The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-27
SERIAL STORY
 BORDER ADVENTURE ....,. sy osss @ 4. 4sAo!R ..e ..
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the servants probably thought she was a highly favored spotter or other worker for their chief, and so were anxious to please her.
 "Will be more than 100, senorita," one young Mexican woman told her, after tactful probing. They will be taken over at the New Channel Crossing, as you know, while the de- coys are being sent over a mile up- stream. Is it not clever~ Indeed 1t isl" answered Betty Mary. Luis has given it detailed thought"
 The New Channel Crossing! She repeated that to herself, to make 1t indelible in her memory. Doubt less Hope and Sherry would know where it was even if she didn't. And Barro would have decoy crossing mile upstream! Betty Mary's heart was pounding with excitement anew. Now, if she could just worm one more essential crumb of information.
 Friday will be good night for the crossing" she ventured. May be there will even be rain."
 But is not Friday, is Sunday" the Mexican girl declared.
 "Oh! Then he did change it. Well, haven't had a chance to talk with him in private yet, you see. And that's one of the things wanted to know for sure. You see IT have to be ready on the other side. You understand?"
 "Seguro si, senorita. You are per- | haps the one who arrange the cars to take them away after they cross, eh? It is important, too"
 of course" Betty Mary nodded, striving to keep calm. She had her crumb now!
 T am starting to Fl Paso within an hour," said the Mexican girl. T am a citizen of the United States, too. I can cross freely. So am to be one of Don Luis guards on the other side. Maybe I will see you again, senorita."
 "Goodby," Betty Mary smiled. She wished she knew what kind of guards. Where would they be? How many? She would have to warn about that too when she could get back to inform Hope and Sherry. She realized that her position in the Barro household was a pre- carious one but she also knew that Barro himself was attracted to her, very definitely. She felt that he would make violent love to her when the time came, and it might be soon now that she was visiting him. For 1 tunately, she might not have to try posing as one seeking help to snug gle over her alien friends, as she had planned. Her detective work to date had been almost too easy, she was thinking. Her one important mission now was to get back to Fl Paso with her information as soon as possible. And yet, she must not appear too hurreid; she prob- ably would have to bluff through one or two sketches of his house at least.
 Luis Barro did not come to visit with her, as promised, for more than two hours. She had removed her hat and wrap and put them with her bag in the sun room, taken her sketching pad and sauntered out to a porch, a shaded alcove giving a gorgeous view. All at once, it seemed, he came to her there. He was ultra-formal and there was a significant new gleam in his eyes. Betty Mary caught it at once, and it alarmed her.
 "The senorita has been kept wait ing" he lamented. But them shrugging characteristically-"is no hurry now, since is to remain long time with us, eh?"
 "Oh, but I really must go, Don Luis?" she was using her gabby tourist mannerisms again. T did so want to sketch you in your home setting, but can see you are very busy this week. IT shall call again. I really must hurry back soon now"
 "Is no hurry, no hurry at all, senorita. Is best you rest right here. So you can travel well, when the time come!"
 Travel? Betty Mary looked care- fully at him, trying to retain her pose and her poise.
 You mean-?"
 T mean, senorita, that is long long way to Durango, or maybe Zacatecas. And, of course, Barro the grand smuggler could not use the ordinary trains. He might even have to walk, quien sabe?"
 Betty Marys heart seemed to swell. She must surely see her strained expression in that moment, she feared.
 You see, senorita," he purred now, T am make very suspicious, when so many of my plans fail all at once. My lady with the doll, my men with the submarine-you think Luis Fautino Rodarte y Barro is fool?"
 He half rose from his chair at that and Betty Mary jumped to her feet, hand to her mouth in a quick frenzy of fear.
 But I--you-" she was incoherent, watching him.