Boy's Cinema (1939-40)

2 BOY'S CINEMA Every Tuesday A. tremendous drama of war, in which the commander of a submarine proceeds under sealed orders to the Orkneys—and on the island of Hoy finds that he has been hoodwinked by a girl. The film stars Conrad Veidt as the submarine commander SEALED ORDERS TWENTY-FOUR hours after Captain Hardt had set foot in his native land he was back in the cabin of the submarine he commanded—and Lieutenant Schuster was stubbing his toes against a motor- cycle that seemed as ridiculously out of place, in that confined space, as a bowler hat upon a baby's head. "What an idea putting a motor-cycle in a submarine!" exploded the lieutenant. Captain Hardt, tall, black-haired, strong- featured, and tacitiu^n by nature, was gloomily silent. The submarine had sunk four British food-ships in the course of her previous prowling of the seas, and he had received the sort of welcome accorded to a hero on his return to his base; but disappointment had awaited him in the restaurant of the sumptuous hotel. He and Lieutenant Schuster, expecting to celebrate their leave with a wonderful dinner, had learned from a waiter that they had arrived on a meatless day and that the menu had nothing more appetis- ing to offer than boiled fish, carrots, and potatoes. The two officers, who had been living continuously on beans and sardines, had found little consolation in the fact that a newspaper, bought outside the hotel, declared the English to be starving; and, to add bitterness to disappointment, Cap- lain Hardt had been found by an orderly bearing a message that had recalled him and his companion to port—with the result that the submarine was now out in tlie North Sea sailing under sealed orders for a destination unknown. The orders were in a packet of no mean size bound about with tape and fastened with official seals and Captain Hardt was tapping the packet against his left hand, his dark-blue eyes fixed on his wrist-watch, when Second-Lieutenant Schmidt entered the cabin. The three gathered silently round a table while minutes ticked away, and then abruptly the captain said: "It's eleven-fifteen, gentlemen." The seals on the packet were broken, October 21st. I'JSO. the tape was ripped away, and on to the table tumbled a number of papers. Hcirdt pounced on some folded sheets of foolscap, which contained his typewritten instruc- tions, Second-Lieutenant Schmidt opened out upon the table a big chart: L-ieutenant Schuster picked up a photographic print. "This is a chart of the Orkney mine defences,' said Schmidt. "What does it say about the motor-bike, sir?" inquired Schuster. Captain Hardt did not reply, because he was busy reading, and the lieutenant studied the print. It was a photograph of a stack of rock, standing almost like a finger pointing to the sky and com- pletely detached from a cliff, the base of which was washed by the sea. It was cap- tioned, "The Old Man of Hoy." "I've got a picture of the Old Man of Hoy!" he exclaimed; and Sclomidt deserted the chart to look at the print. ■ Seems to be a rendezvous," was his comment. Still holding the typewritten sheets of paper in his left hand, Captain Hardt stooped over the chart. A route across the North Sea was indicated upon it^ and part of the route lay through minenelds. He put a finger upon a spot near ihe island of Hoy. "Gentlemen," he said grimly, "our orders are to proceed immediately to this point near Scapa Flow, in the Orkney Islands. It's a big job and a dangerous one. I know I can count on you. Now full steam ahead." Sub-Lieutenant Schmidt went out to issue orders, but Schuster was told to remain, and Hardt began to read to him from the typewritten sheets: "' Once across the minefields choose a favourable night and land at the foot of the Old Man of Hoy. Lieutenant Schuster will take over the command and will await your return. You will proceed by motor-cycle to Long Hope, on the island of Hoy, the base of the British Grand Fleet.'" Schuster made a grimace at the motor- cycle. Hardt went on reading: " ' You will go to the schoolhouse, where you will report to our agent, Fraulein Thiel. You will get your next orders from her. The motor-cycle, and the bundle of tweeds, ^lould help you to avert suspi- cion.' " Schuster picked up a bag from under the table and from it produced a suit of tweeds, a motor-cyclist's helmet and goggles, and a heavy waterproof coat. Hardt contemplated these things with marked aversion and continued his reading. A description of Fraulein Thiel was fol- lowed by details of the geography of ths island upon which he was to land, and there was a password to be given to the girl. Hardt flung the sheets of paper upon the table to the accompaniment of an oath. "They're trying to make a spy out of me!" he raged. "I should like to know." said Schuster, "how they propose to get this fraulein i,d the schopl-house at Long Hope." "That's their business," gritted Hardt. "Take the mine chart down to the engine- room. I'll be down soon." IN THE MIST THE March sun was iiear to setting, but its warm light still streamed in through the panes of the window in Anne Burnett's bed-room, making a pattern upon the sloping ceiling. Outside the stone cottage was the road that wound its way down to the little town of Dunnet. and beyond the road were the moors that stretched away to the very edge of .the cliffs of Northern Scotland. Anne Burnett had finished her packing, and now she was waiting for Sandy Ross, the quaint old local carrier, to come and take her to the railway station in his ramshackle car. She looked out at the window, but there was no sign of any vehicle on the road, and her gaze wan- dered towards the sea. Somewhere beyond the expanse of misty blue was the island of Hoy, and on that island was the hamlet of Long Hope,