The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-04-11

1ney went TO central Park and
walked about deserted paths until
time to 60 to the pier. Promptly
at four Fincke presented himself to
a hulking Norwegian first mate who
stood at the gangplank of the tramp
freighter, single-funnel steamer.
The Fincke formula put them on
board without question. Bennng not
ed, as they were escorted by cab
in boy to their stateroom, that the
decks were deserted. no prepara-
tons to sail were in evidence.
Fincke promptly slammed the
door, peeled off his cotton coat, and
sprawled on a bunk.
Benning threw off his coat, lay
down on his berth, and took up the
late New York editions he had
bought before coming aboard. Lat
er he meant to force the issue of a
reconnaissance of the ship in prep
aration for the Nays boarding par
ty.
Headlines screamed the defeat Of
Mole's Second Division, the capture
of San Antonio.
Mole's truck columns had sped
his broken infantry and artillery to
q new position near Austin along the
Colorado River. There he was or
ganizing a new defensive position,
reinforced by Texas regiments. Van
Hassek columns were moving on
Austin for prompt attack.
Van Hassek had taken over San
Antonio at daybreak and established
headquarters in the City Hall at the
old Spanish Plaza. A subordinate,
General Alvido, had taken over the
government as military governor I'M
der a decree Of martial law, hauled
down the American flag and hoisted
the saber flag over the city.
Alvido claimed all of Texas under
his decree. A Van Hassek truck
column was moving on Galveston to
occupy that city, and later, Houston.
Air raids had extended north last
night. Fort Worth, Dallas, and
Shreveport had been heavily pound
ed with the loss Of hundreds of lives.
Terror was sweeping other south
ern cities. Little Rock, Oklahoma
City, Montgomery, Birmingham,
even Nashville and Atlanta were
within bombing range There was
no anti-aircraft now available for
these cities. Thousands were flee
ing into the hills and countryside.
When he had sketched through the
days news, Benning sat up and
made a cast at Fincke.
What gets me-" he complained,
is why we have to go all the way
to Amsterdam when there's so much
going on in these parts, Fincke."
Fincke snapped erect, his eyes
blazing suspicion, and snarled, You
know damned we'll we're not going
to Amsterdam, Bromlitzl What's
your game-always feeling me outl"
Benning coolly drawled, Evident
ly you suspect I'm a spotter for
Boggio or Bravot. If that's in your
mind, resent it,"
Sorry if blew up again." Fincke
relented. But we're playing for
big game this time, Bromlitz, and
you can't blame me for being touchy
after what happened before.
A Norwegian deckhand brought
dinner into their stateroom at six
o'clock. Two empty hours followed.
At eight o'clock the engines began
churning, the Norwegian tramp
eased out of her berth and headed
down the harbor.
Flncke frightened as the ship cast
off, then was attacked by restless
ness that set him pacing the little
cabin.
Dusk slowly deepened into night.
Benning knew that the ship was
spotted by Navy observers, that they
would take no chance of letting her
slip out Of the harbor. He chafed
under his inability TO break further
into the Fincke confidence or to eff
feet a survey Of the ships passen-
gers.
The Austrian suddenly seized his
cotton coat and straw hat.
"All right, Bromlitzl" he ex-
claimed excitedly. ITS nine o'clock
and pitch dark. Here's where we
move outi"
Benning followed the Austrian
down the unlighted deck. There was
a black huddle of figures at the rail
where Fincke halted. Benning's
straining eyes, now adjusted to the
darkness, made out that the figures
were moving over the side.
In a moment Fincke vanished
Benning hesitated, then CROPPED his
way down the Jacobs ladder. At
the bottom gasoline launch
chugged tenaciously alongside in
choppy water As Benning, follow
ing the others. stepped precariously
aboard, the launch cast off.
In the vague lgh; shed by a Ian
tern in the bow Of the launch, Ben
ming slowly counted noses. There
we're five passengers. two boatmen.
Benning saw that the man beside
whom he had found seat was not
Fincke An intuition warned him.
his eyes verified the warning as he
traced out the mans profile. The
passenger at his elbow was Bravot.
Van Hasseks fugitive spymaster
silently stared into the wet night.
Benning's hand sought the pocket OF