"The LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED"

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 100, 6 September 1929, Page 2

"The LEGION OF THE CONDEMNED"

The machine climbed steadily out ( of range and set off back in the direction of the Allied lines. The journey back home was an uneventful one. He was spotted by Archie when passing over the front, and there were a few puffs of H.H. which

did not come within striking distance of the plane however. Soon far below Gale could see the wide expanse of the ’drome. He shut off the motor and glided smoothly down to the ground.

Down in the messroom that night a silent group of men stood round the Commandant. He held in his hand another of those well known death warrants, bearing the official seal of Headquarters.

Gale was occupying his usual table nea r the door, and he rose silently and followed the Commandant across the room.

“Yes, it’s another trip for someone,” said the latter. “There is evidently some information that the War Department wants badly, and they are going to any length to get it.”

The Commandant tossed the packet down carelessly—

“Fight it out among yourselve s as usual ”

Holabird began fingering the cards while the others drew round eagerly. The letter lay on the counter with the familiar heading “Miuistere de la Guerre,” and bearing the typewritten line, “Mission Spo^ale. A long arm reached over the heads of the men and grabbed the letter. Holabird swung round, cursing, but Jt was too late. Gale carefully placed the packet in his pocket “Anyone who wants this moi e than I do—can try and get it,” he said.

The little Spaniard sprang forward fiut Holabird caught him. “You’re too small for this bird, he said. “I’m more the type.” Both men, as they faced each 'other, were strongly built, both formidable, but Gale had the advantage of height. Holabird dived at him Vmd the two grappled, rolled over and crashing into a small wooden table which splintered under the impact. The fight was of short duration, for Gale landed on top of the Texan and secured a hold on. his throat. He hung on like grim death. Holabird struggled desperately, Twisting and pitching on the floor, but he was unable to shake off the grip that was slowly choking him. He was beaten. Black in the face and with limbs sagging, he managed to mutter his surrender in a strangled voice. Gale loosened his hold 'and helped him to his feet. Th» 'two shook hands and made for the 1 bar.

“My shout,” said Gale, for such ’was the spirit of the Legion.

Gale and the mechanic Toto stood heside the plane next morning in a biting wind that swept across the aerodrome. Toto shivered and remarked that it was a beastly day. Gale grunted. He was in a vile humour that morning and was anxious t 0 get on with the work. He looked up at the heavens and saw that they were covered with a thick bank of clouds that hung like .a pall over the landscape. “Just the weather for the job on hand, Toto,” he said at length. “We’ll escape unwelcome attentions over the lines.”

A car had silently rolled through the gates of the ’drome and came t 0 a standstill close to the hangars. A small figure stepped out,

Ji Story of the < —ADAPTED FROM THE Qictwrf- —>

clothed iu a big black oilskin coat and a large cap of, the same material which completely hid the face. Gale was HOW busy over his map and did not notice the approach of the 'party, till Toto touched him on the arm. “Here comes your passeugei, mon Lieutenant,” he said. • ''Well at; Ifcast h,c’s on time,’\ growled Gale. The spy accompanied by the Commandant and an intelligence ofhcer came round the tail of the machine and Gale turned to meet them. He looked carelessly at his passenger and realised with a start .that it was a woman. A gust of, wind lifted the girl’s hat and theneyes met. It wa s Christine. For a moment neither of them spoke, then the words came hoarsely from Gale. “What are you doing here?” There wa s a world of anger and bitterness in his voice. Christine paled before his glance. “My duty, Gale,” she said falteringly. Her eyes were sweet and tender, but to the man they held only treachery. The memory of the last time that he had seen her on one memorable night in the arms of a German pig rose in his mind and the blood surged to his head.

“Wa s it your duty to get drunk that night.” he cried fiercely. But' her voice was still sweet and caressing. “I was not drunk Gale,” she answered. “I tried to find you afterwards and explain—but you had g one — n o one knew where. It was my country—or you, dear. Gale’s mind was in a whirl, and .'he strove to think clearly. Then like a flash came understanding. (Christine, a spy, how blind he had been. He saw that he r arms were held out to him waiting for his answer.

“Christine, .will you ever forgive me?” he said in a low voice.

She did not reply but for answer flung herself in his arms. The Commandant. and the other officer had discreetly withdrawn, leaving the two together. For a l° n S while neither of them spoke, then Gale said in a strange strained voice—

“After what I saw—and what you said 1 just wanted to smash my way out of this world. God knows I was blind.”

A discreet cough broke in on a deep silence. Toto saluted. “Everything is in order, mou

Lieutenant.”

Gale felt an icy hand round his heart. He had almost forgotten the mission that 'had brought Christine to the aerodrome.

A fierce light came into his eyes. “Christine,” ho cried. “I can’t let you go out there!” “Gale, dear,” she Avhispered “You have made my duty so difficult once. Please don’t do it again.” He released her but there was anxiety in his eyes.

“I’ll be gone only ten days, Gale,” she continued. “You will come tor me then?”

“Thrlough hell itself,” he savagely, “if that’s a short cut.” i Christine smiled.

“Kiss me again, Gale, and then we must be gone.”

He took her in his arms once more, and then lifted her gently into the cockpit of the plane. (To be continued).