Evening star., 1941-05-26

the law.
But the officer looked back at him
and said sternly, rs that the way
you tie your bales? Fasten 1t up Sc
curely" He looked back at the other
two officers who were engaged in
conversation with Swahli. One of
them glanced over idly, but from
where they were, they couldn't see
the nest of guns. The officer looked
back at Matt, who was working over
the bale and kicked him with the
toe of an official boot. Make haste,
dog! It's good thing your master
is not here to see this" He turned
his back and led the other two
across to the patrol boat. Matt
watched them go, still kneeling be-
fore the bale, frozen into inaction.
A hard anger burned inside him
and he wanted to go and grab
Swahli by the throat to choke the
whole story out Of him.
And then, looking around, he saw
that Swahli really had not seen the
incident. Quickly he wrapped the
guns in the roll noting that they
were Grumans; beautiful modern
rifles. He tied it together and thrust
it into its place. Swahli was lean
ing over the rail, watching the pa
troll boat with his back still turned
Matt Ponders Situation.
In the next half hour before they
docked, Matt did lot of thinking
and. as usual, came to no conclu-
sion. Who were the guns for? If
they were for the troops here why
did they have to be smuggled in?
What was San Porte's game; his
part in all this? If he confronted
Swahli with it now, he might never
learn anything. It would be better
to watch and find out what hap
pened to the guns. And there was
probably ammunition hidden some
where, too, maybe in the wine bar
rels. What nice situation this was!
Carlita and her dear father must
get quite laugh out OF how stupid
the American was! He knotted his
fists more in anger at himself than
any one. II only he were up against
some one besides an old man and a
girl! "Oh, admit it, Matt" he
laughed to himself finally. You're
lousy soldier OF fortune!"
In the dark warehouse. the green
turbaned Arab was waiting. There
was no discussion this time. He
flung the heavy bag on the table,
muttered something in Arabian and
strode out. Swahli said, Go in
peace" and handed the money to
Matt "All done" he said.
Right" Matt took the money
and settled himself on a barrel.
Swahli looked at him inquiringly,
then went out. Matt had decided to
stay and watch them unload and
learn all he could.
Tauru Urges Matt Away.
Then Tauru came IN. "Sidi!" he
beamed. I'VE 60 to town, now!
Sure!" Matt shook his head.
mo. Tauru. not yet. I'm going
W SeiSh WdltIl I'LL.
load. i want to learn how it's
done"
But. Sidi, it will take too long.
You will be tired of it. Why don't
you come now. Come back other
time"
Swahli was standing in the door,
way. Matt got the sudden idea of
leaving and coming back when he'd
gotten rid Of Tauru. He could prob
ably learn more If he wasn't seen.
"All right, kid. Well 60 wash our
faces and comb our hair. See you
later, Swahli!"
Swahli nodded his head at Matt
and Tauru, skipping like an ener-
eetic dervish, went through the
door. From his dirty turban he
pulled forth a tiny roll Of thin yell
low paper and with satisfied scowl
placed it in the little bag at his
waist. Outside, the -turhaned
Arab. who had remained leaning in
the shadow under the small win
dow, also scowled and touched his
heavy sash
In the hotel foyer Matt stopped,
panic stricken N the elevator doors