Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-12

glancing up at the chief of police, that
you can go home and go to Sleep"
I'm standing by" said Burke
theater tonight. If there hadn't been
any Zones. it would have tempted some
body. I'm not looking for murder
unless it's yours. I'm looking for rob-
berry. I won't allow the house light to
be lowered. I've got three men on the
switchboards.
IF there was a hold-up in the
theater." Roscoe unused aloud, they'd
never made a getaway through the men
posted outside"
Il reckon they wouldn't" Burke con-
coded, cautiously They'd have to
make it under the biggest batch OF
lights in the world"
When the theater filled the blaze OF
Jewels from the box occupied by the
royal partly barely competed with Park
avenue.
The historic GreuZe pearls were there
on the white neck of the beautiful
duchesse. so that when Roscoe accom-
panied her to her box he found himself
suddenly the target of a battery OF
opera glasses.
He had not anticipated being alone
with her, but apparently the other
members of the party had been unavoid-
ably detained. 1t did not entirely suit
his purpose, however AS he stared down
at Distinguished looking. white-haired
lady who surveyed the house through
large tortoise-shell-rim spectacles
he hoped that his dazzling companion
would not detect the signals.
Orchestra B, No. T." signaled Nine
Czerna. Zone officer"
Roscoe noted a thick-set blond man
Orchestra D. Nos. IL and IL, sector
captain and groupmaster."
So the signals flashed. until IS men,
bers of the Zones had been identified
Meanwhile the duchesse exchanged
mods and handWaves with numerous &C
quaintances, some Of them known also
to Roscoe.
Then the performance to become
historic in theatrical annals COM
menced Ned w. Regain, known and
respected by every crook in Christen-
dom, prowled around the house. check
Ing the dispositions of defending forces.
Burke was back-Stage somewhere. No
body knew what to expect. Everybody
was keyed up to an almost intolerable
pitch.
Burke came out of the stage door
and made his way around to the front
of the house. Ned Regain was standing
in the foyer.
"All clear everywhere" said Burke.
It's the Zones, Ned. But what is their
game?"
That was at so minutes after 9. At
10 o'clock the Zones moved.
Below the city red light glowed.
division A." voice reported. Sta
ton covered. Zone officer standing by.
All units at action quarters, Report
ends.'
Garry on" the masked man replied
smoothly, according to plan. Discon-
meet"
"Division B." said a high, harsh
voice. stations covered, Zone officers
standing by. All units at action quar-
Garry on according to plan. Dis
connect"
Division C. Four firing groups from
Zone c concentrated to cover opera
lions on Forty-ninth street. Chief
chemists party arrived Chief chemist
in charge. No opposition thus far. All
units at action quarters. Report ends.
Garry on according to plan. Dis
connect"
Division D." announced deep. cul-
tured voice. Speaking from ONCE OF
sector captain in charge Roxane Thea
ter Zone units and state units as re-
ported. Have readjusted position Of six
operatives. Drake Roscoe has three
times left the box of the Duchesse de
Greuze and been covered to telephone.
Messages in cypher. Ex-zone Oficer
Czerna identified. She is in touch by
Morse with Roscoe. Two operatives de-
tailed to cover. All units standing by
Report ends"
Garry on according to plan: Ex-
Zone Officer Czerna is not to be re-
moved from the rolls, but must De
brought to headquarters without fall
not later than 1890. Disconnect."
AT 10 o'clock every light in the
Roxane Theater went out. Burke had
just got back to the switchboard below
the stage when 1t happened.
In the theater pandemonium had
broken loose. Women screamed. No
body knew why. Men shouted Mo-
body knew what they said. Then:
"Silencep roared mighty voice;
and again: "Silence!"
That MAGNIFICENT harsh voice achieved