y. A
British destroyer put me ashore."

"Where are you calling from?"

"Ramsgate."

"Get in touch with British Intelligence there. We can't put you through
to the general."

"Then get me Colonel Holt."

"He is in conference. Now clear the wire."

"Don't hang up or I'll have your stripes!" Stan shouted.

"Yes, sir," the voice said quickly.

That meant the operator was a non-com which would make it a little
easier.

"Get me Lieutenant Allison at Mess 187. Make it quick."

The operator did some plugging and after a bit came back with a report.

"Lieutenant Allison has shifted to fighter group. He is at 155,
Interceptor Base."

"Get him!" Stan snapped.

The operator began plugging again and Stan waited. He saw the man
shadowing him standing out at the counter drinking a cup of tea. After a
long wait he heard Allison's voice.

"Hello there?"

"This is Stan. Hold it! Listen! I'm at Ramsgate and have to get to
headquarters at once. Can't tell you how I got here, but I'm about to be
grabbed by British Intelligence. I'm dressed like a German business
man."

"I say, old man, this is topping." Stan heard him shout to O'Malley.

"Is Sim Jones there?"

"Yes, he was here. I don't see him, but I'm sure he's around. Want to
talk to him?"

"No, but either you or O'Malley keep an eye on him. Don't let him get
out of your sight. If he leaves the mess, follow him!"

"I say, what's up?" Allison was clearly startled.

"Do as I say, and get Colonel Holt. Tell him to pick me up here at
once. Even if he has to come himself. I'm about to be grabbed by a
plain-clothes man. But I'll be at British Intelligence here at
Ramsgate."

The Intelligence man was in the door of the booth. "That will be enough
talk," he said gruffly. "Any other messages you have I'll send for you."
He reached over and hung up the phone before Stan could say another
word.

"Listen, Officer. Take me back to the Intelligence Office," Stan said.
"My commander will call for me there."

"You are acting very strangely, my man. Why didn't you make this call
from the office? It could have been checked there." The officer laid a
big hand on Stan's arm.

"I'll make one from there," Stan said. "I'll admit I should have put
this one through from your office, but I did not know I was to be
followed and I didn't stop to think how I would look in these clothes."

"I have orders to handle this myself in case you showed any suspicious
actions. I think you