"I'm afraid so. The last reports I heard, they had seized the Mississippi, cut all contact between our Eastern and Western armies. The Japs control California and Nevada. There was a terrific battle being waged at Albuquerque. The Russian navy holds the Great Lakes. Everywhere you hear the same story."
Pelham-Jones demanded harshly, "St. Louis? Did you hear anything about—?"
"Wiped out to a man. It was caught in a vise. The Germans from the east, the Italians from the north."
Pelham-Jones said, "I see," quietly. He turned away. His shoulders looked heavy. He had a younger brother at St. Louis. Van Huys looked at the girl suspiciously.
"How do we know she's telling the truth, O'Shea? It may be more lies. She may be a Totie spy."
I said, "You have your dent?"
She nodded and handed it to me. I flashed my light on it. It was authentic, all right. The picture on the tiny metal identification tag was an image of her; the name beneath was Maureen Joyce. She was tagged as a WAIF, a member of the Women's Auxiliary Intelligence Force. I gave it back to her.
"Very good, Miss Joyce. Sorry. We can't afford to take chances, though. You understand, I'm sure. But—" My curiosity made me exceed my authority. "But what are you doing here? Surely you wouldn't be attempting to escape the Toties in this direction? If they hold the east?"
She hesitated for a moment. Then, carefully, "I am acting under orders, Captain O'Shea. They were supposed to be secret orders. But in view of what has happened—" She made up her mind. "It would be better for more than one to know. In case—in case anything should happen to me.
"You've heard of Dr. Mallory?"