The Washington times., 1938-01-15

Switzerland, and who is
sought by the French.
A SECRET SERVICE AGENT.
openly, at once, as my future huS-
band?
In common with others, he
thought that I was a divorcee and
he could not see why he should
wait any longer. 1t was now a
question of marking time and pre-
venting him from looking outside.
The launch shuddered; the
motor spluttered and died down.
A moment and the boat had swung
into another little cove and was
coming to a stop at the foot Of
a wooden landing stage. With
an oath, Vexlinden flung out of
the cabin and followed on his
heels.
Ran short of gas-must alight
here" the driver muttered, scram-
bling over the side of the launch
and bending down to lift the boy
out.
Where are we?" Verlinden
peered into the darkness. His
hand had fallen to his hip and I
saw him loosening an automatic.
I seized his wrist. Don't be a
fool" I said, "the driver will go
up the hill and bring gas. Well
wait here ..."
1t was at that moment that the
reception committee appeared and
my son, with a whoop of joy. ran
up to the man in front and threw
himself at him, Mon Colonel"
he shouted, here we are! And
we have a present for you!"
I had utterly forgotten that the
boy was sure to recognize both Al
bert, the driver, and the Sans
Souci, our service" launch.
But, ere could coherently mar
vel at the Self-control and discre-
ton he had displayed during that
long day, things began to happen.
Verlinden threw himself for.
ward with a snarl and his auto
matte spat out once. twice. I
saw the Colonel snatch up my son
and jump aside, with the child
held tightly to his breast-but be-
hind him, a dim, blue-clad figure
slumped suddenly to its knees.
EvrTTTAy~S r-%u-
I threw myself upon the up
raised arm and pulled with all
my strength. Verlinden swung
round. wrenched himself free
and brought the butt of the re-
volver down upon my head-I
ducked just in time, but the blow
fell on my shoulder and I stag.
gered and fell.
Instantly there was pande-
monium. Albert came hurting
back, clearing the low rail of.
landing-stage and deck at one
jump, and falling squarely on the
Belgian. Several gendarmes and
two officers in "civvieS" Joined
the fray Justify. Verlinden fought
like a madman.
You hooligsns! You cannot ar
rest me on Swiss soil!" Verlinden
shouted.
Granted" the colonel answered
soberly, busting his knees and re.
adjusting his accoutrements, "but
since you were brought convenient
ly to a French anchorage, at the
head of the lake-we can :"
The reception committee, with
Its prisoner in the middle. moved
slowly up the hill, where the large
blue car belonging to our service
in Thonon, waited.
Albert sent the Sans Souci skim
ming over the dark waters, across
the lake, in the direction of the
Swiss shore. I sat in the cabin,
nursing a dislocated shoulder, and
my son curled up on the cushions
at my side.
Mummy" he said dispassion.
ately, you know I guessed at once
what you were up to, as soon as I
saw Albert and the Sans Souci!
Wasn't it a scrumptious fight,
what?"
well, you'd better keep quiet
about it," answered a little un.
graciouSly.
1t was with mixed emotions that
heard him explaining my ban
daged shoulder few days later,
in Berne:
I'VE went for beautiful picnic
on the lake" he said, "but mum
my, as usual, insisted on doing
tricks and stunts"
THE END