The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-03-17
CHAPTER 8 "YES, MY COMMANDANTv

come with him forthwith, to where Monsieur le Colonel and strange officer-another Colonel-demand- ed his immediate attendance.
 He remembered every incident every word of the interview that had followed.
 Saluting and standing smartly at attention in that little room. speculating regarding the officer and iorn- -jawed, who sat at the table and stared at him with hard ,appraising eyes. ... "Le Legionnaire Otho Beleme?' "Oui, mon Commandant." Your real name?' "Oui, mon Commandant."
 'You are English?"
 "Oui, mon Commandant."
 "The name is French"
 Norman. A thousand years in England"
 The officer smiled.
 "Educated?"
 "Oui, mon Commandant.
 "Where?"
 "At home, at Yelverbury Cram mer School, and at Oxford"
 "Profession?" fs
 "Pugilist." 4o
 The officer smiled. He had watched the defeat of M'Bongu the Invincible.
 Fathers profession?" ol
 Gentleman" sef. .l7
 The officer raised his eyebrows.
 sir Belleme, then?" ar
 Sir Otho Robert Mandeville- Belleme." a
 The officer reflected, as, he scrutinized Otho's strong and handsome, if somewhat disfigured face. Yes, this was his man ]. a tool of his hand Obviously in view of that awful fight+-as brave as lion, strong as an OK, determined and tenacious as one of his own British bulldogs -. Well born, too, well educated; :; probably quite clever; and, by re- port, amenable to discipline and of excellent character.
 Character? Then what should such a man be doing in the For eign Legion? A woman, no doubt Or perhaps merely one of those mad romantics who live for ad- venture, warming their brave hearts in the glow of glamorous dreams. Yes, this man would do
 How would you like to leave the ranks and come with me?" asked the strange Colonel sudden ly.
 Pardon, mon Commandant?" replied Otho in some bewider- ment.
 Do you speak Arabic as well as you do French and English
 "As badly as I do French, but not as well as I do English, mon Commandant," smiled Otho.
 How would like to be seconded and come with me, study Arabic, become an Arab, in fact; until I can use you as one. How, in short, would you like to join the Secret Service, if you satisfied me during your apprenticeship, and passed my tests? A hard and dangerous life for a brave man; with brave mans reward, if he succeeds"
 q should love it, mon Comman- dant Better than anything on earth. Y. But I cannot leave my company"
 Why not?"
 My friends. They joined the Legion because I did. I couldn't ="
 What type of men are these. your friends? English? Educated men? Gentlemen?
 Two of them are pugilists like myself, mon Commandant. All three were sailors"
 Any of them naturally clever? Good at disguise |. good linguists .. good actors?y Otho shook his head.
 No, mon Commandant."
 And you would not leave them?r
 Again Otho shook his head
 No, mon Commandant."
 Well, mon enfant, you are a fool. A silly fool, an Englishman, in fact"
 "Oui, mon Commandant."
 I'm very fond of the English" said the officer, and rising to his feet, extended a huge hand, the grip of which caused poignant but agreeable pain to Otho's damaged fist. |,
 Now listen, and pay close atteY- 'tion. Give me some word-well have an English word, I think that will instantly recall me to you lshould utter it in your hearing.