The Wilmington morning star., 1940-11-01
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Yark agent, becomes interested III
4 stranger. who AIS himself Pull
finger, and has an agent assigned
to follow him, but the latter loses
the trail. Guns superior, known
only as x, is interested also, pu1
assigns Cotton to the case OF a
missing bomber. The agent goes
to a new 'hush-hush' station
where new and secret types of mill
tary planes are tested. When Gun
goes up with Squadron Leader Ia
zeldeane in a very closely-guaro-
ed plane, which supposedly con-
tains important ,ecrets OF con-
struction and equipment, but real
" does not, he gets a radio mes
sage to meet another plane, G.l3l3.
Hazeldeane and Gun land at a
spot unknown to them. Three men
get out of the black bomber, one
wearing an R. A. F. uniform.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
There was an expression OF sur
prise on the face of the man IN
uniform as Cotton approached
him. He had evidently expected
Tommy to be flying solo.
He gave them a curt nod, and
spoke in perfect English.
I'm Trent. Which of you is Haz-
eldeane?'
Il ami" answered Tommy.
And this-gentleman?"
This is Mr.-Gunston, my as
sistant. My confidential assistant.
"Ah!" Gun caught a hint of sat
isfaction in his tone, and the faint
est flicker of the eyes. "A civil
ian?"
Tommy hesitated for the frac-
ton of a second and then replied
quickly:
Yes, a civilian"
Good" said the man who
called himself Trent. How about
a cigaret?"
He extended a gold case to
Tommy, who took one. Gun, who
had been aching for a smoke for
hours, had lighted one the mo-
ment he was out of the plane.
Il see you're alight already, Mr..
-ah-Gunston. But-how about
a little drink"
Even the suggestion tastes
PLEASANT" Gun smiled, easily. But
inwardly he was wondering wheth-
er this fellow really believed that
he was Tommy's assistant. He had
not quite liked that hesitation be-
fore his name. And it was impor-
tant. for he believed that his life
depended upon Trent believing
him 10 be a skilled assistant to
Tommy!
Then come this, way, both of
you. I've got the odd spot cached
just here!"
lie turned and led the way, but
Gun saw him give a quick glance
at the other men as he did SO, a
silent signal. The two men were
strolling casually RI to X.O.O.,
IS though to look her over.
One side of the little valley, Or
pocket, in the hills w. ~ they had
landed, rose almost sheer for a
hundred feet or so, and now Gun
saw that there were a couple of
toors let into this natural wall.
Unobtrusively he made sure with
his hand that the service revolver
could be drawn quickly from the
holster.
Here we are!" cried Trent jo-
vially. as he paused in front of
of the doors. mot exactly a
home from home, perhaps, but at
least a pub from pub. That's a
gasoline station next door, but don't
worry about your cigarets - it's
quite safe"
He unlocked the heavy, iron
bound door, and pushed it. creak-
ing, open. The daylight revealed a
sort of dug-out in the hillside, unlit
except from the open door, and
arranged as part office, part work
shop.
Come on in" he invited.
They passed into the gloom of
The interior. The place smelt musty
and reeked of the smell of metal
shavings and engine Gil. There was
a bench, with a foot lathe, vices,
drills, etc, occupying one side, and
a desk Uttered with charts and pa
pers the other. A plain deal table
n the center, and a number of
'ockers let into the wall, which was
Dughly match boarded.
RELA LANAN-COURT RE