Evening star., 1933-06-13
a. VALIANT ', D. DIST J:

that would make MN sultan OF MO
rocco, worry and embarrass France. and
generally, as I said, trouble the waters.
Then, of course, Germany was going
to fish in the troubled waters-f1sh for
vast mineral concessions, among other
things, as soon as the Kaid was sultan
of Morocco, or, indeed, as soon as he
was strong. and France and spain were
weak, in Morocco.
And SO Germany was sending this
good man, one of their beSt-a real
stormy petrel with the highest courage,
the greatest ability and the widest ex-
perience. Secret service, of course, with
no overt backing, countenance or sup
port from home If he succeeded so
much the better for Germany and him.
self. If he failed and were caught. that
was that-and the end of Herr
Schlacht,' known to his brother officers
as Carl Won Mittengen.
"Well. as soon as We knew all this, 1t
became my business to put spoke in
his wheel-and I conceived the bright
idea CT doing not only that, but being
the new wheel myself if you under
stand me. One fine day it would be a
case of Herr Schlacht Is dead-long
live Herr Schlacht!
Il got in touch-very gentle touch,
lust like velvet-with the Senor Pedro
Maligni, who was acting for the Kaid
in Tangier-and. in short. the Senor
Pedro Maligni sold the Kaid and the
German agent and the whole German
connection to me. He also agreed with
me that the Kaid had had his day and
that it was time for so wise man as
Senor Pedro Maligni to put his money
ON another horse-rat from the sinking
ship.
For I was able to prove to him that
France was going to sink the ship
Did my husband know anything OF
this?" interrupted Margaret.
You want the truth. my dear?"
"Of course, the absolute truth
He was present at my final inter-
view with his father. Jules Maligni was
introduced to me by Pedro Maligni as
his partner and agent. He was witness
to our agreement and he helped me in
my plans for intercepting poor Won Nit
tengen."
He knows, then" said Margaret,
that you are a French officer and in
the French secret service? He knows
you are not Herr Schlacht?"
He knows am a French agent" re-
piled Col. LIE Sage He knows that
Herr Schlacht is dead and buried. 1t
was he who was able to procure for me
mounted German photograph. from
the mount Of which I was able to re-
move the photograph and substitute my
own above the name and address Of the
German photographer"
What happened to the real Herr
Schlacht, mean?" asked Margaret.
II killed him"
Margaret involuntarily drew away.
"Oh, didn't murder him in cold
r1rv~ cltT nf1n 1rr6
killed him in self-defense AS my little
caravan approached his camp one eve
ming, beside a water hole in the Oued
el Draa, he simply turned his men out
and opened fire on us. I don't know
whether he took us for Touareg from
the Tanezruft or whether he had his
suspicious of the Senor Pedro Maligni. /
know I had my suspicious of Maligni
as soon as Won Mittengen opened fire
on us at sight and wondered whether
he were double-double- crossing and had
warned Won Mittengen to look out for
me.
Anyhow, it was, as say, case of
elf-defense-for we'd got to get to the
water-though I don't say wasn't glad
CT the excuse to go for him. So Herr
Schlacht' died that day-and rose again
that night in the person Of rnyself.
Malignis were there all ready to vouch
for me-password, photograph and all"
Filthy treachery!" exclaimed Mar
garet in deep disgust and indignation.
''Yes, pretty bad. 1t might be argued.
Of course" continued Col. lie Sage, that
I'm as bad as they are-the receiver as
bad as the thief"
oh no." expostulated Margaret.
you are working for France, working
for good-not for your own personal
profit. net making money by betraying
the person who employs you and trusts
you"
Col. lie Sage raised his huge hand
and patted Margaret's shoulder.
Thank you, my dear. And now let's
consider the Emperor RiccoI' just for
a moment.
And tomorrow the mystic password
"Yelverbury" again comes TO LIE Sage's