Boy Allies with Haig in Flanders; Or, the Fighting Canadians of Vimy Ridge

by Clair W. Hayes

  CHAPTER VI

  THE BOYS MAKE PROGRESS

  It was a merry party that gathered around the dinner table in the homeof the German undersecretary of foreign affairs two nights later. Butbeneath the smiling faces of five members of the party was a suppressedexcitement, for this dinner had been given by Mrs. Schweiring for apurpose. The purpose was to introduce Hal, Chester and McKenzie toGeneral Rentzel, chief of the secret service, and his son, Frederick.

  Besides these two guests of honor there were present the Germanminister of foreign affairs and one or two other high diplomats. Theboys were in distinguished company and they knew it.

  True to her word, Mrs. Schweiring had provided the three friends withan abundant wardrobe, which included evening clothes. Dinner over,Mrs. Schweiring, her daughter Gladys, and the wife of General Rentzel,the only women present, retired while the men produced cigars andcigarettes.

  Neither Hal nor Chester smoked, but they felt called upon to accept acigarette each. McKenzie, however, had no such scruples, and accepteda fat cigar without hesitation.

  Hal found himself in conversation with young Captain Rentzel, son ofthe chief of the secret service.

  "I understand you have spent some years in America?" he questioned.

  "Why, yes," returned Hal.

  "Do you like the country?"

  "Not overly much," replied Hal with a shrug. "There are some very nicepeople there, but they are mostly boors."

  "My idea exactly," returned the young German officer, "although I havenever been there. Do you think America can do much harm to Germany inthis war?"

  "Well," said Hal, "given time, yes; but the American people arenotoriously slow in such matters. Besides, I understand that there arequite a few German agents at work there now. With enough of them,irreparable injury could be done to the foe before they could preventit."

  "I notice you say foe," said the young German; "Yet you have Americanblood in your veins."

  "A trifle," returned Hal quietly; "not enough to make me lose sight ofjustice and right."

  "Good!" cried the young German. "Listen. It's true that we have manyagents abroad, but some of them have fallen under suspicion andconsequently will be of no further value. We need more such men whohave lived in America and know the customs, and also will not besuspected. By the way, have you an appointment for 10 o'clock?"

  "Why, no," said Hal. "Why?"

  "Will you go with me at that hour?"

  "Where to?"

  "To my father's quarters. He, as you know, is the chief of the secretservice. As such, he has charge of the agents abroad. I thought hemight make you a proposition."

  "There will be no harm if I am unable to accept, will there?" askedHal.

  "Not a bit," replied the German heartily.

  "Then I'll go."

  The next hour was spent in general conversation, after which CaptainRentzel arose to take his leave.

  "I'm going to run off with one of your friends, Miss Schweiring," hesaid, indicating Hal.

  The others laughed, "Oh, take him and show him about a bit, Frederick,"laughed Mrs. Schweiring's husband. "Only be sure that you return himsafely."

  Hal followed the young captain from the house.

  Half an hour later he found himself in the palatial office of the chiefof the German secret service.

  Hal looked carefully about the room. A long table stood in thecenter. This apparently was the personal property of General Rentzel.Great easy chairs were scattered about the room. There was a window atthe south side, and back, in the center, against the wall, was a largesafe.

  "Pretty comfortable place," said Hal aloud.

  "Rather," agreed the young German. "Father believes in making himselfcomfortable."

  General Rentzel had not arrived yet, but he put in an appearance a fewmoments later. He manifested no surprise at sight of his son, but heeyed Hal askance.

  "I thought you young fellows had gone to look about the city," hesaid.

  "No, sir," replied his son. "I invited. Herr Block here to see you,sir."

  "You did? Why?"

  The son explained as quickly as possible.

  "Hm-m," muttered the general when his son had concluded, eying Halsharply. "How do I know you are what you represent yourself to be,sir?" he demanded.

  Hal smiled.

  "I'm not applying for a job, sir," he replied. "I came here at yourson's suggestion. He said you might have a proposition to make, and ifI can be of service without taking too great risk, I am willing, sir."

  Again the general meditated. At last he said:

  "It's true that we have need of men for the work my son mentions. Tomy mind, your youth would be in favor, rather than against, the successof the undertaking. Would you be willing to go back to America?"

  "Well, I don't care particularly about going right now," said Haltruthfully.

  "But there is nothing to prevent your going?"

  "Well, no. But I would know the nature of my work first. I would notlike to become a spy, sir. It seems to me that spies are not made ofmanly caliber, sir."

  "You are wrong," was the quiet response. "Why, I can show you thenames of men whom you would not think of suspecting, and yet who areacting for the German government in America."

  "Is that so, sir?"

  "It is indeed. Wait." General Rentzel arose, approached the big safein the rear of the room, unlocked it and took there from a smallpaper-bound book. He returned to his seat at the table.

  "In this little book," he said, tapping the table gently with it, "arethe names of our agents in America. See, I'll show you a name, ofworldwide importance, who is acting for us."

  General Rentzel exposed a name. Hal glanced at it and then gave a longwhistle.

  "It's no wonder you are surprised," said the general, smiling."Neither is it any wonder that our agents have been so successful inAmerica, considering names like that."

  "I should say not, sir," returned Hal grim.

  General Rentzel returned the book to his safe, closed the heavy irondoor and twirled the knob.

  "What do you say, sir?" he demanded, as he resumed his seat.

  For a moment Hal seemed to hesitate. Then he said:

  "I accept on one condition, sir."

  "And that?" asked the general.

  "That," said Hal, "is that I may have the week in which to put myaffairs in shape. I shall have to resign my position with my paper andattend to a few other matters, sir."

  "Very good, sir. You need not call here again. It would be unwise. Ishall see you at the Swiss ambassador's ball, which will be held fournights from tonight. There I will give you what passports you need andother instructions. Until then, sir, auf Wiedersehen."

  Captain Rentzel accompanied Hal from his father's office.

  "You are in luck," said that worthy, "and the pay is big. In a year ortwo you will be a wealthy man."

  Hal thanked the captain, and made his way home alone.

  As he moved up the steps he was startled to see a shadowy figurelurking in the doorway. His hand dropped to his pocket, and headvanced cautiously.

  "Don't be afraid. Take your hand away from that revolver," came thevoice of Gladys Schweiring.

  "Miss Gladys!" exclaimed Hal in surprise. "What are you doing here?It is almost midnight."

  "I was waiting for you," was the low response. "I was afraid somethingmight have happened."

  "It has," replied Hal, "but it is good news and not bad. Where is yourmother?"

  "In the drawing-room."

  "Are the others there?"

  "Just your friends. The guests have gone, and father has retired."

  "Good. I have important information for them,"

  Hal followed the young girl into the drawing room. Chester rose to hisfeet.

  "By George! I'm glad to see you back safely," he said. "I was afraidsomething had happened."

  Others echoed his words.

  "Folks," said Hal, "I've news f
or you--good news."

  "What is it?" demanded Chester eagerly.

  "Well," said Hal very quietly. "I've seen the list!"