This is indeed a great Christmas Present! the Structure and details of this story have to have been influenced by Chester Gould' s Dick Tracy. And that is by no means a criticism.
But the most curious thing is Zola's dialogue on page 34, where they are 'listening for footprints'. She is made to say, 'How can you cut out the steady throb of Australian Cricketers hoofing the runs?' !
When I got to the end and saw that this story was reprinted in Australia, it seems likely to me that that year (which year, I don't know.) Australia was playing Britain and and a Cricket enthusiast on the editorial team added that dialogue.
Thanks Paw.
Link to the book:
Buck Ryan 51 - The Surprise Bag