CHAPTER VI
THE BOYS MAKE PROGRESS
It was a merry party that gathered around the dinner table in the home of the German undersecretary of foreign affairs two nights later. But beneath the smiling faces of five members of the party was a suppressed excitement, for this dinner had been given by Mrs. Schweiring for a purpose. The purpose was to introduce Hal, Chester and McKenzie to General Rentzel, chief of the secret service, and his son, Frederick.
Besides these two guests of honor there were present the German minister of foreign affairs and one or two other high diplomats. The boys were in distinguished company and they knew it.
True to her word, Mrs. Schweiring had provided the three friends with an 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 and cigarettes.
Neither Hal nor Chester smoked, but they felt called upon to accept a cigarette each. McKenzie, however, had no such scruples, and accepted a fat cigar without hesitation.
Hal found himself in conversation with young Captain Rentzel, son of the 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 nice people there, but they are mostly boors."
"My idea exactly," returned the young German officer, "although I have never been there. Do you think America can do much harm to Germany in this war?"
"Well," said Hal, "given time, yes; but the American people are notoriously slow in such matters. Besides, I understand that there are quite a few German agents at work there now. With enough of them, irreparable injury could be done to the foe before they could prevent it."
"I notice you say foe," said the young German; "Yet you have American blood in your veins."
"A trifle," returned Hal quietly; "not enough to make me lose sight of justice and right."
"Good!" cried the young German. "Listen. It's true that we have many agents abroad, but some of them have fallen under suspicion and consequently will be of no further value. We need more such men who have lived in America and know the customs, and also will not be suspected. 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 secret service. As such, he has charge of the agents abroad. I thought he might make you a proposition."
"There will be no harm if I am unable to accept, will there?" asked
Hal.
"Not a bit," replied the German heartily.
"Then I'll go."
The next hour was spent in general conversation, after which Captain
Rentzel arose to take his leave.
"I'm going to run off with one of your friends, Miss Schweiring," he said, 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 him safely."
Hal followed the young captain from the house.
Half an hour later he found himself in the palatial office of the chief of the German secret service.
Hal looked carefully about the room. A long table stood in the center. This apparently was the personal property of General Rentzel. Great easy chairs were scattered about the room. There was a window at the south side, and back, in the center, against the wall, was a large safe.
"Pretty comfortable place," said Hal aloud.
"Rather," agreed the young German. "Father believes in making himself comfortable."
General Rentzel had not arrived yet, but he put in an appearance a few moments later. He manifested no surprise at sight of his son, but he eyed Hal askance.
"I thought you young fellows had gone to look about the city," he said.
"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 Hal sharply. "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 your son's suggestion. He said you might have a proposition to make, and if I 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. To my mind, your youth would be in favor, rather than against, the success of the undertaking. Would you be willing to go back to America?"
"Well, I don't care particularly about going right now," said Hal truthfully.
"But there is nothing to prevent your going?"
"Well, no. But I would know the nature of my work first. I would not like to become a spy, sir. It seems to me that spies are not made of manly caliber, sir."
"You are wrong," was the quiet response. "Why, I can show you the names of men whom you would not think of suspecting, and yet who are acting for the German government in America."
"Is that so, sir?"
"It is indeed. Wait." General Rentzel arose, approached the big safe in the rear of the room, unlocked it and took there from a small paper-bound book. He returned to his seat at the table.
"In this little book," he said, tapping the table gently with it, "are the names of our agents in America. See, I'll show you a name, of worldwide importance, who is acting for us."
General Rentzel exposed a name. Hal glanced at it and then gave a long whistle.
"It's no wonder you are surprised," said the general, smiling.
"Neither is it any wonder that our agents have been so successful in
America, considering names like that."
"I should say not, sir," returned Hal grim.
General Rentzel returned the book to his safe, closed the heavy iron door 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 my affairs in shape. I shall have to resign my position with my paper and attend to a few other matters, sir."
"Very good, sir. You need not call here again. It would be unwise. I shall see you at the Swiss ambassador's ball, which will be held four nights from tonight. There I will give you what passports you need and other 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 or two 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 figure lurking in the doorway. His hand dropped to his pocket, and he advanced cautiously.
"Don't be afraid. Take your hand away from that revolver," came the voice 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 something might have happened."
"It has," replied Hal, "but it is good news and not bad. Where is your mother?"
"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 his feet.
"By George! I'm glad to see you back safely," he said. "I was afraid something had happened."
Others echoed his words.
"Folks," said Hal, "I've news for you—good news."
"What is it?" demanded Chester eagerly.
"Well," said Hal very quietly. "I've seen the list!"