Boy's Cinema (1930-31)

Every Tuesday "I've been in worse scrapes tlian tlivs." From the heel of his shoe, which slid back, lio produced some notes. "Here, is some money—you'll need it. You'll have to give niadame her share. I -" "Madame is knocking for mo." whis- pered tho girl. "She i-s coming in here." "Okay, watch nie go dejid." Vincent suited ttie words by flopping on to the stone floor. Madamo made a stare at the still figure. "He looks mighty queer." she mumbled. "Did you find any money, cherie?" "Here you are." 'I lie girl p<assed over some notes into clutching fingeis. "He's doped, so you needn't worry about him." Arm in arm with the cackling and villainous old Frenchwoman she leff the cell, and not till the door had clanged did Vincent Floyd show any sign.s of life. The.ii he moved to the bars of the cell and shivered a little as lie .spied the muddy waters of the Seine. Marlow's Vengeance. IN a filthy underground cellar of the Chat N'oir Michael Marlow prepared to deal with Vincent Floyd. All round were wine and beer casks, and the atmosphere was stale and musty. A table and two comfortable chairs had been brought down from the restaurant, and on a tray were bottles and glasses. A rap on the table brought madame. "Bring in our worthy friend." "Very good, m'sieur." The old hag disajipeared, and Vincent Floyd, a little rLifl3ed and dirty, marched firmly into the presence of his captor, who seemed surprised at his alert ap- pearance. "I understood, my dear Vincent, that you were rather ill?" he siiid. "I'm glad to sec you so much recovered." "We 'tecs are hard nuts to crack,'' Vincent beamed. "What's the latest? How about a spot of torture?" "Rather mediaeval," was the answer, "'i'he other day you put your cards on the fable, and I always like to return a compliment." "Ah, this sounds interesting," Vincent said quietly, taking in all details of the cellar. " l3o I ask questions, or do you prefer to tell the tale in your own way ' " "In my own way." Marlow flicked a speck of dust oft his immaculate drc^s trousers. "Let mo tell you what lia.- happened since your trip from England. I guessed your fatal curiosity might lead you into my trap. I was inside that case, and you were placed inside, after wo had secured you. I took your pass- port, and it was all quite simple. m\ photo in.serted in place of yours. Y" i wore brought to the Chat Noir in Mont- niartre and given a comfortable bed in one of my rooms." "Cut out the heavy sarcasm and conie to the point. I hate the smell of the Seine." "You were drugged and remaineii unconscious for a day and night," Mar- low proceeded, with evident enjoyment. "Now I had informed a certain lady. Miss Morella Arlen, that the reason of your repeated visits to Paris was drug>. and she thinks you are a drug addict. On arrival hero I put through a long- distance call, and told Morella that I could prove my statement about drug-. She flow over, and about six hours ago had th<? pleasure of viewing your in- animate form—I laid you on that bench there. There is a .small puncture in your arm, and .she saw that. I rather like Morella, and she likes me—we understand each other. She was dis- gusted, and washed her hands of you for good. She is staying in a near-by BOY'S CINEMA hotel, and will shortly return to London after " Marlow paused. "After you have disposed of my body," blandly hinted Vincent. "So you've stolen my beautiful Morella," he went on. "Frankly I think you've done me a favour, old boy. Morella is a very domineering woman, atid you may be the biggest villain in the world —but you won't boss her! I am not sorry the engagement is at an end, though I should have preferred some other method of disentanglement." "It doesn't really matter, because I've got to get rid of you. " Marlow smiled at this cold-blooded statement. " You know what happened to Hirst. Well. I have a more refined method, and ir is as follows: You will be dolled with gas, then drugs inserted into your body, and lastly you will bo lowered through that trapdoor." He Iiointed to a huge ring in the floor. "And your body will be placed on the mud—at low tide. Some time later you will be foimd. Vincent Floyd, drug-fiend, found drowned in the Seine. So simple, is it not?" "Jolly little scheme! Phew!" Vin- cent indicated the glasses. " I'd love a spot before the programme commences, as I'm not feeling like knocking a hou.se down." "Certainly, let me help you !" Mar- low had one hand in his pocket, and from this he produced a gun. "Sorry to have to take this, but you are apt to be violent." He placed the gun on the table. "Would you mind standing back a little way? Tliank you." "I've learnt that Hirst shared the same cell as niyselt." Vincent saw Marlow .start. "I found evidence he had left behind, so I know who was his murderer." "Pity you will have no chance of using your knowledge," sneered Mar- low. passing a glass. "Well, here's fun ■" Vincent took the glass and drank half of the whisky. He sipped a little more, swayed uncertainly and clutched at his heart. 9 "t feel terrible," hoarsely cried Vin- cent. •■ I believe you've drugged me again, you swine !" "I've done nothing of the sort!" cried Marlow, and was just in time to catch Floyd as the latter sagged for- ward, a dead weight in his arms. The crook laughed. "The poor fool is ■scared .stiff, and thinks I doped him. I'll get the boys to bring him round, and——■' Suddenly the limp figure stiffened, and steely arms gripped Marlow. The surprised scoimdrel was suddenly flung away from the table, and when he re- covered his balance he turned to find Floyd on his feet. In his hand was the gun. "I swore I'd get the murderer of James Hirst before a week, " Vincent cried, "and I'm going to do it ! Down in that cell I found a message from Hirst and a Pinkerton badge—enough evidence to mtike you swing, my deir Michael." Marlow's face had for a few moments depicted rage and chagrin, but now he assumed his old role. "Very clever, my dear Vincent." he drawled. "For the moment you have the upper hand, but I always win in the end. Besides, you've found out a little too much, and one of us has got to visit another world." Marlow had set one of his men on the stairs leading down to the cellai. and ho knew that the gang would be warned at once of what had happened. Behind Floyd a door opened, and ;« man gently slid into the collar. lie crept towards the unsuspecting detec- tive, and two other men—Sid and Bill —came after the first crook. "I don't feel like trying the ne\t world yet," Vincent retorted. "No more do I." Marlow agreed with him. "And I still think thai I hold the frump cards." In an instant Floyd became sus- picious—hjs enemy was too confident. Some instinct of self-preservation made him turn, and as he did so a sack camo down over his head. The Bentleyshot over the cliff like a streak of light— "TT^ Oaoli. I ird. 1931.