Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1936-09-11


swung the car around on two wheels
and drove straight off the dock.
"Lord, man, didn't think you had a
chance! 1 knew that you must be
half unconscious-and cooped up in
that sedan-well, the water is good
thirty feet deep there. l started at
ter you and then 1 realized here was
nothing 1 could do. You were dead
and that was that. Just one of those
things that happen in this game now
and then, no matter how careful we
try to be.
Anyway, I came back to the Wan
derer. I was certain could do moth
ing for you. And with this whole
case hanging fire, / didn't dare be-
come involved in a mess like that.
You know how these Colon police are"
Bennington shook his head in bewil-
derment. II don't see yet how you
ever wormed your way out of that
sedan"
"And I regret to say I can't enlight-
en- you on the subject" Hawley said.
He added coldly, "I'm sorry wrecked
your car"
Forget it! 1t wasn't mine and the
navy department will pay for it any
way. How'd you get out of the
water?"
81 woke up swimming and a couple
of native policemen tossed me a rope
and hauled me out"
"The cold water, suppose brought
you a cigaret? Mine are bit damp"
lucky"
Very" Hawley said dryly. "Have
you a cigaret? Mine are dit damp"
Bennington tossed him package OF
of cigarets and box of matches.
Then he turned and closed suitcase
which lay on the bed. He asked over
his shoulder:
"Still got that gun I gave you,
Phil?"
eyes"
"Good. You may have to use it
at Chagres."
"I'm not so sure Pm going to
Chagres."
Bennington went on strapping the
suitcase as though he had not heard.
He turned and lifted the suitcase off
the bed. He picked up his hat from
a chair and damned it on. He said
tersely:
"Hawley, I order you to accompany
me-"
"Order and be damned" the other
snapped. Before you start giving
me orders, you might prove who you
are. Where are your credentials?"
Credentials" Bennington snorted.
"Good God, man! Haven't you sense
enough to know that a Nav-Intel
operative doesn't dare carry creden-
tials around with him? Use your
brains, if you have any! If you want
credentials, I can prove very conclus-
lively that I am a mining engineer
from Colombia"
Hawley pondered that for a NOM
ent. Finally he said, GAIL right, I'll
come. But you might at least tell me
what this affair is about. I nearly.
lost my life over it once tonight
twice, in fact-and I don't know any
more than did when first stumbled
on Les Kennedy's body. It seems to
me you're rather unfair, asking man
to go on sticking his head into danger
without telling him why he's doing
it."
Bennington's manner was more
friendly. "Phil, you know damned
well why you're doing it."
Eyes ?"
Certainly. You know that little
girl you're in love with is in danger.
And you're going to see this thing
through until you get her out of it.
Right?"
"Of course, he had hit the nail on
the head, though Hawley wasn't GER
tain whether he referred to Judith or
Georgette.
"And as for telling you any more,
Phil" Bennington went on, Pm not
at liberty to do it. I'm not in charge
Of this case. Pm only obeying orders.
And that is one of my orders-to
keep my mouth shut about anything
and everything. If you want to see
it through on that basis, all right. If
you refuse, I'll have to telephone
in Balboa and get another man. And
you know how long it would take to
get him across the ithmus. Are you
trailing along or not?"
"I'm coming" Hawley said.
II thought you would"
Bennington gave him a WY smile,