Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday machine goiiijj to Piiiis in about an hour? Not down on any schedule?'.' A pause. '"There js a specially chartered ni.ichine? Is there a vacancy for a passenger? What's that? One only? Hold it for me—I'm coming right along. 'Bye!" Seconds later his car was speeding south to Croydon. Scarce had Jim Lancer finished talk- ing to Vincent Floyd when ]Morella Arlen came through on the 'phone. "I've heard dreadful news about Vin- cent," came her angry voice. "You know he's been going to Paris quite a lot recently—and do you know why ? He's a druR fiend! I've thought for some while it might be something like that. Yes, I've pot proof." Morella did not say it was Michael Marlow who had supplied the information. " And has Vin- cent rung you up to-day ? He is going to Paris? Y'ou inu.-.t try to stop him. Jim. We mii.i' keep him away from these drugs—they will kill him. You promise you'll do your best? All right. I'll come down to the air-port at once." The Prisoner. VINCENT FLOYD made good time down to Croydon—half an hour before the machine for France was due to start. The sight of an ancient taxi made him smile. He would deal with those gentlemen some other time. First he must get his ^ticket. " Now Floyd was often at Croydon, and he knew all the little tricks of the game. Many of the officials and staflf knew him, tliough the clerk in the office was apparently a new man. Vincent had just got his ticket when a buzzer went and the clerk went to speak on the 'phone. The pa>sage booked in the name of Vincent Floyd was cancelled. "Excuse tne, sir." The clerk was worried. "Didn't you say your name wa.s Floyd? May I see your passport for a moment? There's been a slight mistake." "My name'.-, not Floyd—it's Lloyd." blandly answered the detective. "And I should just hate to have a name like Vin- cent. I think it's going to br a nice crossing. 'Bye !" Vincent left the office bcfon' the clerk could quite make up Jiis mind what to do. Floyd dc- clari'd that, afler looating the 'plane, he would lurk around in dark places till just before starting time. Who the dickens wanted to stop him going to France ? It was therefore a distinct Rurprise when he notice^l Jim Lancer nosilig round the aero- drome as if he were lookiiifj for someone. Vincent decidcil not to show himself; he dii not like the watchdog look on his friend's face. 'I'lien xT few moments before tiui" of departure a car-drove out and Morella appeared. Ho managed to get close enough to heir what she said to Jim. " Wliere is he ?" "Can't find him. My clerk, a new man, reports a tall num in plus fours something like Vincent, but the name gi\<'n was Lloyd. There is a Lloyd crossing this affernoon, hut BOY'S CINEMA "Tlie 'plane's being watched by two of my lads." Jim took her arm. "I've left the seat in his name because I can't monkey about without due reason ; don't want the company on my trail. But those two lads will see that Vincent doesn't get on the 'plane leaving at one-thirty, or on any other machine." "Is that so?" Vincent slunk back into hiding behind some crates. "I'd like to know why dear darling Morella wants to stop me. Some crazy idea, I expect. Ah !" 'The exclamation came from him as he saw the big packing-case being loaded on to a passenger cross-Chauml machine. The four thugs carried the case as if it were very precious. V^incent had a pretty good idea that two hefty mechanics lounging near the machine were Jim's men. At last the packing-case was on board and various officials and passengeis appeared. Vincent decided to dive back into cover. Not until he heard shouts and orders did he show his nose, but on the word "Contact " he hared towards the machine. The two mechanics heard him and turned, but he did a rugger swerve antl gave an easy miss. The 'plane was on the move and the cabin door was on the point of closing when Vincent clutched a rail to run along- side. He dragged open the door and stumbled inside into the arms of a steward. "Name of Floyd!" panted Vincent. "Only just made it!" "^ir. Vincent Floyd?" The steward touched his peaked cap. "That was a close shave, sir. \''our seat is along this way, sir." Vincent sank into an armchair and mopped hi.s brow. He gazed out ol the glass windows and saw the ground sliding away below. He wondered what Jim was saying to his two hire- lings. Idly the young detective turned to scan his fellow-passengers. The machine was one of the latest models, divided into fore and afl cabins. Vincent shared the aft cabin with an unenviable assortment. There was Bill and Sid, the other two ra.scals,. and three men whom Vincent decided were also of the gang and The girl who had "fainted and had gone into No. 36 was also in the cahin_ She was gazing at him with eyes large with fear. Her face was ashen while and she seemed about to cry out. "Well, this is a pleasure," began Vincent, and paused becaii.se somethin;,' hard was tickling his ribs. "There's a gun agin yer side," snarled Sid's voice. "One shout from }'ou and it goes off." "Has it got a silencer?" Vincent smiled as if he did not care in the least. "I'm sure it has." He waved his hand towards the packing-ease that w:is standing on the floor of the passenger cabin. "I hope you haven't got bombs inside that ? " "Can it. Buddy!" came a threat. "We ain't in a mood for laughing, and you ain't in a position that's too healthy." "What a nasty rough man," gurgled Vincent, and suddenly caught the man's gun hand, whilst his left banged a nasty jab to the chin. Like a flash the whole cabin leaped on Vincent and he hadn't a chance. He opened his mouth to 3'ell for hel() when a life-preserver crashed down on his skull and he sagged back a limp heap. "Back to yer scats!" his>ed Bill, and raised Vincent so it seemed as if ho were sleeping. "That steward may be back any second. If he gets wise wo gotta get him." The steward looked in and asked if anyone required anything to drink, hut the passengers all looked SI) irlum he hastily retired. "^llut the door," Sid niotionc d lo Bill. " Give u^ tin wire if th.it I "C'.in Vincent have gues.^ed we're trying to stop him?" cried Morella. "Oh, Jim, what can wo do '(" " I swore I'd get the mur- derer of James Hirst," Vincent cried. " Down in that cell I found a mes- sage from Hirst and a Pinkerton badge—enough evidence to make you swing, my dear Michael!" October 3rd, 1031.