The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-10-23

ed territory"
'Don't worry about me. I can
make it,"
Good. This leaves one thing. We
want to see the murderers Of Mitch
and Fora and Bill get what's COM
ing to them"
"Yeh." Monahan spat.
swell, we haven't figured out a
experimentation to take care of all
the ringleaders. All we can plan
on are Ryden and Lannestock. II
we can get them to the lower end
of the field we'll be halfway salts
fed. Now, the hangar entrances
are bound to be wired for alarm,
but we can't be certain there's no
break in the circuit since whenever
they last tested it.
$50 we plan to fire the grass.
Those two babies will be so con-
cerned for the safety of the hangers
it should bring them on the double.
But it'll be midnight, they'll be
abed, we can't even be certain
they'll have a guard to raise an
alarm. At one o'clock straight up
you telephone the field"
"Yeh, got your point. Can do"
Sand we need some explosives.
Dynamite, powder"
easy. I can get that"
"Well, then, that's the best we've
worked out so far. See if you can
think up anything. Meanwhile, good
luck"
Montaya had said he'd be at Tenn
pujo early on Sunday. Early for
him must have meant ten o'clock.
He was headed for Cabeza. Curt
wondered why, then remembered
that the Keito Maru, in port yester-
day, was pulling out today.
With German shipping chased
from the seas, with the British
blockade pretty effective in the At
lantic, contact with Berlin had to
make detour. A long one.
Montaya had his black brief case
with him and never let it leave his
hands. Reports, decided Curt, and
probably pictures of the assembled
plane. Even gangsters want some
kind of proof for the money they
pay out.
The senior talked with Collins on
the river docks, and Collins, while
seemingly as slick and neat as he
could make himself-except for not
having shaved-put on a good show
as a tramp. e.
Montaya looked him over coldly,
asked him a good many questions.
especially about the Rosario mines
from which the man was supposed
to have come recently. This reused
apprehension in Curt, but Collins
had schooled himself well before
crossing the river. He knew the
answers.
In the, end Montaya was salts
fed and Curt nodded dismissal to
the man, saying shortly, "I'll be
sending the launch up river at day.
break. Be on it. And keep away
from the bar. One drink and you're
out on your earl"
Collins skunk away.
Montaya was using the launch for
his trip to Cabeza today. Curt de-
scended to the floating stage to see
him off. And here the first step in
his plans nearly misfired. Setting
out from Riverbend was a small
skiff. Though Montaya was pa
tiently anxious to be on his way,
Curt had to keep him talking long
enough for that Skiff to reach the
Tempujo shore.
True, there was plenty to say, but
it wasn't essential at the moment,
with Montaya in hurry, and it be-
gan to sound trif1e hollow when at
last the little boat from Riverbend
bumped the stage and out climbed
native with letter for Curt.
Montaya's eyes narrowed. No
longer was he in such impotence to
get started. Curt ripped open the
envelope, read the note. A grin
split his face from ear to ear.
From friends in Soledad," he ex-
planned. "McInnis, their Chief En-
gineer, invites me and my family
over for an anniversary dinner to-
night. OF course, I'd like to 60, but
can't. / can't even spend the day
at San Alejo. But can send the
car for my wife and the children"
''Mr. Curtis!" Montaya's voice
was frigid. you've contracted to
remain on the concession for the
term of your contract"
Curt blinked, stared, ''Hunh?"
he said.
"Your contract, Mr.. Curtis, binds
you and your family to remain
here"
"What do you mean? My contract
binds my family to residence here
with me, yes, but a visit to Sole
dad isn't breaking residence. And
anyway" Curt began to show an
ger, 81 won't have my wife cooped
up, unable to see her friends who
are SO near. I don't care SO much
for myself, / have enough to keep
me busy without social life. With
my wife it's different"
He drew deep breath and rushed
on.