Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-09
TheEmperor| B,
Of America S'4 N''"''
and Metropolitan
.

through innumerable cavernS, sound
| of falling water was audible. Except
| for a long and narrow table set be-
| fore the western wall and high-back-
ed Spanish chair ornamented with
stamped leather, there was no furniture.
In this chair the solitary figure was
seated. Strange enough the vault
Serpentine bubble, geological phe-
nomenon in the bowels of Manhattan
the figure who occupied the place
was stranger yet.
On the western side of the central
column speck of red light glowed,
From none of the entrances did any
one appear. But a voice, as that
of someone standing by the table, spoke.
H. O." said the voice, report of
divisional chief C, in charge of party
covering divisional chief B. The latter
Robert Macrae, leaving B headquarters
in charge of subordinate, proceeded at
10 minueS after midnight to the Ruri-
tania. He is now aboard. According
to orders he was covered, but not de-
tanned. Zone officer C has remained
aboard Standing by on boat deck
for instructions. Group master 2, Sec
tor 3 G 2, and group master 4, sector
D l, detailed for special duty, also re-
main in board, in charge of Zone off,
Ger. Party in captains cabin as be-
lore. Report ends.
Report" directed the musical voice
covering divisional chief c."
Report just to hand. H. @. pa
troll confirms. Reports ends"
The snappy nasal voice was that of
one Self-confident and undiSmayed.
The masked man spoke again.
Your reports are unsatisfactory,
he said. and his modulated tones spoke
as through ice If 1 desire YOU to
condense them, shall order it. Unless
l do so, make all reports in detail
This is an official reprimand. Do not
repeat the report of H. @. patrol. Give
me that of group master covering Ruri-
tania from the river, as received"
To hand" The nasal tones were
tor c l, reports that all other visi-
tors are now ashore. All mails aboard.
Dock quiet. Ruritania's engines have
been turned over. Chief officer at sta
ton. First officer at station. All set
for pulling out. Timed 1912. Report
ends"
Silence fell in the sea-black vault
broken only by that sound of distant
falling water; then:
Instruct Zone officer c." said the
musical voice, Ito place group masters
detailed for special duty at selected
points commanding port-Side port
holes of commanders cabin. Zone off,
Ger will be held responsible If both
fail. Advise the rolls, Zone officer and
group masters will report to divisional
chief c, personally. Move"
The Speck of red light went out
Across the polished surface of the table
one long, flexible yellow hand moved.
1t rested for a moment on switch
board.
The vault became plunged in dark
ness 49,.
The only thing I have got to worry
about" said the man who had burst
into Sir Harry Bristol's room, lis this:
Have I covered my tracks,"
DR.. Stopford replaced his monocle,
which he had been Furnishing, and:
From the spots of information I've
been able to pick up about the Zone
people," he replied, II should say de-
finitely and positively, mol"
Il agree with you," Macrae declar-
ed. I've fallen for price that would
buy most any man. But I'm doubling
If I'll live to spend the money"
The captain broke in amiably.
"AS I gather" he said, that a pro-
portion of this committee Is not sailing
in the ship, it appears to me"-glancing
at the clock" that you have roughly
II minutes in which to earn the price
to which you refer
He bowed to Madame Czerna and
the turned to the politician.
DUTY calls" he explained. "Neces-