Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-09-11
E BET 9RE -: THE1RH !;!!:z E!E}!6;
A@ cD7RAP So ~ RUPERT GRAYSON
RUPERT GRAYSON

his consciepce was clear 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 2"
The operator, who knew x we'll,
gave him a quick glance.
mot yet, sir Why don't you
take a bit Of rest, sir? 1 can let
you know immediately. anything
comes through"
mo, 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 to stretch
his legs. Finally came to 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 a momentary vi
sion-of those peaceful roofs and
chimneys shattered ana broken; Of
red flames that roared angrily up
to an outraged heaven; of the cries
ard 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 h saw that, against such
happening, the life of Gun Cotton
of a hundred Gun Cottons-
counted as nothing at all, even if
it put off the catastrophe for only
so much as day. And he knew
that Gun himself would feel just
that way about it, and so felt bet
ter for a few moments.
But Toni?
He glanced at his watch. Ten
minutes after seven. It might be
hours before he got another report
through. Or it might come any
minute. Or, of -ourse, 1t might not
come at all. From now on, all
might be silence as though
Gun Cotton had never been at aH.
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 public who had
never heard of them at all.
Suddenly he registereu 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
g. slip of paper. Presently he hand
ed the result to x, WHO hurried
back to his table, and decided:
&c. to x. Landed in SOM queer
place in the hills. Three men in
G.1313. Two mechanics and man
who calls himself Trent, in Air
Force uniform which doesn't quite
fit. Latter asked questions about
secret plane. I am supposed to be
Hazeldeane's Observation-Disclosures
7 think should be bumped off. We
have been instructed to follow
them again, and are doing so.
While we were away from x O. O.
they refueled her, and put compass
and speedometer out of action.
Why not the radio? We cannot,
therefore, trace our course, but ap-
pear at present to be heading
about S. E. Will report again in 30
minutes, or if anything happens.
Tony"
KS relief was enormous So they
were still alive, and unhurt! He
had the capacity for sleeping in
snatches, as and when opportunity
occurred. He left instructions with
the operator, and went into the
other room to lie down. IN thirty
seconds he was sound asleep.
At the enc of half an hour an
electric bell awakened him, and he
found another message waiting:
&c. to x. Still following. We
have decided to pretend to attempt
getaway, just to see what they
will do. Also because they must
know we suspect something wrong
after finding instruments wrecked,
and if we don't make some move
they may suspect our real motive.
Will report result. Tony" .
x grinned to himself.
g. Good man, Gun! That's the way
to bluff I'M"
Nevertheless, he waited with
added anxiety for the next mes
sage.