CHAPTER III
A DANGEROUS MISSION
It was noon of the following day. Hal and Chester stood at attentionbefore General Pershing, the American commander-in-chief. The lattergazed at them long and earnestly. With a half shrug he muttered, as heturned to his desk:
"But they are so young."
The words were not meant for the lads' ears, but Hal and Chesteroverheard them. Hal spoke:
"If you please, Sir," he said quietly, "we are not so young as you seemto believe. To me, Sir, our experience seems very old."
General Pershing glanced up from a pile of papers he was perusing.Again he looked at the two lads in silence. The two boys bore theclose scrutiny unflinchingly. At length General Pershing got to hisfeet, and, approaching Hal and Chester, laid a. hand on the shoulder ofeach.
"You are brave youngsters," he said quietly. "From what you have donesince the American troops reached France, I know that Marshal Joffreand General Haig have not spoken too highly of you; and yet," here theAmerican commander hesitated a moment before continuing; "and yet thepiece of work I have in sight will entail, perhaps, more danger, morefinesse, and more resourcefulness than any mission you have everundertaken."
"You will find that we shall not be found wanting, sir," said Chesterrespectfully.
"I am sure of that," was General Pershing's response. "It isn't that Iquestion your courage or your resourcefulness; but, because of youryouth, in this particular business, I question your wisdom. It is atask for older and wiser heads, but--"
General Pershing broke off and became silent. Hal and Chester did notinterrupt his meditations. At length the general continued:
"I wish to say before going any further that this mission, if youundertake it, in all probabilities, will mean death for one of you. Itis for this reason that the task in hand requires the services of atleast two men. One to go and come back, and the other to go--andcome back if he can. It may be that neither will return, and yet onemust return if the safety of his country is to be maintained."
"We shall do our best, sir, if we are entrusted with the mission," saidChester quietly.
Again General Pershing hesitated. Then he took his decision.
"Draw up stools here," he said, and made room at his desk.
The lads did so. General Pershing spoke in a low voice.
"You both undoubtedly know," he said, "that since the Americandeclaration of war on Germany, the activity of German agents and spiesin the United States has grown to startling dimensions?" The ladsnodded and General Pershing continued: "Very good. Now, I have beforeme a cable, in code, from the state department, which advises me thatthe department of state must have, at all hazards, a list of the mostimportant German agents in America. It is essential. Here," thegeneral pushed a slip of paper in front of the lads, "is thetranslation of the code message."
Hal and Chester glanced at the paper. It read:
"German prime minister has lists of agents and spies in United States.Realize it is not in your province to get list, but would enlist youraid, because our diplomatic agents have all left Germany. List isessential to safeguarding coast defenses and munitions plants. Do whatyou can."
The message was signed by the secretary of state.
Hal passed the paper back to General Pershing. The latter eyed himkeenly.
"'You realize the dangerous nature of the work?" he questioned.
"Perfectly, sir; also its importance. We shall be glad to undertakeit, sir."
"Very well. Now I have a little information that may be of value. Inanother code message from the state department I am advised thatefforts are being made to get a member of the diplomatic staff backinto Berlin. There is one person in the German capital whom you maytrust." General Pershing lowered his voice. "That person," he said,"is the wife of the German undersecretary for foreign affairs. She isan American woman, and upon several occasions has been of service toher own country. Her name is Schweiring."
"We shall remember, sir," said Chester.
"Now," said General Pershing, "I have no advice to offer as to how youshall reach Berlin, nor how you shall go about your work. Once inBerlin, however, you will have to be governed by circumstances. Youspeak German, I am told?"
"Like natives, sir," said Hal with a grin.
"Very well. I shall see that you are granted indefinite leave ofabsence. There is just one thing more. I want to say that I do notlike to ask my men to become spies."
"Why, sir," said Chester gravely, "it's all for our country; and theday when a spy was looked down upon has gone. It is just another wayof serving ones country, sir."
"Nevertheless," said General Pershing, "the punishment is the same asit has been down the ages: death."
"If caught," Hal added with a smile.
"True," was his commander's response, and a slight smile lighted, uphis own features.
He arose and extended his hand. Both lads shook it heartily.
"I hope," said General Pershing, "that you may both come throughsafely. But if you don't--well, good-bye. I don't need to tell youthat if one can get through with the list that, from the nation'sstandpoint, what happens to the other is insignificant."
"I have a request to make, sir," said Hal, as they turned to go.
"Consider it granted," replied his commander.
"It is this," said Hal. "I believe that it would be well for us totake a third man along. It may be that he will never reach the Germanlines, but he should prove of help for the other two."
"Have you the man in mind?" asked General Pershing.
"Yes, sir. A man named McKenzie, a private in our troop. He's aCanadian, and has seen years of active service. Also, as I happen toknow, he speaks German fluently."
"I shall give you a paper authorizing his indefinite leave of absence,"said General Pershing.
He scribbled a few words on a piece of paper, and passed it to thelad. The boys drew themselves to attention, saluted, and left.
"A pretty ticklish piece of business," said Chester quietly, as theymade their way to their own quarters.
"Rather," said Hal dryly; "and still it must be done. The safety ofAmerica depends upon the success of our mission. It may be well thatit has been entrusted to us rather than to older men. We are lesslikely to be suspected if we reach Berlin safely. Besides, we havebeen there before, and are somewhat familiar with the city."
"Yes," said Chester grimly, "we've been there several times before. Irecall that we went there once very much against our will--prisoners."
"Well, we didn't stay very long," said Hal.
"Let's hope we don't stay for keeps this time either," said Chester."To tell the truth, I don't think much of this spy business myself."
"Somebody has to do it," Hal declared.
"Of course, but I am not very fond of that sort of work."
"If you don't want to go--" Hal began, but Chester interrupted.
"Of course, I want to go if it must be. I am ready to do what I canfor my country in whatever way I may."
"I knew it," said Hal; "I was only fooling. Come, we will acquaintMcKenzie with his work. And if he comes safely through this, I feelconfident he will not remain long in the ranks."
The found McKenzie, the erstwhile Canadian sergeant, in his tent.
"McKenzie," said Hal, "you are about to take a trip, I see."
"That so, sir? I hadn't heard of it."
"Yes," Hal continued. "I heard a man say you were about to go toGermany."
"And the man," said McKenzie, "was--"
"General Pershing, McKenzie."
"Very well, sir," said McKenzie, to whom the few words told the storyof important work to be done.
"In that event, I presume that General Pershing has seen fit to allowme leave of absence."
"He has, McKenzie. I shall present the order to Captain O'Neill atonce. In the meantime, see that your guns are cleaned, and that youhave an extra supply of cartridges. We may need them. A
lso, leave anypapers or other marks of identification behind. When you are ready,come to my quarters."
"I shall be there in half an hour, sir."
Hal and Chester made their way to Captain O'Neill's quarters. Halpresented the papers, granting leaves of absence to the three.
"Hm-m," muttered Captain O'Neill. "Something up, eh? Well, I wish Iwere going with you." He extended a hand.
"Good luck," he said quietly.
Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders; Or, the Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge Page 3