The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-05-30

1 brief interview with van Hassek, leader
Of the foreign armed forces In Mexico,
Benning was accepted as q stan mem.
Der. Here he strove TO gain the con-
hdence Of Fincke, an enemy officer.
Now continue with the story.
4 4
"Mademoiselle, now that your
identity has been established to our
satisfaction, you're welcome in Mex
leo. II your Heinie doesn't treat
you as he should, my little cabbage,
just you come back and report the
facts to mel"
Mademoiselle threw her arms
gratefully about Van Hassek's fab
by red neck and kissed him on his
cheek. Then she turned to Benning,
linked her arm in his and gleefully
took him out of the room. In the
street Benning called a taxicab and
drove to the Alameda, where he
picked out seat under shady cy-
press.
''What is it you want here, made
moiselle?" he bluntly demanded.
information" she replied crisp
ly. Naturally, my government sent
me-"
II should have guessed they had
something like this in mind" he
complained. but why do you wish
yourself off on mel"
''There are excellent reasons"
she answered, regarding him with
level smile. "For one thing we are
both after the same information
and ought to be able to help each
| other"
Benning had decided that inevita-
bly, he must accept the French girl
as an associate, since he was al
ready in the palm Of her hand IL by
caprice or stupidity she betrayed his
masquerade.
'I'n be glad to give you advantage
Of anything may learn" he told
her. "But of course we must work
separately"
GAS you please" she agreed, and
said with unabashed frankness,
"but at least we'll have to live to-
gether."
Benning demanded, "Why do you
propose that?"
'For two reasons. First, Van Has
SEX thinks I'm your mistress and I
want him to continue thinking that,
for the time being, at least"
''Your second reason?"
"That," she said, looking at him
LN Ia Sc khn
important one to you. Bromlitz es-
capped from Vincennes three days
after you sailed for Vera Cruz"
Benning sat glazing while his
mind swept to an estimate OF that
calamity.
Don't blame my government,
Mile. Ducos spoke up at once. 1T
was wholly the fault of stupid Sec
| rotary from your embassy who was
sent to the fort to interview Brom-
litz. An hour after he left, guard
found your secretary bound in Brom-
litz' cell. Bromlitz had escaped in
the secretary's> clothes and specta-
cles."
you've no doubt Bromlitz will
make his way to Mexico?"
Mile. Ducos smiled unconcerned-
ly. mot the least. But now that
we understand each other, mon
sieur, let's find place to live. To-
night I'd like to have you take me
to the Avenida Hidalgo to dine and
dance"
On reporting at the palace next
morning, Benning was steeled by q
new determination. He meant to
play whatever risks were necessary
promptly to close his mission in
Mexico. With Colonel Bravot on the
job, Bromlitz at large, and the
French operative on his hands he
knew he skated now on very thin
ice.
With Mile. Ducos he had struck a
bargain. She was to keep strictly
away from headquarters. He prom
ised her any pertinent information
he picked up and allotted her the
task of checking on the air service.
Also she was to keep on the alert
for any cancellation Of military
leaves to Mexico City. which would
be significant development.
They set up together in an in
expensive suite on Jesus Maria.
When they we're alone in their apart
ment, Mile. Ducos' attitude was
one Of a purely professional ASSOC
ciate. But when they were together
in public during evenings that fol-
lowed, she kept up the ruse Of q
romantic attachment.
They had gone to the Avenida
Hidalgo for dinner one evening when
the French girls covert Irritation
with bald-headed Italian officer in
coloneps uniform brought from
Benning a sharp rebuke.
Doesn't it strike you bit incon-
sistent, mademoiselle," he charged,
"for you to pose as my fiancee and
at the same time fiirt outrageously