"The Lord of Terror"

Wairarapa Daily Times, 25 May 1936, Page 7

"The Lord of Terror"

COPYRIGHT. PUBLISHED BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

CHAPTER XXVIII (Continued). “Why don’t you turn that wonderful brain of yours to the benefit of mankind! ’ ’ “Mankind? I hate mankind. Mankind has outlawed me. Mankind fears greatness, and; my one aim is to wipe out this present wretched civilisation, which is false and rotten to the core. Patriotism, creeds, nationality they all will be destroyed. Do you know what’s coming to the world, Miss Travers, unless I intervene?” '‘No —tell me.” She was morbidly fascinated by this inhuman monster. “If I don’t stop it, the world will soon be woman-controlled; it’s written in the stars. Don’t you see the signs already?—women gradually assuming the power of office. It will grow and grow, and then nothing will be able to help mankind! ” “What are you doing?” she asked. For she noticed that Vivanti was mixing what appeared to be chemicals on a slide of thick; glass. “I am merely preparing my chemicals. The ray must pass through this prepared screen.” “For what purpose?” “You will see later.” “It’s only fair to tell me what I may expect, 7 * * “Since you ask me—first, blindness. ” ' “Oh, thanks a lot.” “I can’t help admiring your impudence. you hide your fear extremely well. ’ ’ “What’s the use of crying out before one’s hurt?” He walked towards her. “Excuse me,” he said, pulling back her eyelids and examining her eyes with a powerful glass. “I must make a few notes.” , He sat down at the desk and commenced to write. f * How old are you 1 ' ’ < ‘ Oh, 1 couldn’t even tell a doctor that.” ‘ ‘ Come along —no nonsense. ’ ’ “Well, I’m 24,” ' ‘ ‘ Which means 28. ’ ’ He wrote it down. 1 ‘ Have you always enjoyed good health?” “Yes.” “Any serious illnesses?” “Measles twice, love once.” “Never had any trouble with your heart ? ” “It’s not too good now. . . ..I say, you’re not gping to charge me a fee for this, are you?” “I must know something of your type before I can apply the results of my experiments.” There was a knock at the door. CHAPTER XXIX—WHITE MAGIC. ‘•‘Come in,” called Vivanti. “Well, Henrik?” ‘ ‘ The outlook reports a strange light at sea away to the south, boss.” “What sort of light?” ■‘’‘Looks like a ship.” “That’s queer.” “Shall I turn the searchlight on her?” “No, we don’t want all the world to know we’ve got a searchlight here. Keep your eyes open and report again if she’s suspicious.” “The look-out thought she was very suspicious.” “Oh, it’s probably only a trading vessel. ’' “But, boss —” “In any case I’m too busy to worry about it now.” The speaker got up and went to the window. “I can’t see any light,” he said. Henrik joined him. “It was there,”'he remarked, pointing, “off that point.” “Well, it’s gone now. You’re sure it wasn’t imagination?” “We both saw it distinctly, boss.” Vivanti brooded. “I’m inclined to think that it was something in the water, phosphorus, perhaps,” lie said at length. “I didn’t want to take any risks.” “You were right to report. Continue to keep a. sharp look-out.” “I thought it might be a warship.” “A warship? Why did you think that?” “I don’t know,” returned the other stupidly. “I just thought it.” “Second sight, perhaps,” was the inventor’s dry comment. “But don’t worry; it can’t be anything. Why should we get warships here?” “I couldn’t say, boss, I’m sure.” . “Nor 1. Now run along and keep a good look-out.” '“Very good, boss.” With ‘the man gone, Vivanti pushed the Borgia chair, which had wheel castors, into the centre of the room. Then he drew a small table to its side. He was arranging a number of instruments when Losch entered, propelling before him Sinclair, whose hands and legs were bound, and Mary Carruthers, whose wrists were tied behind her. Vivanti. turned. “Good-evening, Sinclair. I thought you might feel a little dull, so I’ve arranged for you and your new friend to watch my series of experiments. You notice who is the subject.” Sinclair groaned. “You swine! ” Vivanti nodded to Losch. “Put him in that chair and tie him firmly. The girl doesn’t matter; if she makes a noise, gag her . . . That’s splendid. My improvised operating theatre is now quite ready; students, surgeons and subject all complete.” He picked up a surgical knife and felt the point. “Look here, Vivanti,” called Sinclair, “if you’ve got to do this start with me.” “A truly chivalrous gesture. What do you think, Miss Carruthers?” Mary shuddered. “Don’t touch her—you monster!” “Do what you like with me, but for God’s sake leave these girls alone!” cried Sinclair. “Don’t worry,” he was told; “your turn will soon come.” Vivanti wheeled a machine like a small lamp on a stand in front of the chair and deliberately focused it upon Helen’s face. “Plug this lamp in, Losch, and then you can go,” he said. “We must have plenty or light.” Losch plugged the flex into a socket in the wall and turned to leave. “I am now about to start a series of experiments upon the human nerve centres. I propose to make a test upon the most sensitive of all—the human eye. ’ ’ Sinclair shrugged .ineffectually and a gasp of agony came from his lips. “For God’s sake don’t do it, Vivanti!” Vivanti paused to look at him. “You English force your way in

BY SYDNE Y lIORLER. ( Vutlior of “The Secret Agent,” “5.0.5.,” “The Spider’s Web,” etc).

everywhere. It is due to your national conceit. The prying eye of Britain is never still. Where’s your wonderful Secret Service now? Can it help you?. I think not . . . those footsteps you hear outside are merely those of my bodyguard going his rounds.” But, as he spoke, the door was flung open. Vivanti turned just in time to see a smartly-attired British naval officer standing in the doorway. The latter called out: '“What the devil’s going on here?” Vivanti stared at him as though he were mesmerised. Amazement distorted his face. “Thank God!” ejaculated Sinclair. “This brute was. just going to torture Miss Travers.” “Who are you?” asked the officer. “'Peter Sinclair —British Intelligence, Y.l Branch.” “And the ladies?” “Miss Helen Travers, unofficially attached to Y.l for special duty, and Miss Mary ‘ Carruthers. ’ ’ “This man?” looking at Vivanti. “Paul Vivanti —the most evil skunk alive. ’ ’ “Paul Vivanti!” repeated the officer. ‘ ‘ Why, that’s the fellow the message from the Admiralty mentioned.” “Who are you?” demanded Paul Vivanti. “My name’s Newton —officer coinmanding His Majesty’s destroyer Battle. I’m looking for two British subjects—and here they are, I see. I’ve got a boat waiting. You must release them at pnee.” “You’re an optimist, my dear Mr Newton. These people are my prisoners. ’ ’ “Prisoners?” exploded the other. “You’ve no right to hold British subjects prisoners- ’ ’ “Before we go any further, let me inquire how you got in here? This island belongs to me.” The answer was curt. “I received my orders direct from the British Admiralty.” Unseen by the speaker, Vivanti touched a bell just behind him; he rang twice. “Now I must ask you to deliver these three people over to me immediately. ’ ’ “And 1 tell you in turn to get out.” “In that case I shall be obliged to, instruct my men to take them away by’ ! force.” “Do you realise that you are committing an international outrage? That you are standing on Ronstadt soil at this moment?” “I don’t care if I’m standing on hell itself. I ’ve no time to argue with you now —do as I say—and get ready to come aboard yourself.” Vivanti laughed. “Come aboard your ship? What are you talking about?” “My orders are to arrest you and take you back to England.” “And how do you imagine, you poor fool, you’re going to carry out your orders?” The officer made a contemptuous gesture, before crossing to Sinclair and taking out a pocket-knife. ■ As he was bending over the prisoner, Henrik and Losch rushed into the room. Newton was seized from behind before,he could adequately prepare himself. Even then he put up a desperate struggle, but, with the aid of Vivanti, the two overcame the naval officer and commenced to bind him. “Just in time,” commented Vivanti. “You left it rather fine, you two. Another minute and I would have seen that both of you left my service—permanently. Bind the fool tight.” (To be Continued).