Evening star., 1940-10-29

This is more serious than a
Latin American revolution, your eX-
cellency. Bruckmann is organizing
a f1fth-columniSt movement.
ITO set up a puppet government"
Eyes. With himself as the power
behind it."
1--WE shall tolerate no riff raft
here, my friend"
Good, your excellency. Then you
will consider my plan?"
Your plan is-?"
ITO send troops into the San Ra-
fael Valley district on the pretext
OF holding maneuverS. The officer
shall be instructed to move in and
take over Bruckmann's plantation
when I send him word"
Gainza frowned. why the delay,
senor?"
You will need evidence" John
said. Bruckmann has influential
friends. We shall have to find the
arms he has smuggled in. When
discover where he has his rifles
cached I will send word to the
troops"
'T like your plan, senior. I shall
cooperate with you"
Welcome Information.
"Gracias. your eXcellency. And
there is another matter. There is
an American. a Senor Juan Casco-
den, wanted for wounding a police
man in the raid on the Liberators'
headquarters. I think he was
framed"
ct agree. We have gotten a con-
fession from another man. Senor
Cascoden is no longer wanted"
John bowed. 81 am glad to hear
that" he said, and departed.
1t was nearly 4 o'clock when he
reached the street outside the gov
eminent building. He had an ap-
pointment at 4. He walked to
cafe on the Madrid plaza and sat
at a sidewalk table. He ordered a
drink and by the time it was served
Tom Bates of the consulate ap-
peared to keep their appointment.
Tom Bates was stout young man
with a pink, boyish face. He looked
not at all like a diplomat, and the
thought always amused John Meade.
Tom was a working, ambitious
career man.
1--WE run my legs off" Tom said,
"and nobody knew anything"
did you talk with the oil men?"
Eyes. None of them know any
thing about San Rafael Valley"
still Junius Thane knows the
valley is valuable"
yes" Tom agreed. II talked to
Thames employees, as many as I
could locate. One told me that
Thane had native named Diego
OReilly working for him some
months ago. I couldn't locate
OReilly. He's a drunk, derelict.
But he was in his time an Gilman,
a good one This informant told
me that OReilly had done some
prospecting up country, and it might
have been at San Rafael Valley"
The Answer Is Oil.
John Meade nodded. That's the
answer, then, he said, oil"
Tom Bates looked curious. Why
concern yourself? You're investi-
eating fifth-columnist activity"
I'm concerned" John grinned,
because there is a beautiful girl
involved But you wouldn't be in
terested."
IF she's beautiful I am inter-
ested. Is she a dark-eyed senorita?"
mo. She's blond and gray-eyed.
But don't be too interested. You
see, I'm in love with her"
You I thought you were going
to marry a New York heiress."
NO" John smiled wryly. mo,
Pat Borden broke the engagement
because I wouldn't quit my silly ad-
venturing, as she called it. I die
promise to give up adventuring after
this assignment, but Pat is spoiled
and used to having her own way.
I got a letter from her"
Tommy Bates shook his head
"Well, John, good luck"
Thanks. I'll need it. I have to
convince the lady she shouldn't
marry Ramon de Estero.'
de Estero?" Tommy said his
face lighting. 80 the lady is Diane
Cascoden, the dancer! Well, I ad-
mire your choice"
Leaving the vice consul, John
Meade went to the fingerprint bu-
reau of the police department. The
bureau was deserted except for a
young man who told John that
Senor Martinez, the f1ngerprint ex-
pert, was not in. The Senor was
away on official business.
John explained about the vase
and comb he had sent. Il desired to
report on the fingerprints they
bore
ActiOn-or Else.
"Senor Martinez will send the re-
port soon-neXt week, senor."
He'll send it tomorrow" John
said, "or shall speak to my good
friend, the minister Of defense. Un-
derstand?
He turned and went out, debated
a moment on the sidewalk. then
went in search of a car to drive him
the 40 miles to the Hacienda Mon
teros.
John Meade was surprised to find
Ramon de Estero with Diane on the
veranda. Ramon laughed away his
inquiry, saying, "Senor, a man in
love canont be i'll. Diane has prom
iser to become my wife. Am I not
a lucky man?"
Very lucky, de Estero. I con-
graduate you, also Diane"
Thank you, John
1--WE shall have a fiesta tomorrow
night" Ramon said. Don Luis has
promised it. He is inviting people
from the other estates, from San
Luis. 1t will be one big party.
Music, dancing :"
Don Luis car drove into the
hacienda, and John saw that Shane
Murdock sat beside the chauffeur.
Don Luis was in the rear with
fat, red-faced man. John guessed
that the fat man was julius Thane.