"My name is Hall," announced the stranger, with a pleasant manner. "I'm from Washington, D.C. I represent the government and am in the Northwest in the interest of the Conservation Commission. Your name has been recommended to me as one of the progressive young wheat-growers of the Bend; particularly that you are an American, located in a country exceedingly important to the United States just now—a country where foreign-born people predominate."
Kurt, somewhat startled and awed, managed to give a courteous greeting to his visitor, and asked him into the house. But Mr. Hall preferred to sit outdoors on the porch. He threw off hat and coat, and, taking an easy chair, he produced some cigars.
"Will you smoke?" he asked, offering one.
Kurt declined with thanks. He was aware of this man's penetrating, yet kindly scrutiny of him, and he had begun to wonder. This was no ordinary visitor.
"Have you been drafted?" abruptly queried Mr. Hall.
"Yes, sir. Mine was the first number," replied Kurt, with a little pride.
"Do you want exemption?" swiftly came the second query.
It shocked Dorn, then stung him.
"No," he said, forcibly.
"Your father's sympathy is with Germany, I understand."