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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1946-05-02, Page 7DESPERATE FLIGHT by Pvt, H. P. Colson 1946 is T^e story thus for: Within four days after deciding the de­ sert from the U.S* Army, Bvt, Ghris Cannon, as Mike Travers, goes to work as a draftsman for the Monroe Aircraft Co,, in San Francisco. The actual desertion had been simple: At the begin­ ning of his 15-day furlough he had gone to Chicago, had obtain­ ed there, for a price, the birth, •certificate and draft exemption card of a map who had been tak­ en for a “last ride,” But all at once Chris finds that his well-laid plans are going awry-—and mainly because of a German spy, Greta Miller, the roommate of pretty Martha Patterson with whom Chris is in love. Part IH “Martha—” he whispered. She raised her head. “Martha . you know, don’t you?” "I think so.” “You know that I love you—” He kissed her again. “Martha ... I ... er ... I’d like to know how you feel about me.” She was smiling again but that ■little wrinkle of perplexity was across her brow. “I like you very much, Mike . . . but there is some­ thing mysterious about you/ some­ thing ■! don’t understand—” Chris was silent for he under­ stood only too well. “Mike, I ... I don’t like to say this,” she continued, “but I don’t quite know what I' think about you. iMaybe I’m afraid of you—” Chris waited impatiently in his ■hotel room. At the stroke o£ 12 Greta Miller arrived. She got to the point immediate­ ly. “Mr. Travers, you have access to the blueprints of the electrical wiring in the new Monroe super­ bomber.” “Uh yes.” Chris paused, “I want them!” Something inside Chris rebelled at her demand. “Why?” “Oh! . . . you—” she exploded suddenly and fiercely.. Then she stated candidly that she represent­ ed a group of so-called “investors” in the United' States, emphasizing that murder was a mere detail of their obligations. “Let’s not waste time, Mr. Travers ... the penalty for a deserter in wartime is death. Therefore, I have the choice of re­ porting you to the authorities or taking care of you in our way. If you play ball with me you will be well paid in (American money and you will be protected by us,” Chris Cannon’s mind was in a whirl. Being an, army deserter was bad enough, ‘ but to deliberately commit treason, to purposely help th© enemy. Chris was thinking of his mother again. He could never face hex’ if this thing were perpetrated. And what of Martha? But he was in too deep now. There was no alterna­ tive. In deadly silence the two stared at each other, Greta’s piercing green eyes pinned his threateningr iy.“Let me think this over,” Chris muttered “Now! You have no choice!” she cried. 0 His throat went shut and he had to keep swallowing. A surrender to the inevitable was expressed in his haggard face. Impulsively he Stamped out his cigarette, tried td keep a steady voice: “Okay, lady —1 • guess you’ve got the drop on me. In more ways than one. What’s WHEN IN TORONTO * Make Your Home Hnii'l Waifotlnj LOCATED on wide SPADINA AVE. At College Street . . . RATES . • . Single $1.50-$3.50 Doublo $2.50- $7.00 Write for Folder We Advise Early Reservation A. WHOLE DAY'S SIGHT-SEEING WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE A. M. PCWELL, Prasident Bilious Attacks Liver Complaint ’Biliousness is fost another name* for a clogged or sluggish liver. It is a very common complaint, but can be quickly remedied by stimulating the flow of bile- This softens the accumulated mass, the poisons arc carried out of Urn system, and the fiver xffid bowels arc relieved and toned tip. Milburn’s Laxa-Liver Pills quicken and enliven the sluggish liver, Open­ ing tip every channel, by causing a free flow of bile and thus cleansing the liver of the' clogging impurities. They are small and easy to take. Do not gripe, weaken or sicken. The T, Milburn Co., Ltd., Toronto, Ont. your proposition . ,?” A clever plan was outlined by the womap wherein Chris was to gequre th© complete set of blue­ prints of the electrical wiring sys-‘ tern <?f the new superbomber that Monroe Aircraft had recently put Into production. “You have access fo the blue­ prints, All you will have to de is bring them to this address,” She handed him a large business card. Chris glanced at the card and inquired, “What is my fee if , , , I mean, when I finish the fob?” “Five thousand dollars,” she re­ plied casually. “And here is a lit­ tle gift from my associates to seal the bargain. She opened her purse, withdrew an envelope and tossed it into his lap. Inside Chris found an even thousand <foUars in bills of small denominations. Nervously he fin­ gered the money. “. . . And I’ll get five thousand more—?’’ “Yes,” she replied coldly. “You get the rest of the money when you deliver the blueprints to the Smith Jewelry & Importing Co.” “How do I know I can trust you?” '“That shrewd, thin-lipped smile was on her face again. “You will trust me, won’t you, Mr. Travers?” The ring of the telephone inter­ rupted. Chris put the receiver to his ear. “Two gentlemen in the lobby, sir,” said the operator, “Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Fritz.” Chris knew no one by either name. ■Greta interposed: “Probably they are friends.” “Tell them to come up,” Chris murmured into the phone. “And who are our friends, Miss Miller?” ^Chris inquired in a stac­ cato voice as he dropped the re- ceivei* on the hook.” “Investors!” she stated impas­ sively, “Investors?” “Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Fritz are investors.” There was a stoic ex­ pression on her face. Chris Cannon’s 'jaws tightened as he sat stonily silent, There was a rap at the door. Chris opened it and two strange men entered, ignoring his presence. They, saluted simultaneously and exclaimed in suppressed voices: “Heil!” Greta Miller' was on her feet, saluted and repeated: “Heil -Hit­ ler!” Greta introduced them: “Mr. Travers, this is .Mr. Schmidt, our president . . . and our ''secretary, •Mr. Fritz.” Chris nodded. Mr. Fritz regarded Chris through pince-nez glasses. “Do you under­ stand what is expected—?” Chris nodded again, somewhat surprised by Mr’. Fritz’ polished Oxford accent. ", , . and you have received your,., first thousand dollars?” Mr. Fritz went* on. “. , . And 'I'm to get 5,000, more!” Chris emphasized. ' • “Right you are, old man—5,000 more on'delivery of the blueprints.” “Business on a, C.O.D.' basis—” Chris quipped and they all laugh­ ed. Mr. Fritz extended his hand. “You are a very wise man, Mr. Travers . . . very smart’?’ Chris shook his head and smiled broadly. Mr. Schmidt also extended his hand and Chris took it. “Let me warn you,” Schmidt said quietly, “do not try to double­ cross us if you value your life!” Greta Smiled obliquely. “Mr. Travers understands fully what is expected.” “Don’t worry, gentlemen. I will not renege on my job,” Chris spoke with surprising courage. “I hope you will not renege when it comes to the $5,000—” Chris sensed a cold feeling of feai’ in his stomach as he observed the reaction of his words on his listeners. “Have no fear . . .” Greta was facing him with those green eyes focused on him, “You will receive your money just as soon as you deliver the blueprints.” The other two made similar as­ surances with enthusiasm, “Okay!” 'Chris brightened and grasped Mr. Fritz by the shoulder. "I’ll deliver the blueprints for the Monroe superbombei' to your of­ fice within the next 48 hours.” Chris clutched the neck of a liquor decanter, poured a shot of whisky into a glass and drank it quickly. His face was white after that meeting with Greta ahd hex’ “investor” friends and his body trembled as he slumped 'back ill his chair, During the fitful sleepless night that followed, .every incident of tile past month paraded in his mind— the moment he had decided to de­ sert the army, tile night in Chicago When he paid $500 for a dead man’s army discharge and birth certifi­ cate, til© precious moments he had Spent with Martha, and now, the encounter with Nazi agent, Greta Miller, and her cohorts, Mr. Fritz and Mr: Schmidt. Before the night was through Chris had decided on a definite course of action for the day? the excitement of his decision trembled through his body like cold chills, ‘ , Chris arrived on the job at Monroe Aircraft two hours late the next morning. lie had several things to take care of, Including some very private telephoning, He THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EWER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 2nd, 4946 knew that the theft of the blue­ prints would be a comparatively simple matter. He merely slipped tho blueprints out of the file cabi­ net, strolled calmly into the men’s lavatory, unbottoned his shirt and slipped them inside, flattening them on his Chest, Chris had dinnei' with, Martha that evening at the Bluebonnet Hotel’s Blue Room, They were dancing when he started to ask hex' something but the words Were drowned in a crescendo of music—- When they were seated at the table Chris started to speak again, hut the words were slow in com­ ing. “I was late for -work this morning, Martha.” , Mmmmm . , . that’s bad. Did you oversleep?” “Nope ... I went downtown to buy something.” He held a sparkling diamond engagement ring before her eyes, Ostensibly startled, , Martha straightened in her chair. “Will you wear it, Martha?” A tiny half smile hovered around hex* sensitive little mouth. She blushed and there was a slight vib­ ration in her voice. “I , . . I can’t wear your ring, Mike. We haven’t known each other more than a week—” Early the next morning Chris proceeded directly to the address Greta Miller had given him—1919 N. Webbe Street. His. heart was pounding heavily in his chest as he neared- ''his destination. Out of the corner of his eye he detected two men behind him and once he turned abruptly in his tracks to see if they were following him. It was now a ‘mere matter of minutes until everything would be over. The blueprints would be de­ livered, he would collect the five thousand dollars and — a secret thought gave him . encouragement. As he came through the -door of the Smith Jewelry and Importing Co., he spotted Greta Miller seated at a desk. ■She looked up and asked in a candid voice, “Can you give deliv­ ery on that order this morning, Mr. Travers?,” “Yes,” Chris replied. She motioned him quickly into an office marked private, In a moment two Other men entered. . Chris . un­ buttoned his shirt, withdrew the set of blueprints of the new Monroe bomber and handed them to one of the men. The blueprints were spread out on the table and the men were scrutinizing them closely, glancing at each other and exchanging words in a,, tongue unfamiliar to Chris. It was a full hour before the men turned from their work. One of them smiled and breathed a sigh of satisfaction. “That is good! , . . very good, Mi'. Travers.” , .Greta Miller appeared through the door, smiling, and she handed Chris a large envelope. “—Your $5,00.0, Mr. Travers!” Chris leaned forward, suddenly grabbed Greta by the hair, and landed a beautiful right cross flush on her chin. She dropped to the floor. Behind her two cohorts, sud­ denly appeared F.B.I, agents; their drawn guns and brief command was all the persuasion the Germans needed to raise their hands, sur­ render without trouble. Radio newscasters and San Fran­ cisco newspaper headlines screamed the big story—ARMY DESERTER BREAKS UP .GERMAN SPY RING. A big picture of Chris was on the front page and a complete story of how he had revealed a diabolical espionage plot to the 'F.B.I, by a mere phone call. Martha was waiting in the hotel lobby when Chris, in the custody of two men. came in; she gaped in astonishment. Chris was wearing an Army OD uniform. “W-what—w-where—did you get the uniform?” “From the bottom drawer of my dresser” . . . and then Chris told her everything—from the very be­ ginning. Martha’s face paled and two big brown eyes- widened in amazement,., as she listened _ with bated breath to the whole fantastic story, Chris concluded: “. . . so I may be in the guardhouse for a long time!” “I hope not—” “The ®\B.i. contacted Washing­ ton this morning;” Chris contin­ ued. “The local agent said he’d do what he could in my behalf. Until then,” he indicated the two men who had stepped aside to let them talk, “these gentlemen have me In their keeping . . . Since my fur­ lough wasn’t up yet, there’s a good chance 1 won’t be considered a de­ serter, you know.” “Call for Mr. Travers! Telegram fox* Mr. Travers!’ A bellboy was paging Chris, Chris flipped the boy a coin. With trembling hands he ripped open the telegram; “Proceed immediately to your home base at youi* own expense. Case Of Pvt, 'Christopher Cannon, alias Michael Travers, brought to attention of commanding general in Washington by federal Bureau of Investigation witli favorable recommendation. Regret to inform you that your punishment undox* the 104th article of wax* 'will be one week’s K.P, duty.’* Two big brown eyes Were smil­ ing at Chris when he looked up. Martha’s left arm was extended, Chris slipped a sparkling diamond engagement ring on her third fin­ ger. (Tho ffind) <a> MILLIONS OF AMERICAN VISITORS are expected to come to Canada during 1946 for their post-war vacation. I? won’t always be easy to accommodate them. We still have our crowding and shortages. We are still in the aftermath of war. This is the very reason we should all take special care to be courteous and considerate to our guests this summer. This year, of all years, we must maintain the reputation we have won for true hospitality. YOU MAY NEVER SEE A TOURIST^ BUT ass tourist‘dollars flow to youi The grocer, the garage man, the former, the office worker—every­ body benefits directly or indirectly from tourist spending, and the extra work and income it creates. Last year, tourists in Canada spent more than one hundred and fifty million dollars. In the years ahead, as our ability to handle tourist traffic grows, who is to say how big this business may become? For Canada is in an enviable position—a natural vacation land next door to the most travel-minded nation in the world. This is an all-important .year! It may be difficult in many ways yet it holds great promise for the future. THEY’LL BE TALKING ABOUT US... We want them to come again. We want them to tell their friends: “We had a marvellous time in Canada!” By making them truly welcome, we can win millions of enthusiastic salesmen for Canada—“satisfied cus­ tomers” who will pass on to many times their number the story of Canadian hospitality add of Canada’s unlimited attractions as a vacation land. Good Year’s Work Shown by Huron Presbyterial at 20th Annual Meeting TO Large crowds attended the 20th annual meeting of the Huron Pyes- byterial .of the Women’s Missionary Society held in the United Church at Wingham Thursday of last week. Sessions wei'e held both morning and afternoon, with the ministers and laymen convening in the Bap­ tist Church. One hundred and fif­ teen delegates registered. The 21st annual meeting will be held in Exeter in 19 47. The following officers were re­ turned for the ensuing year: Hon­ orary president, 'Mrs. A. W. Gardi­ ner, Egmondville; past president. Mrs. Robert Nay, Fordwich; presi­ dent, Mrs. C. Tavener, Holmesville; 1st vice-president, Mrs. R. Lawson, Seaforth; 2nd vice-president, Mrs. H. Wilson, Brussels; 3rd vice- president, Mrs. ’ W. McVillie, West­ field; 4th vice-president, Mrs. R. Batten, Exeter; evening auxiliary secretary, Mrs. W. J. Greer, Wing­ ham; recording .secretary, Miss M. H. Milne, Blyth; corresponding sec­ retary, Mrs. H. Snell, Auburn; treasurer, Mrs; G. F. >Pen.Warden, Centralia; Christian stewardship secretary, Mrs. H.-Kirkby, Walton; mission circle secretary, Mrs. G. H. Dunlop, Belgrave; mission band secretary, Mrs. R. A. Brook, Hen- CHESTERFIELDS and OCCASIONAL CHAIRS Repaired and Re-covered Free Pick-up and Delivery Stratford Upholstering Co. (Successors io the Clifford Upholstering Company) 42 Brunswick Street STRATFORD Phone 570 Enquire at Hopper-Hockey Furniture Store Sxeter FOR CANADA’S TOURIST BUSINESS sail; C.G.I.T. secretary, Miss W. Worthy, Goderich; baby band sec­ retary, Mrs. F. Fingland, Clinton; Community friendship secretary, Miss M. Ellis, Hensail; missionary monthly secretary, Mrs. E. Toll, R.R. No. 1, Blyth;. temperance sec­ retary, Mrs. Earl Mills, Walton; literature secretary, Mrs. John Hillebreclit, Seaforth; associate helpers’ secretary, Mrs. Leslie Wightman, Wingham; press sec­ retary, Miss Caroline Wellwood, Wingham. Increased Givings Encouraging reports were given from all departments, with the treasurer’s report showing an in­ crease in receipts ovex' 1945 of $878.00, Receipts from the various departments were as follows: Aux­ iliaries, $12,062.50; evening auxil­ iaries, $1,973.21; mission circles; $344.13; mission bands, $.1,265.83; baby bands, $263.67: C.G.I.T., $36.00; total receipts were $16,- 089.41, balance on hand. $18.85. The address of welcome was given by A. W. Irwin. Wingham; reply, Mrs. Lome Nichol. Brussels. (Panel discussions were led by Mrs C. Tavener. Holmesville. . The Wingham Mission Band un- dex‘ the direction, of Mrs. Norman Keating and Mrs. George Fells rendered an exercise. At the afternoon session Rev. R G. Hazelwood brought greetings from the Presbytery. Special Speaker was Mrs. J. H Childs, president of the London Conference Branch of the W.M.S., who gave an inspiring address and also installed the officers. th3e chain-letter racket Chaifl-letters are oh the list again, with the handkerchief ex­ change this time. Those who have received them- are returning them to the Sender as they do not ap­ prove of thexn, Seemingly it is un­ known to many unsuspecting peo­ ple that these are illegal in Canada and the whole object is that the persons who start these letters are making money or stamps, not tor any Bed Cross ox* charitable organ­ izations. It is just a racket! ■Buyer and seller find Tlmes- Advocate For Salo ads mutually profitable. •<3 *wt HA® ^^HAe TlfAB W* ^£^5^1 & u v. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT TRAVEL BUREAU Department of Trade & Commerce, Ottawa NOW THE LID IS OFF || wggh 11 SfXw uh 11 .w & *4 • i 1 ■ f ‘ <> Secretly, in the early and dark days Of the war, a S3,000,000 plant, the Stormont Chemicals Lim­ ited, was built on the outskirts of Cornwall, Ont. No one knew what it was for except those who were re­ sponsible for its construction, the workers and the two or three top freight department officers of the Canadian National Railways Who arranged for supplies to be trans­ ported into the plant. It was one of Canada’s biggest and best kept war­ time secrets. Canada remembered the suffering and. death of her soldiers in the first world war, when the enemy sneak- attacked. with gas. More than 3,000 tons of the most potent deadly mus­ tard gas ever produced in the world was manufactured, at Cornwall and the plant was set io go into mass production instantly. So powerful was the lethal gas that if it were sprayed on a Canadian city, a chemical war­ fare officer says, no one could venture outdoors for a month or longer, while decontamination squads, rushed into the city from outside, cleaned it up. But the Germans didn’t use gas and. when the war ended, the Chem­ / * ■|| ical Warfare and Smoke Branch of the Department of National Defence faced the problem of safely disposing of the gas. tThe best and surest way to remove it from harxn’s way Was to dump it in the Atlantic. Then officers of the Canadian National Railways were called in to work out tho problem of transporting the biggest’ mustard gas movement ever handled by rail. Special anti-gas paper had to be used to, line the floor of each car, on top of which two inches of dehydrated charcoal was spread. Td hold the drums, each containing more than a quarter of a ton of gas, securely in place, mote than 540 test of Juinbei* was needed for each car. With each carload of gas, a member of the Army decontamination squad was sent along on the 900-mile trip. In tho upper photograph, a steel drum of mustard gas is being rolled into one of the 197 C.N.R, cars needed for the big movement. Tho lower photograph shows the drums spread over a mile-Square field almost ns for as the.eye can, see, To transport those 10,219 drums of gas to tho east coast, five C.N.R. special trains were re­ quired.