The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-01-24


"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 taxicab and
drove to the Alameda, where he
picked out seat under shady cy-
press.
"What Is IL you want here, made
moiselle?" he bluntly demanded.
Information, she replied crisp
ly. Naturally. my government sent
me-" 49,.
81 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 a
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 if by
caprice or stupidity she betrayed his
masquerade. orr =,
'I'n be glad to give you advantage
Of anything I may learn" he told
her. but of course we must work
separately" l
"As you please" she agreed, and
"but at least we'll have to live to-
gether." 6<
Benning demanded. why do you
propose that?"
"For two reasons. First, Van Has
SEX thinks I'm your mistress and !
want him to continue thinking that,
for the time being, at least"
"Your second reason?"
THAT" she said, looking at him
again with her level smile, els the
important one 70 you. Bromlitz es-
capped from vincennes three days
after you sailed for. Vera Cruz"
Benning sat glaripg while his
mind swept to. an NsA:snate .of that
calamity. r -
Don't blame my government"
Mile. Ducos spoke up at once. 1T
xrr1HN all h. ~ ct.
rotary from your embassy who was
sent to the fort to interview Brom-
litz. An hour after he left, a 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 Mexico7"
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
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 were alone in their apart
ment, Mile. Ducos' attitude was
one of purely professional asso-
| ciate. But when they were together
in public during evenings that fol-
lowed, she kept up the ruse of q
romantic attachment.
AnCJ Hdu BOlIt W bAG flNGIlod
Hidalgo for dinner one evening when
the French girls covert Irritation
with a bald-headed italian officer in
colonePs uniform brought from
Benning a sharp rebuke.
Doesn't it strike you a bit incon-
sistent, mademoiseile," he charged,
"for you to pose as my fiancee and
at the same time nirt outrageously
behind my back while we're dane
ing together? We agreed that you
were to limit yourself at present TO
finding out about Van Hsssek's air
service"
She looked up at him and smiled
as they danced, then put her lips
close to his ear and spoke in a low
voice.
Would II interest you, monsieur,
TO know that ] have learned most OF
what we wish TO know Van Has
sek's air bases are located in Tam
i IL