It was among these cafés that the boys sharpened their wits by close observation of Herr Roque, who was always looking for something when he appeared to be looking for nothing but an easy way of life.
They found occasion to use keen wit before that first evening in Bremen was over. It was a startling test.
As they basked in the benevolence of Herr Roque, facing him at a well-spread table in one of the brilliantly lighted cafés, Billy saw a familiar face reflected in a mirror hanging on the wall back of the chair occupied by their host—the smiling face of the secretary the boys had met in the office of the great man in Calais, who speeded them on their way to Paris.
The mirror also reflected the garb of a sailor, merchant marine, and the man was at a table directly back of where the aviators were seated.
Billy felt in a flash that it would be like signing a friend’s death warrant to make the least show of recognition.
Fearful that Henri might forget himself and draw the attention of Herr Roque, if suddenly confronted with the mirrored face, Billy used a knowledge of telegraphy, in which his companion was expert, by softly finger-tapping on the polished table surface between them the word “caution.”
Henri was puzzled at the operation, but with the warning gave no sign by change of expression.
Herr Roque was toying with a fork, and seemed to be thinking at a distance. The boys, for the time being, were forgotten pawns.
Billy tapped “mirror.”
Henri fixed a glance there.