Evening star., 1940-01-20
CHAPTER q.

CHAPTER Fl.
Claire would have collapsed If Bill
hadn't reached out and taken her in
his arms. He could hear her heart
beating against his chest, racing
madly. Her face was contorted with
fright.
He leaned down and kissed her
gently on the lips. and then again,
as she clung to him.
"1t's bluff" he whispered. "They
can't possibly know of this place
Don't be afraid. but be very quiet"
Come out, Cameron" the voice in
the bedroom called again, an angry
note in it now. 1--WE know you are
hidden here. 1t will 60 worse with
you If We have to hunt for you'll"
There was complete silence for
more than minute as the man
who had shouted waited for an
answer. Claire's heart was still
beating wildly and it seemed to her
that its humping could be heard
through the wall.
Then they heard a cultural COM
mand IN German in the next room,
and the sound of several persons
moving heavily about. The search
ers apparently were looking under
the bed, behind the chairs, the cur
tains, every place a person might
hide.
From the kitchen and the other
bedroom came sounds of a similar
hunt, the banging of doors.
Orders Wardrobe Moved.
Suddenly a voice rang out.
Come here, all Of you! Stand
guard IN front of this chest! This
is where he's hidden! When you are
ready, I'll open the door. Shoot If
he makes move! He's a desperate
mani"
Claire closed her eyes.
The test had come-the test OF
the careful efforts that had been
made to entirely conceal all en-
trance to the hidden room.
Ready" she heard the command
and recognized again the voice. II
was that of George Roland
The door of the big chest was
flung violently open, and there was
the sound of man jumping to one
side. Roland obviously was taking
no chances on risking his precious
skin.
They heard his exclamation OF
surprise when the opened wardrobe
revealed nothing. Then they could
hear him breathing heavily. Evil
IDENTIFY he had thrust his head in
side the chest.
Move this WARDROBE" he COM
manded.
The Search Falls.
The heavy chest grated against
the wall. Then came the careful
sounding of the walls, searching
for some hidden room that might
give hollow sound and reveal q
hiding place. Smart, sharp raps.
Claire blessed Frau Weber's dead
husband for having done such a
good job. He had, his widow told
her, placed a thin plate of padded
steel IN the panel so that if ever
it were tapped it would give of
the sound Of a real wall.
Roland, cursing now, ordered his
men to put the chest exactly as it
had been.
"A mistake has been made some
where" he said grufhy. "The per-
son who denounced Frau Weber
was wrong. We must put every
thing back as it was, SO she will
not suspect that we have searched
the place. She Is too valuable to
us to arouse her anger"
Claire and Bill heard the chest
being pushed back into place and
the men moving about the apart
ment for several more minutes
Then, at last, the sound of the
outer door being closed.
The girl collapsed weakly onto
the cot and her body shook with
convulsive sobs as she finally gave
way to tears.
She was still unnerved half an
hour later when a sharp knock
came on the wall and they heard
the voice of Frau Weber calling to
them. There was a note of alarm
IN her voice, which turned to relief
as Cameron sprang up and pulled
the lever that opened the wall panel
Frau Weber Alarmed.
"How you frightened mel" the
German woman exclaimed as they
appeared. Il thought don't
know what I thought"
1--WE had visitors" Cameron ex.
planned, and went on to tell he,
what had happeneI- Frau Weber's
face reflected the fm she felt
and Lii rushed to the door, opened
1t cautiously and looked out,
Then they do suspect us, mother, >
Lili said as the American finished
1T seems so. There has been q
slip somewhere. Perhaps you were
followed here, Herr Cameron?"
I'D swear we were not. We saw
no one."
Naturally. But some one saw
you-a stranger in this neighbor-
hood-a report was made and the
raid followed"
1T was George Roland who led
them here" Claire told her.
"Ah, Herr Roland?" Frau Weber
shrugged her shoulders. "He goes
too far, I think. We shall see."
"But, mother-now that we are
under suspicion d. :" her daugh-
ter said.
Eyes, Lii, you're right. You, Herr
Cameron, and the fraulein must TO-
Our work is more important than
any individuals. If they come back
here-and know thew wilI-tharo