Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-19
The Enperor| 3,
OF America Sax R'A"''
Mesrceensan


clearer! There was q period, Roscoe,
durin' which nobody was watchin the
garden!"
THE period" Roscoe continued, dur
ing which she vanished"
Stevens was badly rufded. He had
never before been caught mapping. Two
hours had elapsed since his cross-ex-
animation in the library, but he was
still sore. It was understandable and
he knew he was excused. But it was
laxity. Used to the presence of Mime.
Czerna about the grounds, he had
watched her go down to the old gar
den, had thought how beautiful she
was, had sighed for his lost youth and
had sunk back on the rustic bench.
Yet, between his post and Jumpers,
she had vanished!
There had been such a search as
must have discovered needle in
haystack. No inch of the place had es-
capped examination, but no clue had
they found. From his post, in the rare
intervals when he removed his eyes
from the garden, he could see lights in
Peter Champions library.
And at this moment there had been
a development-which might mean
little or might mean much. Detective
Ellis, one of Burkes men, had come in
to report.
The only house in o five-nile radius
not yet accounted for, chief" said he,
the white house on the hill that was
built for Michael Gollancz-"
Its empty" Burke raped, except
for a caretaker."
mo, it isn't" Ellis assured him. at
found place where could climb the
wall tonight. And that house, sir, Is
full of people!"
What" cried Roscoe.
Secret people moving behind closed
shutters; people who never appear out
sidet So how do they get IMP"
We'll soon settle the point!" said
Burke savagely. Assemble all avail
able cars. Have DAILY in charge
want everything ready to raid that
house in five minutes from now!"
Great Head Center!" Roscoe ex-
claimed. II begin to see light There's
something must do. If I'm late, start
without me-"
Meanwhile, down at his post, Stew
ems turned to stare over the wicket
gate.
He dropped his cigarette and set his
heel on it. -. Something in the Car
dinal's garden was different! In vain
he tried to tell himself that his mag
ination was playing tricks. Plain fact
answered him. The sundial had al
tered. Trained to swift action, Stew
ems plunged for his automatic-when
his hand was seized from behind. He
turned in a flash. Drake Roscoe stood
at his elbow!
Stay where you are" Roscoe or
dered. IF Cumper moves, tell him to
stick to his post. If shout Garry on!'-
whatever ! do or whatever happens
stay here. This garden must be COW
cred all the time"
Then Roscoe went racing down the
steps, around the tiled path and pulled
up short before the sundial The front
of the square pedestal had disappeared!
Where it had been was black cavity!
He had come prepared for other meas
ures, suddenly inspired by Ellis report.
This development was wholly unfore-
seen. He turned his electric torch into
the cavity.
The light shone fully upon bearded
face-that Of man standing in the
hollow under the sundial, so that his
shoulders were no higher than Roscoe's
knees!
Thank heaven, I've found you so
Tom F1ynn!"
THE same, your honor. Was you ex-
pectin' me like?"
II wasn't, Flynn. It's Fate"
"It's the god of the caves, your honor!
Quick! Ye have 10 minutes to save the
colleen! Stoop and come DOWN."
Where are we going?"
ITO the big house on the hill. They
call it G. H. O."
IT knew it," Roscoe shouted. He en-
tered the cavity.
The raid had been fixed by timing.
At a prearranged moment the raiding
party was to rush for the house. Sur
prise was supremely important, Burke
argued.
Now, watch In hand, he stood with a
group of five raiders-waiting. From
the distant house no sound came. Then
Go to it, boys!" said Burke. Hang
on to this ladder, you" He went up the
ladder, personally leading the raid. The
high summit gained, grapnels were re-
versed and the ladders lowered on the
further side Burke's men found them
selves in a derelict kitchen garden.
Further north a second party under
Ellis came over in full view. No greet
ings were exchanged Automatics ready,
II