“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 March 1940, Page 10

“STRATOSPHERE EXPRESS”

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT. COPYRIGHT.

BY

ALROY WEST.

(Author of “Messengers of Death,” etc.)

CHAPTER XI.

(Continued > “That’s all right. It upset me at first. You see, my brother designed this type of wing. I used to help him.’' “I see,” said Storm. “What happened over at the works? I can tell there was a fight, but it isn't policy to ask Bessiter questions.” Storm explained what had taken place. Manda sighed. “I’m afraid that Rush is at the bottom of all the trouble. I wonder what you think of me. After all, I might have stopped him.” “I think you’re a very wonderful person. But I like you better in ordinary kit.” She smiled. “I had to drive over to my place. I forgot these last night. But you couldn’t expect me to wear ordinary clothing for flying, surely.” “Perhaps not. I didn’t know you could pilot a plane.” ‘Come on!” shouted Bessiter, turning suddenly. “What an impatient man!” the girl exclaimed. Bessiter was in the car and had the gine ticking over by the time they had reached the road.

“Get in!” he snapped. I could have reached the place by this time. If you want to do, anything quickly, keep all the women out of the way. I never knew such impossible people! They're worse than infants in long clothes, and about as much use.” He jerked tne gears in savagely and the car sped away. “Ten to one this road won’t help us,” he muttered. “You’re wrong,” said Storm. “I think I can see some people.’ “Yes. Confound them! You’d think an aeroplane smash was a form of public entertainment. I never knew such a drivelling pack of maniacs‘in all my life. I suppose they’ll be taking souvenirs. I’ll give them souvenirs!”

But when they raced across a field to where the monoplane had fallen, they found that a solitary policeman was in possession. He had kept the small crowd in an adjoining lane. “Thank goodness there’s one with a bit of brain,” Bessiter exclaimed fer-

vently. Storm was not listening. He was staring at the remains of the monoplane. What had once been a beautiful, shapely craft that gleamed in the light was now a tangled, ugly mess. One wing had been torn clear and lay some dintance from the rest of the machine. The nose was embedded in the soft ground and the tail proected into the air. It was ’an absurd position, rather as though it was intended as a final mocking gesture to the men who had hoped to fly. The cabin had struck the overhanging branch of a tree, snapping the thick wood to pieces and littering the ground with a profusion of smaller branches, twigs and leaves. The cabin itself was badly buckled. “It seems terrible,” Manda said slowly. “It does. Still, we can make another one.” Bessiter was talking to the policeman. Afer a time he came across to them. “We’re going straight back," he announced. "This man is going to keep the crowd away. I’ll get one of the lorries and we’ll try to get this moved.”

“What about having a look at that wing?” Storm suggested. “Use your wits! What would they think if I started to examine it? You’d get all sorts of tales’going round. I’ll examine it later.” They made their way back to the car. Bessiter drove them to the hangar. His own car, the one used by Storm, was there. “I want you to drive Manda back to my home,” Bessiter instructed. “I’ll ring you up later on. There nothing you can do here.”

The girl was looking about her. “This place seems deserted,” she declared. “I expect it is,” said Bessiter grimly. "Now get along, Storm. As soon as I’ve satisfied myself about that wing, and a few other things, I’ll be back. I haven’t had a chance of looking over the Essex Street works yet.” “Anything I can do in that respect?” Bessiter shook his head. “I rang up Purcelow this morning. He’s attending to things for me.” “Right. I’ll push off.” “We’ll call at your place first,” said Storm, after driving for a little time. “Why?”

“So that you can got changed. I’ve told you that I prefer you in your other clothes." She smiled at him. “All right. You may be kept waiting for some time, though." “I don't worry. Bessiter won’t ring through for hours yet. It’s no easy job to remove the wreckage of an aeroplane." Storm’s forecast was fairly accurate. He drove Manda to her flat, waited in the car until she rejoined him, and then took her to Bessiter’s home. They lunched together and spent the best part of the afternoon resting and talking. It was Manda who mentioned Rush. “I don’t know what to do about him,” she confessed. "I suppose,” said Storm, “that there is some particular reason for you to be shielding him?”

She nodded. “I think the best way out is for me to have a tall: with him. I suppose you can tell me how to get hold of him?" "I’m not certain, but. I have a fairly

crazy?” “I’ll tell you—if you’ll talk. That monoplane crashed badly, you know." Rush moved uneasily. “I might as well,” he said suddenly. “I’ve betrayed one side, so I might as well do the same, to the other.” He came nearer to Storm. “I suppose you think I’m a pretty low sort of a creature? Somebody who should be trampled underfoot?”

Storm shook his head. “Manda wouldn’t shield anybody who was useless,” he said slowly. “Especially when it was making things so difficult for her." He remembered that glimpse he had had of something better in Rush. ‘That’s why I expect you to come out boldly and save her. you don’t want her to fall into Lovac’s clutches, do you?" Rush started. “Lovac! He can’t! He . . .’’ “Yes, he can,” Storm cut in brutally. “He knows that the girl is shielding you, and he's threatening to tell Bessiter. He wants the girl to go with him. Perhaps you can imagine why.” Rush looked up. His face had hardened. "I’ll tell you everything," he said grimly.

“Good. Manda wasn't hurt when the monoplane crashed-. I was up with her. She seemed dazed, but 1 made her take to her parachute." Rush turned away. Storm saw his shoulders quiver. “I think I’m about finished,” said Rush. “Will you sit down? 1 feel 1 can talk belter if I can move about." (To be Continued.)

good idea." “Suppose you leave it to me, then? We shall know where we are and not have the constant worry. I expect a fair amount of damage has already been done, but we might manage to put the brake on to a certain extent. “I’ll give you the address,” Manda said.

"Splendid. Then, when I have a few moments to spare, I’ll look him up.” “I think that’s the telephone bell,” said the girl quickly. "Splendid! I’ve been wondering when Bessiter would get through. Excuse me for a minute.” Storm hurried from the room. Andrews had answered the ring. “Mr Bessiter wishes to speak to you, sir,” he announced, and promptly withdrew. Storm took up the instrument eagerly. After a very brief conversation, he went back to Manda. She jumped up as he entered the room.

“What news?” she asked eagerly. “The plane was tampered with. Somebody managed to fasten that wing with soft metal, so that when there was any strain it started to give.” ‘l’m so thankful,” cried. ‘Yes. But there’s a serious side to it. Larkin and the three men who helped him are missing. Bessiter can’t find any trace of them.” Her face changed. “That’s terrible!" she exclaimed. “Larkin is the only one who knows how to deal with that new process of firing gas from the stratoplane!”

CHAPTER XII. Storm made his way up the miserably narrow, uncarpeted staircase which led to the top of the building. Manda had wanted to come with him, bin he had been firm in his refusal, thinking that he could deal more effectively with Rush on his own. Outside the door of the solitary room he paused and gave an imperious knock.

“Who is it?” an anxious voice asked. Storm recognised the speaker as Rush. But it was clear, from the change in the man’s voice, that he was deeply troubled. “I’ve come about Manda Williams,’' said Storm slowly. He heard quick steps, then the sound of a key being turned in the lock. The door was opened slighthly and Rush peeped out. Storm had his foot ready to thrust in the slight space, but such a manoeuvre was not required, for Rush opened the door. “Please come in,” he invited. The room was mean and badly furnished. There was an unmade bed along one wall. A solitary chair was drawn up by a rough table on which was spread an evening paper. The only light was that of a flickering gas jet. contrasting badly with the brighter lighting of the stairs. “What do you want with me?” Rush

asked. There was no serenity now about the grey eyes. They moved restlessly from side to side. “Just a quiet little talk,” said Storm, closing and locking the door behind him.

Rush crossed to the table and leaned ‘ against it. He passed a shaking hand 1 over his eyes. “Is she all right?’ he asked suddenly. Storm realised at once the reason for the misery written so plainly on the man’s features. He didn’t know what had happened to Manda! It wouldn’t hurt him to be on the rack for a few seconds longer. “So you know something about that monoplane?” Rush took a step forward, raising his hands in appeal. "I didn’t! They never told me until it was too late. I’ve left them. Managed to slip away.” “I see. But you know who was responsible for it?" Rush straightened up. He didn't speak, but nodded his head. / Storm leaned against the door. I “Going to talk?” he demanded. “Tell me how she is? What happened. Can’t you see it’s driving me