Evening star., 1933-06-08

n
~ n you, Frau Maligni," Herr
II Schlacht urged. There are
4 \ better deaths than that. and
no need for death at all"
There are worse things than death, "
replied Margaret and felt that the re-
mark sounded silly and melodramatic.
"I mean, I think I'd sooner die than
go on living in this state of fear"
"Raisul?" asked Herr Schlacht.
Yes. And the place. 1t is getting
on my nerves, everything, everybody.
I cannot sleep now. Oh, Whom
can I trust?"
"Mineself," replied Herr Schlacht
quickly ME. You can trust me, as
your own Herr Papa"
"Well-for start-can you give me
n pistol? 1t would make all the diff
ference, I think 1 should be mortally
afraid of the thing-but it would drive
out worse fear"
"Er-yes, perhaps. Perhaps, yes.
And a harem- woman's cover-au with
eye-holes-a complete disguise, so that
you can visit me-or run to me Tor
safety. Yes. But if I do this for you,
and part with my precious pistol-upon
which my life also may depend-Wlll
you do likewise something for me?"
Anything" replied Margaret.
"Goot! Now listen. Will you watch
where I tell you to watch, and report
to me what you see?"
Yes replied Margaret.
1T is goot And will you tell me
anything you hear. anything you hear
about what is going to happen? Gossip,
information volunteered by your hus-
band; anything Raisul may tell you;
speculations made by the Lady Ell Isa
Beth ell Ain? Everything; anything.
can sift the information, true from
false, myself. Will you do that?"
yes" replied Margaret. "Yes-ex-
cept in the case of condolences. 1 mean
If my husband, for example, said,
Promise not to tell any one if I tell you
something and then told me of
But you need not agree" inter
rupted Herr Schlacht. "You need not
gif der promise"
True" agreed Margaret. Il will re-
fuse"
so! 1t is goot. Now something
other. A little thing-but important.
1 do not ask you to play decoy. Not
to be what you call the vamp, isn't it?
You are not of such kind. But
I do ask this And I will gif you the
pistol when you hat promise.
Now listen A military mission comes
here soon. Very soon. A French ofti-
Ger and escort of European soldiers.
know the of6cer-and I want you to
know him Your husband shall ar
range 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;
c11nupytiNnc rrnnnSQlC hP 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?"
mo, no, Fraulein. Listen. All will
be well. 1t Is goot thing for YOU
goot in every way-that he comes. 1t
will lead to your freedom, your escape
from here, your return to England. See,
you have no one else to trust. Trust
in me absolutely"
"All right. I will trust you-and
obey you. But give me the pistol, now,
at once-as a proof and a token"
so. 1t is here" and Herr Schlacht
produced small automatic pistol and
handed it to Margaret:
Can you see it?" he asked.
mo"
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 to
you, and you sit on 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. Introduce it as naturally as
you can. Say that you haf recently
been hearing about him (Which is true)
If this officer, his name is Riccoli-Maj.