Pictures and the Picturegoer (October 1915 - March 1916)

PICTURES AND THE PICTUREGOER M« Week ending March ii, 1916 THli BANQUET TO THE TOWN3END3." One of the many big series in Ultus, ami a line example or British film production. clubs. A substantial contribution to party funds had, a few months before Ultus revealed bis band, purchased a baronetcy. Reaching England with abundint funds, Morgan went quietly to work, gathering round him men who owed Townsend a grudge, for the baronet had not won his rapid fame without making enemies. Dramatic was the meeting of Ultirs the Avenger and his comrades that night. Shrouded forms were standing round a table, the top of which was fashioned like a coffin-lid, when " The Chief " arrived. " Greetings, comrades ! " came in soft accents, as Ultus stood at the head. Leaning forward, he placed his finger on the hands of several of his comrades, and in stern tones said, "To you whose bands I have touched 1 give the honour of beginning my work of vengeance. Society and those who cling to its fringe arc making a fuss of Townsend. We will show him that there are those who remember the days when he was simply Gilbert Townsend, the evil-doer." Ultus ha 1 resolved that the first stroke of his vengeance should fall on the night of the banguet given to Sir Gilbert for the presentation of a gunboat to the nation. Flushed with the honour done him. Townsend, the false friend, should reulise that (lie cup of social eminence also held t he bitter dregs of fear. 'I'll. Victoria Salonal the Bote! Royal bad been the scene of many memorable gatherings, but (lie banquet to the Tbwnsends would, the Dispatch averred, ■' be long remembered a one of the most enthusiastically patriotic ever held within the four walls k<\' the idealistic chamber. The speech of the First Lord encompassed the whole of the public activities of a baronet whose every thought was imperial, whose sole idea was the advancement of the British Empire, whose life was being spent for the benefit and uplift of the myriad races constituting the mightiest and most enduring empire the ages had sealed with the mark of pre-eminence and predominance." An hour after the banquet Sir Gilbert and Lady Townsend were at home. The baronet had work still to do, and soon after he had kissed his charming wife good night and had begun to get busy an imposing figure stepped into the room. '•God! it's the ghost of Morgan," gasped the thoroughly alarmed man. " No, it is Morgan himself returned. Yon scoundrel ! 1 am not dead. From to-night I begin, bit by bit. to take back all yon stole from me in the desert. I, who once was Morgan, am now Ultus — the Avenger ! " What do you want F " asked Townsend, hoarsely. "Revengej you villain! Were it not too light a punishment 1 would kill you now." and. seizing the baronet by the throat, he Bung him to the Boor. " You shall hear of me until the name of Ultus haunts you. See that scar r1 Tour money, your reputation. and finally your life shall go to the wiping out of that deed of infamy." Without another word Vitus left the house. Even while the banquet had been in progress lie had begun his work of revenge. "Here," said Ultus io his comrades, " are the plans of the vaults of his Diamond Syndicate. Yon have only the night watchman to deal with. Go, my brethren, and strike a firm blow." Working quietly, the marauders rifled the safe, disappointed that their haul was so small. A hundred thousand pounds' worth of diamonds could scarcely be considered a great coup to effect in the stronghold of such a wealthy syndicate. A knock-out blow had put the watchman out of action, and when he recovered be could not give an effective alarm, as the telephone wires had been cut. Sir Gilbert soon heard the news. Its import was greater than any one else knew. It was all too clear that Morgan was not idly boasting when he threatened.to bleed Sir Gilbert of his wealth and wreck the position he occupied. Whilst the papers were busy " working up " the mystery, a meeting of the directors of the syndicate was held, at which it was unanimously agreed to call in Conway Bass to their assistance. Part 2.— The Crime Investigator. SIR GILBERT TOWNSEND knew he could rely upon the detective to do his best to unravel the skeins of a fast-growing mystery and at the same time not to reveal too much. The robbery was the talk of the town, and the imaginative writers of the sensational Press made the most of the opportunity. Comfortably seated in his cosy flat, Ultus read the conclusion "\ the papers with a smile. Prate as the newspapers might concerning the old-fashioned methods of the police, the Avenger feared their steady plodding more than the brilliance of any private investiga