Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-10

another Zone agent, kHowH as the
Dnchesse de GTeuze, Is advising Head
Center of ,DhGt goes on aboard ship.
TWENTY-FIRST INSTALLMENT.
TN a cavern in the bowels of Man.
haitian section of a curious map
was Illuminated It showed the
i streets leading to and Immediately
surrounding the docks used by the
big ocean passenger lines. The vague
light shining through the colored sec
tions of the map revealed a black
robed figure behind a long table.
Above the map section a spot Of red
light showed itself. The map disap-
peared.
III. O." said a nasal voice. "Div1si-
onal chief D reports that great Head
Centre orders immediate call x and
direct connection. Urgent. Report
ends.
"Disconnect," the masked man re-
piled.
The red light disappeared.
A faint sound came from the long
table. A green light sprang to life
under the yellow hand manipulating
Head Centre, New York." said the
musical voice.
A woman replied.
"Great Head Centre" she said. "Al-
teration Of plan on Ruritanta. Port
hole captains cabin not practicable.
Reprimand divisional chief c. Centre
operations on boat deck, port side, aft
Of captains cabin. Act Immediately.
You are now responsible in person.
Reinforce units covering: Onacers en-
gagged are endangered. Move"
The green light disappeared. In
stantly the red light leaped up on the
shadowy pillar.
III. g." said the nasal voice.
Instruct divisional chief c." came
the order, ITO reinforce units covering
dock area. All sectors from West
Thirteenth and West Fourteenth streets
to Fifth avenue must be open. This
is q general emergency order. Instruct
Zone officer G to place group masters
detailed for special duty at selected
points on port side of boat deck and to
supervise in person. In the event of
failure, Zone officer G will If neces-
sary follow firing routine and take to
THE river. Advise group master COW
ermg. Divisional chief G will then re-
port to me, personally. Move"
The red light went out ....
Drake Roscoe returned along the al
1eyway, curSing under his breath. For
tunately, he was familiar with the ship,
and having lodged the captains stew
ard he now headed again toward the
cabin. But he was wasting time.
Things he wanted to know-must
know-were being told in the ward room
by the renegade divisional chief. If
his instinct should prove to be wrong,
he was laundering badly. And 1t was
sheer instinct, or inspiration which had
whispered to him that the telephone
call Of the Duchess de Greuze was more
important than any revelation Macrae
he ~
gathered a word. But as he approach
ed the door, he could hear voice 80.
"Oficers engaged" 1.-TWO or three words
which were intelligible) go. "Move"
Silence followed. Whereupon Ros-
coe raped sharply and opened the door.
The DucheSse had apparently just
closed her handbag. But Roscoe con-
cluded that this meant that she had
been using powder pun.
"a thousand apologies!" he ex-
claimed. please don't let me inter-
rupt you. But think left note
book on the tablet"
mo apology is necessary. Command
err" she murmured. II fear I must
hurry ashore!"
what" Roscoe exclaimed.
"My pearls-they are historic you
know-were left behind at my hotel 80.
and they have Disappeared"
"I shall go ashore" she replied. II
don't dare to face my husband without
the Greuze pearls! My baggage my
maid will see ashore at Cherbourg."
She held out her hand. Drake stooo-
ed, and kissed the tapered fingers.
Forgive my rudeness," he said, "but
I must go!"
He raced back to the ward room. As
he burst in, Stopford grasped his arm.
NKaAo,oo r1or1ao raiSod q FINGER tn her
lips; r.d,o,. p,,rt. vb,snerea,
quiet"
Robert Macrae was seated at table.
Before him rested the tiny instrument.
He depressed button, and:
"H. O." said nasal voice-appar-
emily in the ward room!
Raising q warning hand:
''Division B." Macrae replied.
"Your report-quickly!"
''Now In my cabin. Party assembled
remains the same but now IN ward
room. Have not been put in touch with
any other officer aboard. Standing by.
Urgent. Timed 1888"
'Proceed to the boat deck" directed
the nasal voice. "Cross to rail-port
side-between two boats. Zone ON
Ger will meet you. Head Centres Or
derS. Move. DiSconnect."
"I must carry out my orders" Macrae
said. otherwise I should be Of no fur
ther use to you'll If you follow me. Mr..
Burke or Mr. Regan, keep out OF sight.
If my Zone duties take me ashore. wait
nv call late fortnight. shsn call you:
Mr.. Champion Stand by at home J"
He hurried from the room. Roscoe
exchanged a glance with Stopford and
Cover me, Regan!" he snapped.
Ned Regain followed Roscoe out.
Down in the second-claSs accommoda-
tions a Young officer was eScorting the
lovely Duchess de Greuze through piles
of baggage to where solitary gang
plank still connected the Ruritan1a with
shore. This phenomenon was due 70
the captains orders. Nobody knew why
those orders had been given.
some one was coming up the gang
';Stand away therel" reared the nth
oficer. "Go back!"
"I'm Capt, Markham from police
Il don't care. Get of that plankl"
Markham hesitated. But the omcer
"AIlow me to precede you, Madame"
The dock gained safely: :.
ssTf you're from police headquarters"
said the ships officer to Markham,
syou can do a useful job. This lady
IS the Duchess re Greuze. She has lost
historic pearls. Tip OF the customs
people and see she's taken care Of.
She's returning to her hotel"
Police Captain Markham saluted the
fair passenger.
"At your service" he said, although
my times short"
The duchesse extended her hand to
, the nth ofacer.
THANK you." she said.