Page:The Magic Carpet Magazine v04n01 (1934-01).djvu/5



A thrilling tale of the Russian Five-Year Plan and a romance that was surrounded with perils and death

TODDARD turned to the window with a growing fascination. The semi-oriental splendors of Moscow stretched away, following the banks of the Moskva. The city was crowned with a diadem of gold and blue domes and minarets like ivory lace against the lapis lazuli sky. Farther up the banks of the river, the ramparts and bastions of the Kremlin rose against the heavens; and beyond that, the lonely leagues of melancholy steppes stretched to the far horizon.

Somewhere, a great bell was vibrating dimly. The American grinned. He thought of Napoleon, Tchaikovsky, the 1812 Overture.

Behind him, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," called Stoddard.

The door opened and a young man entered; a handsome young man, with a 3