The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-09-28

Fergus was Laughing. N1Ce ASdA-
ty laughter, useful for encourag-
ing condolences.
"Well, it's like this, sir" Alfred
came picking his way across the
carpet. 'It's this, sir. There's a
young lady here, sir. I won't say
her name, better not. But I've a
feeling that she's in Hitler's pay,
sir"
"Whatw And now Fergus real
lily was excited. Because if this
youth go on" he said.
"I've no reason for thinking so,
sir, except that it takes me here"
said Alfred, pressing his hand to
his white coat pocket. "And some
times it's all I can do not to say
to her, Let me help you miss, let
me help you And then it comes
over me all shame-like: Alfred,
you're traitor to your country"
81 see." Enough for the mo-
ment, thought Fergus suddenly.
Better not to 60 further than this
till he was more certain.
At Pole Star House, John Wynn
ter stood at his bedroom window
staring out to sea. He wanted to
get his bearings properly before
the blackout. Warner had been
extremely nice the evening before,
and so he had decided to make
a clean breast of everything. DR..
Warner had listened and grasped
the situation instantly.
NO., stay on here" he said as
John paused.
"There may be complications.
It might be necessary for me to
have Miss Hannah under this
roof" said John. with Letter
about, it may not be safe for her
to continue to live alone and un-
protected"
"There wouldn't be any diff
Guilty about that. Mrs. Maturin
has always liked her"
eyes, but Mrs. Maturin does
not know the true facts of the
case"
"You mean her spying activi-
ties?"
eyes"
"How can the poor girl help
lherself?" asked DR.. Warner pity
ingly. ''Her fear for her brother
is enough to make her do any,
thing, and probably her whole
soul loathes the job she has un-
dertaken."
eyes, I'm sure it does"
well, then"
'It makes me feel a cad," said
John quietly, ''to use this house
as a sort of jumpingoff point for
my underground activities. Men
like Letter stick for nothing. He
intends to get his information
across to planes flying to South
Wales. The Germans are not ten
der in their methods to defaulters.
Well, there might even be muir
der" said John simply.
I'm which case I should be use
, full" said DR.. Warner whimsical
ly. IF by extending our hospi-
tally to you and Miss Hannah we
can help you, feel that we ought
to be proud to do so. That is to
say, if Miss Hannah is not acting
treacherously. If she is, of course,
she mustn't come here"
eyes, that's the point" said
John. "In having her here I
should have two motives. One to
keep her safe from harm; the
other to catch her out She would
come here prepared to act treach-
erously, I am fairly certain of
that"
II see." DR.. Warner pondered.
"How soon would you be able to
catch her out?"
Immediately" said John.
Call right then" DR.. Warner
smiled. 81 shall not tell Mrs. Ma
turin, but I know that she would
be content for me to decide for
her"
Thanks very much" And as
John stood and stared out on to
the darkened horizon he prayed
that it would not be long. The
next day he kept to the house. He
had an enormous amount of writ
ing to do-reports to be sent in.
So he did not slide into the curb
outside Odette's shop until near
ly six. The shop was empty. Lei
ter had been there; there was no
need even to begin to question the
fact.
"You look tired" John set his
hat down on the counter and mar
rowed his eyes.
"Who wouldn't, after a day in
! a shop like this?"
what time do you close?"
"Soon. But I'm sorry can't
ask you to stay because I've got
some accounts to do"