The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-10-16
CHAPTER XVI

For several minutes neither man
moved. Gradually Curt edged HIM
self into deeper blackness, got clos
err, put the figure between himself
and light, the light from the Co
mandancia not far distant. The out
line looked like Collins.
He called the name softly. No
answer. He tried again.
eyes," came the low acknowledg-
ment.
Curt approached. Looking around,
huh?"
No answer.
Find anything?"
Silence. Then, "No."
"Well, my friend, it's time for
you and me to have talk. First,
your credentials. Let's see them."
No move from the other at first,
then an amiable "Sure," and Col
Inns reached into pocket.
That's better. Lieutenant, Ma
val Intelligence, eh? Glad to have
you. Shake"
1t was the handclasp that turned
the trick. Collins unbent. II need
a friend here" he confessed.
"You armed?"
Eyes. Had my service pistol
cached"
Good. It's nearly eleven. The
village will be asleep by midnight,
l expect. Go back to your room.
Unlock your rear window screen
to be sure you make no noise later.
81 did. Got out that way"
Curt grunted. "Well, go back to
bed for a while. You've likely sized
up the place and know who's here?'
"Sure."
'Then when they're all abed and
have had time to get to sleep, wake
up Monahan. He's in the last room.
81 know
Bring him out along the main
track to the motorcars shed, mid
die Curt broke off, stared toward
the mess-hall. Some groups were
breaking up for the night, judging
from the sounds. middle of the
yards. Got that? Enough for now.
Get back to your room, I'll see you
later
Curt returned to his bungalow,
Collins disappeared into the night.
Outside the mess-hall Emilio was
having a few last words with his
erstwhile partners before heading
for the engineering bungalow. Curt
had barely time to climb in, hook
his window screen behind him, hang
his clothes over a chair as they
had been earlier, and stretch out
under the mosquito bar. He'd have
to leave the magazine against the
door and hope that Emilio would
give it no thought, or at worst sup
pose freak burst of wind had
knocked it to the floor.
He heard Emilio tumble at the
lock, the slight scrape of the maya
zine as the door pushed it back over
the floor. A shadow blocked out the
light at his bedroom door. He SIM
ulated deep breathing and closed
his lids until he could see only
through his lashes.
Emilio looked and listened, then
withdrew. Presently the porch light
snapped off, the front door clicked
shut, and Curt heard the mans
steps headed for the bachelor quar-
tiers. They sounded sharp on the
asphalt walk.
The luminous dial of his watch
told Curt it was 1880. Later than.
he'd thought. He lay relaxed for
few minutes, but dared not close
his eyes, afraid he would fall asleep
after his full day.
Soon he got up, dressed again,
this time taking his hat, and let
himself out the front way. He rec
onnoitered carefully.
Avoiding the street lamps, Curt
made his way to the rendezvous
and waited impatiently until at last
two figures, little darker than the
background itself, came toward him.
He recognized Monahan's stride.
"Good man, Stats" he said when
they were close enough. "This will
do you out of your sleep, but it
can't be helped. Get yourself
cudgel and keep alert. Collins and
I will be gone three or four hours.
We mustn't be longer, for the
place'n be stirring to life soon after
that. Hang out at my bungalow,
Stats. Anyone starts shopping
around, conk him. Tie him up, only
don't let anyone find out I'm miss
ing, and don't be recognized your
self. Got me?"
"Got yuh."
The motorcar shed was an open
front building with three short
tracks. His own car was headed out,
fortunately the first car on its track.
Curt remembered the speedometer
and disconnected it. There must be
no mileage record of this trip.
Curt didn't open the car wide.
The engine was smooth enough, but
iron wheels on iron rails in this still
night air rang alarmingly loud to
men who needed silence. Further,