JACK BANKS ON TRIAL
Short Summary
This is the second story for boys (aged 8/9 upwards) dealing with the adventures of Jack Banks and his friends featured in the first book, ‘Jack Banks’ Discovery’. Ideally the first story in the series should be read before the second, but this is by no means essential to enjoyment of ‘Jack Banks on Trial’.
In this new story Jack meets with a series of personal trials which put his new-found Christian faith very much under strain. He is greatly helped by his friends who include Ginger who befriended him in his early days at Harlington School, Themba the muscular son of a famous black American scientist, and Mickey the comically valiant smallest boy in the school. Mickey has an even more important and dangerous assignment than before in aiding Jack and his friends to combat the sinister plans of a mad doctor.
CONTENTS
Chapter
1 Jack has to be told
2 Jack takes it badly
3 Aunt Mildred takes charge
4 Ginger’s story
5 Jack resumes his story
6 Capture
7 Doctor N
8 Jack fights back
9 H.Q. of Dr N
10 Mickey’s story
11 Jack’s account ; confrontation
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my three sons, Thomas, Jonathan and James.
John Acton
Because JACK BANKS ON TRIAL is shortly to published by Kindle/Amazon fpr electronic reader the full text has now been deleted, except for the short extract shown below to give a flavour
CHAPTER 6 - Capture
“You leave him alone,” squeaked Mickey while Ginger strained to loosen himself from the cords. “I think they’ll be less trouble if we gag them. See to it, Jarvis,” said Mills callously.
Jarvis grinned and rifled my trouser pocket to pull out my handkerchief, pretty filthy by now. He next produced a large roll of surgical tape and cut off a length. He forced the handkerchief into my mouth and secured it in place with the sticky tape. It was awful. I felt I was choking even though I could, of course, still breathe through my nose. I made a deliberate effort to control my breathing down to a steady rhythm, and it became a little more bearable. I noticed Ginger and Mickey having a similar difficulty.
After a while I heard a phone ringing. Mills pulled out his mobile and said something like, “OK. We’ll bring them along as soon as we can!” I shuddered.
Mills produced his gun again and ordered Jarvis to untie our feet, but use the rope to link our tied hands, so that we formed a human chain with Jarvis holding the rope end. We were going for a walk in the dark and Mills was taking no chances.
The kitchen door was opened and we were forced out by Jarvis and Mills with George and Roberts bringing up the rear. We were led right to the bottom of the garden, through the vegetable patch and fruit trees, and then out of a small gate on to a track through a few stubbly trees at the top of the cliff. We could hear the waves breaking on the shore maybe 9 or 10 metres below. We went down a few steps on a path leading down to the shore when Mills stopped. “Undo their hands, Jarvis,” he commanded from a position just behind us.
“Now listen boys,” Mills said. “My orders are to bring Jack Banks in alive. I am not so bothered about you other two or darkie who scampered off. But I would prefer none of you ended up as strawberry jam on the rocks below - that’s why I am having your hands freed. But watch it. If you try and escape, I can easily change my mind.”
All this time we had been gagged. The exertion made breathing difficult. We had to spend all our energies on getting down the cliff path which was steep and difficult in the dark. With Jarvis and now also George in front and Roberts and Mills with his revolver behind, I gave up all hope of escape for the time being. However, I still clung to the hope that Themba might be able to raise an alarm somewhere and bring help.
As soon as we reached the beach, our hands were tied again behind our backs. There was a long wait but we boys were allowed to huddle together for warmth as there was a chill wind. Mickey and Ginger had come with warm clothing, but I had only slipped a shirt and trousers on hurriedly, when I made (what I thought was) my escape down from the bedroom. Mills noticed Ginger and Mickey trying to shelter me. He cursed but went over to a rowing boat beached nearby, opened a locker on one side and found an oilskin jacket. Surprisingly he came over and draped the jacket over my shoulders. That was a good deal better but my nose had started to run: it was really horrid with the gag in place. I struggled with a sneeze (muffled by the gag) but managed to attract Mills’ attention once more.
“Anyone would think I was a f…….xx nursemaid,” moaned Mills. “All right Jarvis. Provided they promise to keep quiet, you can remove their gags now.”
Jarvis savagely ripped off the surgical tape which made me yelp - but, oh the relief as I breathed in the fresh night air.
Before we had time to whisper our thoughts, there was more bleeping on Mills’ mobile. Shortly afterwards there appeared a phosphorescent foaming about 40 metres out to sea along with a purring hum that quickly grew louder as it came closer in. My horrified eyes could just see the bulk of a submarine rising out of the water. “Oh no, Lord. Not again - please!” I pleaded.
To our utter amazement, the submarine continued coming in through the shallows. It must surely ground, I thought. But no - the humming grew louder and higher in pitch as the huge bulk of the submarine came relentlessly towards us. Mills and Roberts hastily shepherded us to one side. Then the sub swept right onto the shore in a swirling foam of sea-spray and sand which stung our faces. The engines died down and the strange craft settled slowly down on the beach. It was obviously some revolutionary form of submarine and hovercraft.
“Untie their hands and take them aboard one at a time, Banks first,” ordered Mills.
END OF EXTRACT
