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

X q
CHAPTER IV-Continued
BY the end of week, Benning had
gained something of Fincke's conf
dence together with a knowledge OF
the workings of Van Hassek's head
quarters at the palace. He had
adopted the habit Of going for walk
each evening with the Austrian, usu-
ally to the Alameda.
Benning had learned that the Aus
trian was an artilleryman, on tenn
porary detail at headquarters be-
cause Of knowledge of the United
States.
"But at headquarters, Fincke,"
Benning prompted, ''life is not too
active. Isn't it your experience that
once headquarters gets its claws on
an officer he's sunk?"
The Austrian responded with q
grunt Of contempt.
"I'm an artilleryman, not a staff
officer" he snapped. "My battery
of seventy-sevens Is at Jolisco for
target practice and I'm in Mexico
City only until the show opensl"
Benning laughed and said, "But
with your fiuency in English, your
chief isn't likely to part company
with you when our troops head into
the United States"
"I've Colonel Bravot's word for
i'll" Fincke said hotly. "Yes, and I'll
remind him of it as soon as he re-
turns from Washington, which ought
to be any day now"
Benning prolonged the promenade
with Fincke, stopping from time to
tirne at the bar of the Gonzales near
the park for Scotch-and-soda. Once
the Fincke artillerist enthusiasm
was aroused, the Austrian needed
little urging to talk.
At first he boosted of his own
guns, then branched off into the
subject of Van Hassek's superiority
In artillery. He painted picture Of
well trained regiments splendidly
equipped with the best armament.
"What a wonderful show, Brom-
litz!" Fincke exclaimed after he had
elaborated the weapons in detail.
Particularly when we pound their
artillery to pieces with our superior
ranges. Himmelcreuzl They will be
helpless in counter-battery."
s'Not too fast, Fincke," Benning
cautioned. ''We mustn't forget their
tremendous manpower once they get
them equipped.
"But million men can crush the
Americans before they can get
themselves ready!"
"a million men, perhaps, but how
can we ever expect to get million
men modified in Mexico without
rousing the Americans finally to ac-
tion?"
Fincke stopped in his tracks and
his blue eyes looked gravely at Ben
ming through their thick lenses. The
Austrian lowered his voice.
''That is not mere surmise, Brom-
litz. This I will tell you in the deep
est confidence. One day in General
Van Hassek's Office glimpsed his
little map of the United States and
on it are red arrows pointing in
from the south, the east, and the
west. l had only glimpse before
he returned the map to his desk,
but caught figures enough to con-
vince me of a million men,"
Benning managed an Indifferent
smile and decided to close this dam
gerous subject.
with a million men, Fincke, a
great deal might be done," he said,
and added, with glance at his
wrist watch, ''hut it's getting late
and what do you say to some din
ner?" 54
The two went to a Mexican cab
aret on Avenida Hidalgo, a favorite
spot Of officers of the new regime.
Benning ordered dinner and picked
at his meal. Apparently he was
mildly entertained by the show about
him. Actually he was only vaguely
conscious of his surroundings. His
mind was busy with Fincke's disclo-
sures, with piecing together Of the
things Van Hassek had told him.
Benning made his decision. There
was the air corps yet to check, and
some verification of Fincke's dis
closures. That should not be diff
cult. But only Van Hassek would
know the broader plan Of attack
on the United States and Benning
knew now that he must find some
way to tap the Van Hassek brain, at
any cost. A glance at the, Van Has
SEX operation map might answer all
questions. In some way he meant
to get his eyes on that map.
His thoughts were interrupted by
the action Of Fincke in springing
abruptly to his feet. A dark, erect
man in Mexican uniform paused at
their table to acknowledge the Aus
TRANS greetings.
'sMy colonel, am overjoyed to
see you back in Mexicol" the Austri-
an exclaimed. He turned to Ben
ming, who got to his feet. 81 wish,
my colonel, to present our new off,
Ger. Major Bromlitz, who has re-
ported to us from Europe in your
absence. Major, our chief Of serv-