ught in spite of us." He leaned back and laughed loudly.

"Sim Jones was a spy?" Stan shot the question at the colonel.

"Sim Jones is no spy, but Herr Egbert Minter is a spy and a very clever
one. He fooled you men into thinking he was Jones. You were trapped by
a very clever actor, Lieutenant." The colonel patted his stomach and
smiled broadly. "I have been given a complete file upon the case along
with orders to put you out of the way."

"Why should you let us escape?" Stan asked.

"As you will not live to tell about it, I may as well enlighten you."
The colonel fairly beamed. "When Herr Minter and the redheaded
lieutenant reach England, as they will, Minter will send us information
as to a big raid we are sure you are planning. After Lieutenant O'Malley
and Herr Minter tell your High Command how near collapse Germany is,
they will make the raid with everything they have to knock us out of the
war." The colonel bent forward. "We were careful to stage many little
scenes for your benefit. I am sorry only that this O'Malley person is to
get through to tell how weakened Germany is within her own borders. You
would have served much better."

Stan stared at the German and his teeth clamped shut hard. "A very
clever set of tricks, Colonel," he said coldly. "But they won't get you
any place. Minter won't be able to get a message out in time."

"We already have the radio equipment where he can use it. We have made a
careful study of the habits of Lieutenant Jones. You see he was knocked
a bit out of his head and talked a great deal about his home and about
his career in the service while he was in the hospital." The colonel
leaned back. "I, Colonel Glotz, had no small part in this and will earn
an advancement. Heil Hitler!" He snapped the words out sharply.

"And you intend to shoot me?" Stan said.

"Perhaps, unless you can give us some information regarding this new
fighter craft you were flying."

Stan's eyes narrowed. He was sure Colonel Glotz's orders did not call
for shooting him on the spot. He would have a little time to plan an
escape. His chances would be desperately slim, he knew that, but he had
faced death many times before and had always cheated the final pay-off.

"Well?" Glotz asked.

"I don't know what I could tell you," Stan said, pretending to be
debating with himself.

"We'll give you a few hours to think it over. I have some important
messages to dictate." Glotz rang a bell and two guards appe