Atlanta Daily World

MARY FIRE IN THE DARK by SCHUMANN

CHAPTER TWENTY

was a straight thread as he scowled. Carlotta rose and twirled after the retreating figure. The combination of a small safe. Counting out bills, she laid a thousand dollars in Rab's hand. "There. I haven't paid that much for a long while." Puzzling why that "smart alec" had made such a suspicious exit from that station wagon. ... To whom did it belong? The answers evaded him. He whistled. "A steal! Out-and-out banditry!" Brickham decided to stop fishing and drive around to see his old friend, Major George Tyrell. They would have a rum swizzle on the terrace and he would present the Pixley problem to the Major, a World War veteran who was head of civilian defense in this district.

That Sunday afternoon it was humid by the beaver pond where Bill had strolled with Baalah Jones at the latter's request. They were seated on the same bench where Bill had talked with Carlotta. Baalah smacked irritably at the mosquitoes which were biting through his thin socks. "I'm not much for out-of-doors," he grumbled; "but that house, with all Carlotta's regulations, depresses me. How are you standing it, Bill?"

Bill laughed. "Like the army; if you don't like it, you lump it."

"Learning anything?"

"Sometimes I think I am."

"She's a tough teacher, hard to please. But you must be ready for a job by now; surprised she hasn't sent you out." There was a hook in his tone.

"I must be slow."

"She never said that." Suddenly Baalah shot the question, "Have you fallen for her yet?"

"Lord no! She's different, not like anyone I've ever known; but we're not supposed to think anyone pays any attention to who wanders in and out of this out-of-the-way dump."

"You think it's safe, yes? Maybe I exaggerate secrecy, but- August will drive you back; not all the way, but part way. He'll let you out just before the houses start, at the small bridge."

"What shall I do then-walk six miles?"

"She lets you roam the grounds."

"Perhaps you'll meet that boy with the wheelbarrow again!"

At that Rab had to smile and say, "I kiss your hand, madam."

August brought the station wagon to the door, and Pixley curled up on the floor behind the driver's seat.

Brickham was standing in the woods near November Road, tying a Pink Lady to his trout line in preparation for casting in the small stream. About that time, Lawyer Amos Steuben sat very still and Baalah began slowly: "Things are going too well abroad, even better than we had dared hope. In the Pacific, too, the Japs are winning just as decisively - we have secret information!"

Pixley, the orchestra leader at the country club, tumbled out- the same white-faced grinning jack-in-the-box that his daughter thought was such a success at the dances. Then, hatless, Pixley walked by with a jaunty step to the hill while the new go on, and p dont inter driver tt. and went back rupt. It has ceon, the nlan to han's l den n mtil his mouth a much easier way of taking over.

We took the long view here. Do you know that there isn't a factory employing over twelve people that hasn't at least one of our agents in it?"

"I've been told so."

"Now I understand that Carlotta has allowed you to study the contents of the last two mail bags. They surely gave you a good idea of what a stupendous thing we've built up."

Bill shook his head as if lost in admiration. "It is about time."

Baalah dropped his voice, his eyes glittered. "A plane factory not so far from here is making bombers. When a big load is ready for shipment we will seize the plant, man the bombers, and strike at some big industrial objectives. We will leave them a shambles! A surprise flight like that of the Americans over Japan."

Bill whistled in sheer amazement. "But this will do infinitely more damage. The populace will be paralyzed, and before the fatheads can recover, we will strike in another area."

"But the bombs for this? It will take a huge load of those, don't forget!"

"We have them," said Baalah quietly.

"Stolen?"

"Not so many. It's hard to steal them."

Bill drew a deep breath. "I see --you did it another way."

"We think of little things like that. We have--the bombs."

"Landed from submarines?"

"Ha-ha. I'm not saying. But the supply is adequate."

Baalah's smile was wicked. "And there's another matter which we have just verified: An engineer-let's call him Z. -has been working on a bombsight superior to anything ever known. Now Z is right in this town on a construction job."

"You think he has perfected it?"

"I know it."

Baalah Jones began to laugh, "And we will not bomb that factory!"

"You'll take it?"

"You're quick, Bill! Carlotta's right about you!"

"Stop kidding! Go on with this-- it's interesting!"

Baalah pursed his full lips thoughtfully before saying, "It will be especially interesting to you because-you're going to work in that place. We'll wangle you in and you'll learn the workings of the invention. Also you'll find the weak spots in the guard and plan the seizure."

"Good!" exclaimed Bill enthusiastically, "I've been too long for an assignment!"

His eagerness to leave the Tower of Learning brightened Baalah, dispelling the last shreds of his jealousy. On walking back, as they approached the farm, Bill put on his black mask and asked, "How long before you can plant me in that factory?"

Baalah answered, "Not too long. Ten then left him t the grease (To