Evening star., 1940-01-05
CHAPTER vi.

Herczek. Later she tells him she
thinks Maria is reading her lips.
CHAPTER vi.
Danny Brooks looked at Claire
Dutton in amazement.
"Whatever gave you such an
idea?" the correspondent demanded.
And why should Maria want to
read your lips?"
Il don't know. But that's what
I thought. Perhaps it's just because
I'm nervous, after what I've gone
through today. I'm seeing spies be-
hind every potted palm
Brooks questioned her about Cam
eron's plans-covering the same
ground she had gone over with
Welles Sanford and Pierre Bornet-
but she told it eagerly, hoping that
somewhere she would strike re-
sponsive chord. Remind Brooks of
something Cameron might have told
him when they were together. But
apparently the girls employer had
not confided in his old friend. The
neWspaperman knew nothing about
where he might be.
What I can't understand" he
said, finally, lis why the deuce you
didn't stay on that boat when you
were there?"
And then it probably would have
caught fire in midocean, and would
have been turned out like a nice
crisp piece of bacon" she retorted.
Il don't mean that-of course,
that was serious. You did a great
job in taking that stuff straight to
headquarters. But you didn't really
know there was anything wrong un-
til you got back to Paris. Why did
you come back?"
II don't know" the girl con-
fessed.
Claire Bushes.
Don't tell me you're in love with
Bill Cameron" Danny demanded
suddenly. and Claire felt the color
surge into her cheeks How about
it?" he persisted, as she didn't an
sWer.
"Perhaps-maybe that's it, Dam
n.y. she admitted, slowly. But I
knew I couldn't leave France with
out knowing where he is"
You realize, my dear girl, that
this is war. That your boSs-my
good friend Bill Cameron-has been
engaged in highly dangerous busi-
ness. 1t is very likely that he has
made himself marked man. And
things happen to marked men. Did
that thought ever occur to you,
Claire? l don't want to be cruel.
or brutal, but facts are facts and
you must be prepared to face them" "
I've thought of that. too," the
girl answered. But I'm sure that
he is alive. I'd bank my life on it,"
She had been doubly reassured by
what the mysterious man who signed
himself ". Y" had told her. His
words sung in her brain. Cameron
is alive She didn't mention him
to Danny. though.
Il surely hope you're right-that
your hunch is good one"
Visions Big Headlines.
Danny slipped his wine, contem-
platively.
boy. what yarn! Id get banner
lines in every paper in America
United States Girl Spoils Plot to
Burn Liner That would be one
story. The other one, Famous
United States Secret Diplomat Van
ishes.' Two knockout stories in one
day. and clean scoops at that. If I
could only get them past the CEN
sors!" He scowled at his plate for a
moment and then suddenly his brow
cleared like the sky after a thunder
shower.
i've got it," he exclaimed
They've just reopened the Italian
border. III phone Miles, our man
in Nice-give him the lowdown He
can slip across into Italy, find a
cable station and flash the stuff
direct to New York. It'll be ter
rific!"
Please, Danny, dont!" Claire
begged. 1T may jeopardize every
thing. If Mr.. Cameron is alive
and I'm sure he is-it may mean
his death sentence Pierre Bornet
told me it was very delicate situa-
ton. Don't you see?"
Danny reluctantly agreed finally
that he did see and salved his pro-
fessional conscience by saying that
he didn't believe the Italian censors
would pass the story anyway.
Invited by Maria.
They had been SO intent on their
conversation that neither had no.
ticed that the Rolands, Maria and
Capt. Martin were approaching their
table. They looked up in surprise
as the Russian girl spoke.
We're all going over to my fiat,
Maria said. why don't you two
come along? The cafe closes short.
ly, you know"
"I'd be glad to-" Claire spoke up
and Danny said he could come for 8
time.
Il may have to leave early" hi
said.
Maria's place. it turned out, wa:
only short walk on the Rue du
Colisee, and in few minutes they
were mounting the stairs to the
third floor by dimly lighted stair.
way. AS in every place in Paris
even the inside lights had been re.
placed with tiny blue globes. Any
stray beam that might escape out.
side was Immediately lost in tn,
blackness. Only within homes ane
apartments were bright lights per
mitted and then only if the window
were properly curtained and painted
Paris was taking no chances or
night raids-leaving no gleam O
light to indicate target on which
to unload bombs to an enem!
circling high above.
Gas Masks Handy.
Claire looked curiously about tn
fiat and found it unusually attrac