THE BLACK PILGRIM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20719, 1 February 1939, Page 4

THE BLACK PILGRIM

EPISODE II. — Continued) , : Punctually to time the Senor Parana j arrived at the Cafe des Ombres in ! Jerrard Street, and iiiade his way into the ornate interior. A waiter bustled forward to meet him. ‘I want Room 99,”' said Larana, quietly. "Oh yes, sir,” answered the waiter. “This way, please.’’ He escorted the watchful Larana to a room at the rear of the restaurant and knocked upon the door. In response to the call from within he opened the door and motioned Larana to enter. “The gentleman, he asks for Room 99,” he explained to the stout Italian who was sitting at the table within. “You may go, Toni,” replied the fat man. “J will see to the gentleman.” He smiled a false smile at Larana until the waiter had disappeared, then assuming a mysterious air, he motioned Larana forward. “You want the Room 99?” he asked. “Who do you desire to see?” “White Birds,” replied Larana, as he had been instructed. “Has Shelland arrived yet?” “Yes,” answered the Italian. “He and his friends are here some five minutes. This way, please.” He pressed a button in the wall and a section opened revealing a small lift in the wall beyond. “If you will be so kind,” he said. “Press the button, and the lift it stops at the Room 99. You have only to get out and close the gate.” “All right,” replied Larana. He entered the small lift and pressed the button. When the lift had stopped he closed the gate and, pushing open 1 the door beyond with his left hand, entered the room, hi£ right hand clasping the butt of the automatic ] which was in his pocket. But he had no cause for alarm, for the four men who were sitting drinking at the table turned incurious eyes upon him as he entered. One rose to his feet with a welcome. “Mr Larana?” he said. “Pleased to meet you. These are my lads. I’m Shelland. I understand that we’re to obey orders from you. Well, what you say goes with us. What about a drink?” "Yes, some wiskey, please,” agreed Larana. He watched carefully as Shelland poured out the drink, and sipped it cautiously for a moment. “Now' these will be my arrangements for to-night,” he said at last. “I want two roomy cars—for tonight, and they must be prepared for a run to get to Rymchurch before midnight and to return at once. You will have guns just in case of trouble from the people we are to meet —although I do not expect it. I will travel with you, Mr Shelland. if that is agreeable. You know what wer go for I presume?” "I don’t want to know,” answered Shelland. "All we do is to act as carriers and guards; the less we know, the better.” “Right,” agreed Larana. “Now where shall I pick you *up?” They discussed the remainder of their plans until everything was satisfactorily settled, then Larana hurried away from the Cafe. He took great care to ensure that he was not followed, and finally satisfied, he entered a public telephone kiosk and dialled a number. “I must speak to Detective-In-spector Barney Rye,” he said. “It is important, and I shall speak to nobody else I” Within a few minutes he had gained his connection, and a voioe spoke. “This is Inspector Rye; who are you?” “No matter,” answered Larana. "Listen carefully. Be prepared for I I a raid the day after to-morrow. This 1 is Tuesday. On Wednesday morning I shall ring up and give you the signal, when you will raid.” He gave the details of the plan which he had obtained from his prisoner, and when he had finished Barney Rye snorted. “How do I know this is genuine?” he asked. “Because ” said Larana quietly, “I am The Black Pilgrim 1 Good hunting, Inspector. Until Wednesday morning about eleven. Don’t trouble to trace this call. It is from a telephone kiosk.” He clicked down the receiver, and after a quick glance from the box, hurried away. At the arranged time he met the two cars containing Shelland and his men, and they sped south for Rymchurch. Arrived at Rymchurch, Larana , directed his companions to their destination, a small bungalow which lay desolate near the water’s edge, and as soon as they had gained it, ordered the car lights to be switched off. He gave a peculiar knock upon the door of the bungalow, which was opened as if he was expected, and repeating a certain password, was welcomed by the shifty-looking man within. “This way, Shelland,” he said. “Leave one man out with the car on watch. The rest can cipme in.” The party made their way Inside and, while Shelland and his men sat drinkinis in one room, Larana made his arrangements. Shortly before midnight through his glasses he saw the red and green signal lights displayed out over the water, and directed the signal in response. Then from the darkness a speedboat came racing and from it sprang two men, who joined Larana. Again he gave a password and, satisfied, the men began to carry from the boat to the bungalow a number of flat, tin cases, Shelland and his men assisting. Three trips the spoed boat made before the consignment was finished, anu the two men refusing any refreshments hurried back to the Vessel to vanish again as mysteriously as tiiey had come. Larana supervised the stowage of the cases into the two cars and then, after a final dr.nk the cars were I headed for town. The early summer J dawn was passed ho lore they had gained the store and ilie last of tincases- Ik i been bestowed into the ■ dingy warehouse in lloundsditeh, i which was their destination. With a word of farewell to Shelland, Larana saw his companions from the I warehouse, and after packing a few of I the cases in a suit case, made his way jto an all-night coffee stall. He ob- | tained an early bus which dropped him I near the mews where he had left his • prisoner, and hurried within, aller i satisfving himself that ho had not ; been ‘followed. A bulb followed a hearty breakfast. | lie proceeded to visit bis pri-

By George Stanley A story of a modern Robin Hood.

soner, who almost cried in relief at his captor’s safe return. Larana supplied his victim with a further meal, (hen he returned to the upper floor. Here lie occupied himself for some time until it had gone ten o'clock, then placing the suitcase containing the tin cases m his car, he sent it forward into the main street. He drew up at the entrance to the flat of Senor Simeon Gonzalaz as the clock was chiming the quarter to eleven o'clock, and leaving the suitcase within the car mounted the stairs. The face of Juan cracked in a mirthless smile as he opened the door to Larana. "The Senor Gonzalaz is within,” he said. Larana followed him into the flat to discover the stout Gonzalaz seated at his desk. “All was well?” asked Gonzalaz. “Perfectly,” answered Larana. “Your men were excellent. So much so that I should like their services again, and also those of the feur others for next Tuesday. If you will give me details now, I will ma&e a note of them before we conclude our business.” “Certainly,” replied Gonzalaz, He heaved himself from his chair, moved to his safe and, spinning the combination, opened the door. Then with the red leather notebook in liis hand, he approached the desk, while Larana took from his pocket a fountain pen. Gonzalaz dropped into his chair and, as he dropped, Larana jerked the little lever which lay upon the barrel of the fountain pen. A puff of vapour shot from the pen and, clutching his throat, Gonzalaz fell forward over his desk. For a. moment Larana waited watchfully, his handkerchief covering his nose and mouth. Then satisfied, he loaded the deadly weapon again. Holding it concealed in his hand, he pressed the bell to summon the servant Juan. Then, as the man opened the door, he discharged the weapon , in his face. With a strangled groan. Juan slumped to his knees and fell forward on his face. Reloading the weapon, Larana hurriedly searched the flat. Th%n he ran to his car, and carrying back the suitcase to the flat, unpacked the contents and placed them in the safe. He replaced the red leather notebook upon his desk, and laid upon it a little card. Then seizing the telephone he dialled a number. “Give me Inspector Rye at once,” he snapped. “He is expecting this call.” He waited for a moment and then he heard the Inspector’s voice. “You are ready for those raids?” he asked. “Good! The address of the store is this, and I suggest that you go yourseif to this address.” He gave the address of Gonzalaz’s flat. "But you must be quick. Goodbye.” He replaced the receiver, seized his suitcase, and, hurrying from the flat, jumped into the car to send it speeding from the place. It was ten minutes later that the horrified Gonzalaz recovered consciousness to discover that he and his flat were in the hands of the police, and, when in a daze, he heard an official say: “You are under arrest, Simeon Gonzalaz. I must warn you that anything you say will be taken dow ” For the first time in his life Gonzalaz fainted. (Another episode to-morrow.)