The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1916-08-25

/ AAoll uNAlOA6 W AAAt hCEAs NpuAA
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, saluted again.
81 have done my best" he said apol-
ogetlcally.
81 am sure you have" Streetman re-
piled. I'VE know the Wilhelmstrasss
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 hall,
'See II 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 hear moth
Ing" he reported.
NOW lock that door, Streetman
commanded, pointing toward the one
behind which he knew that Miss VIII
loughby must be dressing.
The butler regarded him in alarm.
Pardon, mein HerT-but is Il
safe" he ventured. "She is a wom-
an"
do not be alarmed" Streetman re-
assured him. miss Wllloughby is
easily handled. She believes that l
work FOR the French secret service"
"Then she is fool" bis subordinate
declared
mo, nor Streetman protested.
ave 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
look Of amusement. "Sir George
Wagstaff-Slr George of his majesty's
navy-would be rather surprised II he
knew that from his house we were
communicating with our friends, the
Germans" he observed.
'Ratherw his henchman responded,
with a CLEAN of humor in his eyes.
"Now lock that door, StreetmaD
ordered once more. "And now to re
port to headquarters again!" he en-
claimed, when the butler had turned
the key noiselessly in Miss Willough-
by's door. "Hellol City, 4225w he
said in low but distinct voice.
Meanwhile the butler lowered near
by.
"You think, mein Herr, there will be
war" he asked respectfully.
~ do not know. But we are ready.
And II war does come, II will be Ger
many's hour-the day at lastP' he
turned to the telephone once more. and
began speaking into the transmitter,
"Hellol City, 4225P Hello! Are you
there7 Who is speaking !.
Twenty-six fourteen? HelloI l
am thirteen seventeen" he said, CIV
ing the number by which he was
known in the German secret service.
''Yesl We have no news OF the Eng
lish feet; we have tried everything.
I. Very well! GoodbyT'
He put down the instrument, and
look of annoyance as well as per-
plexity was upon his face as he
wheeled about.
"what is 1t, mein HERR his COM
panion asked in an anxious voice. "Is
1t bad newsT He had long worked In
conjunction with Streetman, and be
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 Will
loughby, you have some work to dor
he muttered, to himself more than to
his confederate. ''Now, unlock that
door, be ordered. "Ahl that is done,
and we were not interrupted" he said
in 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 1t that
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 upon
Miss Willoughby's settee In an att-
tude Of relaxation that revealed some
what the marvellous strain which at.
tends the performance Of exploits In
separable from his profession.
Dangerous work. Ell, Herr Roederi
And poor payl" he vouchsafed In a
sudden burst of good-fellowship. For
the moment he seemed almost human.
Herr Roeder pulled himself together
stifiy.
at Is not for the money that I am
here" he answered proudly. at is
for the Fatherlandr Despite the
guarded tones in which he spoke, there
was an earnestness born of sincere
patriotism that made bis words ring
convincingly. One look at the mans
face, adame with an almost fanatic
zeal, showed him to be the sort to
whom country may well trust her
secrets.
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