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SPIES AT WORK!' "
He gave Sessions a moment to let that sink in, and then went on.
"But you and I are Marine officers, Lieutenant," he said. "And when we are given an order, we carry it out."
"Aye, aye, sir," Sessions said, uncomfortably.
"There is one small loophole in the Japanese perception of Americans," Ba
"I'm not sure I follow you, sir," Sessions said.
"Bear with me," Ba
"I think I'm begi
"The regular supply convoy consists of four Studebaker trucks and a GMC pickup that we've rigged up as sort of a half-assed wrecker. It can drag a broken-down truck, presuming it hasn't lost a wheel or broken an axle. If the motor officer can spare another Studebaker, we'll send that too, empty, to take the load if one of the other trucks breaks down."
"Presumably, there will be mechanics along?" Sessions asked.
"Each truck carries two people," Ba
"You're thinking the Japanese will pay less attention to the missionary vehicles and me, if we are part of a regular convoy?" Sessions asked.
"The picture I hope to paint for the Japanese," Ba
"I think that's a good idea," Sessions said.
"The convoy is under the command of an officer. These we rotate, both to give them a chance to see the landscape between here and Peking and to keep the Japanese from becoming suspicious of any particular man."
"I understand," Sessions said. "And whoever this officer is, you intend to make him aware of the mission?"
"No, I don't think that will be necessary," Ba
" 'Killer' McCoy? Why do they call him 'Killer'?"
"They call him 'Killer,' " Ba
"Excuse me? With a what?"
"There's a rather interesting Englishman, Captain Bruce Fairbairn, on the Shanghai Municipal Police," Ba
"And your noncom killed two people with it?"
"Two Italian marines," Ba
"And there was no court-martial?" Sessions asked. Ba
"It was self-defense," Ba
"I can hardly wait to meet this man," Sessions said.
"I think, Lieutenant Sessions, that you will find Corporal McCoy very interesting, and perhaps even educational," Ba
"I've seen the photographs," Sessions said.
"I'm a little worried about the reaction of the missionaries to Corporal McCoy," Ba
"Why do you say that?"
"As a general rule of thumb, Lieutenant Sessions," Ba
"The Reverend Feller does not quite fit that picture, Captain," Lieutenant Sessions said. "He really hates the Japanese."
"Oh?"
"During his previous service here, he saw enough of the Japanese to see them for what they are. He was present at the rape of Nanking, for example, and believes that the promise of China can only be realized after the Japanese are expelled. He recognizes that can only happen with our assistance."
"I presume he knows that we're neutral in this war?" Ba
"Apparently, he believes we're going to get in it sooner or later," Sessions said. "And in the meantime is anxious to help, even when that means a personal sacrifice."
"What does that mean?"
"It would have been far more convenient for him to remain in the United States and simply send for Mrs. Feller."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Ba
"The Reverend Feller was summoned home for conferences with his superiors. While he was there, his church decided that he would not be returning to China."
"You mean he got fired?"
"No. He was given a bigger job. His wife remained in China when he went to the United States. She could have returned to the United States by herself, which would have been far more convenient for all concerned. But he elected instead to make the voyage over here 'to settle his replacement in his job,' to help me in my mission, and to take Mrs. Feller back with him. This was all really u
"A real self-sacrificing patriot, huh?" Ba
"I don't think that's quite fair, sir," Sessions said.
Ba