The Washington times., 1918-01-27

I have little of the spirit of ad-
venture in my makeup and, up to
the time when this story begins,
should have laughed at the sugges-
ton that I might ever become a
secret service operative"-a woman
spy. Yet have been principally in
strumental in bringing about the ex-
posure and arrest of seven German
spies in the Dominion OF Canada: all
OF them trained in their profession
and skillful enough to have eluded
the regular secret service men Of
Canada and of Scotland Yard, for
months
I can account for my success only
In one way. I was so naive and in
experienced that my manner dis
armed suspicion, and my crude meth
DDS were more direct and effective
than those which cleverer people
might have adopted. However, you
may Judge for yourself about that,
for I shall set down as simply and
accurately as possible all the facts
of my experience in the employ OF
the British secret service, giving
names and dates and places, so that
anyone, who cares to do so, may as
certain that I am not romancing.
Holiday In Quebec.
On Easter Sunday, a little moro
than two years ago, / was taking a
holiday at the Chateau Frontenac in
Quebec. II had been a rather dull
affair fer me, for, although the hotel
was filled with guests, l was quite
alone and unAcquainted with anyone.
On the next day, was to return to
Montreal, where I was employed as
a special writer on one of the news
papers. I was absolutely hungry for
human companionship, and l suppose
looked 1t, as 1 sat in a chair in the
hotel lobby, watching the people pass.
Ny attention was attracted by one
couple, a man past middle age, Of
military bearing, and a pretty young
woman, evidently, despite the dispar-
ity in their ages, his wife. The man
went into the cafe after receiving
with mock humility a warning from
his pretty wife about the dangers of
strong drink. smiled at the scene,
and the pretty woman SMILED back
at me.
Then she seated herself in a chair
beside me, and engaged me in CONVEX
sation. Her manner was charming
and ingratiating. She talked in a
most natural and unaffected way
about her husband and herself. They
had been married three years, and
she was much in love with him
In the Boer War.
He had served with distinction in
the Boer war, and had been retired
with the rank of colonel. Almost be-
fore I knew It, was telling her all |
about myself, and, from that wan
deFed on in casual comment on the
affairs Of the war as had observed |
them from my place In a newspaper |
office. She invited me to dine with /
her husband and herself, and I ac-
cepted with real gratitude.
They came down to dinner in even
Ing clothes, and, instantly, felt that
the dressing hour, for some reason
or other, had been devoted to a dis
cussion about me. / felt rather i'll :,
at ease during dinner on account OF
the manner In which the colonel
seemed to study me and take the
measure of all my qualities, physical
and mental However, the feeling
wore off, and parted with the pair
in a very comfortable and pleased
state of mind, regretting, rather, 'he
thought that was seeing the last Of
them
The SurpFisinE offer.
Two weeks later was sstonished
when the colonel and his wife called
to see me at my hotel in Montreal,
the Corona The colonel made me
the most extraordinary proposition,
but made II In . very quiet and mat
way.
"In the interval since our first
meeting" said he. 81 have investi-
gated regarding your antecendents
and connections IN the United States,
and your professional work in Can
ada
In Secret Service.
Il am satisfied that it is quite safe
for me to speak frankly TO you.
am engaged in the work OF the Brit
Ssh secret service in Canada and have
a position Of considerable importance
In the organization. I desire to know
81 you will accept employment as one
OF our operattves-to do some special
work for US. 1t 3!u not be extremely
difficult for you II you are the person
! take you to be, and you will be
literally. How would