Evening Star Newspaper, April 4, 1930, Page 40

‘The Emperor By : Of America Sax Rohmer Copyright, 1930, by North American Newspaper Alliance and Metropolitan Newspaper Service. SYNOPSIS. Comdr. Drake Roscoe of the United 8tates Navy is on the trail 6f a mys- terious criminal band knowns as the Zones and_directed by a chief called “Head Centre.” With the aid of Dr. S8topford he makes his investigations. They take him to the home of Page Sutton, a wealthy man, who is the most recent object of attack. Sutton has two house guests—Dr. Cross and Molly O'Hav, @ friend of his daughter Jume and the miece of the deputy police commissioner. Ned Regan, a private detective; Stopford and Roscoe complete the group. Sutton has in his possession a certain map showing the organization of the Zomes and he believes the attack on him is for the purpose of recovering this paper. Mme. Czerna, an agent of the Zories, has made the acquaintance of Roscoe and Stopford. She is ordered to motor in the region of Sutton’s home, to disable her car and then to ask shelter there for the night to aid “Head Centre” in carry- ino out his plans. Sutton has a pack of Alsatian dogs on his estate. After night- fall they kill @ man who was prowling in the grounds. He is identified as Armitage, Sutton’s valet. Ezamination ©f his eflects show him to be a member ©of the Zone: That night an attempt is made on Roscoe’s life. Regan arrests Mme. Czerna. said the woman passionately. “My danger is great enough Dawn was not far off, but the night ‘was at 1ts blackest. In that bleak hotel Slenderly beautiful in a 'k partly concealed in FIFTEENTH INSTALLMENT. “l AM not thinking of myself,” but your's is greater. Please do as I ask.” apartment the speaker stood, back to the shaded window, her attitude al- , she presented an irresisti- to the man who His its immobitity. But one who had known him very well would have said that he was reulnh‘xl? his composure by a tense effort of will. “Forget my danger,” he said. “I am a gentleman at large, as the line has dispensed with my services. That was my biggest danger-- and it's happened.” “There are worse dangers,” saic Madame Czerna; ‘“dangers that you have never met with in your life, that few know of. I tell you again you must let me go. What you suggest is im- ible. Already they may be here. m\ the light out. I want to look along the road.” “I agree to that,” said Stopford. He touched the switch and the room was plunged into darkness. As the shade was drawn aside, he could see his companion, a vague silhouette against the window. Her attitude was fearful, almost crouching, as she stared along the deserted country road. The building was utterly silent; the country- side was silent. At some spot not very remote the unmistakable song of the sea proclaimed itself, for this quaint old road-house overlooked the Hudson Sound. Following a few moments of stillness: “There is a car with all lights oul Madame Czerna whispered, “just at the bend beyond the tall trees. I tell you it is impossible. ‘They will raid this Place and they are desperate.” “But I'm doin’ ’em a good turn” Stopford whispered back in the dark- “You were pinched by the cops I got you away. Shall I turn it up? “No!” The word was spoken as an erireaty. “They are clever--they would realize what it meant.” “Look here,” sald Stopford,y “I've taken a lot of chances and doubled on my best pal to get you out of & nasty corner. If you think I'm goin’ to throw up the sponge now, you're makin' a bloomer. I've done a silly thing, I sup- pose--but it was the only way open. I couldn’t see you pinched for attemptin’ to murder Drake Roscoe. I wanted you free first. Explanations can come later.” “Yet I was concerned in attempting to murder Drake Roscoe...” It was & dramatic whisper in the darkness, its drama intensified by the accent of the speaker. “What!"” “I have said it. It is true.” 5 “You mean fiu are...!” Stopford's voice failed him. “I mean that I am a criminal. Yes. All that Comdr. Roscoe has suspected of me--all that you must have suspected also--has been true. I belong to the organization called the Zones. I am part_of the machine controlled by the Fire- Proof . | Service | We've been packers shippers to Washington’s best people, for decades, || and base our bid for your business on years of satis- factory service. fiNo job too small or too large to command our at- tention. Phone Natl. 6900 Merchants Transfer | and Storage Co. MOVING—PACKING—SHIPPING 920-922 E Street N.W. DANDRUFF A Sure Way to End It There {s one sure way that has moye dandruff_at liquid arvon from any drug store (this is all you will need), apply it at night when retiring; use enough to moisten the scalp and rub it in gently with the finger tips. By morning, most If not all, of your dandruff will' be gone, and’ two or three ~more applications will com- pletely dissolve and entirely destroy every single sign and trace of it, no matier now much dandruff you may ave. You will find, too, all itching and digging of the scaip will stop in- stantly, and your hair will be fluffy, lustrous, glossy, silky and soft, and look and feel a'hundred times better. —Advertisement. A ©1930, Licorrr & Myzns Tosacco Ca THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, APRIL 4, man who dreams he can become Em- peror of America.” “Good heavens!” “Please.” Madame Czerna urgently as Stopford moved. *“ turn the light up. It would be danger- ous. And, besides--I don't want you to see me.” “Very compromisin’,” Stopford mur- mured. “Compromising!” Madame Czerna laughed mirthlessly. “I am gol tell you a lot of things you want to know. I am going to uncover a lot of mysteries. You can make what use you like of what I tell you. Then, you must let me go.” “I'm prepared to listen,” Stopford conceded, “but this doesn’t mean that I accept your exorbitant terms.” “I don’t care.” She spoke urgently, with intense but strained emrotion. “To- night I have made up my mind to finish with it all. Listen closely, because perhaps I shall never be able to tell you again what I am going to tell you now There is a great conspiracy here, in America. It is secret. It is what we call the Zones. I am only & small part of it--but what I know I am going to tell you.” She g:uxed, and Stopford detected the fact that she was listening intently. FOR HOMES favorite. 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Under these Zone officers are | Drak: three sector captains; and under each sector captain, four group masters.” The dramatic voice ceased. “Yes?” sald Stopford-- E.k'“ o on.” “I was listening again,” Madame Czerna replied. “There are members of the Zones everywhere--perhaps even in _this road house.” But the silence was complete, and presently she continued: “I am a Zone officer.” “What!” Stopford exclaimed. are a Zone officer?” “You “Yes, 1. You are alone in this build- ing, which is surrounded, with an agent of the most dangerous criminal group BUILDINGS With experts ready to prescribe the proper and economi- cal oil or solid fuel for your heating plant fuel always available—we serve our friends as well as 25 years’ experience can teach. 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I'm waitin’ for reasons.” I have Teasons,” “presently. t to assure you of some- thing. I have never to my knowledge assisted in any crime against life-- until tonight. Lately I have found out that I was expec to Head Centre. Tonight I was part of to bring about the death of Roscoe. They were right to ar- rest me. An so for this reason I have finished. Whatever the conse- guence, I am going to tell you all I know. Then you must let me go. You will let me go. Because you will never want to see me in.” “Don’t jump at conclusions,” Stopford murmured. “For the moment, stick to facts. Seems to me there’s one vulnerable s} in this web: I'm refer- rin’ to Head Centre.” “Head Centre is a great genius... “Then you've met him!” Stopford exclaimed. “Describe the artist. Re- }lfle where he's to be caught perform- o NOW ... .... Washington has a COMPLETE HEATING SERVICE AND EVERY SIZE -grow- obey orders of | if 1930. “I cannot describe him,” Czerna replied. Whe: 7 nave sesn . never him he has been ¢ ds “But the bird must roost -some- ‘where?” “I have always been taken to head- quarters, and I suppose the same rou- tine is observed with other Zone offi- cers”--she laughed harshly--“in a closed car. Except that the room in which he has interviewed me is somewhere in New York, I can give you no idea of ts location.” “But it sounds like a nightmare to fhe,” Stopford declared. “If it's true— and Roscoe belleves some fungous farm exists--it's marvelous, but ghastly. And at the same time, it has its weak points. It’s a wonderful web, with one really mgky_polnt. as I remarked before, the er.” He stepped forward in the darkness toward Madame Czerna. “Whoever you are,” said he, “you're a sport, through and through. ~This Zone bloke may be powerful, but I'm goin’ to let you go. We're hand in hand in this thing. How you got into it is & m to me, but 5 - ised to explaih. R “You 't understand,” she said 3 ait until I have told Y oure o to_ tel u're goin’ me everything! | Mot el 3 e’ ' to see iny through tozether,".o * “;'INO no!” she whispered--it's impos- E Then, suddenly, she was clin; to , and arms went around 3 Nor did she resist, until: “Listen!” she whispered. hear it--do you hear {t?” :l'he man's clasp tightened. PPt 5 hear it,” he replied in a low voice. "But don't panic--it may be nothin.” Intruding upon the silence of the house had come a faint sound. It was that made by the creaking of a door being slowly “opened. (To be Continued.) g “Do you “Doris the Shopper” has been placed in a London department store to do the shopping for customers while they e their meals in the restaurant. Film Bankruptcy Plea Filed. 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