The Washington times., 1937-10-25

Voicing my reluctance.
It was rather intricate case
and involved an embassy attache
of our own-the Allied-camp.
There was, at that time, strict
watch set over imports from all
over the world into Switzerland,
and special inter-allied commits
sion was doing the watching.
The idea was that many OF those
imports, while coming under per-
fectly bona fide labels, were SNUG
pled into Germany, while purport-
ing to 90 to other countries.
There was a specially strict
watch set over fruit imports; trop-
ical fruits, packed in innocent
looking rough cotton-the packing
being really prepared, impregnated
stuff, called in French "fulmi-
cotton" an ingredient needed in
the manufacture of explosives, OF
which Germany was traglcalIy
short.
The attache in question was
member of the commission OF con-
troll and was suspected of facilitat-
ing the transit of such goods into
enemy country.
An important bill Of lading, con-
corning a cargo of lines, had dis
appeared from the offices OF the
commission and the idea was that
the young man involved had sub
tilted it, thus delaying the eXaml'
nation of the cargo.
An unidentified shipment would
proceed quite naturally across the
frontier without being searched.
VITAL DOCUMENT
My instructions we're to procure
the missing document at all cost.
I had to search for it that very
night and find it-or else An
other "a hours and the unidentl-
fled shipment would be duly passed
through the frontier by the Swiss.
There were two eventualities:
either our man had destroyed the
paper, or else he had passed 1t to
a confederate. In case he still had
the document, it must be IN his
wallet in his room.
The surveillance exercised over
him all that day had been so strict
that he had not been allowed to
remain alone for any length OF
time. Finally, at a late hour OF the
evening, he had retired to his
room. We had expected him to call
somebody on the phone and we
had listened in.
But he was too clever for that.
Nor had anybody visited him In
his room. Ergo, the discriminating
bill of lading must still be in his
possession.
happened to have rooms on the
same floor as our quarry, as also
had a man who was collaborating
with me in the service. I went to
this mans room around midnight
and we sat for awhile debating
what to do.
Finally, said: Listen, the only
way is for me to go to his room
quite openly. What will happen
there do not know, but I may
have an inspiration.
You may have noticed that the
good Gino has been paying me a
lot Of attention lately. I may per-
suade him that have. at last,
fallen for him and we'll see what
happens -"
LUCKY CHANCE
Luck was with me again, for as
I opened my friends door and
looked up and down the corridor, I
saw another door further down
also being opened-Gino's door!
Whereupon ! slipped into the
passage and, loud and clearly,
said: Good night, darling!" to my
astonished friend, before speeding
away, head bent, in the direction
of my own rooms.
AS I passed Gino's door, an arm
shot out and a hand closed over
my shoulder, while a sarcastic
voice Kissed: 80, little lady! You
pay midnight visits to your friends
and call them darling at parting.
well, why not to me?" The
door opened wider and Gino, clad
In gaudy amber pajamas, emerged
from the room into the corridor.
"Oh, Gino," how you have star.
tied mel" I giggled. please let
me go. I do not want anybody 70
see me in the corridor at this time
Of night"
BEST way to hide the fact is to
accept my hospitality for a few
hours, my dear" His hand closed
tighter over my shoulder and he
began pulling me in.
"Oh, but you are mistaken,
Gino," I argued heatedly. You
have twisted mind-you are al
ways so ready to believe the worst
:. let me go. -"
I managed to shift my position,
so that I stood with my back 20
the open door. while he was in
front of me. in the corridor.
The worst? Why, my dear, !
believe the very best, namely. that
you are friendly soul and that,
having given your company to one
Of your admirers, you will not re.
fuse it to me-unleSs. of course
you particularly want me to tell
the story tomorrow"
But if I do, Gino," I faltered
show do know that you will not
tell the story all the same?"
Il give you my word of honor
he said grandly.
"Well-in that case / shift
ed my position once more. Now
stood Squarely in the partly open
door and had my hand on the
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