“It’s almost time for our friends to be here, isn’t it? What time is Captain Knabe coming?” said a voice.
“At about fifteen minutes after eight. He is coming with Winckel.”
“Say, Schmidt, it was a good piece of business to get Strong out of the way. He is too dangerous and resourceful to suit us.” This from O’Reilly.
“He has been a nuisance, hasn’t he?” answered Schmidt. “Hello, friends,” he said to some newcomers. “I have just been telling O’Reilly about our little affair this afternoon.”
There was the sound of a number of voices and of some laughing. Then more men came into the room, there was the scraping of chairs as men seated themselves.
Then there was quiet as two men entered. Greetings were exchanged and Ted realized that the two were Winckel and Captain Knabe.
As Captain Knabe was introduced to some of the men, Ted wrote the names down.
“Let us get down to business, friends,” said one, who seemed to be the chairman. “Captain Knabe has come here from Washington, his time just now is important. Even more important is the need for immediate action. Captain Knabe, gentlemen.”
CHAPTER XX
THE DICTAPHONE AT WORK
“I UNDERSTAND,” said Captain Knabe, “that some of the Irish gentlemen present do not understand German, and so, while I can do so much better in my native tongue, I shall talk in English.”