Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-01

I-HE lights of La Guaria twinlled out
across the harbor family Illuminating
deeply laden tanker. swinging uncaSlly
from her anchor behind the shctering mole.
The towering, brooding Andes rose abruptly
from the citys outer fringe and seemed to hang
thrcatenlngly over the peaceful scene, like
the foreboding overture TO some tragic opera.
While the harbor currents swept past her
hull the Austfcld moved sluggishly. yet rest
lcssly, as if she was half anxious, half re-
luctant TO start on the journey before her
out to the grey Atlantic and beyond that
England
In a dmly lighted waterfront cafe three
men in faded, sea-woTn uniforms quietly
slipped beer. One, a completely bald man in
his fifties, was Georg Rinnan the Austfeds
chief engineer. He sat alone, the nicotine
stained fingers of his stubby right hand drum
ming the table softly, his back to the two
other tanker officers across the room. He
had joined the free-NorWegian- ship-oHly a
month before and, as always, he was slow to
make friends
The two younger officers, both blond
giants, were Larson, the first mate, and HAIR
Ian, the second engineer. They also were fin
fishing their beers in silence. The hours. the
days ahead would offer opportunities enough
for conversation but nn-peaceful sell
for perhaps the last time their minds were
too occupied with thoughts TO waste the time
in talk. They rose, paid the lowering waiter
and stepped outside.
Chief Rinnan drained his glass, lit another
cigarette and followed the younger men TO
the street He caught up with them just as
a stocky man in slightly wrinkled white
clothes, who had been approaching them,
stopped in the middle of the narrow sidewalk,
blocking their way.
Good evening, Herren" the man said in
good Norwegian, but with an unmistakable
German accent you are about to leave La
Guaria, is il not so?"
His round face was pale under the yellow
street light and his dark eyes flicked from
face to face in quick, darling movements A
fine example, thought Rinnan of the worst
OF the breed
Larson pushed his cap up a little on his
forehead Good evening" he said shortly.
What we do is our business. not yours"
The German laughed Now perhaps
but not later Before very long you will all
answer properly when you spoken to by
your betters"
Rinnan noticed the cords in young Harlan's
neck tense Get off the sidewalk before
push you off" the second engineer said quietly
he moved aside slightly as Harlans gaze
remained steady In La Guara my stupid
friend have certain diplomatic privileges F."
Get off the sidewalk" Harlan repeated
the words drawn thin and brittle by the set
Of his teeth
THE German moved over against the wall
laughing humorcssly You have relatives
in Norway is il not so Is it not So Eyvnd
Harlan"
You killed them at Lillehammer," Harlan
said, breathing with difficulty but keeping
his voice low You killed them at Lileham-
mer, You have no hold over me-"
The fat pasty face turned TO the first
mate But You, Per Larson Al Stayanger"
AT Stavanger live my father and my
mother" the first mate said slowly. IF ever
50 much as hair Of their heads is harmed
Al ny l+fe-f-Sifaft hunr You down, and when
find YOU, pig, God himself will not be able
90 help YOU
Idle threats from empty people" the
German said huntly He looked at Rinnan
"You Gcorg Rlnran About you We know
little Twenty-Five years you have lived in
the United states poor Norwegian that"
Rinnan chucNed and sucked deeply on his
cigarette There is no point in standing
here arguing with man so wise AS YOU" ne
said pleasantly we have work 10 do Good
night he nodded 10 the German. and moved
20 pass on.
shall | tell what your work is" The
voice had become harsh naked Of suavty
shall | tell you why IL VIII never be com
pleted You are SO secret YOU simple people
You are SO careful 90 hide your plans You
are so stupid At Havana YOU loaded one
thousand tons Of molasscs and here you have
loaded four thousand tons Of Diesel oil" He
srorted contcmpmousiy. Il laugh in your
face DO you think II VIII ever reach Eng
land DO you think SO Bah Fools ike
YOU have no right to live"
Rinnan saw Harlans right shoulder drop
and the engineers fist buried itself beyond
the wrist in the whte-suited stomach The