Evening star., 1941-03-21

his eyes-of the quick brutality OF
his hand-and the weakness passed.
This was war, and war that such
men as the baron had sought. 1t
was a war from which they had
excluded pity, because pity itself
was weakness, and only the sword
was strong. And, in any case, no
pity, no tears could reach them
now. They were beyond such hui
man frailty, as they had wished to
be when alive.
The destroyer lay still now, its
searchlights probing the spreading
Aim of oil.
Another searchlight stabbed at
the Vandam, outlining the passen-
gers, revealing startled faces, still
awed by having come so close to
death.
A boat put out from the destroyer,
approached the Vandam.
TOO bad" said a carefully sup
pressed voice in Brinda's ear.
There must have been some slip
up
Brinda recognized the Vandam
officer to whom she had considered
appealing for aid while she was
Konrad's captive-the officer who,
she now knew, had helped in see
ing the Vandam was at the right
spot for its rendezvous with the
U-boat.
She looked at him more closely
now. noting the flushed face and
loose mouth of an habitual drinker.
He misunderstood her glance.
Don't worry about that Nazi!"
ne said. There are still plenty of
good men alive. I'll come to your
stateroom after the excitement's
over, and we'll have some schnapps,
eh?" He winked amiably.
She was at loss for reply. But
repugnance must have shown in her
lace, for the man went on: Come,
now. No use of pretending with me,
Fraulein! After all, I'm a neutral.
You're an English girl, and if you
can be kind to a Nazi spy you
shouldn't balk at an honest fellow
like me. Or"-he glowered-"wouId
you rather have me tell these Eng
lish sailors that are coming aboard?"
Brinda Is Angry.
But you misunderstood. said
Brinda. Don't you see, I'-and
then she realized it was no use to
tell this venal, sodden fellow any,
thing. In fury, she turned on him.
GO away Don't speak to me. I
despise you!"
He glared at her with dull, pig
ike malice. We'll see about that"
he muttered. Then he turned on his
heel.
The men from the DESTROYER were
coming aboard now Crowding for
ward with the other passengers.
Brlnda saw one of them-a sandy.
halred young lieutenant-confer-
ring briskly with the Vandam's
| captain.
The plotting second officer of the
liner Joined the group. Brinda be-
came aware he was pointing at her.
he raised his voice and addressing
the British lieutenant, said: There
she Isl She's spy. She was going
aboard the submarine with that
Nazl' Besides, she's his sweetheart.
L saw them together-kissing-in
his cabin"
Brlnda understood now. Lest she
denounced him first, the bribed Off
Ger was denouncing her.
step this way, please. Miss"
said the lieutenant from the de-
stroyer sternly.
AS II In dream, Brinda obeyed
She felt herself ringed by hostile
races. What could she say-how
clear herself of the accusation so
swiftly and unjustly hurled?
But the situation was uneypect.
edly resolved. Out of the knot Of
men from the destroyer rose a ia
mluar head, a familiar pair of
proad, competent shoulders. A
strong hand grasped the voluble
Vandam officer and swung him
roughly against Stanchion.
mo more out of you'll" snapped
the voice of Dick Maiden. Then. to
a sailor, Put this fellow under
arrest! Brinda looked deep into
steady, hazel eyes; felt warm. re-
assuring hands in her own. II got
your message just in time, darling
-. Thank Godi"
(To be continued.
Copyright by Maurice Dekobra and Levi.
George. Distributed by King Features
Syndicate, Inc.