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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 13, Issue 7 (October 1, 1938)

Chapter V

Chapter V.

The names of people in this story are wholly imaginary, though the incidents referring to some of the employees as being refugees from the Law are true. In the early days the remoteness of some of the mills made it quite possible for “wanteds” to hide in seclusion for many months.

(Concluded.)

Wednesday night came, and, as usual, Wynder excused himself. Lynn was not long in following as far as the garden gate, which he opened quietly. He could just discern a figure walking in the shadow of the bush, making towards the tram line. After following the direction taken by Wynder (Lynn was sure it was he) he slipped into the bush and made a half circle to the head of the tram line. Lynn judged he was six to eight yards from the place where he had heard indistinct voices a few nights before. In a short while, a low whistle, followed by another, was heard. Occasionally a few words were audible such as “swag,” “gate,” “bridge,” and finally, “to-morrow night, leave under cover, go straight on to bridge, wait for me, and tell Holt not to forget the timber.”

“Good-night!”

“Good-night Colonel!”

Lynn waited until they got well away and then returned to the house. He was not wrong in his calculations. Wynder was no less than the escaped Colonel, and Higgins and Holt were the two “wanted” burglars. From all accounts there were capital charges against two of them. If this were true, what sort of fight would they put up? “It's quite believable,” he thought, “that Holt means to start a fire to divert attention.”

When Lynn reached the gate, on his return, Cushla met him.

“Where have you been? A nice way to leave your best girl when you are going away for a whole day to-morrow.”

“Not so loud, sweetheart. Walls, hedges, and everything have ears.” He put his arms around her slender waist and drew her to him.

“Give me a good-night kiss, Lynn, and mind you look after yourself tomorrow. Although in reality you are going with Dad as far as the tram page 33 line, must I still say you are up in the bush with Dad?”

“Yes, dear. Nobody is to know I'm going with Martin, except your Dad and Mr. Jasper, and, of course, my sweetheart.”

With that they went inside. Mr. Hawkins looked up as they entered and gave them a smile. Jasper also looked up from his book and wagged his head solemnly.

* * *

The following morning Lynn met the car at the outside gate. None had seen him, and Martin was more than relieved when he picked up his passenger.

“It's pretty decent of you, Mr. Kingswell, for from what you have told me it looks like a brush all right to-night.”

“This is the place I think they intend for the hold-up,” said Lynn, as Martin eased up to negotiate the bridge. “Wynder mentioned ‘bridge’ last night, and they wouldn't have time to get any further. They can't leave until after tea, and it would take them two hours to reach here. It will be about 8.30 when we get back to this promising spot.”

“How are you going to work it, Mr. Kingswell?”

“By lying low in the back of the car till you're challenged. Bad as they may be, they won't shoot unless you show fight. You'll have to throw up your hands and then I'll get busy, but shall not shoot to kill, unless it is absolutely necessary.”

Everything went on at the mill as usual. Jasper tried hard to keep unconcerned. He was wishing 6 o'clock would come, and after that there were still three or four hours before he could jump on his horse and hasten to meet Lynn and Martin.

“Whatever you do, Jasper, don't be seen on the road. Our friends will be pretty watchful,” were Lynn's last words.

Dinner went off as usual, after which Wynder said he was going for a ride. He would have a heavy day to-morrow and some fresh air would do him good. Nothing was said until some time after he had departed.

Cushla could contain herself no longer.

“Mr. Jasper, please go to Mr. Wynder's room and see if anything is left.”

“Why on earth—Miss Cushla?”

“Because he would leave everything if he intended to come back.”

Eight o'clock had just struck. Jasper went to Wynder's room. There was a small suitcase which was empty. “That settles it. I'll ask Desmond to put two more hands on to guard the mill.”

He met Desmond on his way to the house.

“Mr. Jasper,” he cried. “Higgins and Holt have just left. Their shack is empty.”

“I thought so,” replied Jasper. “By Jove! what's that glare?” They have started a fire at the northern end. Get all hands quickly. I'll slip along and ring the bell.”

Having seen the glare, Mr. Kay and Hawkins made straight for the mill, and got the two powerful pumps working. As soon as Jasper had heard the alarm, he sought out Miss Cushla, who was standing on the verandah.

“If I could do anything I wouldn't be here, Mr. Jasper.”

“I have just come to tell you the fire can't spread. It may burn a few thousand feet, but by this time there is a full head of water and luckily it's the wet timber corner, so don't worry on that score.”

“It's not the timber, Mr. Jasper. It's Lynn. He may be killed,” and Cushla tried to choke back her tears.

“I can't wait now. I promised Lynn I would leave about half-past eight to meet them, so I must go. I don't want to be there at the finish, but at the start.”

“God bless you, and take care of you, Mr. Jasper.”

Without saying another word Jasper strode away, found his horse, and page 34 page 35 Cushla heard the receding beat of the horse's hoofs on the soft turf.

* * *

Wynder and Higgins had concealed themselves in the scrub, one on either side of the road, and Holt some fifty yards away, towards the mill. They had heard the sound of the car coming in the distance, and in a short while the lights flashed out of the gloom.

The car slowed down as it approached the bridge.

“Careful now, Martin. It's here we're going to have the fun, if we are going to have any,” said Lynn. from the back. “If demanded, put your hands up immediately.”

Lynn had no sooner spoken when two masked figures appeared at each side of the car.

“Hands up! Quick now!”

The car was brought to a standstill. Up shot Martin's hands.

“Do as you're told and you won't be hurt,” said the man on the driver's side.

“Come out now, and keep your hands well up. Here, mate, come and lend a hand to tie up this accommodating gentleman. Take him into the light. Don't move, Martin, else I'll drill you.”

Lynn, so far, had no chance to fire, but the opportunity came as Wynder stepped back, covering Martin. A spurt of flame, and Wynder's revolver dropped to the ground. He caught at his wrist with his other hand.

Martin, taking advantage of the sudden diversion, swung a blow with all his force into Higgins' face. Higgins simultaneously fired his revolver, the bullet tearing a fleshy part of Martin's arm. Higgins staggered backwards. In a moment Lynn wrenched the revolver from his hand. Wynder, though suffering agonies, was groping for his gun with his good hand. When Martin realised his intention he kicked the revolver into the drain. Wynder then turned to make for the bush, but a voice from just outside the radius of light checked him. There was no uncertainty about it.

“Halt! Face round, else you'll go to Kingdom Come, you ungrateful hound,” and Jasper came on the scene.

“Any rope in the car, Mr. Lynn?”

“Yes,”

“You can get it for me, Martin.”

“Right!”

“Wounded, eh?”

“Well, just let me fix this miserable fellow and I'll see what I can do.”

Lynn, in the meantime, was similarly occupied with Higgins.

“Better put a tourniquet on Wynder's arm else he will bleed to death, and that would cheat the law.”

Wynder said nothing. He was ghastly white and could hardly stand. Martin had sat down on the running board. Lynn ripped open the sleeve of his coat which was saturated with blood, took off his own shirt, and tore it in strips, and with Jasper's assistance bound the arm. The wound was not deep, but reached from the elbow up to the shoulder.

“We'll find Holt along the road a bit,” said Jasper. “I laid him out with the butt of the revolver. He was evidently stationed on the road to cut off retreat, and to endeavour to check any advance. He will be coming-to now, so I think I'll look after him until you come along. Can you manage, Mr. Lynn?”

“Yes, quite all right. Now you two, get into the car. No funny business, else I'll hand you over to the crowd when we arrive back.”

Wynder and Higgins, with Lynn's help, got into the car. Martin got in beside them, his uninjured hand gripping the revolver. Lynn took the wheel. They soon came up with Jasper and Holt, the latter sitting on the side of the road in a dazed condition.

“Can you take this fellow in the car, or will I put him on the horse?”

“Put him in somewhere. Tie his arms well,” said Lynn with little ceremony.

Holt was bound and pushed in with his two accomplices, Jasper following behind.

A short way further on they were met by Mr. Kay, Hawkins and Desmond. As soon as the fire had been extinguished they jumped on to the horses which were ready waiting for them, and proceeded at a fast pace along the road.

“Here they come! They must be all right or the car wouldn't be heading this way,” said Desmond.

A few moments later the car pulled up.

“All right, Lynn?” asked Mr. Kay.

“Yes, but Martin is wounded.”

“What happened?”

“Strike a match and look inside, Mr. Kay.”

Mr. Kay did so.

“What a trio—and Wynder of all people. Wounded, too. By Jove! Lynn, you have done well.”

“You have to thank Jasper and Martin. I laid low. Martin bore the brunt. We had better get along with our cargo,” and the car proceeded.

They met Cushla at the gate.

“Are you all right, Lynn,” she enquired anxiously.

“Yes, dear, and as happy as Larry.”

“We had better take Martin straight to the house. Miss Cushla will be along presently and will look after him,” said Lynn.

“I don't know what to do with the prisoners—better wait until Mr. Kay comes. The men won't treat them too well.”

There were quite a number making for the car already. They had not heard full details of the capture and were now clamouring for information.

Lynn turned to Mr. Kay. “You had better speak to the men and tell them they mustn't use any violence, but to help guard against any escape, and to-morrow they will be taken to town and handed over to the police.”

Mr. Kay told the men, and added that they—the prisoners—had already been knocked about a good deal. Mr. Jasper, a little later, would go down and dress their wounds. He concluded
“Springing to one side, he dealt Higgins a blow on the jaw that knocked him over.”

“Springing to one side, he dealt Higgins a blow on the jaw that knocked him over.”

page 36 page 37 by saying the greatest credit was due to Mr. Kingswell, Martin and Jasper, for the capture which, had it not been for the way the affair was tackled, would easily have had fatal results.

The men gave three cheers for Mr. Kay, and for Kingswell, Martin and Jasper. Lynn then drove the car down to the quarters of Higgins and Holt, and the three captives were handed in without obstruction from the men, though the latter crowded round and did not hesitate to express their opinion of the prisoners.

Lynn called for volunteers—“Men who can handle a revolver”—to take turn about to guard the shack.

About double the number needed came forward, and eight were selected. Each was handed a weapon which depleted the whole store of small arms.

“I can't figure yet how Lynn worked it out,” said Mr. Kay.

“It was not so hard,” replied Lynn. I followed Wynder last night and overheard the arrangement. I had to play foxy in the back of the car, otherwise seeing two, our friends would have opened fire. I didn't think for one moment that if Martin threw his hands up they would shoot him, so I waited my chance to engage one of them, knowing that the diversion would give Martin a chance with the other. As Higgins fell he pulled the trigger, and Martin was shot in the arm. With Wynder crippled, and Higgins on his back, coupled with the timely arrival of Jasper, we had it all our own way.”

Cushla ran out and met Lynn. She took his hand and pressed it to her lips.

“Oh, Lynn, how thankful I am you are safe and sound.”

“How is Martin?” asked Lynn.

“He is quite all right. I have washed the wound and bound it with lint, and he is sitting in the dining-room,” answered Cushla. “Where is Mr. Jasper, Lynn?”

“He has gone down to dress Wynder's wrist. It must be awfully painful. I had better run down to him, the poor beggar can't remain all night tied up. And I completely forgot to search them.”

After relieving Higgins and Holt of their pocket knives and sheath knives, and handing the articles to the men outside, Lynn asked them would they make no attempt to escape if he unbound them.

“I might tell you, you have not a chance in the world to escape, as there are armed guards round your shack. We are taking no chances, Higgins.”

The men were unbound and immediately worked away at themselves to dispel the stiffness. Lynn did not have any trust in the two, and kept a wary eye on them as he endeavoured to help Jasper, who might otherwise have gone down in a heap, as the two rushed him. Springing to one side, he dealt Higgins a blow on the jaw which knocked him over. Holt, cowed, went and sat down on the bunk.

“You are a pair of fools,” said Wynder. “You are only making it harder for all of us.”

Lynn jerked Higgins to his feet.

“Now, do you want any more? The best thing I can do with you is to put the handcuffs on. Hold your hands out, and if there is any more trouble with you, I'll tie you up to the wall.”

“I'll make your bed for you, Wynder,” said Jasper, after he had dressed his wound and put his arm in a sling. “What I can't understand about you, Wynder,” he went on, “is that you went back on the best boss that ever a man had. For three months you have been treated as one of the house-hold, and all the while you were planning this robbery, and to make matters worse you associated yourself with a pair of blackguards like those two.”

Wynder did not reply.

There was great excitement when next morning, accompanied by Jasper, Lynn started off with the three prisoners. They were put in the back and handcuffed to one another. Jasper, armed, sat in front with Lynn. A fair-sized mirror was suspended over part of the wind screen and any movement on the part of the prisoners could thus be seen immediately.

They arrived at their destination and the highwaymen were handed over to the authorities. So ended an affair that might have easily cost the lives of two or three people.

The return journey was accomplished without mishap. Needless to add Cushla was on the look-out for their safe return.

Very little was said during dinner that evening. The thought that they had employed a man who had taken a part in their conversation and pleasures as one of themselves—who, to all intents and appearances, behaved like a gentleman, had all the time been a hardened criminal awaiting his opportunity to rob and even kill, if necessary, had naturally the effect of subduing any hilarious tendency on the part of the diners.

Mr. Kay thanked Jasper for what he had done and a cheque for £25 was awaiting him on his office table.

“I can't say much more at the moment—only this, Lynn, that the day you marry my daughter, a partnership in the business is yours.”

“What do you think of that, Cushla?” said Lynn.

“After all, young man,” said Mr. Kay, with a twinkle in his eye, “although I engaged these men who turned out to be desperate characters, I did not repeat the mistake with your engagement. That was justified. Don't you think so, Cushla?

The End.