Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

his mouth in a typical schoolboy gesture. I "So I did. The balloon will certainly go up now." He banged a bell. "Gee, I must have another beer to get my strength up! Now to think of some tale. My uncle in Norfolk is ill. No. One of my dogs has the mange. No. Important business aflairs. Poor excuse. I went to the wrong meeting place. A poor lie. I " Jim's vigorous shake on his arm brought him to a stop. Someone had entered the lounge. Morella Arlen was tall, sweeping and very haughty. Her hair was brown, but clever work at beauty parlours had made it almost blonde; her figure and carriage were perfect, her clothes the latest word, and her ago not more than twentj--five. Society knew and approved of Morella because of her beauty and her brains. She knew everyone and every place, but should she go to some low night club she went not so much for the fun as to tell her world of her ex- periences. She never did anything that Society would disapprove. The glance from her blue eyes and the slight lift of pencilled eyebrows mado Jim Lancer give his chum a quick glance. Morella was in a bad mood. "Morning, my dear, I hope this fine morning is to your liking?" Vincent beamed good humour. "You're look- ing remarkably well, Morella." "More than I can say of you," was the sharp answer. "Are you aware that you arranged to meet me at Barings this morning?" "Oh, bless my soul!" Vincent frowned. " I have some recollection of a fur coat, but surely I never promised " "You said you would bo there at eleven, and it is now half-past." Morella studied a small diamond wrist- watch. "I rather imagined that you might be here." Her sensitive nostrils quivered as she gazed at the beer tankard. "Thirsty so early in the morning? I should have thought that after last night 3'ou " "Well, I'll be getting along." hastily interposed Jim Lancer, not liking the signs. "Ring me up some time, Vincent." "It may be pretty soon," Vincent grinned. "I want to pop over to Paris soon. So-long, old boy." "Well, have you nothing to say?" Morella tapped her heel impatiently. "Why did you not keep the appoint- ment, and what is your explanation of last night's disgraceful conduct? Don't deny it, Vincent, because I heard all about your excesses." "Oh, Morella, I wish you wouldn't be so hard." Vincent looked dismal. "I did not forget this morning, and 1 rang up the stores to say I had urgent business." "Urgent business!" Morella gave a scornful laugh. "You who have never done a stroke of work in your life to talk of business! I got your message and I guessed the rest. You came here to drink." "The beer is mighty good." Vincent started to grin, then saw her frown and subsided. "There were some shares, stocks and stuff, had to meet my broker, and talking is thirsty work. But this afternoon, darling, I could manage " "I am going to Hurlingham this afternoon," was her answer. "Michael Marlow is taking me. You had better ring me tliis evening some time. A little more of this treatment, Vincent, October 3rd, 1931. BOY'S CINEMA and our engagement will be definitely at an end." "Oh, but Morella darling, I " Vincent tailed oflF as the lady left him. He stared after her. "I wonder if I should be dreadfully upset if she did break oflf our engagement ? Let's read the racing news, more interesting. So she's keen on Marlow. Ah, ha, the plot thickens!" Some five minutes later Vincent looked up as someone pa.ised by his side. A well-groomed man in a morn- ing coat. Dark, suave, with bold, sparkling eyes. Spanish or Soutl; American origin and a great favourite with the ladies. "Good-morning, I trust your head is bettor this morning?" "Hallo, Marlow. I was going to sciid for you." Vincent got to his feet ;nid iiis face was one largo smile. "YouVe ju.st missed Morella. I want to toll you how good the beer is, and also to have a httle talk. Busy?" "I am. Is it of importance?" Mar- low asked, and his tone implied that nothing Floyd said could ever be of any groat matter. "Yes." Slowly the big fellow with- drew his hand from his pocket. "Ever seen these pretty little things?" In a moment Marlow had changed from the suave proprietor of the i;!t(<-t typo of modern club into a thin-facod. slant-eyed maji, whose eyes gleamed balefully and whose fingers were crooki-d as if he would claw the ot!iet's faro His whole body was rocking with the effort to control a terrible fpasni of rage. The light in the eyes died down and Michael Marlow became once more the polite official and kindly proprietor. "Pretty, whore did you pick them up? Off my floor?" he asked, but his eyes were watching. "I reckon you've got time for a quiet talk, Marlow." Vincent Floyd was no longer smiling, and his voice was dan- gerously quiet. "Those jewels camo out of your safe, and I want to talk to you about them." He took Marlow's arm. "Lead me to your don of ini- quity." "The pleasure is mine." Marlow showed no sign of perturbation. The Challenge. THOSE who saw Marlow and Floyd strolling through the lounge of the Terrace Club thought how friendly the two men seemed. ^ Some even went so far as to whisper: "Floyd is a good customer! No wonder Marlow is friendly ! You should have seen Floyd last night—oiled up and no mistake. A fellow like Floyd ought to be made to work !" Whilst there were other criticisms, mainly from keen sportsmen*. "Fine three-quarter—plays a clean game! I've never seen a man hit such a long ball! Do you remember when he was at the 'Varsity—how he won everything, including the heavy-weight boxing? If Floyd had to work he would make a name for himself!" Little did they guess that Vincent Floyd was one of the most valued nu-ii at Scotland Yard, and that most of his indolent attitude was a pose that had deceived many a criminal. In the privacy of ISIichael Marlow's private sanctum the two faced each other, Floyd amused and Marlow smil- ing apparently good-naturedly. The proprietor bowed his guest to a chair, and thou walked across to the safe in the wall. Vincent lit a cigarette and watched him, and his eyes wore mocking until Mar- low straightened his back—wlien tliey bocamo very much alert. Every Tuesday "You are an enigma that interests me," coolly stated Marlow. "Might I ask how you obtained possession of that necklace? Of course I deny ever having seen it before, and have invited you herebecausc I feared tliat last night's "Binge," prompted Floyd. "You would like to .say that the fumes of many quarts of priceless alcohol have changed a rather pleasant young man into a muddled owl. I suggest that w* put our cards on the table, and "—he patted his pocket—"let us talk like friends, and " "May I offer you a cocktail?" Mar- low picked up a shaker. "I can assure you it is not poisonod or drugged." "An admirable idea." The big athlete sprawled in his chair. "Only a mild one, please. Now. Mr. Marlow, I pre- sume you woidd like to know something about me. Why I have taken this sud- den interest in your affairs?" "You interest me." Marlow poured out two drinks with a steady hand. "For some while I have not been altogether satisfied with your attitude. ■ For in- 1 stance, you are much too clear-eyed this < niorning after your potations of last night." He raised his glass. "Here's ; fun." : "May we have plenty of it before -, we're through," was the retort. "Many ) think I do nothing, Marlow, but I will lay my first card on the table, and tell you that I am attached to Scotland Yard." A. "One of those terrible amatewBP sleuths?" mocked Marlow. "You've said it." Vincent sipped his drink. "Good stuff this, almost as good as your beer. Another card is the robbery at the home of Lady Angela. The Yard suspect that a bright little gang, recently arrived from America, which they had made too hot for them, have had a liand in this robbery. The methods were similar to those of New York, and the finding of the necklace in your safe is fairlj' conclusive evidence. As a thief of international fame I pre- sume, Marlow, you have few equals?" "With equal frankness, may I say that you honour me." Marlow watched Floyd with twinkling eyes. "Perhaps I have not always run exactly according to law. Now that you've foimd those jewels, what do you propose to do? Vou will find no fijigor prints on them, and I can produce witnesses to " ".Swear you arc as innocent as a child." Floyd chuckled to himself. "I could run you to Vine Street, but you might get away with it, and such a course would hinder my main object. Lady Angela's necklace was not my chief reason in wasting so much money on liquor—by the way, I poured most of it away. A scandalous waste, but needs must on some occasions." "You relieve my anxiety." Marlow drained his glass. "Might I ask what other robbery you have fastened on to me?" "I hinted that vou had found the Stat OS too warm for that it was necessary to quit! America was most annoyed about it. but deter- mined to have a shot to got you back. Does the name of .James Hirst mean any- thing?" Again Michael Marlow changed to a narrow-eyed scoundrel, whose hand was near his pocket, but the pat that Floyd gave his pocket restored the man to the calm demeanour of a moment before. "You have heard his name?" Vin- cent Floyd l)lew out a cloud of smoke. "Hirst was a Pinkerton's man, and he got on the tiviii of his quarry; yet soon after his a:rival in England, not so many weeks ago, he disappeared." "They never found him. Very sad—^.