Evening star., 1950-02-01
I Spied for Stain
~ (Tenth of a SerieS.J
A = By Hede Messing
As Told TO Eugene Lyons
lQSn hu Aada Mnssinc,


(copyrish, 1880, by Hede Massins)
NEW YORK, Feb. Living in
rather lavish style, my fellow
agent, Gerda Frankfurter, would
have been embarrassed if asked
to explain her source of income.
I helped plug this chink in her
armor during one of my courier
jaunts to Europe.
In, late July, 1885, along with
the usual roll of microfilms, I
carried a large sum in dollars.
This I turned over in due time to
Gerda's astonished father in
Switzerland with instructions to
transfer specific amounts regu-
larly to his daughter in New York.
Thus we created a well-to-do
and generous father to Justify
Gerda's comparative affluence.
The old man. I was convinced,
knew nothing about the nature of
his daughters inducements. My
reward was wonderful Swiss va
cation in Montreux with my hus-
band, Ludwig, and few other
companions. Ludwig seemed in
formed on the progress of my
work on the State Department
officials, Noel Field and Laurence
Duggan.
New Agent Added to Circle.
It was on getting back to home
base in September that a new
Russian agent was added to my
narrow circle of associates. l had
only Just unpacked at the Bar
bizon Plaza when Fred phoned to
welcome me and invited me for
dinner "at his home at six" In
our Aesopian jargon that meant
dinner at eight at the restaurant
we had agreed on before my trip.
Toward the end of the meal we +
were joined by a blond, blue-eyed
and remarkably handsome young
Russian who looked and, alas, be-
haved more like gigolo than a
spy. We adjourned to a Latin
basement spot on West Eighth
street, when there was plenty of
rhumba noise to cover our con-
version.
BY what name did I wish to
address our new friend, Fred
wanted to know. Having been on
the dance floor with the amorous
young man, I thought Lothario or
Don Juan suitable. but compro-
missed on Anton, and Anton he re-
mained for me in the next two
years.
Brother Of GPU Leader.
Fred gave me to understand
that Anton was my responsibility
and that I must take the burden |
seriously. His anxiety and later 1
patience with Anton's antics, I
was to surmise in time, had at |
least two good causes. In the first
place. Anton was the apparatuSl]
photographer, key post in any
network. Secondly, he was the
scapegrace brother of a powerful
GPU chieftain in Moscow.
Anton's immediate need was a
place where he could work dis
cretely two or three nights
week. Diverting his mind from
American women long enough to
focus it on American business
was no easy matter. But I sue
ceeded in providing him with a
hideout.
had met Mary, as I shall call /
the victim, several months earlier
at q friendly home, and she had |
become attached to me. Plain to 4
the point of homeliness, unloved
at the age of 80, a bookkeeper
yearning for romance, Mary was
ripe for trouble. She was fasci-
mated by my accounts of heroic
ant1-faScist work and pressed me
Tor a chance to collaborate.
Trouble Developed Quickly.
The chance took the agreeable
shape of our sybaritic Anton. Il
Once I introduced them, nature 1
took its course. Mary's little flat Il
became a secret Photographic stu
dto. with large closet converted
into a darkroom.
Despite my earnest warnings
that we must sever our relations
Tor safety's sake, poor Mary de-
Scended on me five or six weeks
later IN state Of ear-hysteria.
She was hopelessly enamored with
the Russian, but realized that his
love was little more than payment
Tor the use of her apartment. /
Doubts on this issue were resolved |
when Anton staged a drunken |
orgy in the improvised studio one
night and forced one of his Rus
sian friends on her.
Naturally Mary rejected my sug-
sestion that she turn the rascal
out. Worried that her jealousy
might lead to calamity for the
ring, I reported the situation in
detail. The puritanical Fred