Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1939-06-23
CHAPTER Fl

CHAPTER 81
"You have heard rumors of this
mobilization of the French fleet?" Sil
Francis asked.
Matresser nodded.
1--WE censored it out of the press,
the Minister declared. 1--WE trusted
to Donaldson to keep things in status
quo until we were in a position to Of
fer our explanation. He seems to
have bungled it or the French esplon-
age is to clever. Anyway, they seem
to have decided that we have earned
our title of 'perfidious Albion The
French fleet passed through the
Straits of Gibralter late this after
noon at full strength under sealed or
ders."
"Where on earth are they off to =
Matresser demanded.
"The English Channel" was the
grim reply: "This way, if you don't
mind, Matresser. This service pas
sage here leads to my study. The
Prime Minister is there and Symons."
They reached their destination
Tring almost out of breath. The
Premier was talking earnestly to Sy-
mons, the press magnate.
Anything fresh from PARISH" Sir
Francis asked Atkinson who was
standing by the telephone.
"Not a word, sir" the latter re-
piled. eve have sent messengers In
every direction for Monsieur Deben-
net but am afraid he is deliberately
keeping away"
"Cut off Paris, them" Tring direct
ed. "Do everything you can to find
the French Ambassador. He may
have been sent for, but it is doubtful
whether he can have left the house
yet. He must be found, Atkinson.
Do you understand that? There was
always a chance of serious trouble if
anything leaked out before tomorrow
Seems to me we've run up against
it."
ct understand perfectly" the young
man declared, hurrying out of the
room.
The Premier, cool and grave, led
Matresser aside.
81 sent for you," he said, because
I am anxious to know whether you
will act at once in the capacity Of
shall I call it envoy extraordinary
from st. James's?"
81 am willing to do anything can,
sir"
evil you leave for Paris or RAM
bouillet tonight?"
Certainly. If Heston can give me
a plane I can be there at daybreak."
"You will have disagreeable task
the Premier warned.
SIT was not exactly child's play, sir,
in East Africa"
"You will have to stand up to q
very excitable man and, if necessary,
you will have to tell him why we did
not dare to trust him."
ct think / understand the situation,
sir, except for one point" Matresser
said. "That, I must confess, puzzles
me-"
roo on"
"Why was full disclosure not made
to the French Cabinet last night? I
understood that that was the arrange
-ment."
"a very serious interference with
our plans arose., the Premier con-
fided. "How the news was kept out
of the evening papers I cannot mag
inc. Symons here, with fifteen CORE
spondents in Paris, knew nothing OF
it. You read of the crashing of the
French plane near Boulogne?"
"Of course. All three passengers
killed, weren't they?'
The Premier nodded.
~The unidentified one was Somer-
by"
"What-Lord Somerby?"
Lord Somerby, our Ambassador to
France" the Premier groaned. mot
one of us had the slightest idea that
he was travelling by that plane. I'm
afraid there was something a little
unusual-but never mind that now
He was on the plane, burned to death
and his papers with him. His ap-
pointment with the French Premier
was never kept. Not soul at oul
Embassy there knew what had hap
pened to him. Our special wire tt