Screenland (Nov 1942-Apr 1943)

through the darkened streets of Brest to meet him at the wharf agreed upon. It was then Sheila forgot Nicole's warning and spoke English and the girl and Howard glanced fearfully at the German sentry standing nearby, but the man's face was immobile and they breathed easier as they thought he had not heard. And as they clambered down the rocks toward the rickety little dock and the waiting _ boat, Howard turned to the girl. It was going to be difficult leaving the girl John had loved. "Won't you come with us?" he asked softly. "No." She smiled gently. "You have told me yourself, remember, that in times of trouble one should be in one's own country, doing what one can to help. This is where I belong, here." "But afterward?" he asked. "Afterward I shall come," she said. And it was as he drew her toward him that they heard the harsh German voices and turned to see the sentry and the military policeman coming towards them with drawn guns. "This way, all of you !" they ordered. Less than half an hour later they were ushered into what had obviously been the living room of a chateau, now being used as military headquarters, and Howard stood there glaring as he confronted the arrogant Alajor Diessen who was in command. "I suppose you know that Charendon has been arrested," he said. Howard looked at him bewildered. "I haven't the foggiest notion what you're talking about," he sputtered, all his old irascibility coming back at the man's supercilious voice. "Nor have you heard of Major Cochrane of Army Intelligence either, I suppose," the German went on. "Your memory obviously needs refreshing. This story you told the police of being an English gentleman travelling across France, anxious to get home, would not deceive a child. And these children are a pretty and most disarming device. Where did you get them?" And then as Howard explained about Ronnie and Sheila, he broke in impatiently, 'And the others, friends also, I suppose?" "The others I know little about," Howard said stiffly. "Except that they were lost and unhappy. It did not occur to me to demand further credentials." "You insist on that absurd story?" Diessen's cold voice was mocking now. "Before i get through with you, Mr. Englishman, you'll be talking very differently indeed and your memory will be much better." "If your intention is to frighten me you Fay Bointer, star of "The War Against Mrs. Hadley," was appointed by Santa Monica's Board of Education to head a "Block Mother " project, a plan to name a house on each block where kiddies may find refuge in an emergency. are wasting your breath," Howard said quietly. "I am simply trying to point out how futile it is to lie." The German's pale blue eyes fixed themselves on his. "We know who sent the information of the Fuehrer's visit to the fleet at Brest and why your air force bombed it at that particular time. It was you, you and Charendon. But what we do not know and what you shall tell us is how that information reached England. As soon as it is told, the pain will stop. But not before." He turned to an aide. "Take them away." Howard was the last to reach the door. "I say." He looked back. "Did they get Hitler?" "Of course not." The man returned his look contemptuously. "That's too bad," Howard said. But his defiance didn't last as they were ushered back into the room which was to be their prison. He didn't care for himself and he was almost certain they wouldn't harm the children but/there was Nicole and the young fisherman and the trouble he had got them into. Even their assurances that what they had done was of their own choice didn't help as he began writing a new will and since his daughter had married well, he was leaving everything he had to Nicole so that she could look after the children. There was hardly time for Nicole and the fisherman to sign as witnesses when the aide came in and said he was wanted and as Howard was ushered into the drawing room again, he saw the Major standing at the tall windows leading to the terrace. "Look," he said, beckoning to Howard to come over. "A very pleasant garden, isn't it?" And then as Howard nodded, "That is where your friend Mr. Charendon is going to die in just a few minutes unless you decide to help him." It didn't do any good to insist he knew nothing and Howard's heart sank as he saw the guards bring a dark young man out of the house and the firing squad take its place in front of him. But Howard wouldn't show the German how he felt as the Major forced him to stand at the window. It was only when the command was given and a volley of shots were fired and Charendon dropped to the ground dead that Howard staggered weakly to a chair and sat down, the German looking at him curiously. "You puzzle me, really," he said. "If you are a spy, at least you are a clever one. What did you intend to do with those children?" "I don't know," Howard said dully. "I hadn't thought. Send them to America, I suppose. My daughter would have made a home for them until the war was over." The German laughed ironically. "Are you seriously asking me to believe that a woman in America would take in those dirty little children you picked up? What about Mademoiselle? Were you going to send her to America also?" "I would like her to go but she has a mother in Chartres and she is returning there," Howard said. Something in the German's manner gave him hope. "Listen," he said. "Let her return to her home and allow the young man to sail to Plymouth with the children and I'll confess to anything you wish. Anything at all." "Ach!" The Major looked at him baffled. "I simply do not know what to make of you. I can only say you must be a very brave man to make such an offer." "No, not brave." 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