difficult to convince to the contrary.

“Anyway, it looks as though you’ll make up for it pretty soon,” she said by way of consolation. “The sooner the better.” he said. “I hate just sitting about, waiting . . .” He caught her eye, and she felt the coldur mount to her face. “Besides, the sooner those two behind the bars, the sooner I shall be able to—ask you what I want to ask you,” he supplemented. Nothing happened that, night, Kit himself taking the watch. Until well after midnight Natalie and he sat together, at the open door; she insisted on sharing his vigil to this extent. Those were hours she was never to forget. Though they spoke little there was something in the night and its stillness which drew them into closer communion, than she had known possible to exist. She sounded depths in him then, that, surrounded by the world and its activities, their previous association had concealed from her; depths of idealism that shed a revealing light upon the man she had won, and that made her know him for the clean soul he was, and to thank God for him. The revelation of

L. C. Douthwaite)

those secret places of the heart of which men speak only to the woman they love, told her that the task he had set himself before demanding the pledge she was so willing to give was no mere pose., From daylight, bne or other 6f the quartette was posted to keep observation on the group of islands Opposite, a task which the excellence of their police fieldglasses made easy. “Above all, watch for smoke,” Kit instructed them. “If I know Platt he won’t be content to live on cold tack indefinitely; sooner or . later he’ll risk cooking a meal.” Apart from meals, the only diversion was a search of the shack and outhouses which, when at last even Kit was satisfied to end it, left no single inch unexplored. Even the negative result did not discourage Kit in his belief. “I'm sure there’s gold, and lots of 5 it, hidden somewhere about this demesne,” he said emphatically on the evening the search came to an end, “as I am that Platt and Stagsden are within a couple of miles of us at this moment.” Betty, from the first the most sceptical of the four, shrugged he? shoulders. “Well, I don’t know that that amounts to a whole lot, anyway,” She said. “We seem to have had our eyes glued to those islands for years and years, and with about the same encouragement as Wfe’ve had looking for the hidden treasure.”

Natalie, who was oh watch at that time, said unexpectedly: “I’m not so sure,” and Kit jerked round to her.'

“How do you mean?” he “Have you seen anything?” “Come here,” she said, and pointed across the lake, from Which the islands stood darkly distinct agailist the light.

“Look at the island immediately opposite,” she said. “The Ohe Wb call Tamrack. You know whbrb the lake encroaches a little on the left to form a bay?” ■

He looked long and steadily at the point she indicated. “Yes,” he said at last. “What about it?” “If I didn’t see the flicker of a match among the trees there,” she said, “as if someone was lighting a' cigarette, I’m suffering from delusions.” . The Others joined them at the window, but though they stayed Watching for a good half hour nothing transpired to confirm Natalie’s statement.

“I’m absolutely sure, nevertheless,” she said definitely as they turned away. “The only thing is to keep watching,” Kit said. “We’ve got something to go oft how, anyway.” Betty bi'Oke in. Inaction, always Irked her more than it did the Others, “But What’s their big idea iri just sitting pretty like that. If they’re going to make a raid, Why dOft’t they get busy and do it?” She exclaimed indignantly. “Obviously they’re tfyirig to make Us think they’Ve left the district, Sb Wb’ll go back to Lurgen’s Landing and leaVfe you girls by yourSblVes,” Tiiri said confidently. Natalie, after a moment’s silence, said: “Then why' not make a feint to Clear off?” Kit shook his head.

“I’ve thought of that,” hb said, “and I dareft’t dd it. We should have to go sb far away—right rotind the bend Of the river out Of sight Of. the island. By the time we wete able to get back, anything might havb happened. We’re not risking you at the hierdy Of Platt even fob ten minutes. Stagsden’s bad enough, but Platt’S sheer wolf. And after What happened in London he’ll be rabid.” ’ “But this is all so much Sauce,” Betty protested. “We can’t sit around here ’til we’re old and grey. Can’t we do something?” Natalie glanced at Kit inquiringly. Though willing to fall in With anything that he decided was bast, She had a certain sympathy with Betty’s point of View. She, too, Was beginning to feel the strain. “Not yet,” Kit said after a little thought. “Give ’em another week to make a move. Then, if we have any more evidence they’re actually camping on Tamrack Island, we’ll get busy.” “How—get busy?” Betty asked shortly. “Mahomet shall go to the mountain/ he said. “In other words, it’ll be for us to do the raiding. In the meanwhile Tih sorry to say it will be necessary tb fiend Johnnie Bill to report to Headquarters. Even as it is Sergeant BletfiO’ll bb till hot and bothered at not hearing, and Betty, being here won’t make him easier in his mind.” . , “That’s going to weaken Our forces pretty badly,” Natalie remarked. “The island Won’t be the same without Johnnie Bill, either.” • ,- f . “Sorry, Natalie.” Kit said. But it can t be helped. Besides, if two perfectly good but Slightly wooden-headed policeman like Tim and myself aren’t capable of dealing with a similar number of cheap and nasty crooks like Platt find Stagsden, the sooner we’re put on traffic duty the “Have you told Johnnie Bill he’s to go?” Tim inquired, and Kit nodded. “Yes” he replied. “But.not when hes to start. I think it had better be tomorrow—but those thugs on Tamrack Island aren’t to know it. He’ll start at night, hug the beach until he gets to the south shite, so that the island’s between himself and Tamrack, and from, there paddle straight across to th® mainland, hugging the shore there until he reaches the river. Even then he won’t switch bn his engine for a couple Of miles or sd. When he comes’ back he’ll ufie the same method.” . . When Johnnie Bill was called into the shack to receive these instructions, Natalie derived the impression that he was not too pleased at having to leave the island before the issue was finally brought out. He made no active protest, however, and the following night, equipped only with blankets and grub-bos he passed quickly and silently from his tent, to be silently swallowed up by the dense wood that lay between the shack and the southern point of the island. It was just as the sun tipped the treetops on the following morning that Nata-

lie was aroused by an urgent cry frdm Tim. “What is it?” she asked drowsily. “Come here, Natalie, quickly,” he called.

She slipped out of fogd into her dressing gown and slippers and through the curtain to his side.

When she reached the window Tim thrust the glasses into her hand. “Have a look-see,” he said tensely. (To be continued).