The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-05-16

visitor. Mr.. Shields was d portly,
smartly groomed man in late mid
die life. His round, fiorid face was
an ingratiating smile as he invited
Benning to seat and rendered Q
cigarette.
''I'm glad you're here on the dot,
Benning," he said. There's quite q
bit to be done in Paris, and you
must be In Bordeaux tomorrow to
catch your boat for Vera Cruz"
Benning said. "I'm at your dis
posal, SIR" AaaAkA
The ambassador regarded his Wis
itor with certain whimsical visit
fitness. He lighted cigarette.
"You know, Benning," he said, II
decidedly envy you this opportunity
for distinguished service. think I
know what's under the surface of
things in Europe, but / can't prove
anything In the concrete way that's
necessary. So you must 60 to Mex
leo to do the job"
ard suppose, sir" Benning COM
mented, shat our government was
informed at least of the larger dip
lomatic facts"
"Facts?" Shields echoed the word
derisively. but there's only one
accepted fact in International rela-
tions today: that the maps are list
ed for an overhaul. Outwardly ev-
eryone is praying for peace to come
out Of the current muddle. Under
the surface the big question is, When
will the lid blow off? We're looking
to you for the answer. Benning."
Benning's eyes narrowed. "I'm
not sure I understand. sir"
Mr.. Shields laughed mirthlessly.
"I'n speak frankly. Why, after
those devastating, murderous
months of savage mass murder last
year did the Coalition Powers patch
up an armistice with the Allies while
their armies squatted inconclusively
on a mere segment Of conquered
Europe? Ostensibly to work out a
peace formula to save civilization.
But now everyone suspects the ar
mistice is a Coalition subterfuge to
shift some alignments, gather new
forces, and-vastly more important
-circumvent the United States from
a disastrous armed Intervention. ]
didn't mean to get all steamed up
on that subject, Benning. But in
this grim world of reality in which
have to work, our SNUG provincial
ism at home does get on my, nerves
at times, not to mention how it
cramps our style. Getting down to
your work, do you by any chance
remember the case of Lieutenant
Bromlitz of our army who escaped
some two years ago from the Unit
ed States?"
"Very distinctly, sir" Benning an
swered at once. Happened in my
own regiment at Fort Jay. Brom-
litz was accused of stealing can
teen funds. When the adjutant ar
rested him, Bromlitz knocked the
adjutant down and, in his efforts to
escape, shot and killed the corporal
Of the guard. BY some black magic
Bromlitz then vanished into thin
air."
Eat the present moment" Mr..
Shields said, "Bromlitz is at the
fortress Of Vincennes, held incom-
municado by the French. They
nipped him a few days ago when
he arrived from Luxembourg as an
army intelligence operative for the
past year. It seems he had made
connection with Van Hassek agents
and was selected for the Mexican
service"
Benning made swift deduction
and said dryly, 81 assume, sir, that
am to 60 to Mexico masqueraded
as an escaped murderer"
"a very lucky break, Benning. We
have the whole inside of it. Bromlitz
is known to be an American with a
record that strips him Of any posi-
BILE American loyalties. As former
American officer, Van Hassek no
doubt thinks the fellow a valuable
acquisition. Gave him the rank Of
major, which you now inherit"
"Isn't it a bit extraordinary, sir,
that the French learned all this?"
Benning wanted to know.
''Not when you consider the facts.
Bromlitz, it appears, has fair for
romance. He fell very much in love
with girl in Luxembourg, told her
his plans, promised to send for her
as soon as he could afford it,
"And she spilled the beans"
The ambassador smiled and said:
'Why not? The French keep their
ears to the ground and they've been
paging Bromlitz since he first
showed up in Luxembourg. They
put their cleverest she agent on him,
Mademoiselle Lucette Ducos. The
French are turning Bromlitz' pass
ports and secret orders over to us.
You'll need only to transfer your
own photograph to the Bromlitz
passports. The French have a spe-
cial process for doing this. At your
convenience en- route to Mexico you
should practice his signature. I
thought, too, you might want to look