The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-09-22


be in his department.; and we must
know at once what.orders have been
given TO the ships at Spithead- where
they are going when this review is
over"
The spy, Roeder. saIuted again.
II have done my best" he said apol-
ogetically.
II am sure you have" Streetman re-
piled. 1--WE know the Wilhelmstrasse
does not lightly overlook stupidity in
one of its servants" he observed grim
ly. And then he motioned toward the
double doors that led into the ball,
.See if anyone's coming he said.
Roeder-or Brewster opened the
doors and peered down the length Of
the passage.
"No one is in sight; and i hear moth
ing" he reported.
'sNow lock that door.r Streetman
commanded, pointing toward the one
behind which he knew that Miss Viii
loughby must be dressing.
s The butler regarded him in alarm.
Pardon, mein Herr-but is it
safe?" he ventured. she is won-
an
"Do not be alarmed" StreetmanY re-
assured him. Miss Wiloughby Is
easily handled. She believes that |
work for the French secret service
"Then she is a foois' his subordinate
declared.
tod
"We must not criticize the tools that
serve u.s. And as he spoke he went
to the telephone in corner of the
room. Picking up the instrument. he.
paused and turned to the butler With
look of amusement. "Sir George
Wagstaff- Sir George of his maiesty's
navy-would be rather surprised if he
knew that from his house we were
communicating with our friends, the
Germans" he observed
"Ratherr' his henchman responded,
with CLEAN of humor in his eyes.
''Now lock that door!" Streetman
ordered once more. And now to re-
port to headquarters again. he ex-
claimed, when the butler had turned
the key noiselessly in Miss Willough
by's door. "Hello! City, 1925" he
said in low but distinct voice.
Meanwhile the butler lowered near
by.
you think. mein Herr. there will be
WARP" he asked respectfully.
81 do not know. But we are ready.
And If war does come, it will be Ger
many's hour-the day at last" He
turned to the telephone once more, and
began speaking into the transmitter.
Hello! City, 1925? Hello! Are you
there? Who is speaking !.
Twenty-six fourteen? =. Hello!
am thirteen seventeen he said, Civ
ing the number by which he was
known In the German secret service.
Eyes! We have no news of the Eng
lish feet; we have tried everything.
I. !. 4. Very well! Goodby!"
He put down the instrument, and
a look Of annoyance as well as per-
plexity was upon his face as he
wheeled about
What is it, melh Herr?" his com,
panion asked in an anxious voice SIS
it bad news?" He had long worked in
conjunction with Streetman, and he
was quick to detect signs of trouble
upon him.
They say they must know tonight,
without fail, the destination of the
English feet" Streetman replied.
He cast quick glance toward Ethel
Willoughby's boudoir. $50, Miss VIII
loughby. you have some work to dor
he muttered. to himself more than to
his confederate. 'Now. unlock that
door" he ordered ''Ah! that is done
and we were not interrupted, he said
in a relieved voice, when the def
Brewster had once more succeeded in
turning the key silently in the lock,
To expedite his prowlings about the
house at all hours of the day or night
Sir Georges butler had seen to it thar
such things as hinges and locks
whether upon doors or desks-were
well oiled. 1t was his genius for de
tails of that sort that had led to his
assignment to his present duty.
Henry Streetman dropped upop
Miss Willoughby's settee in an atti-
tude of relaxation that revealed some
what the marvellous strain which al,
tends the performance of exploits in
separable from his profession.
Dangerous work, eh. Herr Roeder?
And poor payw he vouchsafed in a
sudden burst of good-fellowship. For
the moment he seemed almost human.
Herr Roeder pulled himself together
stimy.
at is not for the money that am
here" he answered proudly. ut ia
for the Fatherlandp' Despite the
guarded tones in which he spoke, there
was an earnestness born of sincere
patriotism that made his words ring
conyincingly. One look at the mans
face. aflame with an almost fanatic
zeal. showed him to be the sort to
whom a country may well trust her
secrets.