The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-04-19
Chapter 32 MARGARET'S TASK

Abandon the idea, I implore you. Frau Maligni,' Herr Schlacht urged: There are better deaths than that, and no need for death at all" : There are worse things than death,r replied Margaret, and felt that the remark sounded silly an6 melodramatic. T mean, I thinl I'd sooner die than go on living ir this state of fear"
 "Raisul?" asked Herr Schlacht.
 "Yes. And the place. It is getting on my nerves. everything, every body. I cannot sleep now. Oh, I ;. Whom can I truSt?"
 'fMineself," replied Herr Schlacht quickly. Me You can trust me as your own Herr Papa"
 'Well-for a Start-can you give me a pistol? It would make all the difference, I think. I should bt mortally afraid of the thing-but i would drive out a worse fear"
 ''Er-yes, perhaps. Perhaps, yes. And a harem- -woman's cover-aI with eye-holes-a complete disguise, so that you can visit me-or TUT to me for safety. Yes. But if oe this for you, and part with my precious pistol-upon which my ltft also may depend-wil you do like wise something for me?"
 Anything" replied Margaret.
 "Goot! Now listen. Will yot watch where I tell you to watch and report to me what you see?" T
 "Yes," replied Margaret.
 'It is goot. And will you tell mo anything you hear, anything you hear about what is going to hap pen? Gossip information volun- teered by your husband; anything Raisul may tell you; any interest ing remarks, statements, specula- tions made by the Lady Fl Isa Beth el Ain? Everything; anything can sift the information, true from false, myself. Will you dc that?"
 Yes" replied Margaret. Yes except in the case of condolences. ] mean-if my. husband, for exam pie, said, Promise not to tell any one if I tell you something and then told me of :"
 But you need not agree in- terrupted the Herr Schlacht. You need not gif der promise"
 True" agreed Margaret. T will refuse"
 'Sol It is got. Now something other. A little thing-but import ant. do not ask you to play de- coy. Not to be what you call the vamp, isn't it? You are net O. a kind But I do ask this. And I will gif you the pistol when you haf promise.
 Now listen A military mission comes here soon. Very soon A French officer and escort of Euro pean soldiers. I know the officer and want you to know him. Your husband shall arrange. I want you to talk to this man He will be very friendly; and soon he will talk moch. Encourage him
 Encourage him-to what?" asked Margaret.
 ITO talk. And then tell me what he says: the sort of things he talks about; any suggestions or propos- als he makes to you"
 Suggestions? Proposals? Why should this officer?"
 Because he is of that sort. He will make love to you"
 Margaret sprang to her feet.
 Good heavens above us! What on earth do you mean?"
 No. no, Fraulein. Listen. All will be well. It is a goot thing for
  you-goot in every way-that he comes. It will lead you to your freedom, your escape from here, your return to England See, you have no one else to trust. Trust in me absolutely"
 ''An right. I will trust you-and obey you. But give me the pistol, now, at once-as proof and a tok- en-"
 so It is here" and Herr Schlacht produced a small auto matic pistol and handed it to Mar garet.
 Can you use it?" he asked.
 No"
 Later I will unload it-and show you. It fires six times. quick. Or just once only, if you wish There you are-now trust me and listen.
 When this officer is introduced ot you. and you sit on a seat in der garden and make conversation, ask him if ever he has heard of Aureille de Tounens. Learn der name by heart, and do not forget it. Intro duce it as naturally as you can. Say that you have recently been hear ing about him (which is true) if this officer, his name is Ricolli- Major Napoleon RicoAi-asks YOU why you mention him. Or say you have been reading about Aureille de Tounens-and that you heard