Pictures and the Picturegoer (Jan-Dec 1924)

M'RII. 1924 Picture s and Picture? uer 31 Madams" soid the Raja, " the ayah will conduct you to your room " ews came slowly to the little outpost on the Northern frontier where Major Crcspin was stationed. And coming as it did from remote places it seemed remote in significance. They heard one day of three princes of a small but hostile nation over the borderland, schemers, trouble-makers, agitators caught at last with clear proof of implication in the murder of a little company of British soldiers. The princes had been sentenced to death and were to be executed three days later. The news, being a rarity, was of mild interest, but in no way did it seem to affect the outpost of which Major Crespin was the head. They discussed it for a brief moment and then promptly forgot about it. But that same afternoon came other news more disquieting. A native uprising had occurred at a distant scttlcmentTand the information was that the natives were sweeping down towards the little town where were the baby son and daughter of Major Crespin and his wife. Dr. Basil Traherne, a friend of the family, perhaps more than a friend of Mrs. Crespin's, brought the alarming news. " Even by now," he said, " the insurgents may have reached the town." Mrs. Crespin's beautiful face paled to the hue of paper. " And it is five hundred miles away ^ she cried " 1 must be by my children's side at once. But how? The thing is impossible." . A door opened and Major Crespin stassnred through, as usual, drunk. •rHallo, Traherne!" he said often TKeGreeiA odd ess WILL SCOTT sively. " Come to see my wife again?" Lucilla Crespin bit her lip and looked away, but Traherne faced the drunken boor squarely and told him of what was happening far over the hills. " Good God !" cried the Major. " Look here, Traherne — Traherne — something's got to be done. What can CHARACTERS Raja of Rukh Lucilla Crespin Major Crespin Dr. Traherne Watkins George Arliss Alice Joyce Harry Morey David Powell [van Simpson Narrated by permission from the Coldwyn film of the same name. we do. There's nothing we can do, is there? But — but we must do something . . ." " I came to offer my services and my aeroplane," replied the doctor. " With luck and fair weather, I might get Mrs. Crespin through to her children before the rebellion reaches the town. With added luck I might get them safely back here. It's a gamble, but I'll do my best. if Mrs. Crespin is" willing to take the risk." The major's eyes narrowed and he tugged at his fnoustachc as he turned to his wife. "Well?" he said. " I — I shall go," said Lucilla in a broken voice. " Good," said her husband. " We'll go together. All of us." Lucilla flashed a scornful glance that was lost on her husband, and then all three made hurried preparations for departure. The 'plane was ready, the doctor having arrived in it, and within five minutes all were aboard and the propellors where whirling round. "Away!" cried the doctor. They rose high, higher than the topmost peak of the great hills, and turned to the east. The hour was two in the afternoon, and with great good luck they might hope to reach their destination before sundown. At intervals on their journey each kept looking back and glancing anxiously across the sky to the great golden orb that was racing them. Townships, even mapped territories fell away. They crossed the great Himalayas and their chart became the slimmest aid. Traherne shared his trust between luck and Providence and kept on. Four — five o'clock. . . . And then the doctor felt his heart beating violently. Something was wrong. That little something that always, is wrong in moments of high crisis. Some trivial. tiny thing, no doubt. But an investigation up here in the clouds was impossible. Thcv must land. He turned and