The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-03
CHEESE CATCHES MOUSE
CHAPTER VIII

The lobby was still empty; Asia
ard Eaeohar were still chatting in
the patio: the rest Of the hotel was
allent Is the night itself. Allan went
70 bed, rejecting as he undreSsed
that he had not done so badly for
Che girst afternoon, Tomorrow he
would have o look at those islands,
No promised himself, and II those
yellow devils
Then his head hit the soft cool
pillow and he proceeded to sleep
Ike the seven Ephesians. It was
broad daylight when the Indian
boy, sweeping the central court,
Weakened him.
He hathed, breakfaSted In his
room, got into the riding kit he
had brought, guessing he would
need It, and was waiting for Asia
81 sharp in the lobby. She ap-
peared promptly with the news
that she had ordered o horse for
MIN as we'll as for herself from
. rancfer down the road, She
looked amazingly lovely, her slim
body nicely set Off by the white
breeches and white silk blouse
she was wearing, A hat one size
smaller than @ circus tent was her
homage to the Mexican sun.
She rode well. SO did Allan
steele, winning her praise when
he subdued q lively rebellion
staged by his mount They esttled
Co an easy singleSt-ep, keeping
side by side and talking, Allan
tried to direct their route down
the gulf, but she insisted firmly
there was nothing worth picturine
In that direction, and led the way
west.
In response to her fairly direct
questions, he obligingly invented
q mythical family which had sut-
Tered mythical outrages OF the
hands OF the hated English. She
expressed womanly sympathy, and
frankly aired some Of the griev-
ances abe had brought from India
They cursed the British Empire In
language hotter than the July
heat Allan also gave birth 10 an
oidoe brother who, he said, was an
army officer running an important
bureau In the War Department Ut
washington - brother who kept
him informed Of much that went
on behind the scenes. Allan was
quick enough TO note the glance
she darted O + him when he
brought out that Item OF family
hist0ry. He had her interested, he
decided.
She accounted for herself quite
readily. She owned big share
Ia Q Japanese Ash cannery operat-
Ing In the gulf, and was here 10
keep an eye on her investment
Very plausible yarn, approved
Allan mentally, for II seemed to
cover lot Of territory.
They got back to the hotel at
noon, Allan saw q saddle horse
tethered In the shade by the front
door, and Escobar standing by aEd
watching them keenly as they rode
up. He saw something else, too, ant
checked an exclamation; CHANGING
to look up the road toward San Sa'
ba, he spied his elusive friend o.
overnight Just disappearing behind
some bushes. Allan whistled softly
at q sudden notion he beckoned Il
the oftacer as Asia dismOunted anc
went into the lobby.
''senor Colonel, observed
man last night watching this inr
while you were inside. ! have
lust seen the same fellow lurking
up the road. Thought I'd tell you
Il occurs to me that possibly yol
are being followed - perhaps b!
enc OF those friends you me
yesterday
"Ahl" Colonel Escobar reached
up 70 touch his inustache, staring
thoughtfully at the American
eyes," he admitted slowly, 1T Il
quite possible I am being watched
Could you see II the fellow hac
on dark blue clothes? And q quit
large sombRero7"
''That describes him perfectly.
Allan could not condone asSasSina
ton even for traitors, so he added
@9etter keep your eyes open TO
wanble, chr"
szndeed, vii be most care
I Il" promised the colonel o
! arales. "And meanwhile, senior
ner7ntt me 10 thank you one,
again for q kindness. ! shant for
set IT,"
Thsy went into the hotel to-
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