Cloak and Dagger: Swastika on the Windmill

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Are you willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy linees knowing you may never return alive.

What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the OSS ordinary citizens who to this question answered yes. This is Cloak and Dagger, Black warfare, espionage, international entrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS. In today's adventure, the Swastika on the Windmill.

My mouth was as dry as ashes. The palms of my hands were ringing wet. My revolver was drawn and I moved slowly, slowly along the dark hall. Everything I had been taught led up to this moment.

Boards under my feet heated.

For a terrifying moment, I almost lost my balance and fell backwards. Something was ahead of me in a room along that dark passage. I sensed it more than anything else. Then I heard it on my half man. I stopped breathing until I had passed that room, and the voices of the hidden Germans almost slid past them.

To the end of the corridor.

There was a Nazi stormtrooper in uniform right in front of me, blocking the exit.

Well, fire, fire, fire again, it'd work, Paul.

Well, that's it. You passed the test. Now the colonel wants to see you.

What I had just come through was a cleverly designed scarehouse that rivaled any Coney Island chamber of horrors for one a minute thrills. This was part of the training of an OSS agent and it took place less than an hour's ride from Washington, d C. We turned how far at the present time we have no information and no way of getting information on the disposition and plans of German troops and Netherlands. We think they're up to something.

Well, no what. Now you'll be flown to England and from there a submarine will take you to the coast of Holland.

The coast of Holland to me, Holland was that little country where my uncle Brohm lived, where I visited when I was twelve, where the windmills were now under the shadow of the swastika. I guess we can surface about here. There's mac on Holland. I want to take a look with tenthalphon thanks command. Spilling through the periscope of the submarine Tuna and I could see a windmill on the flat lowland of the Netherlands. I couldn't see the swastika,

Take her up her out o an hatch.

We climbed the ladder through the hatch, where an inflated rubber boat was waiting to take me to shore. I'm only a couple of yards from shore. I can get out here. Hand me that rucksack. Please here you are, sir? Have you fought to go from here? It's only about five miles from Macum to Bolsward, where my uncle lives. I can make it before the sun comes up. Goodbye and thanks, good luck, good Luck's.

So when you rang the bell at Sanna Paul, I jumped for my bed the devil, I said, it's the guest tap. They finally put two and two together and connected me with the underground.

Hush, brahm, hush, God gave your tongue. Must you use it so loosely?

I'm afraid my new aunt Hilda doesn't trust me completely.

I trust no one.

Oh, this is poor.

How often have I spoken to you of the times he came here when he was how old?

Poor? Twelve?

Uncle Brown, Yes, twelve and so proper, So collect a miniature model of propriety. Well, from the looks of it, you've grown, but you haven't changed much. Still proper is the devil.

The result of my strict Quaker upbringing.

Uncle Brohn.

Remember we were both taught number two drink or smoke or lie or or swear, Uncle Brom.

Yes, how long will you stay in Holland?

Only long enough to contact the leader of the underground and get the information I'm after?

I see? Tell me, why should we believe that you are an allied spy? Answer me?

Sure you don't expect me to carry proof about me that I'm a spy in case the Germans find me?

Then how do we know?

That's enough? At the devil, I say, and here know more of this dog?

All right, Brown, it will be as you say, and on your conscience.

Your your wife doesn't trust me.

You were surprised to know it, doubt to find you Aunt Katrina dead and I remarried.

Yes, yes I was, Uncle Brom. I was lonesome.

It's not good for the men to live by himself. And she is a good woman, but she doesn't trust me. She has her reasons. There was some men in these parts not long ago. He passed himself officer British agent, gained the confidence of some of the Undergrund. Then he turned them over to the Gestapo. I see he as family was among those executed.

You understand now, uncle problem. You haven't seen me or heard from me since I was a boy. You don't know where I've been during those years in between. You don't know what my loyalties are. Do you trust me?

Tomorrow? I may take steps to put you in contact with Hans spoke in Luardin, the leader of the Dutch underground.

When I awoke a few hours later, it was about ten o'clock. Through the window of a spare room that Aunt held her ma up for me, I could see the neat little milk carts joling over the Christine and the cobblestones, and I could see the endless stream of bicycles, and here and there a German soldier in uniform, like a blot on the landscape.

I'm afraid the breakfast is not assumptuous.

It as what's in the old days.

Poor do not apologize for what we cannot change.

Aunt Hilda is right. It was very good. The Rogua Brood was just as I remembered it. And these current bunds, these Creanton brutes, are wonderful.

I will leave you. I have a house to clean.

You're still suspicious of me?

Have I any reason not to be it enough?

Paul is my sister's son. I will stake my own life's blood that he is to be trusted. Let us hope you do not have to, Aunt Hilda. Look this pistol, I'm giving it to you. It's the only one I have, the.

Only one you have, and you give it to me.

Yeah.

I put myself at your mercy. If at any time you have proof even the slightest that I'm not what I claim to be, take my own gun and turn.

It on me.

I will take your gun and take you at your word.

That should convince her. Paul, you are what you say, I hope.

So now, what about this hunts Buck? How can I get in touch with him?

I will arrange for a meeting between you halfway at the Handling in five days from now, to give him time to collect the information.

You are after.

The days until Thursday when I was supposed to meet haunts Buck past slowly, but they weren't wasted. I set up a short wave radio and a wine cellar read in the living room. I had long talks with Uncle Brahm, and I went out of my way to win over Aunt Hilda. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help you with dinner?

Aunt Hilda?

Nothing? Thank you?

Oh, it's.

It's still raining one need not be.

Too clever to see that.

In Holland it seems always to be raining now, rain, mud and despair.

I remember when I came here years ago, it was winter. I was in time for the skaters.

Races, Yeah, skaters races.

And the booths.

Remember the little booths that sold chocolate and milk cooked with aniseed, and the little cakes, all the varieties of gingerbread.

How I love them.

Hand me the spoon.

Here here you are.

Thank you. Tell me about America. What is it like?

It's too large to describe in a sentence, or too When the war is over, you must come visitors.

When the war is over.

Well, little can't last forever, and America is helping. And remember our leader, President Roosevelt, is himself of Dutch ancestry.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, perhaps I will make you a gingerbread cake.

Yes, I wonder over slowly. And on Thursday, when I left for Harlingen, she said good bye to me.

At the door with uncle Brom.

You know where to meet him, Paul, you have everything clear?

Yeah, everything, uncle Brahm.

I'm to meet him beside the monument of the Stone Man on the North Sea Dikes. I'll be nodding and unknotting a piece of string so he'll know me. Good good. We will see you later to night.

Then, yeah, pull.

Here. This is for you in case you should have need of it.

My pistol take it back.

Thank you, Thank you, Aunt Hulda Kurtain Morgan, Gourden Morgan. This habit you have of nothing and non nothing string? Is it not a waste of time?

Nothing is a waste if it serves a purpose? Here buck, yeah, right.

An elephant. We may this blend the information the habit?

Yeah?

Where where in my head? You will have to memorize it as I give it to you. I could not take a chance of writing anything down. I'll remember then, remember it and use it well. There are forty thousand Nazi troops in Holland and Belgium. These troops will be on the move within two weeks. Where they're going northern Italy. They will be used to cut off the American advance there.

The colonel did suspect the worst. Thank you, thank you. I'll radio this out tonight.

It is appropriate, is it not for us to meet under the statue of the Stoneman.

See the inscription terminus.

It means thus far and no farther a threat to the sea that is held back by the.

Dykes thus far, and no farther a threat also to the Nazis.

Yeah you understand me, Well remember me to your uncle and goodbye for now.

Her book is in constant danger of discovery by the Gestapo, Paul. It's why he could not take a chance and write that information down for you. It wasn't necessary of a brom. He passed it from his head to mine.

When will you radio it to London?

After midnight? I think I can start now. What's that?

Ah?

Stopping in front of the house? Men getting out so late?

Who are there? You know them?

No? I don't.

I'm afraid. I'm afraid.

It was like this once before, when I came to get my family, Paul. We were turned in in by someone who pretended to be a friend.

Do you believe?

I don't know. I don't know what to believe.

I'll answer it, Helderman. Yeah, we have business with you. I mean, this is my wife and my nephew. Call healthphond you nephew.

Max. Take a good look at him, would you say? Looks as if he's to be trusted. I never truch the man who looks so innocent.

What are you talking about? Who are you?

Do not be so suspicious. We are from hans Bock. We're members of the underground, and that ground.

I was not conscious there was an underground in the Netherlands.

What do you want with us? You're being very careful. I can see that, Alderman, and that's good. Perhaps this will prove who we are. Would you not say? That is hairbox own signature?

Yeah, that is He's all right, I know it well convinced.

Now read it aloud, Oka bron Let me read it.

Poor every reason to distrust man you sent me today? Show proof who he is, or turn him over to these men for underground execution.

But this is ridiculous. I do not understand. Or hair Box seemed to trust me well enough this afternoon.

And have here was a German spy, a traitor, a mid he is I do not believe that, not Paul.

He is not the spy, not for the Germans.

You want proof, I will give you proof.

See here in the vine set of it. This is his short wave radio. He was going to send the message tonight. He is a friend. Here is an ally. He's a member of the American oass. Don't you believe me?

M mm hmmm, that is the matter. We relieve you well enough. Thank you for giving us proof of what we suspected.

What's this?

Shall I shut my bad Take a good look.

Sculling cossbones.

We've been trailing her bok, but we had no definite proof that he was connected with the underground. We only suspected. And today we saw him meet your nephew here on the North Sea dykes.

Where did you fit?

Until thinking?

But if we arrested them then and there we might get nothing from them. So we waited. We arrested her book, and we found a paper with his signature on it.

That note you showed us what was forged.

Quite right, note was forged.

No longer I have made my way to the kitchen door.

You have killed him right again? And then around yours to your husband for supplying, and upstairs, let's get.

Happy here, all right? Right? What I haven't no worse than you?

In a flood of memory, it came back chamber of horrors, and hours drive from Washington, my mouth was dry as ashes, and the palms of my hands were ringing wet. Along the dark hole, I revolver drawn everything I had been taught led up to this, this momentary.

Have you covered from both sides? Drop your gun? Will fire, fire, fire again into the darkness. This time, there was no instructor to say good work, Paul. There was just a gun in my back and the leader of the Gestapo to say.

You are on the race, Lieutenant Hall, how long do you think you can hold out?

We have ways of making you talk. No, no, must reconvince you more. Sergeants come, yeah, well, perhaps really have better? Lucky we question your aunt so I don't get killed and bring her here.

No, no, no, don't do that letter alone.

Simply because you requested, Sergeant, do as I say.

You'll see how long she holds out. She is absolute.

We'll have a shot and you will be a witness. This amusing.

I know when I'm beaten. Don't bother the old lady. You're the old man either.

What are you saying?

Well?

I thought I could hold out. I can see now there's no point in holding out. You won. What more is there to say?

If you're just starling for time, not stalling hair, Commander, I'll prove it. I'll confess everything, tell you everything you want to know. Wow, you are becoming smart, and so I told them everything they wanted to know. General Donovan HiT's the OSS in Washington. The OSS is part of the American State Department. The Minister of Finance in Britain is also head of the British Secret Intelligence.

Go ahead, Lieutenant Harfund, we're listening, Corpora, take this down.

I gave them a mixture of fact and fantasy that would have done the German propaganda ministry pride. The true facts I told them Mine knew they already knew the rest. They seem to accept the face value, and so I kept my story with a real whapper. You taking all this down, Corporal, We'll take this down with a red pencil. An invasion of North Holland is part of the Allied plan. What the invasion will be made in the eastern area of Friesland on the Dutch North Sea coast.

You are lying to us, We'll see if you know you're beaten, perhaps have been on the wrong side. Lieutenant hart Fund, you've that up radio. I think you ought to use it tonight.

Time is now twenty three hundred, twenty three hundred. Paul Hall Fan calling headquarters. Can you hear me over?

OSS?

Headquarters to Paul Halfon, you're coming in clear.

I've been waiting for your message, Paul, good to hear your voice.

Why don't you say there's a gun in your back? I could see it's going to take a lot to convince you. Paul hall Fon the headquarters, listen, listen carefully. It's stinking weather for a drop, but I've got to have supplies. It's darned important.

Over headquarters to.

Halfan, would you mind repeating that so we're sure?

Repeat?

Please?

Over?

What the bevil's the matter? You said you were getting don good reception. I said, the weather's lousy, but it's darned important that I get a supply drop at designated point tomorrow night.

Can't make it any darn clearer than that. Over, Okay, okay, Paul, we get it.

It's done.

Clear, Now you'll get your supply drop.

Good night, over and out.

You heard it yourself, The drop will be made. Are you beginning to be convinced of my sincerity?

Were you nervous? Lieutenant? Why do you say that?

I never heard you use such language before.

Oh?

I expect to get over my nervousness after I've broadcast many of these radio messages for you, Commander Brandt. After that they drove me back to the jail. Commander Brandt of the Gestapo had never heard me use such language before, and neither had oss headquarters in the Army. They used to make fun of me because of my proper speech. I gambled on the chance that the radio operator who

Good Morgan, looking, would you care perhaps for the piece of chocolate an American cigarette?

I knew the drop had been successful. They sent us home Uncle Brahm, ant Hilda and me, but we brought a border with us, in the person of Commander Brandt. Mouse was different now. Aunt Hilda prepared meals silently. Uncle Bram smoked his pipe and looked at me wondering. And twice a week they sat in the living room and watched and listened as Commander brand and iact. It always has.

Headquarters Ohs as headquarters to Paul Alvin.

This is important.

Four and twenty blackbirds are coming through the rye storm clouds overhead.

Take in your washing.

Good night, horn out.

What did that mean?

Fifteen thousand more Allied troops are added to preparations for the invasion of Holland, and we will.

Rush twenty thousand more German troops to the Dutch North Sea coast.

Already we have forty thousand troops waiting there.

We were going to send them to elsewhere, but they would undoubtedly be a more use here.

Undoubtedly. Yeah. Up to bed now, dog shit.

The dinner was very good, Brokerman, I.

Cannot help being a good cook.

Yes, it's thoughtful of him to leave us alone so much.

Is it? I do not care much for your company.

Maybe he's got his reasons.

I wanted to tell them my reasons, but I didn't dare. Instead, I stood at the piano and played the scale with one finger. Even Uncle Bram was getting to the point where he couldn't look me straight in the eye. But as Uncle Bram became more suspicious, Commander Brandt became less suspicious.

I think I will go up to bed too.

Something was wrong with the piano. The sea was sharp, as if something were pressing on it, making it sharp. I walked around at the back of the Baby Grand and I saw it. It was a small round disc the size of an overcoat button. I knew it was attached to a dictophone in Branch's room. That was why he left us alone so much. I'd give him something to listen to.

For I know there must be some explanations for these things you're doing now.

Look, you haven't had it so good for years. Eggs on the table? When did you have eggs on the table? Last privileges? Nobody else has extra ration books. You might as well face it. This is a new order, Germany's order, and if you're smart like I am, you'll fall in with them.

Paul, Is this you?

I told you he was a traitor, a spy. I warned you.

You wanted to see me here, Commander Yeah, or thank you for coming to my office so promptly at my corn I follow orders.

So I'm beginning to see I sit down to them. I want you to hear something.

I think I'll go up to be I.

Don't understand a dictophone, but I still don't.

I know there must be so much explanation.

You haven't had it for good for years.

That's me exactly what's the idea of doing on the table last privileges?

Nobody else has explorations. You might as well face it. This is a Germany have convinced me complete. You're smart like I am. You're all in with them. I have a proposition for you.

Yes, I want you to go to England for us actors are double agent.

You can be more valuable to us there.

Leave Holland. But don't I have great help to you here.

I know the risk it involves, but Germany would pay you well after the war.

Over.

I thought it over and let him convince me, and a few days later a German stormtrooper gave me a personal escort to the border, and I made my way back from the enemy lines. After I left, my aunt and uncle escaped and were hidden by the underground, and it wasn't until the war was over that I was able to see.

Them and explain.

Lieutenant Paul Halfan returned to OSS headquarters, and thousands of Nazi troops waited on the shore of the North Sea for an invasion that never came. Thus, once again, the report of another OSS agent closed with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of the OSS on Cloak and Dagger.

Heard in Today's Cloak and Dagger Adventurers, Paul Alphond was less, Tremaine Brahm was played by Stefan Schnabel, Hilda by Virginia Payne, Bant by Barry Kroger, the Colonel by Raymond Edward Johnson.

Others were Carl.

Weber, Jerry Jarrett, Arnold Robertson and Bob Wilde. The script was written by Winterfred Wolfman Jack Gordon. The music was under the direction of Murray Ross. Today's True Assess Adventure was based on the book cloakan Dagger by Corey Ford and Alistair McBain. This program was produced by Lewis G. Cowen and Alfred Hollander and was under the direction of Sherman Marx Programs. Get your programs here, mystery fans, There's

Welcome back. Between last week's show and this week's it seems like they were trying to boost the star power of Cloak and Dagger. In the previous episodes, you essentially were hearing those sort of New York character actors who were primarily just the workaday actors. Even though Larry Hayes had a few detective series to his name over the years,