The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-06-06

rupted by a sudden noisy commo-
ton, the half-hysterical cries of q
Mexican girl who was being thrust
into the ballroom from Van Has
sek's bedroom. The staff colonel
marched across to Van Hassek and
handed him the stolen operations
map.
''Excellency, I found it pinned un-
der the lace fiounces Of this wench's
gown" the colonel reported.
Van Hassek took the map with q
casual hand, opened it for identifi-
cation, and slowly smiled. He tucked
the document into the gold sash at
his waist, and with a toss of his
hand indicated that the prisoner
be taken away in close arrest. The
Mexican girl, loudly protesting in
nocense, was bundled out of the
room. Van Hassek slowly turned to
his remaining guests with cool
bow.
GOOD night, my friends" he said
gravely. 81 regret it il your pleas
ure has been spoiled tonight, but on
some other evening I'll expect to
make amends. Now I must busy
myself with the details Of what has
happened. Buenos noches."
Mile. Ducos did not speak as Ben
ming took her home in a cab. When
they were alone, Benning saw her
undergo an unexpected transforma-
ton. Her eyes filed with tears and
she sobbed softly to herself. Pres
emily she recovered her sef-posses-
sion and dried her eyes.
II suppose / shouldn't have such
scruples about that girl when SO
many lives are at stake" she ra-
tionalized. 'But l had no alterna-
tive than to do what / did. / only
hope she convinces Van Hassek Of
her innocence-or he decides she Is
too attractive to die"
Benning busted himself with maps
and pencil. From time to time as
he worked he closed his eyes to ex-
anime the sensitive film of his MEM
DRY. A Van Hassek arrow thrust its
point across the border at Laredo.
Behind its shaft was the figure 50,-
600. At Brownsville was the figure
0,000, at Eagle Pass another 10000.
On the California frontier were two
arrows Joined together behind a
curved line, their points aimed at
Tecate and Tia Juana, in the region
of San Diego. The figure here was
go, 900.
Four arrows thrust from the Pa
cific, behind them no legends. One
pointed to Seattle, second at the
mouth of the Columbia River,
third just north of San Francisco,
fourth at San Diego. On the Allan
tic side, groups of red arrows point
ed at critical points from Boston to
New Orleans. Here, again, there
were no figures.
Benning handed his reproduction
of Van Hassek's key map to Mile.
Ducos. He saw the blood drain from
her face as she studied it. She
looked up at him with startled, star
ing eyes.
"Mon Dieu, monsieur" she
gasped. "This means the very worst
is to happenl Such attack upon you
will set the whole world in fames!"
Benning got up and put on his cap.
81 am leaving Mexico at once,
mademoiselle," he said calmly.
"You are welcome to come along
with me If you don't mind taking
some chances with a pilot who's
somewhat out Of practice"
She answered gravely: "My in
structions require me to remain in
Mexico, monsieur. But it's impor-
tant for you to reach your govern
ment as quickly as possiblel !
learned from Boggio today that he
can't see me tomorrow. All leaves
Of absence are being suspended,
which means you'll not have long to
wait for Van Hassek's attack. Au
revoir. monsieur. and bon VOYAGE"