"The Lord of Terror”

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 May 1936, Page 7

"The Lord of Terror”

COPYRIGHT,

PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

‘ ‘ This means, then, that you refuse to take any action in the matter?” “I am unable to, my dear fellow; I only wish I could.” “And. you’re going to leave those poor wretches in the hands of that devil Vivanti?” “Better the loss of two lives than a war which might cost millions. ’ ’ “By allowing things just to slide you ’re practicaly ensuring a war.” * “That is for the Government to decide,, not for a comparatively insignificant Chief of Intelligence. I don’t propose to act on my own authority. “Very well,” was the unexpected answer. * 1 Then I will. ” “You will? What the deuce do you mean?” ‘ ‘lf you refuse to take action I shall go straight to Lord Blenhavon and give him the full facts.” “And let his newspapers broadcast, tne news to the world? It’s unthinkable!” “I can’t help that. If neither you nor the Government will act, some oGier means must be found. Good Lord, Fordinghame, you surely can’t contemplate a girl of' Helen Travers’s beauty and charm being—” He broke off. “It can’t be thought of for a moment.” “The truth is that any question of possible war would not be tolerated by the present Government.” Hague almost sneered. “You can buy peace at too dear a price, Fordinghame. In any case, from what I can see, the present policy will mean that Ronstadt will do something desperate within the next few months —perhaps weeks. This fellow Vivanti is a source of terrible danger—he must be captured and put away. ’ ’ Fordinghame smiled tolerantly. “That’s easier said than done, my , friend. ’ ’ “Well, I’ll give you five minutes to make up your mind.” “I’m not going to be rushed like this —wliat the hell do you mean by taking up this attitude?” “I’m sorry, Fordinghame, but five minutes is my absolute limit. ’ ’ “In that case I must ask you to leave this Toom. Good-morning.” The professor rose and replied stiffly: “Good-morning. I’m sorry.” He started to walk towards the door when Fordinghame called him back. “Just a minute. What do you think Lord Blenhavon and his newspapers will do for you?” “He’ll see that, this scandal is ventilated in the right quarter.” There was a long pause. Then Fordinghame reached for the telephone. “Perhaps, after all, you’re right — anyway, I’ll take the risk,” he said. “That’s the first sensible thing you have said this morning, my friend.” “Yes, I’ll get through to the Admiralty immediately and speak to Broxliam. ’ ’ “Good man!” declared Hague warmly—and sat down again. CHAPTER XXVIII—KUHNREICH PROTEST'S. “You did a wise thing, Loscli, to come to me with this story. So they tried to bribe you?” “Yes, boss: they offered to give me fifty thousand pounds if they were got away. ’ ’ “I’ve been watching for any possible message. My congratulations on possessing sufficient acumen to refuse to be bribed.” “Yes, boss.” The man’s tone was not very enthusiastic. “Fifty thousand’s a lot of money,” he added. “Does that mean you have any regrets ? ’ ’ “No—but it’s a lot of money, all the same.” “If you care to accept it, of course > > The other shuddered. “Don’t pull my leg, boss. I’m goto stand by you—of course.” Vivanti was.sardonic. “Thank you. And now, suppose we change the subject? How’s Moorhouse?” “Better. He slept like a log for some hours.” “I intend to start my experiments to-night. ’ ’ “You’ll want the two women, then?”

“Bring the Travers girl here first.” “Yes, boss.” Going to the door he stood aside to admit the Dictator of Ronstadt. “Good-evening, Doctor!” said KuhnTeich. “Good-evening, your Excellency!” “I. understand that you’re about to conduct some experiments with these prisoners?’-’ ■ Vivanti’s face showed both surprise and annoyance. “ AsWmatter of fact, I’ve just sent for one of the women,” he returned. “I’m not an over-scrupulous man, Vivanti, but I’ve come to ask you to reconsider your decision regarding these girls. ’ ’ The other sneered. “You are not going to tell me you have developed a conscience all of a sudden, Kuhnreich? When my experiments were discussed in your room at Pe you agreed with all my proposals. Do you forget that?” '“I forget nothing—but I scarcely realised at the time that you could be serious.” “That’s a fool’s answer.” He rose. “Are you attempting to dictate to me?” “I am not attempting to dictate, Vivanti: 1 am just appealing to your sense of chivalry. ’ ’ “Chivalry! That commodity is scarcely marketable. ’ ’ “Decency, then.” “You agreed to my experiments,” was the angry retort, ‘‘ on the day wc went into the conditions of our contract.” “Yes, yes . . . but can’t you confine your experimen+s to men?” “Science makes no distinction between the sexes.” “But you mustn’t do this thing.” “Fool!” blazed Vivanti. “Don’t you realise how much you owe to me?” “I do, fully. But—” “There can be no ‘buts. ’ I believe I know who is at the back of this.” Kuhnreich nodded. “Yes, liis royal highness the crown prince has forbidden it.” “Forbidden it, has he? Well, tell him this, Kuhnreich: tell him I’m the master here. Tell him that I will not be dictated to by any disease-ridden, vacillating puppet. No one tells me what to do. You and every other living soul on this island take my orders. Are

BY SYDNE Y HORLER. (Author of “The Secret Agent,” “5.0.5.,” “The Spider’s Web,’ - ’ etc).

you crazy? Would you take the chance of Ronstadt obtaining world-dominion for the sake of two miserable women?” Kuhnreich pondered. “If you are still determined,” he then said, “I could arrange to have two criminals —murderesses —handed over to you from a Ronstadt gaol.” .“No; a murderer’s brain is abnormal. 1 want to watch the effect of my experiments upon nerves controlled by a normal brain.” “I’m sorry, but both the crown prince and myself are determined.” “Determined! Well, so am I.” Vivanti rang a bell. “We shall soon see who is master here.” “What do you propose to do?” de-' manded Kuhnreich, “I’ll give you exactly five seconds to leave this room of your own free will. Otherwise, you’ll be thrown out. You appear to forget that your soldiers have already left the island—and that I am supreme master here. Now, five seconds. If at the end of that time you don’t go of your own volition you will be thrown out.” Kuhnreich’s eyes flashed. “You dare to order your people to nut hands on me?”

“I dare more than that, Kuhnreich: I dare to have you flogged if you try me too far.”

The stolid face of Henrik showed at the door.

‘Did you want me, boss?” he ask-

“Yes, come in, Henrik.” “What’s this* man doing here?” demanded Kuhnreich. “I rang for him —that should be sufficient.” “Well,” returned the dictator, his eyes still on Henrik, ‘ ‘ all I can say is that Ronstadt takes absolutely no responsibility for this inhuman outrage.” Vivanti pointed to the door. “Are you going?” he said contemptuously. . ... There was a long duel of glances between the two. At the end Vivanti won. Henrik, standing by the door, shut it after the man had passed through. “What did you want, bos?” he then asked. “I thought I might require you to throw that person out-r-but he thought better of it. Start up the auxiliary. engine, and switch on the Z and N cir- “ That all, boss?” “That’s all for the moment. When you’ve clone that stand by in case I ring for you again.” “Very good, boss.” When he was jalpne, Vivanti started experimenting with various switches. This occupied him until Losch brought in Helen Travers; the American girl was bound hand and foot. “Put her in the chair,” ordered Vivanti. Loscli pushed the girl into the Borgia chair, and Vivanti pressed the button. “Undo her wrists,” he then ordered. The American girl did not lose her courage. “Do you know,” she said, “that your head is a very interesting study from a phrenological point of view? My uncle, Donald Fordwych, was a famous phrenological expert in New York.” 41 And you are interested in the same study?” “Oh, merely as an amateur; but I can see yours is the most villainously capable head I’ve ever looked at.” “Capability is a thing I’ve always hated—it implies mediocrity.”. “Well, youi' worst enemy would never accuse you of mediocrity, Vivanti.” ‘ l l think not. ’ ’ He turned to Losch. “And now bring in Sinclair and that other young woman. They might like to watch my experiments.” With a grin, Losch turned. “Is it necessary that Mr Sinclair should be here?” asked Helen. “Quite necessary. I want to*see how he reacts to your treatment.” . “You must have had some perfectly ghastly forefathers.” ’ “I sometimes allow my mind to wander along the same lines. Far back, I should not be surprised if there was a strain of Mongolian blood in my veins. ’' (To be Continued).