Free Spy Killer by L. Ron Hubbard

an easy pace down the bumpy, deserted road, still heading east.
    Varinka pulled a thick belt from her waist. “When we have gone a little way, you stop again.”
    He stopped and she showed him that she had phials of dye secreted in the belt—a part of a spy’s equipment. She made him rub it on his face and hands. She fixed a small band behind his ears which pulled his eyes up at the corners, giving them a slant.
    When she had made a presentable Japanese officer out of him, she crawled into the rear seat and laid down, spreading a robe over her.
    “I am wanted. You are a staff officer. Drive on, my Kurt, and I will tell you when we get to Lin Wang’s.”
    All through that day they made their way along the base of the hills which bound China on the north. They were skirting Japanese territory, but the Japanese would obviously expect them to head deep into China and take refuge there. They met no troops, only dull-faced Chinese and Mongols who were interested only in minding their own business in this bandit-ridden, war-torn land.
    Kurt’s nerves were on edge, but Varinka did not seem to mind. The tight tape about his head made his eyes smart, but that could not be helped. When dusk came at last he was very glad to stop.
    “We are almost there,” said Varinka. “Here at the right there is an old, deserted monastery. See it?”
    Kurt did. The crumpled ruin looked desolate in the twilight, sprawling up a hillside. He nodded.
    “The plan is short. Lin Wang is to die. We cannot kill him among his troops, that is impossible. You are to go to Lin Wang—dangerous, I know, but necessary—and tell him that Captain Yang and a taisho of the Japanese are waiting for a parley at this monastery. If Captain Yang is supposed to be there, then Lin Wang will suspect no plot and he will come. Let him bring three or four soldiers if he wills. Tell him that the taisho is afraid to be seen going to Lin Wang.
    “Lin Wang understands that this must be a secret affair and he’ll be the last one to insist on a large bodyguard. He will come gladly and then . . . I suppose you will call it murder.”
    “I’ll be very glad to see him dead,” said Kurt.
    “You follow them. When they come here, you get the guard. I’ll get Lin Wang. His headquarters are about two miles down the road. Wait a while until I set the trap. Lead him straight up this road and to this entrance, then drop behind.”
    “Then . . .” said Kurt, “Lin Wang is selling out to the Japanese!”
    “Right. He is a traitor to China and needs killing for the safety of the country. He sells his regimental support to Japan for the money which is in this black bag. There you have it.”
    “And you’re not a Japanese spy?”
    “No. I am a supporter of China. And the last duty I have is to kill Lin Wang. Go.”
    Kurt shook her hand and found that it trembled a little. She weaved close to him and he kissed her. She pushed him away toward Lin Wang’s headquarters.
    He took his time going, waiting until the evening meal would be over, letting Varinka set her trap. He had parked the car behind the monastery, ready for instant flight.
    Once he heard a furtive movement behind him, but he could see nothing. When the darkness had fully closed in he changed his course and walked far off to the right of the road. That he might be going to his death did not bother him. He was marveling too much at Varinka’s courage. To outwit a whole country and earn herself the name of Takeki, the Courageous!
    When he came to the ancient fort he saw that guards were posted at the entrance, gray clad and very alert. But no other soldiers were about.
    For a long time, nearly an hour, Kurt stayed in the shadows. He wanted to make certain that these two guards were the only men about the outside in case matters called for a hasty escape.
    He was about to go down and announce himself when a small group came hurrying along the road. Two soldiers were dragging a third person, but from the distance, Kurt