Boy's Cinema (1935-39)

Every Tuesday "I will tell Gustavo at the factory to be on the look-out," said the old man. "And I will have the police telephoned anonymously as soon as they arrive." "And get them arrested?" Marvin nodded his approval. "The police may not fall for it." "They'll fall for it all right. They are tired of Switzerland being used as an international spy centre." "Supposing Ashenden does find out who I am ?" The bearded old man permitted him- self a smile. "It won't matter if he does. You'll be on your way to Arabia, and he'll be inside a Swiss prison." Marvin rang a bell and a valet appeared. "How long have I got?" ■"About twenty minutes, sir." "Well, good-bye." Marvin turned to his ally. "I'll mail you a cheque from New York on delivery of the goods." The bearded old man shuffled to the door. "I always deliver the goods, sir." Ten minutes later Marvin was at the reception office paying his bill. He was about to hand over the letter for Elsa to the clerk when there was a touch on his arm. Ho jerked round to find Elsa at his side. He noted at once that she wore a grey travelling coat and skirt, and that behind her was a page-boy with a large suit-case. "You're leaving now?'' Elsa said. He noticed that the girl looked very pale and distressed. "Sure. This is the end." He managed a smile. "This letter was for you. I've had a hurry call back home, and if I don't check out now, it's good-bye to seeing the rest of Europe this trip. My paper says I've got to get a jerk into things." "Where are you going?" Marvin gave her a glance from nar- rowed eyes. "Greece first, I guess." He glanced at his watch. "Take mo with you." "Here, say that again!" "I mean it!" Elsa cried. "I'm leav- ing here, anyhow." She pointed to the suitcase. "But how about your husband?" he demanded. "You don't say you're through with him—leaving him?" "Yes, through with him—finished!" She spoke passionately. "May I come? Ho won't mind—he has other amuse- ments. Don't ask me to explain any more. I promise not to get in your way, or interfere in anything you want to do. Just get me away from this place." Marvin gazed at her speculatively, and a queer smile twitched his lips. She was very beautiful, and in Arabia she would be so completely at his mercy. "Very well, I'll take you," he cried. "Let's go!" The Chocolate Factory ON showing their permits at the factory a guide in white overalls proceeded to take them round and do his best to stuff them full of various kinds of chocolates. The roar of machinery made the guide bellow infor- mation about the various gadgets. Ashenden and the Mexican nodded politely, but all the while they were looking round for Lilli's boy friend. F.illi had told them Pete's department and described him—also Pete would be on the watch. BOY'S CINEMA It was while they were in the packing department that the general noticed a man watching them closely. The general pretended not to notice, and saw the man write something on a piece of paper. Boxes of chocolates were passing on an endless band, and as the general came nearer the man pushed tho piece of paper into a box. The general decided that he should read that note. The general in a nonchalant manner strolled towards the packer, and saw the man give him a furtive glance. Now ho was sure he should read that note. Ho strolled after the endless band. It would not do to run. The box was some distance ahead. He almost caught up when the band vanished into a hole in the wall—it meant that the box had been carried to another floor. Up some spiral stairs hastened the general, and there he found the band again. Ashenden, guessing that something was wrong, persuaded the guide to go in the same direction. The band carried the box along past benches full of busy workers, and it was impossible for him to snatch the note. The box vanished through a hole in (he wall, and the general, bending down, saw the box in a kind of sorting-room. Then he saw hands take the note from the box and begin to read it. The message in the note was brief: "Two English spies here. 'Phone police anonymously." Rather worried, the general joined Ashenden, who looked at him inquir- ingly. The general shrugged his shoulders. Some few minutes later a portly gentleman appeared, and the guide said it was the manager. The manager stated that he would personally show them round—they were a little sur- prised. But the general guessed the reason for the manager's effusiveness when he chanced to look out of a win- dow. A police car with four or five police in it had come to a standstill in the yard below. Someone had betrayed them to the police as spies. The general knew that the note had been a warning or order for someone to fetch the police. He glanced round quickly, and saw that Ashenden was listening to the manager. His quick wit showed him a slender chance. He picked up a chocolate from a tray and at once choked. It was a violent fit of choking, and the manager and Ashenden thought the general was going blue in the face. "Water—water!" gasped the general. The manager hastened away, and that gave the general his chance. "Trouble—get quick out!" he hissed. "Police!" The manager brought water, which the general gulped and then grinned his thanks. Ashenden glanced round and saw the fire-alarm. The general was still spluttering so that Ashenden was not observed by the manager or the guide, and he succeeded in edging across the room to the alarm. The general turned and guessed Ashenden's purpose —he began to cough very loudly. Ashenden broke the glass with his coat and pressed the alarm signal. He heard sirens sounding all over the factory. The white-coated factory workers had instructions that on the alarm signal they must leave their work at once and get out of the factory. Other workers had instructions to man the fire-engine, whilst foremen saw that there was no panic. Thus the police on charging into the factory were met by a solid mass of white-coated workers, through whom it was impossible to pass. The manager had not observed Ashenden's trick and had rushed away. 25 The general pointed to an emergency exit. They were making for it when a white-coated figure appeared in the de- serted room,, and they were prepared for a fight when the man shouted "Lilli!" They waited for him. "I am Pete," he panted out. "Lilli, my friend. She come see me, say you pay me well, that you bring the money." Ashenden gave the man a searching glance, and was satisfied it was Pete. He dived his hand into his pocket and brought out a number of notes. Five of a thousand francs each ho handed to Pete. That young man's eyes glittered avidly. In turn he handed them a piece of crumpled paper, on which words were written in German. Ashenden gasped as he translated their meaning: "Baron Stecker. Travel Damascus through Nish. Call himself Robert Marvin." "Under noses all the time!" si the general. "We must get out of here and 'phone Elsa." Ashenden cried, all his ideas of resignation forgotten. "I must tell her to try and hold him.'' Sounds of voices made them turn. "That'll be the police," the general muttered. "Ach!" eiied Vote. "They find mo out!" "I save you." the general cried, and suddenly whipped up a crashing blow to the other's jaw. Pete sagged limply on to a mixing machine and lay still. Ashenden made for the emergency door and held it, open for his partner. Together they rushed down some stairs three at a time. The police and officials followed them a few minutes later. They icaehed the yard in safety. Here were crowds of workers all jabbering excitedly because no one knew why the alarm had gone. Casually the two English agents walked through the crowd towards the gates. They were close to the gates when they heard shouts of "spies!" bc- hand them. Now was the time to run. They charged past the gates before any- one could stop them, and thanked their lucky stars that they had told their driver to wait. They bundled into the car. When clear of the factory and safe from pursuit Ashenden got out of the car to put through a 'phone call to the hotel. He hastened hack to the car. "Too late!" "He go?" asked the general. "Yes—and Elsa, too." Ashenden suddenly snapped his fingers. "I've got it—she's on to it. Found out who ho was and gone with him. We've got to catch up." He sank back against the ancient leather. "Seems Elsa was three jumps ahead of us all the time." At the post office they sent a special code message to R. When the general received their message he called two of his staff officers and they went to stand before a huge map of Europe. "Ashenden is on the right man's track at last," General R. said, and pointed. "This German agent has left the hotel for the station and will follow this route to Damascus. He might get away from Ashenden. and we can't afford to take chances. Won't be easy once across that boundary, so I think we must enlist tho aid of the Flying Corps. So if Marvin does eludo Ashenden he won't be very much better off." The Train of Doom ASHENDEN and the general found the midday train had gone, but by car and other trains they set out after the other's special. Through Switzerland they raced and half over Europe until they caught up at Nish in Serbia. They had done the last hundred June 27th, 1938.