Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-30

from his bungalow and said, What
is this, Fritz"
The bearded overseer and two
armed poems had intercepted Shane
Murdoch and John Meade as they
approached the plantation He an
Swered Buchanan in a foreign
tongue, struggling. Buchanan cut
him short with an impatient ges-
ture. He turned to the two mounted
men. He regarded Johns bound
hands, then looked at Shane Muir
dock
Explain, please"
''Senor Junius Thane sent you a
little present, Buchanan"
"a present."
Yeah He thought maybe you'd
like to keep Meade out of circula-
ton for few days"
Bruckmann's cold eyes narrowed
suspiciously. Il do not understand
this"
"Meade's been causing you trouble. "
Shane said Hes been causing
Thane trouble. Thane figures if you
do him favor by keeping Meade
as guest for a time. he'll be able
to do you favor later on. He'll
see you in the morning."
very well. 7 shall do this favor
for Mr.. Thane"
Shane cut the rope from Johns
wrists. waited for him to dismount,
then he rode away. leading the sec
ond horse. Buchanan gestured
toward the house and John Meade
crossed to it.
Tells Juan of Situation.
The front room was bare except
for native rattan furniture; chairs,
table and couch. 1t was lighted by
an oil lamp. Juan CaScoden sat at
the table playing solitaire. He
looked up. his eyes dull in the
pinched pallor of his face John
nodded, and Juan said fatty, Hello.
Leave us alone, Cascoden,"
Buchanan ordered.
Juan threw down his cards and
rose. He moved heavily to the door
John Meade said, "Oh, Juan
I've news for you. The man who
shot the policeman confessed. You
don't need to stay in hiding any
longer"
Il don't? Is that on the level?"
Its on the level. Juan"
Juan laughed unsteadily. That S
swell! Now I can get out of this
place." He turned and walked from
the house.
Bruckmann looked sharply at
John Meade sit down." he said.
sit down" he said again. when
! give an order here, Senior Meade,
it is obeyed."
Sure. =" John sat at one end
of the table, Buchanan at the
other.
Bruckmann opened the holster he
wore and lay his big automatic on
the table close to his hand. He
pulled at black cigar.
Safe, at Least.
Tell me. what is this trick YOU
have worked out? Why do you pre-
tend to come here as a prisoner of
another Americana"
IF you think I'd pretend that,
Buchanan, you're fool"
This Junius Thane, do not trust
him"
You'd better not" John said
Hes going to cheat you out of your
chance to possess San Rafael Valley
He wants it badly. He's discovered
there's oil on it,"
Clever of him." Buchanan said
dryly But I know of the oil
so you didn't want the valley for
a flying feld-or to grow cotton?'
mot to grow cotton, surely. But
I would have constructed a flying
field. Or shall we call it an air
base?"
Call it anything you like" John
said. But you wanted the OIL
1T would bring me much money
Money to finance more elaborate
fifth-column activities?"
For the first time thin smile
touched Bruckmann's lips. you
Yankees amuSe me. You see danger
everywhere, in every shadow. If !
wish to interest myself in Bolivar S
political situation, it does not prove
I'm dangerous to you"
mo" said John dryly. "And 1t
doesn't prove you're not, either"
That's a point for you, Senior
Meade. But I shall speak to you
again tomorrow. after my chat with
Thane. I shall decide then how
dangerous you are-and what must
be done about you"
He lifted his cultural voice
FRITZ" And the bearded overseer
stepped into the room Bruckmann
said, Senior Meade is to be our
guest. Show him to the tool shack
And be sure the door is locked and
an armed man stands guard. Moth
ing must happen to him during his
stay"
Continued tomorrow
(Copyrisht, 1910. by the Chicago Daily
News, Inc.)