[pshrynk]

A man was walking a dog down the street. He seemed to be talking to himself and amazingly, answering himself quite animatedly.

"The only reason I'm letting you do this, gringo, is that there is a strict leash law in this part of town."

"Right, right..."

"If I wanted to, I could be off this leash in a second. Just to be clear."

"Sure. Where is this place we are going to?"

"Just down this road. The Factor has a residence that he keeps. There. The White building on the right."

Bois Aussi looked down a long row of white buildings on his right. "Okay. Lead on, petit chien."

"If I find out that means anything nasty, you are getting such an ankle worrying..."

They walked up to the house. Bois Aussi knocked. A large man opened the door. "Si?"

"We are here to see The Factor," said Little Friend.

"Pull the other one."

"We have the card of the Taxi Boss," said Bois Aussi before the chihuahua could launch himself. He handed a small cardboard to the door keeper.

"This way."

They followed the man down a long corridor. Bois Aussi looked around and was not particularly surprised to see holes at intervals cut into the walls. Perfect for laying an ambush if needed.

"In here."

They entered the room ahead. The lights were dim. In the back of the room, a large shape seemed to be lounging on the couch.

"So. Who are you and what is that brings you in?"

"This is some French guy who the Taxi Boss is enamored with. Works for France and the Swahili Nation."

"The Swahili Nation?"

"There is a depression going on. I have information that is very important! The Germans are going to try and destroy the US Pacific Fleet while it is on maneuvres in the Sea of Cortez. They then plan to blame Mexico and start a war sot that there will be a distraction to their ambitions elsewhere."

"In France?"

"Non! In Africa. there are mineral deposits that are essential to their plans!"

"Hmm." The shape on the couch turned to the wall behind it and said, "I guess this has something to do with you, then?"

"Damned straight it does!" said Vera as she stepped out from behind a curtain. "Where did this information... come... er... from?"

Bois Aussi looked at the beautiful face of a thousand dreams hovering in front of him. He could hear bluebirds chirping. "What?"

"Erm... Uh, what?"

A voice from near the floor said, "If you two are done with the bucket of water moment, I'd like to get back to my territory."

"OH! I mean.. Oh. Right. Um, where did you get this information?"

"From French Bureau of Intelligence. Might I ask your name, mademoiselle? I do hope that it is mademoiselle, for if your are married, I will have to go straight to my hotel room and kill myself from grief!"

"I'm Vera. Vera Wayne... And you are?"

"Je suis Hank, Comte de Bois Aussi! At your every service and command."

"Right," said the Factor as he jumped down from his couch, "And My name is Slite. Pleased to meet all of you. What do we do with this information?"

Just then, a whirlwind of teeth, paws, tails, and small brown bodies flew into the room, followed close by the large doorkeeper.

"Boss! Boss! Thank God we found you!" Geroge and Bob ran around the room excitedly.

"Now what? Sit! Stay!"

The two chihuahuas came to a halt and the door keeper tripped over them.

"Boss!" said George, "That big German woman is planning to kill the Taxi Boss! We just came from her headquarters!"