"Do you know," he asked abruptly, "if the German Emperor ever communicates with Viscount Haldane?"
"Yes, sir."
He leaned forward eagerly.
"How and under what circumstances?"
"Why, I thought it common knowledge that they often correspond. They are good friends."
"Not that. I mean direct secret communications between them, concerning affairs of the state."
I denied any knowledge of this, although I knew it to be so.
He began his fishing around again and his hints found me very stupid.
My unsatisfactory answers seemed to displease Sir Edward Grey, for with true British discourtesy he abruptly began working at something on his desk and without even saying good day, let a commissaire bow me out.
A few days later I received definite instructions from Captain Robinson. I was to go on my first mission in the interests of the British Secret Service and subsequently another mission brought me to New York, where I resigned from service permanently.