New-York tribune., 1918-02-24

smacks too much Of Tiel's disguises-and
besides, it is too British. We were talk
ing of the English, and she said:
"Well, anyhow, they are not very
suspicious people Look at this little
party"
Sometimes feel that they are almost
incredibly unsuspicious," / said seriously.
'In Germany this house would surely be
either visited or watched"
Tiel shook his head.
"In Kiel or Wilhelmshaven an English
party could live just as unmolested," he
replied, provided that not the least trace of
suspicion was aroused at the outset That
is the whole secret of my profession. One
takes advantage Of the fact that even the
most wary and watchful men take the
greater part of their surroundings for
granted. The head Of any war Office
German, French, English, or whatever it
may be-doesn't suddenly conceive sus-
picion of one Of his clerks, unless some
thing in the clerks conduct calls his atten-
ton. If, then, it were possible to enter
the War Office looking and behaving
exactly like one of the clerks, suspicion
would not begin 1t is the beginning one
has to guard against"
''Why don't you enter the British War
Office, then?" asked Eileen, with smile
Because unfortunately they know all
the clerks intimately by sight. In this
case, they expected a minister, whom no.
body knew. The difficulty of the pass
port with its photograph was got over By
little ingenuity" He threw me a quick,
grim smile. ''Thus l was able to appear
as person fully expected, and as long a,
don't do anything inconsistent with the
character, why should any one throw even
so much as an inquisitive glance in my
direction? Until suspicion begins we are
as safe here as in the middle of Berlin.
Once it begins-well, it will be very diff
ferent story"
"And you don't think my coming will
rouse any suspicion?" asked Eileen, with
for the first time, fancied, a faint sug-
gestion of anxiety
"Suspicion? Certainly not! Just think.
Put yourself in the shoes of the neighbors
who might chance to learn you were here
What is more natural than that the minis
ter who-at the request of the people--is
staying week longer than he intended,
should get his sister to look after him?
The danger point in both cases was passed
when we got into the islands, We know
that there was no suspicion reused in
either case"
"How do you know" I interposed.
"Another quality required for this
work." replied Tiel, with a detached air,
''is enough imagination to foresee the pre-
cautions that will be required. One wants
to establish precaution behind precaution,
just as an army establishes a series of
defensive positions. In this case l have
got our good friend Ashington watching
closely for the first evidence of doubt or
inquiry. So that I k7oao that both my Sis
ter and ] passed the barrier without rails
ing a question in anybody's mind"
"But how do you know that Ashington
can be absolutely relied on?" persisted.
eyes," put in Eileen, II was wondering,
too."
Because Ashington will certainly share
my fate-whatever that may be-" said
1iel grimly "He knows that; in fact, he
knows that I have probably taken steps to
insure that happening, in case there might
be any loophoe for him."
"But can't a man turn kings evidence
isn't that the term?-and get pardoned?"
asked Eileen
"Not Il naval officer" said Tiel.
"No," I agreed. II must say that for
the British navy. An officer would have
no more chance of pardon in it than in our
own navy"
well" smiled Eileen, 81 feel relieved
Don't you, Mr.. Belke?"
yes" I said, 81 begin to understand
the whole situation more clearly. I pray
that suspicion may not begin"
'In that case," said Tiel, "you realize
now, perhaps, why we have to keep up
acting, whether any one is watching us
or not"
Yes l admitted, 81 begin to see YOUR
reasons little better. But why didn't YOU
tell me all this before?"
"All what?"
"Well-about Ashington, for instance"
suppose" he said, "the truth is, Belke, |
that you have laid your finger on another
instance of people taking things for grant
ed. l assumed you would realize these
things. 1t was my own fault"
1t was on the tip of my tongue to tell
HIM that the real reason was his love of
mystery and his secret service habit of
dlstrustlng people, but realized that Eli
zen had shown a littlo of +lao s.a,,.-s |