CHAPTER V
THE GAME OPENS
"You may pass, gentlemen."
The speaker was a German officer. Upon the arrival of the threefriends at the railroad terminus just across the German border theofficer had made a tour of the train, examining the passports of thepassengers. Hal, Chester and McKenzie had extended their passportsalong with the other passengers, and the German officer had foundnothing wrong with them.
As the German took his leave, McKenzie breathed a sigh of relief.
"I was sure he was going to nab us," he said.
"Careful," whispered Hal. "We must do all our talking in German, andwe must do very little of that concerning our private affairs.Remember, walls have ears, and I guess that will apply to a railroadcar as well as a house."
"Right, Herr Block," said Chester with a smile.
The lads found that by remaining upon their car they would go straightthrough to Berlin. The train was called the Amsterdam-Berlin express,and, while at the border, it was crowded with troops, there was still afair sprinkling of passengers bound for the German capital.
It was after dark when the train pulled into Berlin and Hal, Chester,and McKenzie prepared to disembark. As the train stopped, Hal madesure that his revolver was loose in his pocket, settled his hat firmlyon his head, and led the way from the car.
As with most travelers in that part of the world at that time, neitherwas burdened with baggage. Each carried a small portfolio, much usedat that time by war correspondents, but they had no other luggage.
"We'll go to the Hotel Bismarck," said Hal.
Although it had been years since either Hal or Chester had been inBerlin, Hal's sense of direction now stood him in good stead. Heremembered where the Hotel Bismarck stood as well as though he had beenthere yesterday.
At the hotel the three registered under their assumed names, and paid amonth in advance for a small suite of two rooms.
"We expect to study the internal situation of the city for some time,"Hal explained to the clerk, "and we want to feel sure that we shallhave a place to stay while we are here."
The three made themselves comfortable in their apartments, and for sometime talked quietly. At last Hal gave the word for bed.
"We don't know just how we shall proceed," he said, "but we must befresh and ready for any eventuality in the morning."
Morning came and with it the three friends were astir. They had anearly breakfast, and then Hal announced that he would fare forthalone.
"I'll tell you where I'm going," he said, "so that if anything happensto me you will go ahead with the work, regardless. Remember this.Even though I may get in trouble, your duty will be to get the list,irrespective of what my fate may be. America comes first, you know,Chester."
"Of course," was the latter's quiet reply.
"Well," said Hal, "I am going to the home of the German undersecretaryof foreign affairs. I am going to see Mrs. Schweiring."
Chester nodded.
"Then we shall stay here until you return," he said.
"Very well," Hal agreed. "But if I have not returned by noon, you willknow something has happened, and you will proceed about the work withno further thought of me."
He left the room quickly.
He made inquiries at the hotel office, and half an hour later foundhimself before the residence of the German undersecretary of foreignaffairs. He rang the doorbell. A footman answered the ring. Halannounced that he would like to see Mrs. Schweiring.
"Your card," said the footman, allowing him to enter.
"I have no card," said Hal. "You will tell her that Herr Block, of theDutch newspaper, The Amsterdamer, desires to see her."
The footman bowed and departed. A few moments later he returned,followed by a young woman--she could not have been more than 18, Haldecided. The young woman approached, and spoke to Hal.
"My mother is unable to see you at this moment, Herr Block," she said."She has sent me to learn the nature of your business with her."
"I am sorry, fraulein," said Hal gravely, "but my business is with yourmother. I cannot confide it to you."
The footman, meantime, had left the room.
The girl stamped her foot a little angrily.
"But mother has no secrets from me," she declared.
"That's the American blood talking now," said Hal to himself. Aloud hereplied: "Nevertheless, fraulein, I must again ask to be permitted tospeak to your mother."
The girl glanced at him sharply. Then she exclaimed in a low voice:
"You are no Dutchman, mynheer."
Hal started a trifle in spite of himself; then, realizing that thismust have betrayed him, he dropped his hand to his pocket, wherereposed his revolver.
The girl smiled.
"Have no fear," she said. "I shall say nothing. Can it be you are theone whom mother expects?"
"The best way to find that out," said Hal, "is to summon your mother."
The girl hesitated no longer. She fairly flew from the room. Shereappeared a moment later, followed by an older woman.
"This is Herr Block, Mother," she said.
"Very well, Gladys," replied her mother. "Now, if you will leave usalone, and make sure that we are not disturbed."
"I shall stand guard myself," replied the daughter.
She disappeared into the long hall.
"Now, Herr Block," said Mrs. Schweiring, "you may tell me the nature ofyour business."
Hal glanced sharply about the room. Then he leaned close.
"I come from the American expeditionary forces in France," he saidquietly.
Mrs. Schweiring manifested no surprise.
"I had surmised as much," she returned, "I had looked, however, for aman in civil life rather than a military man; also, I had looked forone farther along in years."
"I am sure you will find that my youth may work to our advantage," saidHal quietly.
"Perhaps. Now tell me in what way I may help."
"Well," said Hal, "I have come, two friends and myself, in an effort tolay hands upon the list of German spies in America--the list kept bythe German prime minister."
Mrs. Schweiring nodded.
"I had supposed as much. It was I who informed the department of statein Washington that such a list exists; but without help and withoutlaying myself open to suspicion, I dared not try to get it. It isdesperate work, but we shall see what can be done. Gladys!"
Her daughter re-entered the room in response to this summons.
"Gladys," said her mother, "Herr Block is the man we have beenexpecting; but he has not come alone. His companions are at the HotelBismarck, registered as Herr Spidle and Herr Amusdem. You will havetheir belongings moved here. They are friends whom you met inSwitzerland and who will share our hospitality while here. Do youunderstand?"
"Perfectly, Mother."
"But we have no belongings," said Hal quietly. "We could not bebothered with excess baggage."
"Then I shall see that you are supplied with necessary articles," saidhis hostess. "The success of your mission will necessitate it. At anyrate," she said, turning again to her daughter, "you will send a carfor Herr Block's friends."
The girl nodded and left the room.
"I need not caution you," said Mrs. Schweiring, as she led the wayupstairs--and showed to Hal a suite of three comfortably furnishedrooms. "A little slip will spoil all. I shall introduce you to myfriends as a Dutch war correspondent who, nevertheless, has in him astrain of German, with a little American blood. I shall represent thatyou have lived several years in America, but that your heart is withthe Fatherland."
"And my friends?" questioned Hal.
"They shall be just what they represent themselves to be."
"Very well," said Hal. "You perhaps know best. But I must, as soon aspossible, be introduced either to the prime minister or to one of histrusted assistants."
"I will tell you something," said his hostess. "The list which youseek is no longer in the han
ds of the prime minister. It is now inpossession of General Rentzel, chief of the secret service; and the sonof the general comes frequently to see my daughter, Gladys. But weshall talk more later. I will leave you now and see that sufficientwardrobes are procured for you and your friends."
She left the room.
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