Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

10 BOY'S CINEMA Every Tuesday A gripping drama of a man accused of stealing a huge diamond, and how he escaped and the terrible revenge he took. Starring Ian Keith and Aileen Pringle. CEoP The Thief. IT was an iiuhappy clay for Rupert Eudon. His home, the home that had been his family's for three generations back, was to be sold. Rujicrt did not want to part with the plaee, but ho had no choice. It was a rambling old castle whicli stood high on (ho rocks of Maine, as impregnable as a fortress. The solitary road which led up to it from tlic nearest town had to pass over a dra>'.bridge, and when this was up access to the great doors wiiiih guarded the entrance was im- po^sible. , It was built of massive stone on solid rcok, and beneath there were passages which descended to the foot of the clifl's. They led to a cove, and occa- sionally Rupert used it for mooring his .small fishing boats on those occasions when lie took a quiet holiday. Rumour had it that the castle was once used by pirates. Certainly it dated back a considerable number of years, for it was one of the show places along the coast. Rupert, wiio loved it. knew every nook and cranny of its gigantic stone walls. Times were bad. Several business ventures in which Rupert had been in- volved, mainly comiected with the diamond trade, had crashed with some- what extiaordinary suddenness. It was a blow—a very serious blow. Rarely six months ago his engagement to Kve Mailey had been announced, and it li.id been both his dream and hers ttiat they should make their home in Endon Castle. All that was ended novr. ' There was no alternative—Rupert was compelled to let it go> He arrived back at it after a trip to France, where he had been working in order to try to retrieve his fallen fortunes, and looked round longingly. Williams, the oIi< butler who had been Kijit. inliiT (;th. 19:>n. with the Endons all his life, greeted him. "I trust you will permit nie to go witli you, sir," ho said. Rupert allowed a smile to play across liis tanned face, revealing a row of even white teeth. That smile of his, coupled with a peculiar way of putting his head sliglifly on one side, had earned him the sobriquet amongst those who knew him of "Charming Endon." " I'm afraid not, Williams," he re- plied. " I shall not be keeping up a place like this in future." "But, sir " "Perhaps the new owner will keep you on," Rupert continued evenly, cut- ting short Williams' protests. "You know him quite well. It is Mr. Gilbert Crayle." He glanced at his watch. ''He should be here shortly." Tlie e.ven hum of a large car was heard coming over the drawbridge. It died, away as the car drew up before the outer gateway. Williams, always court^'ons and lubane, bowed slightly to his young ma.ster and crossed the hall. Ho opened the door to admit a grey-haired man, faultlessly dressed, on whose face was all the craftiness of a fox. " Good-morning. ]Mr. Crayle!" said Williams soberly. "You will find ]\Jr. Rupert in the library, sir." Crayle nodded briefly, as though the existence of Williams was completely beneath his notice, and departed in the direction of the library. Williams watched him go with very mixed feelings. So that was his new master! Well, ho could see trouble brewing, and he mentally registered then that his stay at Endon Castle was likely (o be a short one. He was about to close the door when another car made its appearance. Williams waited for it to stop, and then hurried forward as a girl descended I from it. Her face was radiant, and her step light and full of vitality. She was looking forward to seehig Rupert again ■—just to tell him that in spite of the fact that lie was poor, it was going to make no diJFerence. She still cared for him, and always would. She turned as she reached the ground. "Come along, Adrian," she said tolerantly. "iir. Crayle is already here, and I want to say something to Rupert before ho starts talking about business." The young man addressed slowly alighted from the car. He was rather foppish in appearance, and affected a monocle. Through no fault cf his own, he had inherited a peer's title without tlie necessary money to keep it up; nevertheless, ho liked to be called " Lord Adrian " by anyone who was sufficiently impressed with his greatness. " All right, old girl," he drawled. "Coming, and all that. I don't knovr why you can't slow up for a change. Ever since I got up at the unearthly hour of nine, I've done nothing but rush all over the place." Eve Marley laughed good-hnmourcdly. She was used to her brother's indolent ways, just as .she was used to his habit of coming to her for money whenever he was hard up—which was quite often. _ They went into the castle, and Eve,' without invitation, made her way to tho library. Rupert and Crayle were enjoying a cocktail when she entered. They roso at the sound of her greeting. "Hallo. Eve!" said Rupert eagerly, advancing to meet her. and taking both of her hands in his. He lowered his voice so that Crayle could not hear, "You look womlerful today, dear." She snijled her thanks. " I want to see you before you start your business witli Mr. Craylo," she