Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-18

4
NV A door at the end OF
the long room opened
Police Capt. DAILY came in.
mo news" DAILY reported.
DR.. Stopford removed his monocle
and began to polish it as though this
task were his only job in life. Drake
Roscoe put an arm around his shoulders
and gripped hard.
Keep hold of yourself, old man." he
said quietly "She will be found"
I'm sure of it" Burke declared with
out conviction.
Page Sutton nodded agreement, but
he looked tired and hopeless. The
country home of Peter Champion was
no place for a rest cure these days.
Lewis Bronson had disappeared under
mysterious circumstances. The Bron-
son home in New York had been par
TALLY destroyed by fire. Popularity, 1t
was supposed that Bronson had persisted
in the flames. Only Roscoe knew the
astounding truth.
John Wilberforce Wright, now almost
certainly future governor, had been
compelled, by political affairs, to leave
New York. He was covered by a bat
talon of detectives. Peter Champion
and Page Sutton were his most influen-
tial hackers. The Zones were out to
defeat Wright. Peter Champions coun-
try home was a good deal like a be-
leaguered fortress.
The brains controlling defensive
measures against the most formidable
criminal organization in history were
gathered in the house. Armored planes,
adjacent, were in readiness to take the
air. Three military searchlights had
been placed at selected points in case
of night attack by air unitS-operat-
ing from their So-far untraceable base.
The grounds were patrolled day and
night. The immediate neighborhood
was. to all intents and purposes, under
martial law.
Such was the menace of the Zones.
It was felt that anything might hap
pen. Drake Roscoe distrusted every
inch of New York City. And so the
staff headquarters had been moved out
side suspected areas.
And now Stopford, having regained
control of himself, turned to Ned w.
Regain. At this phase of the campaign
against Great Head Center they had
assumed definite duties. The famous
investigator was responsible for policing
the grounds of the house. The job
was entirely in the hands of members
of his vast staff.
IT put it to you. Regain" Stopford
SAID. you've examined every square
inch Of the place, inside and out. 1t
bristles with blokes trained to hear a
mouse breathin'-yet a member of the
party goes for stroll and doesn't
come backw
''She hasn't passed the gates" DAILY
assured him. MY men would challenge
o fly!"
Burke's police were responsible for
covering the house. DAILY was in charge.
"It's still daylight" said Peter Cham
pion, addressing Regain. she was seen
by your man, Stevens, going down to
the Cardinals Garden"
1.-THE other man." Stopford broke in,
''what's-his-name on duty at end of
said garden, reports she didn't come
out that wayl What's the answer"
There's no clue in the garden,
Drake Roscoe assured him gravely.
You were with us, Sloppy, when We
examined it."
Nine Czerna, ex-victim Of the Zones
and Shepherds wife-to-be, had van
ished. unaccountably, magically, from
their midstl
In the white domed room the
Duchesse de Greuze was seated. She
touched button on keyboard. Ir
the lacquer cabinet red light sprane
to life.
&c. H. O." said a gutteral voice.
Report" the duchesse directed, "oi
Divisional Chief B."
ITO hand. Division Chief B, in per-
sonal charge of party covering Cham.
pion home, reports that area is divided