1940-01-03 — Page 15

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 3, 1940

THE HOPKINS SECRET PAPERS MANUSCRIPT

(Continued from Page 9)

bat and pads and bag, packing his gloves, and Colonel Parker stood by to help him.

still defeat its most terrible trial of all. On the front page of every news- short messages of paper appeared hope and courage from the heads of every great nation upon the earth.

the first time in history Robin stood up, pushed his tousled For the hair from his forehead and grinned at whole world stood as if clasping hands me. "Lucky to get my innings before-quarrels forgotten, friendships re- the fun began!" he said. "Look at that membered in a last great "Auld Lang heap of chairs!-looks as if there'd | Sync." been a big speech-day rag!"

As Mrs. Buller was clearing away I watched them walk across the my lunch I inquired whether her pre- meadow to

stile that parations were complete for going to led them to The Manor the dugout that afternoon. House. The Colonel was help- "Everything's ready," replied the ing Robin with his bag, each taking old lady. "I'm filling two flasks with one of the leather handles. I saw coffee and taking . Pat's white pullover: a little pale cloud moving in the shadows of the trees.and then I broke to her the news and they were gone.

the

I called "Good night" to a white clad cricketer in the lane beside the gate to my meadow-it was too dark to recognise him, but he called out: "Good night, Mr. Hopkins!" as he passed upon his way.

*

D

"One flask will be sufficient," I said

that I had kept from her as long as possible. "I shall not be coming to the dugout myself, Mrs. Buller. I have decided to stay here."

*

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**

My decision may seem a reckless one; the wilful casting away of my slender chance of survival, but for months the thought of that dugout had Sunday was a calm, clear day, in-haunted me. Ever since childhood I credibly like all other Sundays that had had a horror of closed-in places. had passed in Beadle. Every one at- tended morning service, and in the afternoon I took the long walk I had promised myself on the night before. After tea I read the Sunday papers. I have said little concerning the man- ner in which the newspapers and the radio had dealt with those closing days. Gradually-almost imperceptibly -they had discarded their exciting, almost flippant approach to the crisis. There was an inspiring article by the Archbishop of Canterbury entitled "Courage," and straightforward mes- sages from famous men in different walks of life, all stressing the theme: "There's a fighting chance!-keep your spirits up!"

the vicar re- At evening service minded his congregation of instruc- tions already issued for the following day, and ended a touching little ser- mon with the words: "We shall meet again to-morrow night."

On the fatal Monday I awoke at eight when Mrs. Buller brought my tea. I drew back my curtains upon a dark, leaden morning, more like November than the first week of May. It seemed as if even the normal func- tions of weather had ended, and the country lay embalmed beneath a dusty glass case. As I returned up the hill- side from tending my poultry I found myself panting for breath. I cannot describe the atmosphere of that morn- ing: it was neither warm nor cold- damp nor dry-a dead, fœtid sick- liness surrounded me like a pall.

*

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was

2

#

The newspapers were published upon four pages only that morning. There

cartoon by Bridgnorth: an effigy representing the world facing the moon-behind the world lay all the dead crises and terrors of the past which the world had faced and triumphed over, sug- gesting that the world could face and

STOLEN

More secret documents have been stolen from an unattended motor-car in London.

They were left in a suitcase while the owner, the managing director of a firm which is carry- Ing out work for the Ministry of Home Becurity, made a call in the West End. When he returned to his car the suitcase had vanished.

spent an hour gumming strips of stout brown paper around the frames of the windows. I stuffed the chimneys tightly with wet towels, and even had the foresight to gum a square of paper over the letter-box.

Then I lay down to rest and I may have dozed: I do not know. I can only say that gradually I became aware that sounds had been gathering for some little while in my subcon- scious mind. I rose from the sofa and went to the window.

Definite sounds were above me now -a long-drawn, wailing sigh like an animal in pain. It died away-then came again more fiercely: it became a groan: ʼn shriek-and the hurricane was in the valley.

The wind now came in a torrent-

törrent of one shrieking, ceaseless maniacal fury. I could not move: there' From my garden I could see the

came a great rending as if the whole village people coming from their homes and going into the dugout in Burginhillcrest were being torn open from Park. I should have stayed indoors during that heart-rending hour, for as I watched them go I had a desperate longing to be with them. The squat little figure of Sapper Evans was gaz- ing around as if searching for a late comer who might be upon his way. Was he waiting for me? He came out a little way and looked into the sky: something back, adjusted he went above the entrance and closed the door behind him.

horizon to horizon-I saw the giant elms brace themselves—quiver, and fall ke corn before a scythe. One, seized in a freakish eddy, stood for a few seconds completely upon its head, with its roots waving like branches before it collapsed downwards into its own tangled follage.

**

✡

air at least a hundred feet from the earth. Around it, like small planets, whirled a number of fluffy balls--my chicken house!-my poultry!—dead, helpless, fluffy balls-and I had known them all by namel

Suddenly without warning - the window burst. The force that burst the glass did not come from outside: it came from within as if an invisible elephant were in the room and had leaned against the pane.

The glass flew outwards but made no sound as it fell, and then to my astonishment a pile of notepaper and envelopes upon the writing table whisked

a stream up and flew in through the window. They fluttered up a few yards then dropped like sheets of lead on to the path.

I realised dimly what had happened. The air had left the earth-I re- the words of Professor membered Hartley: "The earth may be jolted out of its skin of atmosphere." But the thought was gone within a second, for almost at once I was struggling in that room like a drowning man.

TO-MORROW: The Wrecked World

U.S. SHIP YARDS BUSY

(SPECIAL TO "CHINA MAIL") Washington, To-day. The latest issue of "Marine En- gineering and Shipping News" states

in United that the total tonnage, war and mer- States yards is now 74 per cent. chant, under construction

In the corresponding period of last year.

Havas. greater than

Something came with a mighty crash

HOW B.E.F. WAS against the back of my house: the whole structure swayed and I heard CONVEYED TO FRANCE a cascade of falling tiles. Mercifully the hurricane was coming from the east: my house was built a little below the hillcrest upon the western side and but for this protection nothing could have saved it from being swept bodily had two away.

As the door closed, the clock in Beadle Church tower pealed the hour of five. The Sapper had been true to military punctuality until the last.

Dazedly I tried to consider my position. If the forecast of the ex- perts was correct, I still

Something_dark_and_square, that hours,

The air outside was growing steadi-looked like a shed, came flying up the ly more stagnant and unbreathable. Il valley, rolling over and over in the

the

London, To-day.

in appearing In an article weekly journal, "Shipping World," Sir John Gilmour, Minister of Ship- British Ex- ping, reveals that the

to peditionary Force was conveyed France in 174 ships making a total of over 400 voyages.—British-Wire-- less.

"SHE'S WORTH A MILLION DOLLARS TO ME...

Why is this beautiful heiress' body worth a king's ransom to the "Cat"? Will the "Cat" get the Conory↑ Thrills....... chills......... and a million laughs rock the screenl

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