“THE HOUSE IN THE WAY”

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19607, 20 June 1935, Page 12

“THE HOUSE IN THE WAY”

By COLIN HOPE

START READING HERE. Many attempts are made to persuade or Trig-Men Netta Fanshavv and her brother Frank to leave their home, the Oaks,, which is the only house near to The Wychets, a place tenanted by a Mr Sinister, a retired chemist. The two houses stand In a lovely part of Sussex n'ear the village of Westbur j\ Guy Chichester, who believes Slngster to be the leader oT a gang that wishes to obtain possession of the house, persuades the girl to stay .hut Frank Fanshaw opposes Guy, and tells A’etta that Chichester has served a sentence for blackmail. At a second attempt, Chichester succeeds in entering the hou/>e occupied by Singster. Unfortunately he Is discovered anti all but caught as he runs from the house and because the pace, is growing too hot, he visits Scotland Yard, takes Supt. Massing partly into iris confidence and secures a promise of official help. Later, twu shadows follow him to Croydon, where he goes to visit his ward. Diana Thornton. The two then go to sec Jack Osborn'e, Diana's fiance, who has just completed the invention or a new motor, and find the young man unconscious In his room. Osborne's motor has been stolen', but fortunately the model is in two parts, and - one part is safe. Edward Lissom, a motor expert is kidnapped, and Guv believes that lie is being forced to worn on the completion of Osborne's model. He goes to The Wychets, and taxes Singster with the crime, but is drugged, and arter a long ride on the luggage grid in Singster’s car, thrown on to the roadway, many miles away from Westbury. CHAPTER XV.—(Continued.) . “The long and the short of it is that he owes this man nearly a hundred pounds, he has given him an 1.0. U. which he has not the slightest chance of redeeming unless we sell the house. That is all.” Chichester laughed heartily. "You ‘ must forgive me,” he said, “but they are getting too crude for words. Your unknown would-be buyer delivers an ultimatum, and immediately afterwards the other man comes up and threatens all sorts of things if this gambling debt is not paid. Don’t you see through it.” “It certainly does seem strange,” the girl admitted, “but what can we do? I cannot let them send Frank to prison—much as ho needs some sort of lesson." ,

“You need have no worry on that score. They can take no legal action against him. I know that he will probably talk a lot of rot about meeting his obligations like a gentleman—at your expense—but there is no reason to worry about acting the gentleman where -these people are concerned. You must ignore the They are trying to bluff you, and it is a pretty weak bluff at. that.” “I wish I could know what to do for the best,” Netta cried-. “Why' are we dragged into all (his trouble and mystery? Even you are mysterious,” she accused. “Can’ you tell me what it is .all about? Don’t you trust me?” “I do trust you, Netta, dear,” he said,' and if the girl noticed the new form of address she gave no sign that it was unwelcome. “I do trust you,” he repeated;

“The only reason I' have not told you of the object of my presence here in Westbury is that I made a vow that I would work single-handed and confide in no one until I .had achieved what I set cut to do. Even my greatest friend might—with t'he best of intentions—spoil my plans. “However,” he continued, “I will" tell you. I have asked you to help me by refusing to sell the house, and you have a right to know.” _ Guy’s story was 'a long one, and as Netta listened, she realised how right she had been in her judgment of his character. He told his story simply, without any attempt of melodrama, and because of this the story sounded all the more amazing. “And so, you see," he concluded “the only reason they want possession of thjs house is to ensure that their activities are not overlooked. “At first I 1 thought there must be soine other reason, but I cannot think what it could be. But for this house they 'are isolated, but all the time you live here and this house is open to outsiders, there is grave rjsk that somebody may see something they should not, and so become dangerous to the gang.” The two were half-way through tea when Frank arrived, back, and he was obviously annoyed to find that Chichester had not gone, but he did not deign to speak. “Netta told you we are going to sell the house?” he asked briefly. "No, we are not,” the girl answered. “Guy—Mr Chichester—has persuaded me to stay. I don’t agree to sell." Frank coloured. “Don’t talk so stupidly, Netta,” he said. "You know quite well we can’t help ourselves. Besides, who Is Mr Chichester to advise us what to do? He doesn’t know all our circumstances—or—or does he?" he asked threateningly. “Sit down, and forget your dislike for me for a minute or two," Guy interposed. “I do know. Your sister has told me about your stupidity—no, you need not. get indignant”—this as Frank began to bluster —“you have

(Author of “The Phantom Killer.") A Fascinating Love Story with a Sinister Background,

CHAPTER XVI. Edward Lissom’s Fate,

been silly, and you might as well be sufficiently honest to admit it.

“People wish to get possession of this house. I know what their reasons are, but I am not going to tell you. They have managed to get hold of you and have fleeced you rather cleverly, and they hold an 1.0. U. that you cannot redeem.

“Well, take my advice. Let them hold it, and let them threaten. They can do nothing and you need not worry about owing them the money because they have cheated you, clever as you may think yourself.”

Frank was furious. He was unused to being spoken to so bluntly. He was a spoiled boy and did not take kindly to opposition, but somehow he felt that Chichester was a man of a different iy-pe from any he had previously encountered, and in spite of himself, he allowed Guy to continue.

“ft is a long story and I have just finished telling it to Netta. For many reasons J -cannot tell you, but I am going to ask you to look after your sister very carefully. $R is quite likely that now they And that they cannot buy you out of the house they will try other methods. -“•There will be other watchers as well as you. but that does not mean that you can take risks. If you do, and anything happens to Netta, you will be as much to blame as anybody else.”

Chichester did not expect much help from this youth. In fact, he was surprised to receive anything of a hearing, but when Frank rose and before stalking away, mumbled “I’ll have to think it over,” he was well satisfied.

It was almost dark when Edward Lissom awoke. He knew that some sound had aroused him, and he guessed that someone was coming into the room.

The key turned in the lock, and Fred, his gaoler, entered. “Come on,” he ordered, “you’re wanted downstairs.” Lissom did not move. He was determined to give his captors all the trouble possible. “Gome on. D’y’ear me?" Fred grumbled, “or d’yer want me to fetch yer?” Still the prisoner did not move, and with an oath Fred came over ,to the bed and dragged him to the door. Lissom winced, but set his teeth, and resisted every inch of the way until he was finally thrust into a lower room, where four men were standing around an object on a deal table.

“What do you mean by pushing the professor about like that?” Churchill asked threateningly, and Lissom was amazed at the way in which Fred cowered before the smaller man. “Wouldn't come. Struggled all the way,” he mumbled, and then hurried out of the room.

“Come, come, this professor," Churchill addressed Lissom. “We don’t want to. hurt you. Why can’t you be sensible?" “What do you want me to do?” Lissom was inquisitive, but he had no intention of complying with their orders.

“That’s much better. Glad you are beginning to sec reason. Now look here. \V6 want you to tell us what Is wrong with this model. Something is missing, and'we want you to put it right for us. As soon as it is done you can go and there is five hundred pounds for you for your work. Now what could be fairer than that?" The prisoner came forward and looked at the model. A whistle escaped his lips, for he saw at once that he had before-him something new and something that looked good, in spite of its Incompleteness. “Where did you get this? Who made it?” lie asked briskly.

“You don't want to worry about that,” one\Of the men interposed. “You just get on. . .” .

“Keep your tongue quiet,” Churchill barked angrily. Then to Lissom; ‘You need not fear, professor, we haven't stolen it. It is ours.

“Fact is,” he explained, lamely, “the guy who invented it has gone a little crazy and won’t finish it. We are having it done for him.” Lissom laughed shortly. He was beginning to see the reason for his abduction. These people wanted him to work on tills model—obviously stolen, and also incomplete. He also saw that all the while he refused to do the work, they were more or less In his power, but as soon as he had finished he would not be of any further use to them, and there was no bounds what they might do. Certainly, as he had seen them, and could easily identify them, it was unlikely that they would release him. The solution was not so easy at it seemed, however. The men were obviously desperate, or they would not have abducted him. They would not be put off indefinitely. If he did not bend to their will, they might easily kill him and then look around for another victim.

He could see no hope of escape, yet he decided to play for time in the hope that something'would turn up. “Do you'take me for a magician?” he asked sarcastically. “How am Ito knoiv ' what the man who made this was aiming'at?" “tMi him; George,” Churchill said, turning to one of the other men. “You know well enough,” said the man addressed as George. “I’m no expert,' but 'l know something about motors, and I; can see what that model means', and so do you. With that piece to work from you ought to be able to do the’job easily enough.” Lissom had not reckoned on the fact that some of the men understood motors,, but he did his best to hide his chargrin. “ It isn't as easy as that, you know,” lie answered quietly. “Anyway, I'll have a look at it after I have had some decent food, but I am not making any •promises, and before I do it I want some guarantee that you will let me •go as soon as the job is done—that is, if I can do it.”

“ You can go as soon as It is done,” Churchill replied. “ What should we want to keep you for? You will get your money, too." To be continued.)