Evening star., 1941-03-28

and received a reassuring "Lt. NAL
den is doing nicely"
Then she remembered she had not
yet examined the object Dick had
given her for safekeeping. AS she
slipped out for her dress, she saw
that the case, pressed between bras
and body, had left rectangular
imprint on her smooth flesh.
What could it be? Too large for
cigarettes; besides, the corners were
square. 1t was heavy, too-strangely
heavy for its size. Suddenly she
remembered having seen something
like it once in Sir Johns study, and
the memory identified it--a special
type of dispatch case used by intel
ligence agents, who, in the nature of
their duties, could not be burdened
with bulkier stuff. Brinda knew,
too, why it was heavy-because such
cases were constructed so they would
sink instantly if tossed into the
water-a fate that sometimes befel
them when secret dispatch carriers
found themselves trapped, at sea or
on land. Years ago Sergt. Hunt, in
one of his rare moments of discur-
siveness, had explained it all to her.
She wondered vaguely how such
a case had fallen into Dicks hands.
But her main preoccupation was to
conceal ito find hiding place
where it would be safe until he was
able to guard it himself again.
She smiled. The secret drawer of
the jewel cabinet, of course-the
cabinet that was her only legacy
from the mother she had never
known.
The dispatch case fitted into the
secret drawer neatly-as neatly, in
fact, as though it had been made
for nothing else. But what did it
contain? Had she seen her guardian
or one of his men open such a
case? Or was it some instructive,
older memory that guided her slen-
der fingers to the secret lock? 1t
didn't matter; the case flew open
and its contents lay spread before
her.
At first she was disappointed.
Only tightly packed sheets of super
thin paper, covered with micro
scopic words, figures and diagrams.
Then there leaped at her the bold
words: Z-Ray - Formula 13-Re
Wireless and Television.
She thrilled at the thought of
all it implied. His most priceless
secret-and he had placed it in her
care. England's secret, TOPPER
haps the weapon that would defeat
her enemies. Would even the secret
drawer of the cabinet be safe enough
for such a treasure?
AS she hesitated she became con-
scious of a scratching at the door.
Swiftly she snapped the case shut
and closed the secret drawer on it.
None too soon. AS she rose to
her feet she saw the room door
begin to open-slowly.
CHAPTER XXXII.
Brinda watched with fascinated
eyes as the opening grew wider.
She was ready to cry out when. with
a mixture of anger and relief, she
recognized the long, horsey face
and rheumy eyes of the house
keeper. The latter wore a draggled
Mother Hubbard and night-cap.
from beneath which thin locks of
gray hair struggled downward.
For goodness sake, Walker"
Brinda exclaimed in evaporation.
why don't you knock-or at least
just open the door and come in.
Why must you be so stealthy?"
Walker edged inside and closed
the door behind her.
Beg pardon, miss" she answered
hoarsely. II didn't go for to startle
you" She gazed owlishly about the
room. There's strange goings-on
about tonight-queer people coming
and going. I was in worry, you
being so late-lke, getting home.
Maybe you'd be wanting a cup of
tea?"
Brinda was instantly repentant.
Poor old soul-no wonder she had
been infected by the miasma of
mystery that enveloped the Sander
son homel
That's thoughtful of you, Walker,
dear" She kicked off her slippers.
eyes, I'd like some tea, If it isn't
too much trouble" "
I'll fetch it." said the house
keeper. Still with the same surrep-
titious air, she vanished as she had
come.
BY the time she was back, Brinda
was undressed and, clad in a loose
neglige of yellow silk, lay relaxed
on the big, old-fashioned bed-a
massive piece as old it might be
as the Sanderson family tree.
Walker set the tea on the table
by the bed.
"A gentleman telephoned." she
said, almost in whisper. "A for
eign gentleman. A prince he was.
He wanted to know if you was home
yet" She peered intently at Brinda.
Would you be knowing any one
like that?"
Brinda Is Startled.
Brinda smiled Vaslav, of course.