"Page: 6

AMERICA COLUMN

from

NEWELL ROGERS

Dial Your

Menu, Madam

New York.

[OUSEWIVES dial their

Hmm in a "dream kit-

chen" on show in New York!

the "kitchen of

morrow."

10-

It looks like a pink and! executive plum coloured

.

suite.

There is n desk at

side where

the

one

housewife her can plan

menus and answer the telephone with- She waves out touching it.

a hand over the telephone anal breaka

BEGINS TODAY: :

THE CHINA MAIL," SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, ̈ 19567??

Bluff was My Armour

by ROLF MAGENER

43

THE WAR STORY WITH A DIFFERENCE - THIS TIME THE BRITISH ARE THE HUNTERS

Escape!-and

we dine with the enemy

on a journey are not very par-

T was at Saharanpur We had unbounded confidence magic weapon of blur. station that we first in our

But much depended on our saw the red-banded caps impeccable

performanCES of the Military Police. Englishmen. In appearance In British Military Police! The both came up to the mark

rank we were fortunate, sweat of fear trickled down speech also

Heins had spent years in Malaya our foreheads.

and spoke excellent English.

and The front of the station Soldiers' slang

quite familiar to alive

aoldiers, phrases were with

Was

freckled

Tommies

When it came

Time began to move. We As long orderod supper. we ticular about uniform.

As we were in khaki, badges of it included beer.

it- of great Were not

Then 1 almout portance,

gave 0 shout Armed with these disguises we joy.

Гот Saharanpur It is act off about 50 miles south of Dehra Dun, And it is on the Calcutta Calcutta was our first ob- Jective. After that the Burma

common

30

a ray which Sturdy Gurkhas with short, us. makes the telephone "live." curves! kukris

In case we should drop into line. ut their

from enroletsrcX Hilde doorn The refrigerator

Ricles, tall Punjabis und German

excitement, we dolded always border. up and down with the pressure

were to speak English to each other. of a finger, and the glass over doors sikle down like a enr win-standing about,

Finally, we had fake proofs of low at the touch of

a button.

We stood there dazed. And the vent

has a Small

to the tast detail--even to CET- screen on to which recipes are We were right in the middle identity, made out by ourselves

Instead of of the shouting, pushing fleates of vaccination.

We wore the same a cookery book, house-crowd.

Heins's were made out in the

will buy

rec khuki uniform. But at any name of Harry F. Loyd. Mine . Then they dial the recipe

bluff could be they want and it is projected on minute our

projreted in entour.

myg wives

fle screen.

called.

For we were men on the run. ILBERT ROLAND, the Rim]Two Gernians,

actor, mik that he Gullermina Cantu,

uf

Ufl

לייו איM

it was u lutio in

This was wartime. hot May morning in City, were married last month #1|:944. A few days befure we Yuinu. Arizona.

hal been two German prisoners Roland, who la 49, was once in a British camp in Dehra Dun, married to Constance Bennett. Im the outhills of the Himalayas.

Berde me--Rai Magener. Mise Lantu is 20 1: 1 er fral

COCK srowed in Harlem, the Negro and Puerto Rican

quarter i New York

was Heins von Have. And we

within

train ticket

herty, kir

principal

Waiting Stuf

uf

Was

weapon But we nie› had a derp

wetives hard it They woew knowledge of the English chan-

It was the signal that an egal

It was our fundamental

cocklight had started in a base-better that the less you said about ment an West 126th Street.

cockfighting

f tropical Caribbean isla

their

you YOU WITC

Horace

therefore, the

was in

that of

There was a road to Saljaran- pur, with a service of bases, But commandant had always Insisted that no escaped prisoner could possibly travel by bus the

because the passengers were too

A bus

along closely scrutinised.

Just as we reached the road. After wavering between hope and fear,

CALCUTI

THE CAPE FIDUTE

TANI!

of

Won

She went softly past and But down nt u table near us. first the was It

"C white had seen for years!

wore

Next morning we

Into

conversation.

Sho had the milky skin of a red-haired beauty, and her eyes phanged

I saw later they were greenish it was Impossible to avoid it,

and As were full of warmth to their All we could do was to keep li

sexmed to make 4s nosyllabic

committal as posible. poetry of the very air. depths. She

"Are you for "Calcutta 1937" "Don't upset the table in your

said, rather H were indeed, enthusinam," Heins

dampingly.

но took the risk. "My buy. It's a great moment," signalled to the driver, I sold. feiting my unaccustom- the lovely appart- ed eyes ta and climbed in.

The Indian driver tion. seemed to be impress-

And it really ed by the high mili- tary hour paid to his to be aware of a Look rattling bus. He tou sence after years

corners at hair-raising speed.

"If you don't drive mor's carefully

1'

Liz

he

throw you out,

shouted foot

If 1 had been more ceremonious John Edward would never have taken me for

nambo was u British soldier.

"If you don't drive more core- fully I'll throw you out, you fool," I shouted to him. If I had been more ceremonions he would me for u never have taken British soldier,

yourself in the empany of the Twenty-six men were arrest- est The Puerto Ricans bought Fish the more they accepted Harding. My wife's

safer Enid iris, nee Thorton, resident

ni Calcutta. We boli: spike flawless

a worthless baggage. She won a plan. Thal And we had English.

was the excuse for my It was a crazy plan, perhaps, but journey to Calcutta-in cast I

confident we could go

were asked for it. It was bo deal with the break-up of our mar- through with it.

We were going to cross India

her loose riage owing to haviour. by bus and train. Then we were Ram-pong to walk through the Burns

Jingles to the Japanese lines.

THE Right Reverend

W. B. Donegan, Protestant Episcopal Bhop of New York, (house-housey bingo

bons

we were

from all his parishes.

Roman Catholic and Lutheran

sponsored the churches

hundreds of Hive for

church charity. gamblers profesional

bling

players as a

Ai

"museled in

The State

1 Legislature about to pass a law to Inglise

Surs

fr

the pan for charities Aly.

REES demanded by Hollywood FEES

commercial TV shows have trailed in six months, complains TV tasting director Ethel Winant,

Misa

Wat

Win!

10,000-dollar star now not only

demands this sum, but als free return trips to New Yes himself, wife, three tle ones, and a narmy.

THINGS the statisticians and

TH

Walked out!

smort

be-

Petrified

ND it was

as two British soldiers we stepped off the

rallway station"

at

"Yes,"

1.

there,

"Amyliung going now?" they wanted to know.

"We haven't been there for #cme Ume now."

"How long

was an vvent woman's pro- of raw, malo vxistence behind the wire, where out?” the absence of women hud been the more Insult not only one but a calculated torture.

have you

been

t

"Oh, a long time." All true enough.

Houtenant

for for

mor

at one

ordered

of

The treat-

Tho We were thankful to provid- ence for sparing us any disillu- breakfast

A bay brought slonment. She was no discredit the stations, to her sva and breed. That was tea, eggs, rolls, and fruit along

Fugl- to omen. assuredly a good

compartiment. tives, for whom all hangs on Englishman insisted on

superstitious and ing us, chance, grow

everywhere for begin to look sigos and portents.

For us, who had been shut

all darkness,

this away in seemed like an overdose, of life -traine roaring past, strange

children, white table facts. cloths, service, bright red lips.

the confident that We were

Such thronging life raised us mere mention of those painful

of existence. to a higher level matters would deber any English-

When at inst the express thun- man worthy of the name from bus at the

dered in we wero in the best of and undeeling Saharanpur. making tacticss Inquiries.

While we stood perifted in form and would have had it out,

withh the f

the Devil soldiers, Of

necessary, the crowd

came along. himself. Our military background pre- stationmaster stety.

sented peculiar difficulties. How Heins, the bolder of US. re-

to answer questions

covered his form at once. about our regiment, our depot,

He coully asked him to show and the name of our commanding

walling- to the the way

the officer?

room. He took us through Ind We

FANTASTIC?" Well, no

so than our escape Dressed in our British khaku we had just walked past the sentrica sergeant-major at the and the

camp

At the gate Hens stopped us we labred, He unrolled a sheet

sme

of trackig paper which he tapped with his sticks. Then we loudly

excitedly

discussed and mythical plans for new buildings, The sentry took it for granted that if we acted in this fashion we must be English officers. Our

out: The average US, honey-first buff had worked.

We just strolled oil-to free- moon insta 12 and 4-10th days,

dum. And costs $301.

were we

officers

125

dia-

vacant table

Anxiety

A 'hunch'

THE thing that saved us, o

PASSES, PLEASE!

When the train stopped i was surveying my lathered face in the glass

Suddenly something occurred which went through me like red-hot needles. I distinctly heard a voice say: "Gentlemen, your passes, please,” drawing by ROBB

MEUNANATOSRENUMISMATIYLARGILIONEATBI

He could only sit still and lot catastrophe ruh to course.

of

our pay

The Englishman produced a whole shoot

documents besides widch

books body threatened in overwhelm- would have made a very paltry ing numbers, show. Just as the M.P. was tuming to Helms, who was now resigned to capture, the lou- tenant hastily produced another pase and, with a wave in

direction, sald:

doubt, must have been the Heins notice in every compartmem this is my batman's." which, besides warning troops that long trousers were to be WOIT at night because of the forbade risk of malaria, also

all mention of military affairs.

tema

o'clock By

wo WETC As we *pproaching Lucknow. ran in I had a presentimient thut trains would be checked the reflrod 10 I So there, lev.ory to wash and shave.

When the train

stopped

עוון

our-

Fortunately

looking for a sultable compart-

I was covered, in an English illustrated sut down at a henna Land in WE walked along the conches periodical which found its way the furthest corner of the room, ment. As the train was already veying

lathered into the camp, some

the groups of

ginus. face It was not large, and almost un- moving we found one full, as we India, A regimental

something thought, of Indians. But when Suddenly name of the regi- occupied.

We bought a newspaper to we got in we

con. saw with giving the

occurred which went and behind, mental association as well as the

through me liko red- two stormation that there

were two of the officers. All of take cover

to slake lemon squastres

our Englishmen in uniform in the

hot needles. I dis- which we committed to memory.

tinctly heard a volco burning throats

furthest corners. In the matter of dress we were

Just we were starting to

"Gentlemen, your fairly well off. British officers

a lieutenant-tall. There was read the paper through for the

passes, please."

Military tims the door opened leathery, and hollow-cyet; a sbound

The pilot with and two M.P..

of came in.

#complexion tension WES terrific as they milk and roses.

памоз

KLM proudly presents

the all-new SUPER CONSTELLATION!

SUPER comfortable

[SUPER •spacious SUPER-Juxurious SUPER-t

Only KLM gives you Super Constellation service

3 times weekly Bangkok-Europe!

The Super Constellation is the long- est, Jargest, fineut airliner over built, with 3 superbly appointed passenger cabins, a luxurious lounge, bar service and galley, 4 lavatories, crew's quar tere, pilot's cabin-all air conditioned) And KLM offers you the kind of service you get only with the airline that puts your comfort first)

Book passage now! Three classes to choose from! First class with restful "Sleepalr": First Class with soft re- clining chairs; and the world's most KLÁ comfortable tourist cham) Super Constellations leave Bangkok three times a week--Tuesday, Satur day and Sunday. Daily through con pections on Super Constellations from Amsterdam to New York!

KLM recommended by all who know!

For fores, time schedulee and reserva- tions, contact your Travel · Agent - or - Philippine. ÁN: Zings, Inc., General Soler Agent for 'KLAM· fat Hòngkong...

KLM

as

walked straight towards table.

our

Preparations

say:

police in compartmental I went limp. In a few

our

"And

Wo

Complete encirclement. were alone in the midst of the enemy protected only by the If our fimsiest of camouflage.

knew only table-componiona with whom they were having

The M.P. gave Heine a fleet-dinner! ing glance, saluted, and went out without another word.

He must have taken feina for There was no the batman, other explanation.

There was a batman, but he was an Indian who was travel- ling in another coach. And it was

We falt suffocated at the thought and dared not look up from our plates, A large drop of sweat fell from my torchend on to my as yet unfoldéď nap- kin The air felt charred,

Then we caught it. The major over the cheese, up in his direction that the, started Houtenant was waving his hand mercifully with the louteauxt

Fun under

It took a long

time

first,

to get the fright out Ahat

of my bones. It was

Where was he golog"

To Calcutta.

all very well to have was like thin sieci. escaped the 'clutch of

His voice

Before he could proceed to

NEXT WEEK

the provost marshal..

but. would

chance further

interrogation,

the

come to our help

a stationmaster

fir came

10

second time?

to take

the buses

The rails

train. Wo

of the

ing

British

for sleep

were

seconds I would be hustled out of my

backs wach seat

hauled back to camp in hand- cuffs,

We snt motionless, awaiting made by degrees. By pushing temporary retreat, arrested, and annihilation, They sat down up

two

the stat

tables off.. The "M.F." btcame two bunks..

on their armbands, the heavy revolvers at their belts threaten- ingly close.

Thirsty M.P.s

to

strike

be

request all passangers

droned their seats in the

sleepily us the train bowed coolly to the table and held on its undeviat hurried out.

thuo way across plains. The evening

fres were alight in the villages when the train stopped at the station. where we were to dine.

small

We walked to the Again 1 saw my face. It was station building with the lou distorted, and

soap- tenant and the pilot, who took

my

Sleep in our case was not to

thought of. The anxiety -- lest an inspection, of passes might take place at the next surrounded Upp quivered as his heavy autoinatie with him. tation and the presence of though trying to form words. British officers all mate us

of our

Thank

siles. We marked CVLTV And then, as though a hand movement of the two English from on high' has averted the men through the silts

Inevitable, I heard: closed eyes

gentlemen. Good you, The pilot suddenly woke up. morning” An Indian had lain down on he feet and now started up at kick. I could see only the white of his eyes and their

...

; יי :י

W

No Trouble

WHEN we were outside the Wwhole nightmare vanished like smoke. We were us exultanţ as if we had woh a battled

"We have only to survive a firation with the Viceroy's daughter,". I said. "Now we've got through that, I don't see what's to stop us,"

There was a crowd at the bar, where flasks were being filled with gin

A waiter led us to WHAT were they up to? They

our reserved seats at a table. took off their caps, wiped

At Howrah Terminus, Col- where a major and a captain, cutta, we their foreheads, and orderÖRİ

sald goodbye to Lemonade. They had found the

both Englishmen, were already our two Englishmen very cor heat too much for them and had

seated,

dially. After all, it was only in for a moment's TC-

I could not believe my ears. come

owing to their reserve" that we freshment.

The danger, was undoubtedly

* Wo sat down in a stupor had been able to survive: two Nothing seemed

how hod Hoins beside the two from our car- days in the Bame compartment. them. We sat quietly in our expression of a beaten hound. past, but corner, and their professional After stammering his excuses, managed it? After a pause I riage. The meal, began in stience, Redcaps shone out menacingly the barrier. Heins gyes were pleased with what he stood in the middle of the ventured to open the door.

compartment like a schoolboy There was Helme, rather pale, We are never likely to forgat they saw.

walked straight past them, sur- table

The companions. but composed. Heins went out to buy tickets, who had been punished.

and rounded by a mob of Brilish major looiced severe

When my turn cams They had to be ordinary tickets

thoroughly dangerous —— sharp woldiers. features, black hair, and pene- they were busy with soldiers trating blue eyes. The captain asking where their units were looked as though the war might and where they were, to dous have Interrupted his studies as down. I sipped by unobserved, Oxford or Cambridge..........

Without knowing quito How

0s

we should have nooded a held warrant for Service ones.

He returned with two second clars

tickets to Calcutta. To have travelled third would have been beneath the dignity of two British offloors,

On the tickets it said 1,020 miles to Calcutta. What a dis- tanpel

>

The pilot met my eye and

He told me later he had seen OLED his cigaretes.

M.P. approaching

gur "They're so damped submissive: the And the worst of it is, it carriage along the platform, works." I nodded 'in asserit.

"Don't stand there: Llo down again," he told the man.

1.

our cigareticà Wo amolcod and walch, no more.

MANDRAKE THE

WHY ARE THOSE--THINGS SPRAYING THE BOATF-GOT TO REACH THEM-- STILL WEAK--

MAGICIAN

ON DECK--THE SPRAYING IS COMPLETED ***EVERY INCH IS COVERED WITH THE

GUMMY SUBSTANCE.

There was no tinic to get out and mbe with the crowd, and to. tiavo got out on the other side of the track would hava aroused suspicion immediately.

our

Com behind

10

These two sat opposite us, our hat happened, we had arrived train companions covered our in Calcuth, the second largest funk, and all round the main city of the British Empire,

By Lee Falk and Phill Davis

THEY LEAVE THE SHIP QUICKLY÷-

AND A SIGNAL LIGHT FLASHES. TO-WHAT--FAR BELOW-

TALK

ABOUT

MAGIC

Share This Page