Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-11-16

DO not be alarmed streetman re
assured him. Miss WIloughby is
easily handled. She believes that ]
work for the French secret service
Then she is a foot" his subordinate
declared.
mo, nor streetman protested
eve must not criticize the tools that
serve u.s." And as he spoke he went
to the telephone in a corner of the
room. Picking up the instrument he
paused and turned to the butler with
a look of amusement. sir George
Wagstaf-S George of his majesty 5
navy-wouId be rather surprised if he
knew that from his house we were
communicating with our friends, the
Germans he observed.
Rather" his nenchman 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, 4225r' he
said in a low but distinct voice
Meanwhile the butler lowered near
by.
You think. mein Herr, there will be
WARP he asked respectfully.
Il do not know. But we are ready.
And ~ v1-ar IOoe cO,,,o - will I,0 Gov
many's hour-the day at lastr' He
turned to the telephone once more, and
began speaking into the transmitter.
"HelIo! 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.
Yes! We have no news Of the Eng
fish feet; we have tried everything.
Very well! Goodbye
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, mein Herr?" his com
panion asked in an anxious voice. "Is
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 fleet" Streetman replied. .
lie cast a quick glance toward Ethel
Willoughby's boudoir. $50, Miss Viii
IOugbby, you have some work to d0!'
he muttered, to himself more than to
his confederate. "Now, unlock that
doorr' 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 that
such things as hinges and locks
whether upon doors or desks-were
we'll oiled. It was his genius for de
tails of that sort that had led to his
assignment to his present duty.
Henry Streetman dropped upon
Miss Willoughby's settee in ah atti-
tude of relaxation that revealed some
what the marvellous strain which at
tends the performance of exploits in
separabIe from his profession.
Dangerous work, eh, Herr ROeder
And poor pay!" he youchsafed in q
sudden burst of goOd-felloWship. For
the moment he seemed almost human
Herr Roeder pulled himself together
stiffIy.
1T is not for the money that I am
mere" he answered proudly. cit is
for the Fatherlandr Despite the
guarded tones in which he spoke, there
was an earnestness born of sincere
patriotism that made his words ring
convincingIy. One look at the mans
face, afame with an almost fanatic
zeal, showed him to be the sort ito
whom a country may well trust her
secrets.
Eyes, /es! Of courser' streetman
agreed Nastily, as if he would forestalI
amy patriotic exhibition. Still, one
would like to live with the Iuxuries
of life. One day / shall make the
grand coup; and then to cease all
this" He broke off suddenly, for he
heard Miss WiIloughby stirring on the
other side of that closed door. "Sssh.
To the dOOr! He whispered the com
mand. And straightway Herr Roe
der sprang to his post near the double
doors that gave into the hall. He
had instantly become the punctiIious
butler again; and now he stood like a
craven image, motionless, expression
less, as if he waited there to serve
the guest in his masters house.
Very good, Brewster!'' Mr. Street
man said in a clear, firm voice, which
he intended to carry well beyond that
closed door. 9TH wait here for Miss
Willoughby."
And then Sir Georges butler bowed
and left the ROOM
CHAPTER III.