Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-12-04


and was driven away.
He can't look me in the eyes," she
thought bitterly. well, that's told me
all I want to know"
When she entered the Monopol. she
was dead to sensation. Sustained by
courage bred of force of habit, she
on her way through the Lounge. After
wards, she put on her overall, as usual.
and helped the chef in his prepara-
tons for the dinner. When the meal
was being served, she was kept busy in
laughing at their jokes, consulting the
tastes Of new clients.
Again she watched the clock as the
hands left the numeral eight and be-
gan to travel imperceptibly around
the dial. When they reached the half
hour, she knew that at any moment,
she might be Intercepted.
But although she expected a sum-
mons. when 1t came, it took her by
surprise. She was listening with IN
feigned interest to a stout mans &C
count of his triplets and looking at
the snaps of three super babies, when
the waiter touched her arm.
Pardon Fraulein." he said. "A
gentleman wishes to speak to you in
the Lounge
Her heart leaped and then seemed
to stop as she forced herself to walk
out of the restaurant. When she en-
tered the Lounge. 1t was nearly de-
serted, so the first person she saw was
the Prussian, VonRingner. Because her
sight suddenly Blurred, his figure ap-
peared magnified and unhuman as a
statue, devoid of all natural feeling
You asked for me-" she said with
desperate courage.
His smiling eyes menaced her with
the terror of cat playing with its
prey.
"Fraulein," he asked softly, who
gave you that message for me?"
She moistened her lips to utter-for
the first time-the lie that must be
repeated, while her endurance availed.
or to the end.
81 don't know I never saw him be-
fore"
His smile broadened as he patted
her shoulder.
wise girl" he said, you know when
to forget. Good. will buy you some
thing pretty"
Swapping his fingers at Edda-who
produced a withered bunch of Neapoli-
tan violets from the flowerstall-he
presented them to Vivien, clicked his
heels and marched out of the lounge.
She stood staring after him in dazed
wonder as she fastened the violets to
her dress. While she was fumbling
with them, John passed through the
revolving doors and walked towards
the girls. He was the picture of a
smart and larky businessman as he
greeted her with familiar grin.
Il see you've been decorated Who's
my. rival? Well, I've had successful
day What about drink"
AS Vivien walked beside him to a
table in a distant corner, he spoke to
her in an undertone.
Never run after me again in the
street. It might give wrong impress
sion and attract unwelcome attention
to yourself. I'm not safe to know in
timately."
You cut me-" she reproached him.
you? Never. only want to pro-
tect But gather, from the vio-
lets, that your gentleman friend ap-
proved your discretion?"
Yes. I can't understand it. John, I
made terrible blunder"
II know and it's all been taken care
of. Our Mr.. x reported to me. 1t was
shrinking luck-the sort of thing which
would happen once in a hundred
times. After this, shall have to work
out fool-proof method Of identifica-
ton"
"Was the nice second man Mr.. x?"
"Of course. We don't mention
names. He tumbled to your bluff and
called the tea party off. He told me
you were like an oldtimer. Nice work"
1.-THE snag was this" went on John,
cit put you on the spot. Won Ringner
would know that no girl would dare
play a practical joke on him and he
would make it his business to find out
who was behind you" I couldn't
stand for that .. I've been on the
job all day, saving you. My hat what
day."
What happened?"
Nothing much. Won Ringner & Co.
turned up at 1903 Postgasse, on the
stroke of 8. They found it dark and
shut up. A man stood in the doorway,
expecting them. He pushed a parcel
into Van Ringner's hand, whispered
what it was and then cleared off,
wasn't he followed?"
Definitely no. Won Ringner loves
his stomach-and the Black Market
penalties are stringent. You see
fixed up a pleasant and natural solu-
ton of the mystery Food. F'ood-the
one subject about which no questions
are asked"
John tossed off his drink and
laughed again.
He'll look on it as bribe-neces-
sarily anonymous. He'll probably con-
meet it with the next person to hint
at preferential treatment. But nothing
will be said. Some other blighter will
get the credit for my days hard labor
And how. Every hour of the day.
I've bought, I've begged, I've borrowed
I've even stolen. Nothing too small
to swell the main amount. You must
bride handsomely or not at all"
What was it?" asked Vivien.
Butter"
AS their laughter rang out she