"Is that you, A.C.?
You remember Mario Escobar?
Good.

I have Hillyard here from the Mediterranean with a clear case.
I'll come over and see you." Mr."A.C.", whose real name was Adrian Carruthers, thereupon took up the conversation at the other end of the line.

The lines deepened upon the Commodore's forehead as he listened.

Then he turned to Hillyard, and swore softly and whole-heartedly.
"Mario Escobar has vanished." "But I saw him myself," Hillyard exclaimed.

"I saw him in London." "When ?" "On Monday afternoon." Graham lifted the mouthpiece to his lips again.
"Wait a bit, A.C.Hillyard saw the man in London on Monday afternoon." Again A.C.spoke at the other end from an office in Scotland Yard.
Graham put down the instrument with a bang and hung up the receiver.
"He vanished yesterday.