The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-11-07
Before The Blitzkrieg
by Rupert Grayson

his conscience was cleas enough
there. But that didn't make his
anxiety any the less.
He rose, and STROBE TO the door
Of the wireless closet jerking It
open nervously.
ANY news ?"
The operator. who knew X well,
gave him a quick glance.
Not vet. sir! Why don't you
take bit OF rest, sir? ! can let
you know immediatel. anything
comes through"
No. that's all right. Bates.
thanks very much. I'd rather stand
by for the moment"
He turned away. but did not
close tie door. For a little while
he paced the office. just 10 stretch
his legs Finally came to a halt by
the window. looking out over the
roofs and the river toward West
Minister The early morning sun
gilded the chimney pots and the
smoke rose. lazily and peacefully,
toward the blue.of the sky. Stand
| ing there X saw momentary vi
sion-of those peaceful roofs and
chimneys shattered ant broken; OF
red flames that roared angrily up
to an outraged heaven; of the cries
ar 4 screams of the injured, the
changing of fire engine and ambu-
lance gongs-and of thin, wicked
cloud of blue vapor carrying death
through the narrow streets!
And r saw that, against such a
happening. the life of Gun Cotton
of a hundred Gun Cottons--
counted as nothing at all. even II
il put off the catastrophe for only
so much as a day. And he knew
that Gun himself would feel just
that way about it, and so felt bet
ter for few moments.
But Toni?
He glanced at his watch. Ten
minutes after seven. 1t might be
hours before he got another report
through. Or it might come any
minute. Or, of purse, 1t might not
come at all. From now on. all
might be silenc. as though
Gun Cotton had never been at all.
He was sitting in his chair again
now. and the operator could see
him through the open door. He
,, looked at his chief with commiser-
alton. and thought Of tie labor and
strain and bloody sweat given by
such men for a pubic who had
never heard Of them at all
Suddenly he registere- attention.
, and turned to his instrument. Then
h. called Sharply:
Something coming through.
sir"
X sprang from his chair, and
> walked to the door The operator
| was already scribbling rapidly on
/ slip of paper. Presently he hand
; &c the result to X, who hurried
back TO his table. and decided:
9 &c. to X Landed in som queer
. place in the Hills. Three men in
G.l313. Two mechanics and man
who calls himself Trent. in Air
Force uniform which doesn't quite
fit Latter asked questions about
r secret plane. l am supposed to be
f Hazeldeane's Observation-Disclosures
e I think should be bumped off. We
? have been instructed to follow
d them again, and are doing so
While we were away from X o. O.
[ they refueled her, and put compass
q and speedometer out of action
s Why not the radio? We cannot
: therefore, trace our course, but APP
p pear at presen. to be heading
: about S. F. VIII report again in &c
minutes. or if anything happens
I Tony"
: KS relief was enormous So they
; were still alive. and unhurt! He
had the capacity for sleeping ir
G snatches, as and when opportunity
r occurred He left instructions witt
: tie operator and went into the
other room to lie down. In thirty
: seconds he was sound asleep.
n Al the enc of half an hour ar
: electric bell awakened him, and h,
Il found another message waiting:
n &c. to X Still following w,
It have decided to pretend to attemp
getaway, just to see what they
e will do Also because they mus
II know we suspect something wrong
t, after finding instruments wrecked
a and If we don't make some mov'
a they may suspect our real motive
Will report result. Tony"
It X grinned to himself.
b Good man, Gun. That's the way
c to bluff I'M"
Nevertheless, he waited will
l. added anxiety for the next mes
e sage.
i ITO Re COnffnued)