Page Six
Illinois Valley News, Thursday, January 16, 1941
visitor. Mr. Shields was a portly,
smartly groomed man in late mid­
dle life. His round, florid face was
an ingratiating smile as he invited
The erect middle-aged man in
Benning to a seat and tendered a
blue business suit who came briskly
cigarette.
out of the White House paused re­
luctantly before the inquisitive press
"I’m glad you’re here on the dot,
Benning,” he said. "There’s quite a
of correspondents.
•‘Anything new on our rearma­
bit to be done in Paris, and you
ment program. General?" one re­
must be in Bordeaux tomorrow to
You can see by this that I rather
catch your boat for Vera Cruz.”
porter wanted to know.
favor working without a frame
Another asked, "Did the President
Benning said, “I'm at your dis­
though I know perfectly well that
have anything to say about Mex­
posal, sir."
it is more efficient to work with
ico?”
one. Almost all professionals have
The ambassador regarded his vis­
General Hague, Chief of Staff of
frames that rest on a permanent
itor with a certain whimsical wist­
the Army, had managed to dissipate
base. I have sketched here the
fulness. He lighted a cigarette.
with a calm smile that gravity in
type of frame that most amateurs
"You know, Benning," he said, "I
which he had emerged from confer­
use. You can buy the corner
decidedly
envy
you
this
opportunity
ence with the President.
clamps at the hardware store and
for distinguished service. I think I
"There is nothing to give out. gen­
put the frame together quickly. It
know what’s under the surface of
tlemen," he said with quiet firm­
may be the size of your rug or
things
in
Europe,
but
I
can
’
t
prove
ness, and strode to his military se­
smaller. If it is smaller, just part
anything
in
the
concrete
way
that
’
s
dan that was waiting in the drive­
of the rug is stretched on the
necessary. So you must go to Mex­
way.
frame at one time.
ico to do the job.”
The general's car sped off to the
• • •
“I’d suppose, sir,” Benning com­ *T'WO of the nicest hook rugs I
long, concrete Munitions Building on
SEWING Book 5 tells you exactly how to
mented, "that our government was
have were made without a prepare the burlap for a hooked rug like
Constitution Avenue that houses the
informed at least of the larger dip­ frame. Many rug makers like to the one in this sketch and gives much
War Department. General Hague
valuable information on rug hook­
lomatic facts.”
hurried to his offices on the second
work this way so that they may other
ing. There is still another hooked rug de­
floor and instructed his aide-de-
"Facts?” Shields echoed the word turn the work as they do different sign in Book 6; also a braided and a cro­
A metallic click told him
camp to summon Colonel Flagwill.
derisively. “But there’s only one parts of the design. Then, too, cheted rug. Send order to:
his weapon was empty.
In a few minutes Flagwill, acting
accepted fact in international rela­ whenever rug hookers meet there
"Hard luck, sir,” he reported. tions today: that the maps are list­ is sure to be an exchange of treas­
assistant chief of staff G-2, in spy mess at Eighth Corps Area
MRS. RUTH WYETH SPEARS
“But at least the experience con­ ed for an overhaul. Outwardly ev­ ured bits of colored fabrics. In
charge of military intelligence, re­ Headquarters."
Drawer 10
"Better bring him back to Wash­ firms a hot trail. No doubt Gaujos eryone is praying for peace to come no time at all a rug making group
ported in from another wing.
Bedford Hills
New York
"Sit down, Flagwill," the gen­ ington at once," General Hague de­ was a more important agent than out of the current muddle. Under is meeting and it is difficult to
Enclose 20c for Books 5 and 6.
eral invited. “The President has cided. "Instruct corps area to ship we thought and it’s likely he has a the surface the big question is, When carry a frame when one goes visit­
Name ..................................................• ••
just decided to go to the bottom of him by fast plane. Benning must team in San Antonio.”
will the lid blow off? We’re looking ing. It is often difficult to find
Address ....................................................
sail from New York for France with­
this Mexican situation."
space
to
put
a
frame
away
in
a
Bart replied crisply: "Meet me to you for the answer, Benning."
Flagwill's lean, aquiline face re­ out delay. That’s all. Flagwill."
immediately at Kelly Field, Ben­
Benning’s eyes narrowed. "I’m small house or apartment, too.
0 • • • • 0 •
mained impassive except for a quick
ning. Drive as fast as your fliv­ not sure I understand, sir.”
gleam of fire in his piercing black
Captain Allan Benning, in civilian ver will take you.”
Mr. Shields laughed mirthlessly.
eyes.
clothes, sat waiting in a battered old
When, fifteen minutes later, Ben­
“I’ll speak frankly. Why, after
A Quiz With Answers
"That’s good news, sirl" he ex­ coupe just outside Fort Sam Hous­ ning sped up to the gate at the fly­
claimed; and added in a quiet voice: ton. For two weeks past he had ing field, Lieutenant Colonel Bart those devastating, murderous
Offering Information
months of savage mass murder last
"In that connection, my section has been following one of those slender was waiting in a military sedan into
year did the Coalition Powers patch
just completed our final estimate threads of investigation that were in­ which he ushered the captain at
on Various Subjects
up an armistice with the Allies while
of the situation based on all present tended to connect local espionage ac­ once.
their
armies
squatted
inconclusively
available information. Would you tivities with the Van Hassek army
‘T’ve a fast plane waiting for you, on a mere segment of conquered
7. No, a half-full moon sheds
care to hear my report now?”
in Mexico.
The Questions
Benning,"
Bart announced. “You’re Europe? Ostensibly to work out a
only about one-ninth as much light
“Go ahead," Hague invited.
Important secrets had been stolen to return immediately to Washing­ peace formula to save civilization.
“I'll be as brief as possible, sir. from southern military headquarters
1. What is the population of on the earth as one that is full.
But now everyone suspects the ar­
8. The krubi which grows in Su­
Our best estimate is 200,000 Euro­ at the fort. Not least of these was ton—orders of the Chief of G-2.”
Greece?
Benning felt the rise of his pulse mistice is a Coalition subterfuge to
matra and takes 12 years to
pean regulars mobilized in Mexico. the secret tables of organization of
2.
What
standards
are
used
by
That covers organized infantry di­ the proposed new American fighting as they drove down along the rows shift some alignments, gather new the Bureau of the Census in com­ bloom. It is over 8 feet high and
visions, artillery, cavalry, tanks, air division. Gone, too, was the file copy of hangars to where a sleek new ob­ forces, and—vastly more important puting the number of illiterates in 12 feet in diameter. It is bell­
servation plane waited with spinning —circumvent the United States from | the country?
corps, and technical groups trans­ of army mobilization plans.
shaped and has a disagreeable
motors. A captain in flying togs was a disastrous armed intervention. I i
ported from Mediterranean ports
odor.
3.
Under
what
conditions
may
a
Benning's suspicion had centered standing under the fuselage of the didn’t mean to get all steamed up 1
during the past six months, together
9. All of them.
private in the U. S. army wed?
with some reservist infantry assem­ promptly on a staff sergeant, Gau- observation plane. Bart said to him: on that subject, Benning. But in
4. What does a panegyric piece 10. At present over a million
jos. Not by reason of any action "Wallin, this is your passenger for this grim world of reality in which
bled from South American points.
horsepower is produced, and ex­
of writing do?
To all outward appearances they on the part of the sergeant, but be­ Washington. You’re to deliver him I have to work, our smug provincial­
5. "Now God be praised, I die perts estimate that the volume of
cause of an eloquent intangible, the there in the shortest possible time. ism at home does get on my nerves
fully support the arguments of the
water which pours over the preci­
at times, not to mention how it happy” are the dying words of pice could develop over 3,975,000
new Mexican dictatorship that, as a palpable inconsistency of Gaujos’ That’s all. Captain!”
what
general?
cramps our style. Getting down to
part of the Mexican military forces, background, personality, and intelli­
In the sky there was the first your work, do you by any chance
6. President Andrew Johnson es­ horsepower, or nearly one-tenth of
gence with his present occupation.
these troops are not the concern of
rose
glow
of
approaching
sunrise
caped impeachment by how many the power needs of the United
Gaujos
was
a
man
of
forty,
a
remember
the
case
of
a
Lieutenant
the United States."
States.
when Benning made out. through the
votes?
General Hague's straight mouth Frenchman by birth, had served as glass bottom of the plane, the wide Bromlitz of our army who escaped
7.
Does
the
moon,
when
it
is
half
a combat pilot with the French air
some two years ago from the Unit­
parted in a cynical smile.
silver ribbon of the Potomac. In
full, shed half as much light on
"There is the big rub, Flagwill. corps during the World War. Three the distance, Washington’s Monu­ ed States?"
"Very distinctly, sir," Benning an­ the earth as it does when it
The Mexican version has so ration­ years ago he had taken out papers ment stood sentinel over the sleep­
reaches the full stage?
alized their European army that the as an American citizen and enlisted ing capital, the large round domes swered at once. "Happened in my
8. Which is the world’s largest
in the army.
own
regiment
at
Fort
Jay.
Brom
­
American public falls for the fiction
of Congress loomed up out of the
flower?
At headquarters Gaujos' superiors
litz
was
accused
of
stealing
can
­
completely. It almost has our State
granite and marble huddle of govern­
9. Of sheep, cattle, deer, ante­
Department fooled, even when our swore by him. He was highly com­ ment buildings. As the plane swung teen funds. When the adjutant ar­ lope, goats and swine, how many
petent
as
an
administrative
clerk
rested
him,
Bromlitz
knocked
the
ambassador knows the real com­
down for a landing at Bolling Field,
of them are cloven-hoofed ani­
mander in Mexico is Van Hassek, having supervision over half a doz
he glimpsed the gray hulk that adjutant down and, in his efforts to mals?
one of the smartest tacticians of en typists. To the casual observer houses the State Department and, escape, shot and killed the corporal
10. How much horsepower is de­
Gaujos might have appeared a sat
the old Imperial Army.”
near-by, the trim outlines of the of the guard. By some black magic veloped by the hydroelectric plant
urnine,
stolidly
satisfied
man
who
Bromlitz
then
vanished
into
thin
Evil Thought
"The subterfuge is obvious, sir,"
White House.
at Niagara Falls?
Multitudes think they like to do
air."
Flagwill averred. "My whole section had given up the struggle for higher
evil; yet no man ever really en­
"At the present moment,” Mr.
agrees that the United States faces success and settled happily into his
CHAPTER II
The Answers
present little groove. His face was
joyed doing evil since God made
Shields said, "Bromlitz is at the
attack from Van Hassek's army."
the world.—Ruskin.
fortress of Vincennes, held incom­
General Hague somberly nodded long, lean, and angular and with
The plane swung back across the municado by the French. They
1. The population of Greece is
small, level black eyes in which
his head.
Anacostia
and
glided
to
a
landing.
nipped him a few days ago when I 6,204,684.
"I agree perfectly with your de­ there was no friendliness.
2. The Bureau of the Census
With Benning, it had been a mat­ Benning thanked the pilot for a safe he arrived from Luxembourg as an J
ductions, Flagwill, and informed the
journey north and sped by military army intelligence operative for the rules that any person 10 years of
President pretty much to the same ter of baiting a trap. He had fabri­
sedan across the river into Washing­
effect today. He is very gravely con­ cated a secret report that American ton. At the War Department he went past year. It seems he had made age or older who cannot read or
reserves
were
being
sent
to
the
bor
­
connection with Van Hassek agents j write in any language is an illit­
cerned and wants the facts as quick­
tyiickCy 44, it
to the second floor and reported to and was selected for the Mexican erate.
ly as possible. But what can the der and had it placed, the night be­ the G-2 section.
LIQUID
3.
With
his
commanding
officer
’
s
service.”
TABLETS
President do unless Congress is con­ fore, where Gaujos would find it in
permission.
Colonel
Flagwill
had
come
down
SALVE
the
course
of
his
duty
today.
Now
Benning made a swift deduction j
vinced and facts are available for
NOSE DROPS
4. A panegyric piece of writing
COUCH DROPS
Benning was waiting for Gaujos to early for Benning's arrival. His and said dryly, "I assume, sir, that
the public?"
"In the meantime. General, are leave the fort when the headquar­ placid, unemotional face broke in a I am to go to Mexico masqueraded elaborately praises.
5. James Wolfe (after his vic­
we to reinforce our border garri­ ters crew knocked off work for the slight smile and his eyes sparkled as an escaped murderer."
Passing Splendors
at sight of the young officer. He
tory at Quebec).
sons for defense in event attack day.
The splendors that belong unto
“
A
very
lucky
break,
Benning.
We
led
the
captain
into
a
private
office
The suspected man took a bus into
comes sooner than expected?”
6. One. The vote was 35 to It; the fame of earth are but a wind,
have the whole inside of it. Bromlitz
and closed the door.
The Chief of Staff groaned and San Antonio and had dinner at a
is known to be an American with a a two-thirds majority was neces­ that in the same direction lasts not
Without formality Flagwill said:
said: "The President doesn't dare hotel. He engaged a taxicab and
long.—Dante.
record that strips him of any possi­ sary for conviction.
order troop concentrations now, headed south out of the city. It was “Someone must go into Mexico and ble American loyalties. As a former
Flagwill Congress would probably dusk when Gaujos left his taxicab get the facts, Benning. I needn't American officer, Van Hassek no
refuse him an appropriation for and proceeded down the road on foot remind you of the danger of such an doubt thinks the fellow a valuable ;
transportation. He'd be accused of from a point south of the old county enterprise. While I have thought of acquisition. Gave him the rank of |
saber-rattling."
poor farm. Benning parked his own you for the detail, you need not ac­ major, which you now inherit."
coupe
by the roadside and held the cept unless you want to.”
Flagwill mopped his brow and
"Isn't it a bit extraordinary, sir,
"Thanks for thinking of me, Colo­
said slowly: "I see it all, sir. Just trail from a discreet distance. The
that the French learned all this?”
suspected masquerader turned sud­ nel.” Benning said with an easy
what's our move, please?"
Benning wanted to know.
'To collect facts Our ambassador denly off the road into a field. Ben­ smile. "When do you wish me to
"Not when you consider the facts.
leave?"
to France has something very se­ ning recognized it as a field that did
There was an approving gleam in Bromlitz, it appears, has a flair for ;
cret hatched up with the French se­ service on occasion as an emergency
cret service. A chance to slip one of landing-place for student fliers from the Flagwill eyes as he took from romance. He fell very much in love
our officers into the Mexican serv­ Randolph Field. A fringe of willows his pocket a bulky sealed letter and with a girl in Luxembourg, told her
his plans, promised to send for her
ice at Mexico City. Our first move lay along the road, and through handed it to Benning.
is to select our man and send him these Gaujos plunged with the de­
"You’re sailing for Europe at elev­ as soon as he could afford it.”
"And she spilled the beans.”
to Paris to get his detailed instruc­ cisiveness of a man who knows en on the America. Available in­
The ambassador smiled and said:
tions It's very important that we where he is going
formation is in this letter. When
pick the right man for this, a man
But Benning learned a few mo­ you've read it, destroy it by burn­ "Why not? The French keep their
with plenty of brains and backbone. ments later that Gaujos was not off ing. You'd better take a commer­ ears to the ground and they've been
I rather had young Benning in his guard. As the captain eased into- cial plane to New York. Your boat paging Bromlitz since he first
mind."
the willows, a stab of flame blinded reservations have been attended to. showed up in Luxembourg. They
“An excellent choice,” Flagwill his eyes, the bark of a pistol clapped On landing at Southampton, cross | put their cleverest she agent on him,
promptly agreed
"But right now his ears. He dove to the ground, his the Channel to Le Havre and pro- j a Mademoiselle Lucette Ducos. The
I've got Captain Benning down in right hand whipping his own service ceed to Paris by express. Our am­ French are turning Bromlitz’ pass­
The smoke of slower-burning Camels gives you —
San Antonio. Investigating another pistol into play and sent a bullet bassador. Mr. Shields, will be ex­ ports and secret orders over to us.
You
’
ll
need
only
to
transfer
your
driving at the spot whence had come pecting you in Paris. Any question,
own photograph to the Bromlitz
the attack. Then he lay tensely wait­ Benning?”
passports. The French have a spe­
ing.
"I think not, sir,” Benning said.
"Good luck,” Flagwill said, rising. cial process for doing this. At your
The grim silence that followed was
broken shortly by the kicking-over of "Do a thorough job of it and get the convenience en route to Mexico you
I
a propeller out tn the field, followed Mexican picture back here as soon t should practice his signature.
by the easy purr of a high-powered as possible, consistent with thor­ thought, too. you might want to look
oughness. I'll have an officer at the the fellow over to refresh your mem- i
AND-
engine tuning for a take-off.
As Benning leaped to his feet, his airport with your tickets and ex­ ory on his mannerisms.”.
eyes made out, in the vague light, a pense money. That's all. Captain.” j Captain Benning thought briefly
and got to his feet.
figure zigzagging at high speed into
“Very good, sir.” he said. “If
the field. Aiming carefully he sent
The embassy staff had calculated
one bullet after another driving after to the minute when Benning was due [ that’s the game. I'm ready to go
the fugitive until a metallic click to arrive from the Gare du Nord. to Vincennes."
told him his weapon was empty.
No sooner had he dropped the bronze | The ambassador handed Benning
The runner made the plane, vault­ knocker than the embassy front door a packet of papers, comprising the
ed inside
Benning, now helpless opened A bespectacled male sec­ Bromlitz carte d'identite and several
to act, saw the shadowy plane wad­ retary looked him over in sharp ap­ orders in German and Italian. A
dle down the stubble and roar into praisal and said. "You are the gen­ secretary came into the room to
the sky. In a twinkling it was swal­ tleman we're expecting?"
make a photograph of Benning for
than the average of the 4 other largest-
lowed up in the void of a Texas
"Captain Benning, just in from transfer to the Bromlitz passports
oelling cigarettes tested —1 cm than any
twilight.
the United States,” the captain an- ' Benning then left the embassy and
Benning swore under his breath swered.
of them —according to independent act
took a taxicab to Vincennes.
at his 111 luck, returned to his coupe,
entitle tests of the smoke itself.
Benning passed out of Paris |
"Please come in," the secretary
and drove to his hotel tn San An­
said. "Mr. Shields has reserved this through the Porte de Bercy and sped
tonio. There was a burn at his neck
to the grim old walls of the ancient
hour and is waiting for you.”
which told him of a close call with
citadel A sentry challenged at the
The
ambassador
was
at
the
door
death He examined it critically, de-
gate, examined Benning's creden­
| cided it was not serious enough to of his reception room to receive his tials. and sent him to the comman­
require an anti tetanus treatment,
dant who dispatched a sous-officier
and called the corps area G-2 offi­
to guide the American to the Brom­
cer, Lieutenant Colonel Bart, on the
THE SLOWER-BURNING
litz cell
telephone.
CIGARETTE
(TO RE COYTIM ED)
I DON'T MISS I T I
INSTALLMENT ONE
CHAPTER I
Ruth Wyeth Spears
AMERI^
ASK ME O
ANOTHER f
%COLDS
EXTRA
EXTRA
EXTRA
MILDNESS COOLNESS FLAVOR
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