Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-12-04
Copyright: 1851: By News Syndicate Co. Inc
A Girls Initiation
Into the Intelligence
Service Proves
Exciting
m TWO RARTS-PART TWO

The man glanced at the slip. on
which was scrawled Ring Laundry
folded 1t and placed 1t in his note
case.
Won't you have another room?"
asked Vivien, as he turned to go. I'VE
have some very good ones vacant
0eorg-"
mo thanks" cut In the agent.
When he had gone through the re-
volving door. she shrugged her
shoulders.
Nothing but the best will suit his
Highness. Who does he think he ISL"
Maybe he has lady," staggered
Georg.
Maybe. Pity you let the other suite,
Georg. We might have rushed him for
the top price"
She was grateful for Georges char
acteristic suggestion because it was
proof Of a normal atmosphere She
had carried through daring bluff in
the presence of her assistants 1t
had sounded so like ordinary routine
business that she doubted whether
either could remember the message or
the address.
During the hours when luncheon
was being served. she had no time to
think of anything besides work She
and MISUNDERSTANDING, giving direc-
tons and exploiting the personal ele-
ment
She was watched closely by Edda
who had to help wait whenever the
number of guests was above the aver
age. Her mind was poisoned with envy
as the younger girl welcomed the
patrons. She hated her for her blonde
coloring, her flair as hostess, but
above all-for her black satin gown.
She could not guess that the posi-
tons were reversed and that Vivien
would have been profoundly thankful
to change places with her assistant.
During the slack hour after luncheon,
she was back in the Bureau, she
had too much time to think and rea-
lie her position.
She had saved the others at the
price of her own safety.
After the Gestapo had raided the
deserted 1903, Postgasse, they would in
evitably demand an explanation from
herself. They would not believe her
protestations of ignorance of any
fairy tale about message given to
her by an anonymous stranger. To
them, she would be merely girl who
knew something-and who must be
persuaded to talk
AS the minutes crawled by she be-
gan to feel on the verge of hysteria.
Her nerves frayed by the strain of
waiting for catastrophe.
When the lounge was beginning to
fill with afternoon patrons, she noticed
a girl who was greedily sucking up
raspberry syrup at one of the small
tables. Her short fur coat, the tilt OF
her yelled hat and the way she crossed
her legs were all familiar, but she
could not place her Immediately. She
frowned, because it was her boast
never to forget face. But within
few seconds her professional prestige
was restored.
She recognized the girl as the
daughter of a well-to-do business man
and -incidentally-a mink. She was
fond of sweets and had patronized the
Monopol Cafe regularly until recently.
Presumably her absence was caused
by illness, for her full cheeks were pale
and her little dark eyes no longer
shone with vitality.
Vivien noticed also the nervous
twitch of one eyelid as she approached
the girl
you've deserted u.s." she said re-
proachfully. why? Is the syrup oe1tef
somewhere else?"
ooh, no." the girl assured her. IT'S
divine. I've missed 1t terribly. But I've
been away in-in a holiday camp
The explanation was overheard by
Edda who commented on it when she
returned to the Bureau.
THAT little fool is learning sense
she whispered spitefully to Vivien.
" Holiday Campo Another name for
it is Concentration Camp"
The blood seemed to drain from
Vivien's heart as she listened.
what did she do?" she asked.
Nothing, so to say. She was having
a drink with pickup when the
Gestapo pulled him in and her as
well. It took time to persuade them
that she didn't know the man from
Adam, but they let her go. She was
lucky"
"Lucky?"
NATURALLY. 1t is bad policy for the
Gestapo to admit mistakes. They were
rather rough with her, trying to make
her talk-but of course she has Tor
gotten all that"
Only yesterday, Vivien would have
heard such a tale in silence and then
tried to forget it, with all the other
things which must not be remembered
Since then, gulf had been
crossed and this story was her own
with one ominous difference. The girl
was innocent of intrigue while she
was deeply involved.
Their fates would be the same. she
shuddered as she thought of rough
treatment and wondered whether she
could endure protracted pain. Her
chief dread was that an admission
might be wrung from her when she
was in a dazed condition. Then she
realized that Edda was speaking.
what fool to pick up a stranger!
You and I, Fraulein, are too wise. We
know that the hotel is packed with
Gestapo agents posing as business
men. Sometimes I wonder if your
brooch keeps them guessing. OF
course, here we know it Is your initial"