Evening star., 1941-06-01

give no reason why. She admitted
he didn't know where this post was,
but she had boundless faith in his
powers. The count was seldom
there for long. He seemed to have
interested himself elsewhere.
He knew they were so securely
bound about by the desert that they
couldn't possibly escape, especially
since they didn't even know where
they were. And apparently his men
were incorruptible, for Carlita, who
was the only one who could talk to
them, tried without success to bribe
them by promising them huge re-
ward if they would deliver her safely
to San Porte.
Matt grew more and more restless
as the days passed and nothing hap
pened. He was walking back and
forth from the we'll to the native
village one evening when Reynol
Joined him. Beautiful sunset We
had tonight. Mr. Burgess. One sees
incompatible sunsets out here!"
Matt experienced an almost ire
siStible desire to lash out at the
handsome. supercilious face next to
him. but he resisted and kept silent.
Raging at the count didn't get him
anywhere The only way to defeat
him would be to match his cunning
and Matt realized how little guile
he possessed.
Fight for France.
They walked awhile and the count
said, by the way, I informed Mrs.
Bannon that her daughter had
eloped with you. We couldn't have
her worrying you know. 1t was very
amusing" He enjoyed his refec-
tions and Matt writhed at his. 1t
was just like Reynol to do that.
Now there would be no chance at
all of Mrs. Bannon instigating a
search.
Reynol looked out over the hills.
81 expect a patrol in tonight" he
remarked. Il think I see them of
to the west there"
Matt tried a bit Of unaccustomed
guile. This somehow reminds me
of those little South American revo-
lutions where everybody's smuggling
guns and hiding in the jungle and
nobody accomphshes very much OF
anything There was supreme sar-
casm in his voice and he noticed 1t
| had an effect on Reynol. The count
looked at him sharply.
Since you speak in ignorance I
cannot blame you too much. You
should know the strength of our
cause. These guns and ammunition
will find good hands along the bor-
der, keeping them constantly STIR
ring and keeping the army busy. In
our way we are still serving France
the only way left to serve. BY caus-
| ing all the trouble we can TO her
conquerors and enemies we are do
ing our work we'll"
But" said Matt. you're not a
Frenchman. count. You're"
Yes" Reynol answered. You
| think am a traitor to my country
but it is my country that was a
| traitor to me. And France was my
mothers country, so now it is mine
Matt was stirred by the mans
sincerity. But look! Granted
you're doing what you feel is good
work and all that, what was the
necessity for killing Swahli and kid
naping all of us just to lower
the price of a few guns?"
You could criticize my methods
Matt Burgess, if you understood the
reasons. But you don't. There are
other things more important thar
guns. Other things that" He
broke off and Matt, following his
gaze. saw a double line of 10 natives
led by white officer top the near
est hill. "Ah, there they are!"
The Brothers Meet.
He waved a hand at the officer
who raised his in salute. Matt
watched, enjoying the picture they
made silhouetted against the eve
ming sky with their shadows long or
the sand. He watched the officer
curiously and then, for a Ions
breath, his heart seemed to stop ano
then resume beating very swiftly
1t was strange. He could swear that
The white man was almost ur
to them.
Matt clenched his fists and stared
coldly but intently at the approach
ing man. The officer looked at him
appeared to miss a step and catch
himself. He raised his hand a few
inches, then let it fall back to his
side. David Burgess walked by his
brother without glance,
Matt heard him say hello to the
count and a warm joy came ovel
him at the sound of his brother;
voice. Good old David! He'd taker
his cue perfectly from Matt's icy
stare and passed him without turn.
ing his head Matt walked away
Reynol, and wave Of tenderness:
swept over him at the incredible
fact that he had found his brother.
1t was typically what David woulc
do-this almost lost cause he hao
espoused. And strangely, it hac
made a man of him. He was big
ger and sure of himself and he
walked proudly like a man. David
At last!
1t was in the back of his mind
from the moment that he saw his
brother that this might be the
means of escape he had been search.
ing for. But he still hadn't giver
it much thought when, that evening
as he was sitting in front of his
tent, after Leigh had gone to bed
David walked by. He sauntered by
slowly, giving Matt single glance
and disappeared over the top of the
first low hill. Matt waited a few
minutes, then started out in q
slightly different direction, goins
toward the we'll. Out of sight OF
the camp he saw David sitting in
the lee of a high dune and ran
toward him.
David Accuses Carlita.
Neither of them knew quite what
to say at first. There was lot
of back-slapping and incoherent