"Curtis Steele - Operator 5 - 3409 - Master of Broken Men" - читать интересную книгу автора (Steele Curtis)

Originally published in the September, 1934 issue of Operator 5TM
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Copyright у1934 by Popular Publications Inc. Copyright renewed (c) 1962 and assigned to Argosy Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved. Licensed to Vintage New Media
Operator 5 is a trademark of Argosy Communications, Inc.
By Curtis Steele
THE BLACK MENACE... ...exploded its bloody chaos first at grand D.A.R.
Ball in the nation's capital. Then one by one, a society's great leaders
were snatched away, to return useless, broken, inept men. The populace
seethed toward revolt against a government which was crumbling before
its eyes, and it fell to Jimmy Christopher, to quell the panic and unmask
the dread...
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CHAPTER ONE
JUNGLE JEOPARDY
THE GALA EVENT OF THE WASHINGTON
social season-the colorful annual ball of the
Daughters of the American Revolution-began
with a joyful fanfare of trumpets.
Blood-quickening music pealed through the
brilliantly bedecked auditorium. The thousands in
the great hall, voices hushed, turned to face a
tremendous, draped American flag. The grand
march started to the martial surge of the Navy
Band.
The Secretary of State, arm linked with that
of the gorgeously gowned matron who headed the
patriotic organization, led the majestic procession
across the glassy floor. Behind the impressive
pair strode the officers of the General Staff of the
United States Army and Navy, resplendent in
gold-braided dress uniforms; ambassadors,
plenipotentiaries and consuls followed,
representing, at this important function, all the
great powers of the world.
Vivid, gay and bright, the affair was a happy
manifestation of pride and loyalty to the
leadership of the United States in international
relations. These were to be hours of laughter and
dancing and celebration. Farthest from the minds
of those present in the great, music-filled
auditorium were thoughts of death and terror.
Yet, it came-barbaric murder!
Again and again across the smooth floor, the
stately procession moved, The parade of brilliant
and immaculate uniforms and dazzling gowns
made the grand march a breath-taking display of
colorful beauty. From the galleries, and around
the walls, thousands watched. Quietly and alertly
among them moved men who, unknown to the