Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-26

tn II. STOPFORD stood watching
the closed door in a dazed
way after Nine. C2erna had
H. rushed from the room. The
Ruritania had sailed. Roscoe
was-heaven only knew where Roscoe
was! And he? :. He, with scrap of
baggage and very little cash, was
marooned in city apparently con-
trolled by a mad genius who planned
its destructionl
He went across to the window and
leaned out, hoping for a glimpse of
Mime: Czerna, Roscoe's apartment, on
the sixth floor and Immediately opposite,
was lighted Even as he looked,
wondering:
Hands upl" came a crisp order.
The tone was significant. Stopford
obeyed with alacrity. A big man, clean
shaver and of powerful build, stood in
the open doorway, covering him with
an automatic. This man wore a half
mask of black silk. AS Stopford turned,
the man spoke again, in that same
crisp manner:
Get on with it, boysl"
Three other masked men entered
One began methodical search of the
sitting room, second ran into the
bed room, third explored the bath
room. Then:
Have you lost something's" stopford
inquired ponJeiy.
Where's your pal?" was the reply.
To whom do you refer?"
listen! This guns silent. So will
you be, if you don't answer"
Quite obvious. agree utterly"
But behind the badinage desperate
certainly was taking possession of Stop
ford's mind. At last he was definitely
face to face with the Zone gang.
Not a thing!" reported the searcher
Of the bed room.
"All clear here!"
Same herel"
They stood just behind the man with
the pistol. He. clearly the leader, spoke
again.
Where's your pal?" was what he
said.
But his manner of saying it now
constituted death sentence. Stopford
clenched his teeth. His life hung upon
his next words.
But they were never uttered. A fifth
masked man suddenly entered the room.
And, most astounding circumstance of
all he wore the garb Of priest
Drop that gun!" he commanded
sternly.
Quicker than the words were spoken.
three barrels covered him. AS they did
so, his hand went to the lapel of his
black coat. Drawing it slightly aside,
III,
IN small diamonds, the letter 2 was Set
Get out!" he raped. Leave this
to me-"
An instant change took place in the
bearing of the four masked men.
Zone officer" the leader explained
for the benefit of his satellites, who
had failed to see the badge. Beat it,
boys"
A moment later they were gone.
Stopford found himself alone with the
masked priest. The mask was removed,
and there-his face unnaturally rudy
stood Drake Roscoe.
Mighty near thing, Stoppy!" said he,
Stopford removed his monocle and
began to FURNISH it with care.
1t seems more wonderful than 1t is =
Roscoe explained. II was certainly fol-
lowed right to Father Burke's door, but
not molested. I had a plan. 1t was
but retained the high complexion.
Father Pat is fresh-colored, as you
know. With one of his suits and a
soft-brimmed clerical hat, plus his
tortoise-shell glasses, looked q credit
to the church. called up the mortuary,
feeling moderately sure that Father
Burkes line had not been tapped. They
were expecting me. / saw the poor
devils body; and I found what I'd
come for. Look"
He unpinned the badge and threw 1t
on the table. Stropford bent over 1t.
From there Roscoe continued, Il
raced to my own apartment. The door
was forced. went in--still as the
reverend gentleman. was not followed
beyond Fifth avenue"
'Why?'
'I'll explain later. Stopford, my
rooms have been turned upside down
They were searched some time today,
reclosed and the lock smashed. The
police captain who was one of the
Zone gang. called to confirm the fact
that : had not been there. AS I stood
in that wilderness of the stripped cases
and empty drawers--I stared out Of
the window"
Got youl" cried Stopford. your
window overlooks this rooml"
fortunately, 1t does" 4 Roscoe