Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-11-27

I Not me-"
Vivient felt too laden with heavy
responsibility to snub the girl for her
implied suggestion. John had accepted
her as a new recruit to the ''V" army
and had given her a definite Job. The
lives of others might depend on
whether she kept a cool nerve and a
clear head. Yet her brain whirled
when she tried to memorize the simple
address.
| In her confusion, she took up her
cup so carelessly that the coffee
! stopped into her saucer and her roll
/ fell to the carpet. Georg scooped it up
and returned it to her with a low bow.
There's this consolation, it can't
fall butter down." he remarked.
"Soon, there will be butter for all"
said Edda. you are nervous this
morning, Fraulein. Didn't you sleep
we'll? You should when your stomach
is full and your conscience clear"
| Vivien ignored the remark and
hurried away, eager to escape Edda's
malicious gaze She always worked at
] high pressure, but that morning she
was grateful for the shortcomings of
| skeleton staff. While she was en-
gagged with the floor housekeeper and
the chef. she forgot the ordeal ahead
Of her But in her constant visits to
| the bureau-which was the nerve
center of the hotel-she was conscious
of Georg and Edda as potential spies
AS the morning wore on the ten
sion grew almost unbearable. She
/ longed for noon, even while she
dreaded the passing of every minute
First time I've seen you watch the
clock" remarked Georg Hes a lucky
fellow"
That's not funny, Georg," she said
coldly 1--WE are here to work"
Pardon, Fraulein,' broke in Edda
gleefully, but you have made grave
mistake in the menu. We have not
served this sauce for years. 1t needs a
lot of butter"
| Vivien bit her lip as she penciled
the correction.
I've gone to bits" she told herself
What can they think of me?"
She was aroused by the sound of a
sharp tapping upon glass. Looking up,
she noticed a tall heavily-built man
who was rapping impatiently upon a
showcase to attract attention. She was
glancing at him indifferently-since
showcases were Edda's business-when,
suddenly her heart gave a leap as
she recognized Johns description of
the anonymous agent.
This man had fair skin which was
florid and red-veined, ice-cold blue
eyes and closely shaven hair under his
smart hat She searched for the
distinctive scar and found it when he
turned his head-a smallish red angry
crisscross under his left eye.
ut must be X" she thought.
Then she glanced at the clock for
confirmation and discovered the time
was nine minutes to u. She told her
self that either the clock was slow or
the agent was too early. But the dis
| crepancy was bad jolt and made her
hesitate to contact. him.
Now that the minute was upon her,
she dared not leave the bureau. Guilt
made her feel an object of general
suspicion. Everyone knew and every
one was watching her. Everyone was
waiting for her to make that fatal
move which would land her in a Con-
centration camp.
The tapping grew so InSlStent that
it goaded her from the safety of her
base. Edda went on tipping her menus
and Georg continued to add up his
columns, in proof that they we're
legitimately occupied. 1t was up to her
to give demonstration of the swift
service which was the Monopol's
policy.
IF make a mistake" she thought
desperately, I'm for it. He'll ask
questions. Questions about the address
and who gave it to me. All sorts Of
questions. How can I explain it away
with George and Edda liStening?"
Before she could solve her problem,
she had reached the showcase. The
man pointed to cigar, grunted and
flicked coin down upon the glass.
AS she swept it up, she realized that
lives might depend on the message
and whispered rapidly.
Tonight at eight, 1903, Portgasse."
Then she waited Nothing blew
up. Indeed the mans reaction was as
unusual as to justify her soaring con-
fidence. Instead of staring blankly and
asking her to repeat the words, he
eyed her keenly and then turned
nochalantly in the direction of the
restaurant.