The Scorpia Menace by Lee Falk Page A

oblivious to time and place..It was only when the Colonel coughed discreedy that he turned and came back to his desk.
Today he wore a sky blue uniform from the neck of which hung the blue Maltese cross of the Order of Scorpia, the highest honor the kingdom could bestow. Naturally, the Baron was the only man to hold it. Now his blue eyes looked even more startling beneath his short chestnut hair as he smiled his crooked smile at the commander of his security forces. He sat down at his desk and stared at the blank television screen that was turned like an eye toward him.
"So this Diana Palmer persists in her efforts to find out what Scorpia is?" he said.
Colonel Crang shifted uneasily from his position beside the great globe of the world on its mahogany stand. He glanced across at the Baron's disposition map, where little winking lights spelled out the nefarious activities of Scorpia all over the world.
"Koch was quite emphatic on that point, sir," he said crisply.
He glanced down again at the signal sheet in his hand.
"It seems that his Red Alert may have been correctly designated this time."
Sojin smiled again.
"Perhaps," he said softly.
He drammed quietly on the surface of his desk with his thin, restless fingers.
"What is Diana Palmer like, apart from being an Olympic athlete and an explorer?"
He turned his gaze up to the bulky form of the Colonel.
"These are the only two things which the news bulletins seem to know about her. There must be more information."
"There is," Colonel Crang said quickly. "I have her picture here. We've built up quite a dossier on Miss Palmer."
He crossed to the end of the desk and picked up a brown leather briefcase that was lying there. He rummaged around in it, and then came up with a large envelope, emitting a grant of satisfaction. He took a glossy photograph from it and passed it across to the ruler of Scorpia.
The Baron studied the studio portrait with great interest.
"She is beautiful," he said, involuntarily. He shot Crang an approving glance.
"I am obliged for this visual proof of the lady's charms, Colonel."
He turned back to examine the picture again.
"The face has courage, intelligence and tremendous personality," he said.
"Please sit down."
He indicated a leather armchair and Colonel Crang sank gratefully into it. He stared impassively at Sojin who continued to drink in the details of the picture. There was silence in the room for a long time. The faint hum of the air-conditioning seemed an intrusion.
Then Sojin slid the picture to one side.
"I'll keep this," he said.
His blue eyes were on the Colonel again.
"What would be your advice in these circumstances—as Chief of my security arrangements, of course?"
The Colonel leaned forward in the armchair.
"You want my frank opinion?"
Sojin spread his hands wide on the desk.
"Naturally, Colonel."
Crang frowned. He knew he had to speak cautiously at this stage.
"If I were in your position, sir, I would send Signal Black back to Koch," he said.
His words seemed to echo and linger unnaturally under the great oak beams of the ceiling.
The Baron sat as impassive as a statue, his hands firm and relaxed on the blotter.
"Go on, Colonel."
"It would be the best way, sir," Crang went on.
"Within twenty-four hours Diana Palmer would have disappeared forever. Quietly and without a trace."
Sojin was silent for a moment. Then he smiled his crooked smile.
"Without a trace—and quietly—such a famous personality as Miss Palmer?"
He turned to study the picture again.
"An Olympic swimmer? An explorer? Oh, come now, Colonel Crang. You don't really mean what I think you mean."
Crang stirred uncomfortably in the chair.
"You make it sound difficult, sir."
The Baron inclined his head toward his Chief of Securi ty.
"You have hit the exact point, Colonel. It is difficult."
He held the picture up to the light spilling in from the window.
"Don't you think the world press will make a fuss if Miss Palmer disappears? Not to mention television and the other news