Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-06
"Exchanee?" said the woman.

SolO GAkC WOLldll
She asked for number, OF which
| Stopford made a careful mental note
Some one passed in the road, just be-
low the window, walking slowly. Then:
Zone IA" said Nine. Czerna
please connect me with divisional
chief. What Is that? He
is on service? . Get him by x at
once and tell him to call-wait mo-
ment."
She put her hand over the mouth
piece and turned to Stopford.
Your torch, quick!" she whispered
What Is this number?"
A ray of light shone out. 1t showed
the beautiful pale face of the woman
holding the instrument as she stopped
to, read the number She nodded, and
Stopford switched the light off.
Nine. Czerna removed her hand from
the mouthpiece and repeated the num-
Der twice.
yes" she said. "Is it clear2 Get
him at once and give him my message
Good-by."
She replaced the receiver.
did you understand"
In the half light Stopford nodded.
whats this blokes Job of work ir
| the world? mean, oStensihly."
will you promise to keep my con.
fldence If tell your" she asked.
Eyes suppose I must"
my divisional chief in private life
Is we'll known business man."
Good heavens" Stopford muir
INJURED. mo wonder Roscoe has beer
So hard up against It'll What a gang
And did I gather that the gentleman
was out on busineSs?"
HE is away on Zone work-yes."
You mentioned * What, exactly
is 'X'?"
"All the officers above the rank Of
group master" she explained, "are pro.
Vided with a portable radio apparatus
a secret invention of Head Center. Mine
was left behind when I ran away. II
is in my manicure case"
Then this midnight sportsman will
be called up right away from his oil
visional headquarters"
Eyes. He may communicate at any
moment
There came loud bang on the door
open this door," commanded 9
harsh voice, "or we'll break it in!''
Stopford threw the door open. -Four
men entered. All wore black half masks
and Carried repeaters. A fifth man came
in behind the quartet He looked to.
ward Nine. Czerna and drew aside the
lapel of his topcoat. There was gilt
! ter of diamonds.
There is a car waiting for you" he
said tersely. Head Center's orders"
/ Nine. Czerna glanced despalrlngly al
! Stopford. There came a sudden out
! cry from below. iIt was suddenly and
| significantly silenced..
"Poor bioke," Stopford murmured
THAT would be the night porter. Eth
cient, but unpleasant"
| The leader of the party crossed to the
| telephone.
In that room which harbored the
only existing copy of the Zone map, a
spot of red light glowed
III. O." voice announced. Report
| Of Zone Officer ga, in charge of party
| covering road house. He has obtained
access in the usual manner, with a
firing group. Group master is covering
night porter. Road held by Groups 8
| Stopford detained. Timed 500. Re-
port ends"
Report of Divisional Chief A"
Report to hand. Chief A is proceed
| ing to road house in accordance with in
structions. This report by x Radio. No
time. Report ends"
Report of H. @. patrol covering"
ITO hand. Patrol reports that two
groups hold all approaches, and that
Zone Officer ga with third group has
entered the road house. Divisional CHIEF
has Just arrived. Timed 5:28. Report
ends"
Silence ensued for the space of min
ute or more; then:
Advise divisional chief" an order was
raped out clearly, ito bring DR.. Stop
ford direct to H. O., entrance T.
Zone Off1cer pa will report to me here
Immediately. Instruct Zone Officer ga
to withdraw acting units to their zones.
All units standing by to be dismissed.
Novel"
The red light went out.
Every interestin'," said Stopford, as
the masked man replaced the receiver.
He glanced at Nine. Czerna, and then
addressed the leader of the group: You
have certainly obtained access al