Part 18 (1/2)
”I couldn't say, sir,” the orderly replied with a shrug ”All I knohat I hear around the base There aren'tyet But it won't be long, and then hter squadron here, in case the Funny about theo
It doesn't make sense But what does in this screar?”
Neither Dawson nor Fared, and pushed back their chairs
”Well, thanks for the fine meal, Corporal,” Dawson said, and tossed a bill on the table ”Here, have a tiet a pass to town”
”I sure will, and thanks, Captain!” the orderly gulped when he saw the amount of Dawson's tip ”Thanks a lot, sir And I hope I'll be here next tih”
”So do I, Corporal,” Dawson sood luck”
”The same to you, sir!” the other called after hilanced at his wrist watch and saw that it was just about time to report to Colonel Welsh in the field coo, Freddy,” he said ”What do you think of Goering's Snoopers? I guess we spotted solish youth replied, and frowned ”And a very queer business, if you ask me Do you suppose, Dave--”
”I wouldn't know,” Dawson said as Farht I 's Snoopers are sort of keeping an eye on things
If so, that's not so good Do you get what I ree with you completely,” Freddy replied at once ”But how in the world--Oh, blast it! I'ure out riddles!”
They left it at that and walked in silence to the Ad A sentry met them just inside the door, learned their names, and led the officer of the recently established U S Air Forces Base The two youths were admitted at once, and as Dawson looked at Colonel Welsh seated to one side of the huge desk, his heart gave a nervous leap and tried to slide up into his throat The Intelligence Chief's face looked like that of a ghost Rather, it looked like the face of a hosts However, with a treravely presented the two air aces to Major General Haelcomed them with a smile and a feell chosen words His face, too, showed the nervous strain under which he was suffering
Dawson, glancing frole at the back of his neck The old eerie tingling that had never in the past failed to serve as a warning of danger and death in the ientle a hand toward a couple of chairs ”I--Well, Colonel, I believe you'd better begin the talking, anyway These two officers have been working with you since the start of things So go right ahead, sir”
Colonel Welsh nodded his thanks to the general and stared at Dawson and Farard from worry and fear
”Bad news for us,” he said bluntly ”The thing we tried to prevent has come to pass in spite of our efforts Where the leak is, I don't know
Maybe I'll never find out But that is not important, now What is important is the fact that the nazis have learned of the war conference to be held in Casablanca In short, the nazis know that President Roosevelt is co to Casablanca!”
”You're sure, sir?” Dawson blurted out as the colonel paused for breath
”As sure as it's necessary to be,” the Intelligence officer replied, tight-lipped Leaning forward, he tapped a map spread out on the top of the desk ”Take a look at this and tell me what it means to you”
Both Dawson and Fare-sized navigation map that included the eastern shores of the two American continents and the western shores of the European and African continents The map was creased in rease on its surface to indicate it had been used considerably What caught and instantly held Dawson's attention, and Fars and notes on the lance, their full , to say the least
Dawson jerked up his head and stared in half-stunned aator's chart, sir!” he exclaimed ”With a dozen different courses plotted out froland, to here _To Casablanca!_”
”That's right,” the Colonel said soberly ”Every course plotted on that chart _ends_ at Casablanca! If you look closer, you will see where the nazi owner of that chart has penciled in the area off the coast of Morocco that he patrolled”
”nazi owner, sir?” Freddy Farlish-born air ace stuain, Colonel Welsh answered hiht, Farmer That chart was taken from the body of a dead nazi pilot, whose bomber was shot down in the Atlas Mountains about two hundred 's Snoopers, eh?” Dawson lanced at him sharply
”What's that, Dawson?” the senior officer asked ”Where'd you hear about Goering's Snoopers?”