She shook her head.
"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."