‘You mean the money you loaned me on my Pacific stock?’
‘Sure.’
‘Then how about a deal right now, Issey? I formed a company this afternoon to market the projector. Miss Bamborough’s in it—she’s Hatfield now—an’ I’m figuring to let in Uncle Andy and the Jung people on the ground floor. How about coming in, too?’
‘Vell, vhy not?’
‘Tell you what I’ll do. Call it a day on the Pacific loan an’ I’ll allot you a fourth of all the shares in the Projector Company. Now that’s generous an’ you know it, you’ll see your money back time and again—but there’s conditions.’
Vandelstein’s eyes narrowed. ‘Vat’s der conditions, Mister Druce?’
‘That you sign an undertaking not to part with any portion of your stock, an’ that’s to be binding on your heirs for the next fifty years. Top of that the Company’ll give you full use of the projector in you own concern, but Mozarts must remain independent. They’re to keep out of this rotten Combine for good and all.’
The little Jew spread out his hands. ‘Vell, Mozarts is Mozarts, ain’t it?’
‘Sure—now what do you say?’
‘Vell, Ai never vant no combines, and I vish yer all der luck in der vorld.’
Ten minutes later Mr. Vandelstein and Nelson Druce exchanged letters of agreement.
Nelson’s eyes were bright with joy and excitement. He could hardly contain himself until Issey had left the office, then he seized Avril round the waist. ‘Darling—isn’t it just too marvellous—what gigantic, stupendous luck Issey turning up in London. Pacific’s ours again, for keeps this time. Hatfield’s ours and Jung, and Issey’s tied to keep outside the Combine. Give me six months working the “Z” Projector and I’ll smash them yet.’
But Avril was not listening. A moment before a commissionaire had handed her a thick envelope marked urgent. She had opened it at once and quickly scanned the few carefully penned lines. Her face had grown white and scared—she caught at Nelson’s sleeve and thrust the paper in front of him.
‘What can this mean?’ she asked, with an anxious frown. ‘Oh, Nelson, what can it mean?’
He took the thick sheet of paper from her and read:
‘Lord Gavin Fortescue presents his compliments to Miss Avril Bamborough and Mr. Nelson Druce, and requests the honour of their company for supper tonight at Claridges Hotel. Should Miss Bamborough and Mr. Druce have prior engagements Lord Gavin Fortesque hopes that they will make their excuses to their friends and give him the preference, since by so doing they will have the opportunity of meeting the real owner of the “Z” Projector.’
Nelson looked up with a puzzled frown. ‘I sure don’t like it, honey, not one little bit.’
‘Shall we—had we better go?’ Avril asked nervously.
‘I guess so—best know the worst if there’s going to be trouble. If we only knew for certain that paper’d been destroyed or sunk with Hinckman in that bog!’
‘Perhaps Hinckman got away after all.’
‘No, he couldn’t have—I saw the place with Marrofat in daylight after—he could never have got across.’
‘Then the thing I signed must have gone down with him, or else burnt in the cottage.’
‘That’s so, honey. Anyway, we’d best go and see what all this is about.’ As he spoke Nelson took her arm and led her out into the vestibule.
On the way to Claridge’s Avril leaned her head on Nelson’s shoulder as they sat together in the back of her car.
‘What does it mean, sweet?’ she murmured. ‘What can it mean?’
‘It’s got me beat, dearest,’ Nelson confessed, ‘but I wish you’d let me take you home to bed—I’ll go see this bird later.’
‘No, darling, no. We’re in this thing together. I wouldn’t be happy to let you go alone. But there can’t be anything in it, surely? It’s someone who’s gone mad—or some joke?’
‘Wish I could be sure of that,’ Nelson answered uneasily. ‘When you were staying over in Hollywood there was some swell with a name like that at the Garden Palace. Ronnie Sheringham knew all about him—twin brother to some Duke or other—got a kink in his brain because he didn’t inherit, so I heard. Now, I wonder?…’
‘What, dearest?’
‘Well, you know I’ve had a hunch for some time that there was a bigger man than Hinckman behind this Combine. If this is the man who was in Hollywood when the trouble started it is just possible that he is the bird.’
‘But what can he mean by the “real” owner of the “Z” Projector, Nelson? If there is anything in it the whole of your wonderful triumph tonight goes for nothing.’
‘I know, honey, I know—an’ it’s a whole heap worse than that—we’ll be wiped out altogether. But there can’t be anything in it—there just can’t.’
For the rest of the journey they sat silent, both a prey to a new and terrible anxiety.
When they arrived at Claridge’s they were shown up at once to Lord Gavin’s room. Both endeavoured to conceal their surprise at the queer little figure that greeted them. Avril thought that she had never seen such a strange clever face, it reminded her of those marble heads of the Caesars in the British Museum; strong—powerful—full of determination, but soulless and blank about the eyes.
Nelson found something almost repulsive in the small but perfect body out of all proportion to the massive head.
‘I am delighted at the honour you do me,’ Lord Gavin bowed, ‘particularly as your evening must have been a tiring one. Even success is apt to take its toll of energy. Permit me to offer you some refreshment.’ He waved his hand in the direction of a side table upon which stood caviare and fresh toast, a variety of things in aspic, and a beautiful array of fresh fruit—nectarines, raspberries and a golden Canteloupe.
Nelson motioned his offer aside. ‘Very nice of you, Lord Gavin, I’m sure, but the last few days Miss Bamborough’s been far from well—I guess she’d be in bed now it it weren’t for the rather curious wording of your invitation. If you don’t mind we’ll get right down to that.’
‘Indeed yes, I know quite well to what you refer. However, you will join me in a glass of wine. I can recommend the Steinberg Cabinet, a very fine example of that famous vineyard—but perhaps youth prefers champagne?’
Avril smiled, the little man seemed so anxious that they should partake of something. ‘One glass of champagne,’ she said, ‘and just the tiniest morsel of caviare, if you insist.’
‘I’ll take a glass of Hock,’ said Nelson, a little unwillingly. ‘Now let’s get down to business.’
‘Ah, business—a most distressing word,’ Lord Gavin murmured. ‘Nevertheless I must thank business for the pleasure of receiving you tonight.’ He helped them carefully and sipped appreciatively at his Hock.
‘You mentioned something about the real ownership of the “Z” Projector.’ Nelson kept anxiously to the point. ‘Now what precisely did you mean?’
‘I will answer your question by another. Were you aware—before tonight—that I was interested in the film industry?’
‘I certainly was not.’
‘Exactly—I thought as much. Well, I am, and to a very considerable extent. I own majority holdings in Reno Films, Alpha Talkies and Ubiquitous.’
Nelson’s brows darkened. ‘Then you’ll be the man behind the Combine?’
‘That is so,’ Lord Gavin assented gently. He was feeling in a particularly good temper tonight, and he held all the trump cards in his hand.
‘It was a great conception,’ he went on smoothly, ‘a very great conception indeed, but, unfortunatley, my poor friend Hinckman lost his head—and with it, I understand, his life. That entails a few alterations in my plan. Perhaps it would have been better for all concerned if you and I had done business together before, Mr. Druce. Things might have panned out very differently.’
‘We shouldn’t have,’ said Nelson sharply.
‘Indeed?’ Lord Gavin’s eyes glittered suddenly. ‘And yet, young man, we
are about to do business together now!’
‘I doubt it.’
‘We shall see—let us review the situation. Upon my side I have Trans-Continental Electric, Klein Brothers, Stillman Comedies, Reno Films, Alpha Talkies, and Ubiquitous. Do you think you can stand up against such a combination?’
Nelson gave a short laugh. ‘Stand up and win,’ he said firmly.
‘I see. In that case I take it you would not be prepared to join the Combine, even if I offered you the great position at its head which Hinckman has left vacant?’
‘You can. Just how far you’re concerned in the murder of my old man an’ Miss Bamborough’s uncle I can’t say, but there’s one thing I do know. This Combine’s a dangerous menace to the whole industry and I’ll spend my last dime to smash the darn thing up.’
‘Dear me, what vehemence—but no matter, I have the answer to my question. And now, my young friend, perhaps you will tell me why you are so certain that you will succeed?’
Nelson leaned forward, his eyes hard and gleaming: ‘Because you’ll never be able to float the Combine—that’s why! Vandelstein has given me an undertaking tonight to stand out. You’ll never get him now—and you’ll never get Star Artists or World Wide. You’ve got no pull in Europe either; Jung and Hatfield both remain independent and so shall I. There’s too much weight against you—an’ every one of your companies has landed itself with enormous commitments trying to pull this thing off. In six months I’ll have rebuilt the Pacific Studios on new and better lines out of the insurance money that’s coming to me—and when all your companies are down and out the profits on the new projector will send Pacific stock soaring to the skies!’
Lord Gavin nodded. ‘My congratulations, Mr. Druce, you are a most intelligent young man. You have forecast with complete accuracy the position as I foresee it myself. Unfortunately I have failed to secure the margin of supremacy which I have always considered necessary to the successful formation of a Combine, and I must pay the price of my defeat. I am sure it will interest you to know that I have decided against the flotation of a Combine.’
‘Is that so?—well, I’ll say it’s a darn good job.’ Nelson did not seek to disguise his dislike of Lord Gavin’s personality.
‘You think so?’ The little man smiled. ‘Well, that is my decision, and I think we are agreed as to its result. The other companies must stand on their own. Their shares will fall in an alarming manner whilst yours will rise by leaps and bounds.’
‘Well, I guess that serves you right.’
Lord Gavin shrugged his narrow shoulders. ‘Let us not engage in personalities, my young friend. The point is this: I have said that I must pay the price of my defeat—I am willing to do so. Those vast profits which I foresaw will never mature now, but—I have expended capital. I propose to take no further interest in the film industry—but I mean to retire with honour from the field I—my capital must come back to me.’
‘If you’ve dropped money, I’ll say that’s your look-out.’ Nelson frowned. ‘Anyhow, I don’t get what you’re driving at.’
‘Simply this. You will remain in the industry and will therefore have an opportunity of reorganising certain companies if they come under your control—work which I have neither the patience not the expert knowledge to undertake. I propose therefore that we should do a little exchange. You will make over your holding of Pacific stock to me—the rise in value which is certain to take place will enable me to get back the money which I had expended—and I will make over to you my entire holdings in Reno’s, Alpha, and Ubiquitous.’
‘You’re mad! exclaimed Nelson, utterly dumbfounded by the quiet assurance with which this sinister little man put up such an absurd and outrageous proposition. ‘You’re clean dippy!—why should I?’
‘Ah!’ Lord Gavin quietly sipped his Hock. ‘That is where the “Z” Projector comes in. You made the rights over to Miss Bamborough, did you not?’
‘Well, what if I did?’
‘And she, since your release from prison, has made them over again to you?’
‘That’s so.’
A sudden tenseness seemed to come into the atmosphere of the curtained room. Lord Gavin’s pale eyes held Nelson’s steadily.
‘Are you aware that Miss Bamborough made those rights over to Miss Loveday some days ago, and therefore had no power to return them to you?’
Nelson’s mouth suddenly went dry. ‘Yes,’ he said anxiously, ‘but I thought … ’
‘You thought that the document had been burnt, eh?’
‘Yep, or gone into the marsh in Hinckman’s pocket.’
‘Well, you were mistaken,’ Lord Gavin purred. ‘Miss Loveday had the sense to secure it when the police broke in.’
‘Vitelma?’
‘Yes—and in the confusion she managed to evade capture, although I gather that the poor girl spent a most uncomfortable night. The gorse bushes of our English Commons are apt to play havoc with silk stockings and a tender skin.’
‘Where is she now?’ asked Nelson angrily.
‘In Spain, ‘I think. I made it my special care that she should leave the country with all expedition. That was the least I could do when she came to ask my assistance to escape the attentions of the police.’
‘By it, you mean, by handing over this thing which they forced Miss Bamborough to sign.’
‘As you wish,’ Lord Gavin shrugged, ‘the point is immaterial, what matters is that Miss Bamborough made the “Z” Projector over to Miss Loveday, who in turn made it over to the Trans-Continental Electric—and that I hold both these documents.’
Nelson was thinking quickly. He had signed the articles of a Company to market the projector only that afternoon—worse, he had sold a quarter share to Issey Vandelstein that evening. Both were fraudulent transactions, and he realised that he had placed himself in a terrible position.
‘Well, what do you figure to do?’ he asked bitterly.
‘I have a choice,’ Lord Gavin answered slowly, ‘strictly speaking, Trans-Continental Electric own the projector now. By handing over these papers I could save them from bankruptcy, and for that they might be willing to pay me a very handsome sum. On the other hand, Hinckman is dead, and I might have some little difficulty in obtaining the money from his successors—particularly in view of the fact that the patent is legally theirs already.’
‘That’s so?’
‘However, there is an alternative. None but ourselves know the existence of these papers. If I destroy them your title to the projector will be once more indisputable, and your own Corporation will reap the benefit of your invention.’
Nelson gave a grim little laugh. ‘Sure—I get you. You mean to soak Trans-Continental Electric who have the legal right to it, or else soak me whose moral property it has been all the time—well, what’s your price?’
‘Merely this little exchange of shares which will enable me to participate in your good fortune.’
‘Say I refuse?’
Lord Gavin shrugged again. ‘You would be a very foolish young man if you did. Apart from any question of a Combine the company which owns the projector will have the whip hand of the rest. You will be bankrupt in six months if you reject my offer, and I shall find ways to make the other people pay. I wish to save myself trouble—that is all.’
For a moment Nelson sat with his head buried in his hands, then he looked up again. ‘O.K. I’ll do it,’ he said slowly.
‘You can’t, Nelson—you can’t,’ cried Avril, ‘don’t let him have his way—that signature of mine was obtained by force, it’s not legal—let’s fight it in the courts!’
‘No.’ Nelson shook his head. ‘I’ll do it.’
‘Thank you.’ Lord Gavin stood up. ‘I felt sure that you would see the good sense of agreeing to my wishes. The papers are already prepared here on my desk.’
Nelson scrutinised each paper carefully, and then with seeming unwillingness, he signed. Lord Gavin took the papers one by one and blotted them carefully, then retaining h
is own, he returned the others to Nelson. After which he unlocked a drawer and produced the two original documents that had been signed by Avril and Vitelma.
‘Would you kindly examine these?’ he asked affably.
‘Thanks,’ said Nelson briefly. ‘Yes, they’re O.K.’
‘Good, then let us destroy them and drink another glass of wine to our new partnership.’ As he spoke Lord Gavin threw the papers on the fire, where they burned merrily.
Nelson accepted another glass of Hock, then he said slowly:
‘Let’s just get the new position clear, Lord Gavin. I control Reno’s. Alpha, and Ubiquitous, while you control Pacific. Is that so?’
‘Exactly. You see, my young friend, how modest I have been.’
‘You certainly have,’ Nelson laughed suddenly.
Lord Gavin glanced up sharply. ‘What do you mean?’
Nelson drank up his Steinberg Cabinet and set down the glass. ‘Only that you’ve made the most colossal bloomer. The “Z” Projector doesn’t belong to the Pacific Corporation. It never did. It’s my own private pigeon an’ it’s a separate company. Pacific’s don’t benefit one cent; you may think you’re cute, Lord Gavin, but this time you’ve been properly stung.’
The wrinkles in Lord Gavin’s broad face suddenly seemed to deepen, for a second he glanced at the fireplace where the vital papers were now blackened ash, and as he did so the hand that held his glass trembled so that he spilled his wine.
‘That is not true,’ he stammered thickly.
‘It certainly is.’ Nelson took Avril’s arm. ‘And now, since there’s no more to be said. I guess we’ll be getting along.’
‘Wait—wait one moment.’ Lord Gavin eased the collar at his neck. ‘I haven’t finished—you can’t do that with me, young man.’
Avril became afraid. Lord Gavin’s pale blue eyes had suddenly filled with fierce burning malevolence. The little table on which he leaned shook as he stood before them, trembling with rage.
‘And why?’ asked Nelson calmly.
‘I know too much.’ The words came in a hoarse whisper, almost a snarl. ‘What of the murder of Angelo Donelli?—you did it! Yes, you!’ Lord Gavin pointed an accusing finger.
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