"Well, what is this? What is your Wilhelmstrasse number?"
"Seventeen," I told him.
That appeared to satisfy the Captain. I knew that the Wilhelmstrasse had wired him that "Number Seventeen" was coming. Still he was careful.
"Where were your first instructions received?"
"From Wedel."
"Subsequently?"
I felt him looking at me sharply.
"Confirmed by the Emperor," I replied, "and I deliver you herewith the following message. You are requested to use the private service code as soon as I have delivered this message to you and repeat it at once direct to Count Wedel."
The Captain got up and, moving noiselessly to the door, opened it swiftly. There was no one about.
"All right," he said, "let me have it."