The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-07

tention. If they want an American aviator who is flying for China or a secret agent who works for Japan, be that person. Why should honorable gentlemen be without money in Shanghai? You are smart, maybe plenty handsome. Dc not let blonde missy make fool ot you."
 The two giant Russians had been seated at a table near the dance floor. Mundy looked back and saw his glass was full again. He threw the fiery contents down his throat The proprietor's last sentence stuck in his mind.
 No woman's making 8 fool of me-" he said. Now shut up. My bill will be paid"
 But yes, but yes." Again the other reached for the glass. T re- spect the way you feel. am most sorry. would feel honored to lend such a gentleman sum sufficient for present needs, but. unfortu- He turned unhurriedly to see what nately business has been most bad ' was now expressing Mundy, "Ah-h-h-h."
 Enter the Girl
 A girl was entering the cellar cafe from the street, a wrinkled old Chinese woman trotting at her heels. The girl might well have been an American. Yet there was something continental, almost cos mopolitan, in her bearing. A long camel-hair coat set off her dark hair, but could not conceal the slender grace of her body. Her fingers, which rested on 8 handbag she carried tucked beneath one arm, were long and slim.
 There seemed to be something regal in the poised and yet almost exuberant manner in which she bore herself, behind the lead of a lowing Chinese, to 8 table near the orchestra. She laid the handbag before her. Looking up from 1t, her eyes met Rex Mundy'S. Unconsciously, Mundy reached up and unbuttoned his collar He funl- bled with his tie. His eyes were intent on the girls all the time and yet there was nothing brazen about it.
 "You do not want to rot out your life here," the proprietor mur- mured, shifting closer to Mundy who seemed unaware of his pres ence. You do not want to sink lower and lower, until you become no better than the drunken skele- tons who haunt the waterfront. No no. Besides, no longer can l extend your unpaid bills.
 "A friend is coming with plenty of money, you say. Maybe" The hybrid moved his head slightly "See missy. She returns your glances warmly. Dance with missy Occupy her with pretty words Dance her near corner where fat purse from her. You and I will shall be standing. I will slip that divide its contents" He hissed ,'Ii you do not do this another shall.
 The Meeting
 Mundy had already pushed back his chair and, in answer to the girls faint smile. started toward her table. The proprietor clutched at the sleeve of his coat. Scarcely noticing, Mundy jerked it away.
 Hello" It seemed an absurd thing to say in such circumstances, yet his mind could not seize upon anything appropriate.
 Hello"
 She smiled.
 Isn't this a queer place for some one like you to be?" Mundy said deliberately.
 I'm not asking you that"
 There was a throatiness to her voice, although her English was perfect. She was partly Russian, he assumed. There was an aSton- ishing air of competence about her.
 Sorry" Mundy laughed shortly. Dancer"
 She hesitated for 6 moment. Then, not breaking the spell by speaking further, she arose slowly with her bag under one arm. She did not remove her coat. but went with him.
 Mundy found they were dancing easily to @ wild tune that caused the heterogeneous crowd to bob and jerk responsively within the cramp- ed space. He protected the girl as much as possible from colliding couples.
 "As e matter of fact" she was breathing close to his ear, T never expected to find any one like you here."
 Mundy was suddenly conscious he was wearing Q dinner jacket.
 "It's the clothes that threw you off?" Then she laughed agreeably May I ask if you're Q stranger tc this part of the world?"
 I'm . stranger to Shanghai. Ant you9"
 "More or less" she likewise hedged.
 'sThere are safer places you ogult have picked to visit alone"
 "But ! am not alone"
 Trouble Ahead \ NNsss.Slst Ameha<4 hla hnaA hAuen M