Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

f^ Every Tuesday his hip-pocket. Two other fiffures crouching near the cabin table drew weapops. "Directly he reaches the fifth stair," ivas the chief of police's order. "We \von"t let the rat slip through our fingers this time!" Steve Carlyle found the Shark lying silent and deserted at the moorings. This caused him no particular uneasiness because the Shark never wanted to pro- claim to the world that there was life o.i board. Directly Steve appeared men would materialise, and the hawsers-^frould be thrown oK; then, under a silent motor, the ehip would work down-stream to the sea. A high moon showed him up clearly. The hands of the men hidden on the deck trembled round the triggers of their guns. Goldie Gorio at last! Down the companion-way stepped Steve, who was beginning to wonder why the ship was so quiet as this, and where all the men were hiding. He decided to call out as he stepped on the fifth stair. '■ Where's everyone ? What the hock " There was a blaze of flame and the crash of two explosions. Steve Carlyle slumped in a heap to the bottom of the companion-way. "What's the idea, chief?" cried a voice. " Why did you knock up my arm ? Why " "Get a light, fools!"' shouted McBaine. "And then you'll see! We've got the wrong man!" When a light was brought a hard- faced, grim-jawed man knelt beside the ^jjono figure. There was a gesture of iiadncss in that shake of the head as he looked at the blood on his hand. '"Couldn't divert both guns," Mc- Baine muttered. "Looks as if one shot is mighty near the heart. Goldie got wise to our game." . "But, chief, this is Steve Carlyle, *(5he of his best men." "Shucks! Goldie is crazy with power, BOY'S CINEMA and he'd do anything." The chief got to his feet. " Ah, there is the ambu- lance ! See that Carlyle is taken to hospital, and that the very finest physician is put on the job. Right— jump to it! " Then he spoke, almost to himself. '" I hope the poor old Doc. is all right." And when McBaine learnt next morn- ing of the Doc's body in the river his wizened face twisted into a fierce scowl. "I'll get you, Goidie," ho muttered, "and I think I've got the dope to call your bluff." The Truth. A WHITE-FACED, anxious Helen looked down at the pale wraith of a boy who was her husband. His eyes were closed, and he scarce seemed to be breathing. Behind Helen stood the grey-haired but anxious brother, whilst hovering close at hand was a white-robed doctor and a nurse. In her fear, Helen gave her hands to King, and her eyes sought those of the doctor in a pleading quei-y. He touched his lips, then beckoned them out of the room. " Your visit has done a lot of good, Mrs. Carlyle," announced the doctor. "He opened his eyes and recognised you. Now he will have the incentive to live. Don't worry, because, though it was a bad wound, the bullet has been extracted, and his strong constitution will pull him round. In a week he will be out and about." As their car drove away, another drew up before the hospital, and Goldie Gorio stepped forth. He stared after the other car, and his eyes gleamed as they rested on Helen. Smilingly he turned and went into the hospital, and when ho learnt Steve would live he still smiled, but none knew the rage in his lieart. So strong was his personality and so feared was his name that he was per- mitted to see the invalid. Steve opened his eyes and managed a faint smile. "I can't think how this happened," Goldie spoke. "But I'm combing every 13 man of my gang to see if it were a frame-up. I'll not rest till I get the guy that put this across—and that other rat. McBaine! They have got to learn tf> treat the friends of Goldie Gorio with respect. Get well soon, Steve, because we sure miss you." A weak nod, and then a doctor came into the room. The talk was at an end. "I'll see Helen doesn"t worry," pro- mised Goldie, with a smiling good-bye. Lucky for Steve that he could not worry, because at that moment, on the way home from the hospital, Helen was questioning her brother. "I rang you up last night, and told you bow worried I was, and you talked a lot of nonsense about duty. I am not quite a fool. Wliy did Steve go out and take his revolver ? Why did the cops shoot, and why are the papers so quiet about the affair? I want the answers to those questions. You know Stove's business. I know this much—it isn't honest!"' The girl stared accus- ingly at King. " He's in the power of some gang. You l.now he is !" King could not deny it. What he had feared and dreaded was happening. The eyes of Helen were open. "who is this Goldie Gorio who em- ploys Steve?" went on the overstrung girl. "Why does lie lavish all this money on us? People I've met have talked, and I"m certain he's the head of some big gang, and that Steve is in his power." "I'll send- Steve away when he gets better," King clenched his fist. "Send >ou both on another honeymoon." "You'll get Steve into another busi- ness," she demanded. "Got him into a straight business, where cops and thugs can't shoot at him. You've got to get him away." "I'll do my best, Helen." King bowed his head. "But it won't be easy. You see. Goldie and myself are part- ners. I'm in the game myself. I guess, Helen, I'd better come clean. Steve's a gangster, and so am I." December 26th, 1931,