Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday and vory curious. You suspect foul play?" "Oh, yos, there was foul play right enough." Floyd's eyes seemed accusing. "Hirst di.siappeared in England, and the Yard \veri> perturbed, because they knew he was on your—pardon—the gang's trail. He had only given the Yard the briefe>t statement over the 'phone of what he knew. Then he disappeared." Marlow ;Lsked sharply: "Well, has he turned up again?" "Oh, yeah, as you say!" Vincent's smile hid his thoughts. "His body was found in the Seine on a mudbank—three days ago." Thi.s tmie Marlow .showed no vestige of surprise—just cynical amusement. "You ore not seriously suggesting, Floyd, that I murdered this' man, are you?" "I have no proof yet, but I think I'm on a very good trail." The athlete lifted himself to his feet. "What's more, I'm willing to wager that I'll have tlwit iiuirderer under lock and key within a week." "You are clever, my friend, and very frank." JMarlow shrugged his shoulders. "I should think the waters of the .Seine must be very unpleasant. You know I niiglit be inclined to take your wager. I am a bOrn gambler, and I usually win." "A gamble against a hangman's rope," Vincent Floyd stubbed out his cigarette. "If you lo^t, Marlow, you might not be able to pay the wager out. I Thiidi t/irrt out." "I will," Marlow opened the door. "I have a habit of removing things from my path—especially when they annoy me." " Do 1 annoy you ?" "I trust you won't be conceited wlien I admit the fact," Marlow smiled. "It is not often thai I am bluffed; it makes BOY'S CINEMA me terribly angry. I want to square accounts." "You'll pay your account right enough," gi-owled Vincent Floyd. "Guess I'll go and consume sorne more of your excellent beer. Be seeing you soon—behind bars!" v» "Majbe you won't laugh when you do," thought Marlow as he stared after Floyd, who was calmly whistling and not 3ven glancing back. "If you do!" The Fainting Girl. AFTER consuming half a pint of beer Vincent ambled over to a call-box, and was soon talking to Jim Lancer. "W'hat's that? Just arrived at Croy- don? You must have been going some! I say, Jim, can \ou let me know all about your jolly old machines because "Are you wanting to go to Paris again ?" "Yep. I am and all," Vincent laughed gailv. " VVhv the suspicious growl, O Fat'One?" "You've been over to Paris too much lately, and that's one reason why Morella is so angry. It may be your husinees, but you can bet she thinks there's some other reason." "She would, but, all the same, I'd like to go." He jotted down various times and, wlien he had checked them, concluded: "I may want to book a berth soine time to-day, but shoidd Morella talk about Paris to you, remember to act your normal self—just dumb. 'Bye!" As Vincent ^Olmged out into the main hall he became aware of a small group of people clustered round a bench. One servant in blue livery held a glass of water. "Stand back! Stand back! Give the lady air!" "Hallo, a damsel in distress," deeidetl Vincent, and craned his neck. He saw a slim girl, very white of face, dressed in neat, dark coat and skirt, small felt hat, apparently on the point of collapse. Vincent watched as she tried to sip the glass of water. From his pocket Vincent produced a small bottle—a very strong restorative that a medical practitioner had made up for him—the mixture was a lightning cure for morning after the night before! One sniff made the girl jerk back her head; eyes that almost seemed to ex press indignation stared up into Then the girl—she could si arce twenty, gave a faint smile. "I feel better now." Her voice soft and rather sweet. Obviously was well educated. Vincent was opinion that she was distinctly gootl- looking. He liked the small nose, dark hair and perfect feature.s—a faint colour .-tole into her cheeks and she lowered her eyes. "Sudden change in the weather," Vin- cent suggested. "How do you feel? his. be she of for bit and then 1' better," the girl 'I've been on my and I've been so You stay quiet get a taxi." "Oh, I'm much answered quickly, feet since daybreak, busy I haven't bothered about food. I .sort of forgot about eating." The girl stood up and revealed herself as tall, slim and graceful. "Oh, I feel quite recovered now. So stupid of me to faint—a thing I've never done before." "You'll take a taxi straight home." Vincent was quite decided. "I've got to call somewhere first." was her reply. "It's in this street. I'll go home afterwards." "Have you far to go?" "Number tliirty-six." "Thirty-six," Vincent stared at the girl in astonishment. "But thirty-si.K is next door, and the place is emptv." "Thirty-six was the nuijTber." She smiled timidly at the staring onlookers. "Thank you all .so much. I'm so sorry I fainted on your doorstep." •' They wanted to put the case on the roof of this cab and take it away. You've got to stop 'em—I want to itnow what's inside it," said Vincent. October 3rd, 1931.