Mrs. Jones walked into Mr. Blunt's office and closed the door rather huffily.

"What is the matter?"

"Alex Rider is missing in action."

xxx

Alex Rider had been crouching in the foliage when strong hands grabbed him from behind. Very much surprised, Alex lashed out with his foot, but it only met thin air. Suddenly a man was in front of him, holding a canister of Mace. Alex closed his eyes, but the Mace still got into his nose. Alex felt a burning sensation, then something slammed into his jaw and everything went black.