CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. A SURPRISE CALL 15

II. AN EMPTY ROOM 21

III. BOB HAS A VISITOR 27

IV. THE DOOR MOVES 33

V. A SLIVER OF STEEL 41

VI. IN THE DARKENED ROOM 50

VII. SIRENS IN THE NIGHT 58

VIII. THE PAPER VANISHES 67

IX. SUSPICIONS 74

X. ON THE LEDGE 79

XI. STRAINED TEMPERS 87

XII. STEPS IN THE HALL 97

XIII. BOB FIGHTS BACK 104

XIV. SPECIAL AGENT NINE 112

XV. A REAL JOB AHEAD 122

XVI. IN BOB’S ROOM 130

XVII. THE RADIO SECRET 140

XVIII. MEAGER HOPES 147

XIX. THE MISSING PAPER 156

XX. ON A LONELY STREET 165

XXI. SHOTS IN THE NIGHT 173

XXII. THE LONE STRUGGLE 180

XXIII. ANXIOUS HOURS 187

XXIV. A SOLITARY HAND 194

XXV. THE FIRST CLUE 202

XXVI. A BREAK FOR BOB 211

XXVII. ACTION AHEAD 216

XXVIII. WASTE PAPER 224

XXIX. INTO THE AIR 230

XXX. ON THE EAST SHORE 234

XXXI. THE CHASE ENDS 241

XXXII. “FEDERAL AGENT” 249

AGENT NINE
SOLVES HIS FIRST CASE

★

Chapter I
A SURPRISE CALL
★

Bob Houston, youthful clerk in the archives division of the War Department, drew his topcoat closer about him and shivered as he stepped out of the shelter of the apartment house entrance and faced the chill fall rain.

Going back to the office after a full day bent over a desk was no fun, but a job was a job, and Bob was thankful for even the small place he filled in the great machine of government.

The raw, beating rain swept into his face as he strode down the avenue. A cruising taxicab, hoping for a passenger, pulled along the curb, but Bob waved the vehicle away. Just then