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“‘Conference held here Saturday. Watch boy Ted Marsh, Canadian Pacific, left here seven A. M. Sunday. Called home by mother. Suspect he is on way to see Strong. 26 Perhaps he has papers, may seek information. Watch.’”[A]
There was a discussion as to the telegram. “Who is Strong?” asked O’Reilly.
“He is the chief operative—secret service man—stationed in Chicago by the Government at Ottawa. We have him watched. We have even instructions out that if he becomes dangerous he will disappear very suddenly.”
“That is bad business,” said a little man named Heinrich.
“Bad business nothing!” answered Schmidt. “No one must stand in the forward way. Germany first, last, forever. What is Strong, what are you, what am I—poof, nothing! But Germany—ah—” the speaker’s eyes gleamed.
“It will give those who are suspicious ground for proof that their suspicions are more than suspicions,” answered Heinrich.
“Let us not wander from the point, gentlemen,” another man interrupted. “As I gather from the telegram, this boy may be coming to see Strong. Now, we must first make sure of that fact, then find out what it is he is coming for and stop him in his attempt, if it concerns us.”
“O’Reilly,” asked Mr. Winckel, a man with spectacles which carried thick lenses, “can you or one of your friends, perhaps, meet the boy and pose as this man Strong? Schmidt, you or Feldman had better go to Milwaukee and try to place the boy and get such information as you can. But do not let him suspect you.”