The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-03-14
Chapter 80
MARoARETs TASK

MARcARETs TASK
A BANDoN the idea. ! implore
"A you, Fran MaIigni," Herr
Schiacht urged. There are better
deaths than that, and no need for
death at ALL"
There are worse things than
DEATH" replied Margaret, ana felt
that the remark sounded silly and
melodramatic. Il mean. think I'd
sooner die than go on living in this
state Of fear"
"RaisuI" asked Herr Schiacht.
Yes. And the place. Il Il get,
ting on my nerves, everything, ey.
erybody. I cannot sleep now. Oh.
l.. Whom can trust?"
''MineseIf," replied Herr schiachf
quickly. me. You can trust me
as your own Herr Papa"
''Well-for a start-can you civ
me a pistol? It would make all I'll
difference. I think. / should n,
MORALLY afraid Of the thing-but Il
would drive out a worse fear"
"Er-yes. perhaps. Perhaps. yes
And harem-woman's cover-all witt
eye-holes-a complete disguise. SO
that you can visit me--or run to me
for safety. Yes. But IL I do this
for You. and part with my precious
pistol-upon which my life also may
depend-will you do likewise some.
thing for met"
Anything" replied Margaret.
"Gooti Now listen. VIII you
watch where tell you to watch
and report to me what ron seer"
"Yes," replied Margaret.
at Is goot- And viii you tell me-
anything you hear. anything you
hear about what Is going to happen
Gossip, information volunteered b,
your husband; anything Rafsuf may
tell you; any interesting remarks,
statements, speculations made by
the Lady FL lisa Beth 81 Ainf Ey.
erything; anything. | can sift the
information. true from false, my.
self. VIII you do that2"
YES" replied Margaret. @Yes--
except in the case Of condolences. {
mean-if my husband. for example,
said, Promise not to tell anyone
IL I tell you something and then
told me Of .. -"
but you need not agree" inter
rHpted Herr Schiacht. "You need
not SIC der promise"
"True." agreed Margaret. II will
refuse"
"Soi II is goot. Now something
other. A little thing--but impor-
tanE I do not ask you to play de-
coy. Not to be what you call the
yamp. isn't It? You are not of such
a kind -. But do ask this. And
win gif you the pistol when yen
hat promise.
"Now listen. A military mission
comes here soon. Very soon. A
French officer and escort Of Euro
pean soldiers. know the oGcer--
and want you to know him. Your
husband shall arrange. I want you
70 talk to this man. He win be very
friendly: and soon he viii talk
moch. Encourage him 49,.
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 proposals
he makes % you"
"suggestions7 Prsposais7 why
should this officer -
because he q oe that sort. He
win make love 60 you
Margaret sprang % Der fesk
Good Haayems above ual what
on earth do you meani''
"No. no. Fraulein. Listen. All
viii be we'll Il q . goot thing Cor
you--ggot IN every way--that he
comes. Il win lead 10 Jour tree.
dom. yonr escape from here, your
return 70 England. See. you have
no one else to trust. Trust In me
absolnteiy."
@Ali right I WIN trust you---anc
Obey Jon. but give me the pistol.
now. &C onee--as o proof and b
token.~
$50 II is here.s ana Herr
Sehlaeht produced q small auto.
matte pistol and handed it to Mar.
garet
-can yOu use So" Ne asked.
sNo.s
later win aaload it--aad show
yon. Il tlres six times. quick. Or
Just once only. II yoH wish. These
yoa are--now trust nae aad Mstan.
when this officer II introduced
10 you. and you sit on a seat In der
gafden and make CONVERSATION. ask