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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Ted Marsh on an Important Mission, by Elmer
+Sherwood, Illustrated by Alice Carsey
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Ted Marsh on an Important Mission
+
+
+Author: Elmer Sherwood
+
+
+
+Release Date: May 12, 2009  [eBook #28769]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT
+MISSION***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 28769-h.htm or 28769-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28769/28769-h/28769-h.htm)
+      or
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+
+
+
+
+
+TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION
+
+by
+
+ELMER SHERWOOD
+
+Author of "Ted Marsh, the Boy Scout", "Buffalo Bill's Boyhood",
+"Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express", etc., etc.
+
+Illustrations by Alice Carsey
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: HE SPRANG AT TED AND BARKED HIS DELIGHT]
+
+
+
+Whitman Publishing Co.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+    I. Ted Decides to Accept                                        11
+   II. Plans Are Made to Meet Ted                                   24
+  III. Ted Arrives in Chicago                                       33
+   IV. Ted Meets Strong                                             39
+    V. Setting a Trap                                               47
+   VI. Strong Seems Checkmated                                      57
+  VII. The Dictaphone at Work                                       68
+ VIII. Winckel Calls a Halt                                         80
+   IX. At Ottawa                                                    87
+    X. Ted Receives a Reward                                        94
+   XI. Ted Goes Back                                               101
+  XII. The Marshes Reunited                                        108
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+ HE SPRANG AT TED AND BARKED HIS DELIGHT                             4
+ CAUTIOUSLY HE PROWLED ABOUT                                        13
+ TED FREES THE PRISONERS                                            78
+
+
+
+
+TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+TED DECIDES TO ACCEPT
+
+
+"Ted, oh Ted."
+
+The speaker's hail was not altogether unexpected. The boy called Ted
+turned about and met Captain Wilson half way.
+
+The familiar figure of the boy proves to be Ted Marsh who had come out
+to Western Canada with his friends, John Dean and Mrs. Dean. After a
+number of months on the Double X Ranch, months which the boy had found
+both exhilarating and tremendously to his liking, he had been sent to
+Wayland Academy. To those of us who have read Ted Marsh the Boy Scout,
+the following facts are familiar. A brief resume, however, is set
+forth herewith for those readers who are new so that they can safely
+gather the threads of our story.
+
+Ted Marsh, a likeable newsboy, living in Chicago, makes the
+acquaintance of John Dean, a Canadian rancher. Ted takes him to the
+Settlement to which he belongs. Dean's interest in the boy grows. Then
+as the boy begins to show the man the Chicago that he knows, there is
+the startling clamor of fire engines and all the evidence of a nearby
+fire. It is in the tenement in which Ted lives. The boy cannot be held
+back. He rushes into the building to try to save his mother.
+Fortunately, his mother has already left the burning building. The boy
+is caught within and only makes his escape by jumping from the window
+on high into the firemen's waiting net below.
+
+After a stay in the hospital John Dean and his wife take the boy West
+with the consent of his mother who unselfishly lets him go because
+opportunity, so she feels, is there. Ted's father had left home just
+before Ted was born.
+
+[Illustration: CAUTIOUSLY HE PROWLED ABOUT]
+
+Strong interest centers around the doings of Ted and his new-found
+friends both at the ranch and at the academy. Adventures are many. The
+boy is found to be cool in emergencies. He has qualities which bring
+respect and liking. The end of the story finds him suggested for an
+important mission to Chicago--and his youth is considered of great
+advantage by the gentlemen who wish to send him. The opening of the
+present story finds Captain Wilson hailing Ted, ready to broach the
+subject and find out if the boy is willing or unwilling to undertake
+the mission:
+
+The boy saluted. He stood at attention while the captain studied him
+for a few moments.
+
+"Ted, boy, I come to you on very important business. Not as Scout to
+Scout, but as man to man. For you can safely refuse to do this--it
+will not count against you as Scout. Did Mr. Dean see you?"
+
+"Yes sir," the boy replied. "He told me that in all probability you
+would wish to see me in reference to an important matter. And he told
+me that when you did ask me, I was to be sure to decide with no other
+thought than that of either wanting or not wanting to do it. He
+doesn't want my friendship for him or for anyone else to influence
+me."
+
+"That's exactly it, Ted. What we are going to ask you to do, you must,
+first, want to do, second, feel that you can do, third, be sure it is
+in line with any convictions you may have. Now, I suppose you are even
+more anxious to know what it is all about?"
+
+The boy nodded his assent but waited for the other to continue.
+
+"Whatever we are going to tell you or which you may gather you do
+under pledge of secrecy. And now let us go to meet Major Church. While
+we are on our way, bear with me for a few minutes while I go into all
+this for you.
+
+"Germany, we all feel, is getting ready to make war. Most people
+cannot realize it, but we have fairly good proof gathered both in
+London and in Ottawa that it is so. We also know that over in the
+States a big army of so-called German Americans but who are Germans in
+reality, men who have never severed their allegiance to the
+Fatherland, are getting ready, preparing to invade Canada. They are
+also to have the help of many Irishmen who hate England.
+
+"The reason for this conference is to get Canada to also prepare. The
+Germans are working quietly, secretly. We cannot get the evidence to
+show what they are doing although we have tried. Here in Canada, they
+simply will not believe, and cite the fact that Germany has repeatedly
+declared its friendship as the best kind of proof of our being all
+wrong.
+
+"Is all this too complex for you, my boy?" Captain Wilson interrupted
+his discourse with the sudden thought that he was not making it clear
+to his listener.
+
+"I understand you, Captain Wilson," the boy answered. So the captain
+continued.
+
+"We think we have found out one source through which we can get
+information. We must, however, proceed with great caution. Nothing
+would please the Germans more than to show us up and give surface
+proof of their good will and good intentions. Incidently, they would
+give a lot to make those of us who are watching, the laughing stock of
+Canada and the United States. That is why we must be very careful. We
+must try to get Washington to see the truth not through any suspicion
+they may have but by actual, obvious, undeniable evidence. If we can
+furnish such proof the Government at Washington will find good reason
+for watching these German-Americans.
+
+"It is for us to get the proof. Once we get that we will not have to
+worry as to trouble from the other side of the border.
+
+"I suppose," the captain concluded as they entered the building and
+made their way to the room in which Major Church was waiting, "you
+know who some of the men at this conference are. Besides Mr. Dean and
+myself, Major Smith, our chief, is an ex-army officer. Colonel Graham
+is Syd Graham's father. Mr. Smythe comes from Toronto; he is in the
+employ of the Government. Well, here we are."
+
+They entered a small room. Major Church put aside some papers on
+which he had been engaged.
+
+Captain Wilson introduced Ted.
+
+"I have heard of you, young man," was the major's greeting. "You are a
+credit to the school, I find. And we have called you before us because
+of qualities we find you possess.
+
+"I don't know how much you do know, lad, but war with Germany is near.
+Germans masquerading as German-Americans are planning an attempt
+against Canada and they intend to carry out that attempt just before
+the immediate declaration of war. We believe that the meetings of the
+prime movers are held in Milwaukee, possibly in Chicago. It is
+important for us to know their plans."
+
+"We perhaps could decide on anyone of several men but it occurred to
+us that to send one so young as you are would in itself lull any
+suspicions they may have. They will not connect you with our work,
+which is in itself half the battle. But, of course, it would not do to
+send any one who, though young, is not also endowed with a fair amount
+of good common sense and discretion."
+
+Ted listened. Nothing that the Major said escaped him. He realized
+the weight of the speaker's words.
+
+"I understand that you have lived in Chicago. That is correct, is it
+not?"
+
+"Yes sir," Ted replied.
+
+"Well, it will help in case the point to cover is Chicago. With your
+knowledge of Chicago very little time would be lost."
+
+"In the main," the Major continued, "it is mostly a question of being
+alert--eyes, ears and mind."
+
+"Captain Wilson," the Major turned. "Is Mr. Smythe obtaining the
+necessary information, do you know?"
+
+"Yes, we will soon know," was the reply, "who is the operative in that
+district and whether Chicago or Milwaukee is the point to cover. Mr.
+Smythe is waiting for the answer."
+
+Major Church gave Ted an account of how their secret service men
+worked and how information was obtained.
+
+"Despite the fact that we have all these men, I feel sure that you
+will be able to get the information we desire more readily than any of
+our men. In a way, you will be a temporary secret service man."
+
+He carefully outlined his reasons for believing that Ted might be
+successful in getting information.
+
+"My boy, Canada is not your country. There is no call for you to do
+it. You may wish to remain neutral and we do not want you to go unless
+you wish to, heart and soul. But should you go, successful or
+unsuccessful, you will be rendering us a great service."
+
+"I want to go," Ted answered very quietly. "Canada is second only to
+my loyalty for my own country."
+
+Major Church and Captain Wilson gave Ted a hand-clasp which showed
+their feelings.
+
+"You are true blue, my lad," said Major Church. "We will have
+information as to location from Mr. Smythe very soon. You can
+understand the need of secrecy when our wires are coded. By the way,
+Wilson," he turned to the captain, "you have an instructor in German
+here, have you not?"
+
+"We have," was the reply.
+
+"Better watch him a bit. My theory is that all of these Germans will
+bear watching."
+
+Three hours later Captain Wilson and Ted joined Mr. Smythe, Mr. Dean,
+Colonel Graham and Major Church. Mr. Smythe presented the following
+wire:
+
+    "Smythe,
+        "Wayland.
+    "Ekal stroper On. 2 ecalp Ees H."
+
+"As you know, gentlemen, they have used the simplest code because the
+information would only be information for us. It is the reversal of
+the letters of a word. Let us see:
+
+    "Lake Reports No. 2 place. See H.
+
+"H is Strong. No. 2 is Chicago. Strong is our chief operative there.
+Ted will have to see him to get his information and also such help as
+he may need. But one thing we know--their headquarters just now are at
+Chicago."
+
+"I am glad of it," said Ted. "Since Chicago is my home town, I can do
+things there and may be successful."
+
+"Suppose," said John Dean, "you start tomorrow, Ted. You see, speed is
+the thing. That will give you a chance to see your mother and sister,
+too."
+
+"I need hardly say," said the major, "that even your mother had best
+not know about this, unless it should be actually necessary. Secrecy
+is imperative."
+
+"I knew that, sir," Ted replied.
+
+"One thing more," Major Church added, and he spoke to the men in the
+room. "No matter who asks about Ted, he has gone home to see his
+mother; someone is not well, let us say. The slightest hint or
+suspicion as to the purpose of his trip would frustrate it. Will you,
+Mr. Smythe, telegraph to Toronto, and tell the chief just what has
+been done?"
+
+Mr. Smythe nodded his head.
+
+Ted went out first. As he closed the door, another door far down the
+hall opened, a head came out, a very German head--the head of Mr.
+Pfeffer, instructor in that language. Quietly and quickly it was
+withdrawn. Ted did not observe this; if he had, it probably would not
+have had any meaning for him. Mr. Pfeffer was a very curious
+gentleman, he would have given much to know the purpose of the
+meeting; even now, he was debating with himself whether he should do
+some innocent questioning of Ted. He decided against it.
+
+Just before retiring, Captain Wilson came into Ted's room.
+
+"It seems silly to distrust Pfeffer, Lucky, still when you get to a
+station, say Winnipeg, I would telegraph your mother that you are
+coming. If any questions should be asked of her, she should say that
+she knows you are coming. See? It is best to be safe and to guard
+against everything."
+
+Early morn saw Ted on the train. It was announced to those who made
+inquiries that Ted had been called home. Mr. Pfeffer received the
+information with private wonder and doubt.
+
+He took occasion to stroll down to the telegraph office later that
+same day.
+
+"Hello, Peter," he said to the operator.
+
+Peter turned around to see if anyone was about, then brought out a
+copy of the coded telegram.
+
+"Easy code, professor--what does it mean?" His copy already had
+translated the words properly.
+
+"It may mean nothing or it may mean everything. The boy is going to
+Chicago--perhaps Chicago is No. 2--perhaps not. Peter, you had better
+send a telegram. Better be sure, eh?"
+
+"Why would they be sending a child and for what?" Peter was
+incredulous.
+
+"Did the boy send a telegram?" Mr. Pfeffer asked. "I had better see
+them all."
+
+But there was none that had been sent that morning to Chicago.
+
+A long wire, also in code, went forward from Mr. Pfeffer to Chicago.
+Then that worthy strolled back to the Academy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+PLANS ARE MADE TO MEET TED
+
+
+In a room in one of the West Side streets of Chicago, in an
+old-fashioned office building, which also rented rooms to lodges and
+societies, eight men were engaged in earnest conversation.
+
+"You are wrong, O'Reilly," said one of them. "England will not dare
+come into it. There are men in England who would want the country to
+war against my land. But the powers that be, and the people, too, will
+be against it."
+
+"I hate England, Berman," said O'Reilly. "There are Irishmen who are
+willing to lick the hand that has beaten them and has held them in
+subjection, but they are not true sons of Erin. I am against England,
+but I do not despise the English as you Germans do. Once they are
+aroused, mark my words, slow as they may be at the start, they will
+be a mighty force." His eyes flashed. "Many people call me a traitor,
+but Ireland, not England, is my country, and all Irishmen should be
+against the country that holds it slave.
+
+"But to business, gentlemen. Will you, Mr. Schmidt, explain the call
+for this meeting?"
+
+"That I will," answered he who had been addressed. "There are two
+things for us to take up--the less important first. I have a telegram
+from our good friend Pfeffer up in Wayland, in Alberta, Canada, where
+he is doing our work, but is presumably a German instructor. Ah, here
+it is--"
+
+He drew out the coded wire that Pfeffer had sent. "I have figured out
+the code and it reads as follows:
+
+"'Ference eld erecon urday h atch h oysat ed w arsh b adian t cific M
+eftcan erepa en l am h alledsev ome y c ther h pect b emo ssus n h ay
+i ee o trong w haps s as s persper ay h eekpa formation m atchin s
+w.'
+
+"'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. 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."
+
+"I'll go," said Schmidt.
+
+"When is he due?" asked Mr. Winckel.
+
+"Why, I should think it would be some time tonight," answered Schmidt.
+"I'll look and make sure."
+
+"Find out his home address," added Winckel. "Telegraph it to us and
+one of us will hurry up and find out if his mother really expects him.
+How about your part, O'Reilly?"
+
+"I'll see to it," answered the Irishman.
+
+"That is finished now. Oh, yes, one more thing, Schmidt, better have
+Strong watched even more closely. What is the other business?" It
+could be seen that Mr. Winckel was the moving spirit.
+
+"Tomorrow, eight o'clock, here--the chief will come from Washington.
+When Captain Knabe comes, he will tell us just when the day will be.
+It is very soon, very soon; the long wait is over. Then, too, he will
+tell us what we shall do. You will all be here? Now we shall go to our
+work."
+
+They broke up. They were very thorough, each man had his work assigned
+and would see it carried through.
+
+We shall turn to John Strong, who early that morning had been slipped
+a memorandum in code by the waitress serving breakfast to him,
+announcing that Ted was to come and to meet him. Also, Ted's home
+address.
+
+John Strong was a clean-cut Canadian, hair graying at the temples. No
+one knew better than he how carefully he was watched. That he was able
+to be as useful to his government as he was, showed his ability.
+
+He decided at once that he would not meet Ted. That would show one
+thing--the important thing to those who would want to know. How could
+he get to the boy's mother without being observed?
+
+To the girl who waited on him he whispered that he wanted her to
+arrange for two cars to wait at the main entrance of the Hotel La
+Salle at ten o'clock.
+
+He strolled out and immediately felt himself shadowed. He reached the
+hotel, looked at the register very carefully, as if there was
+something there he wanted to see, then turned to the cigar-stand.
+Turning around, he saw another man looking just as carefully at that
+register. He smiled. Now he knew one of those who were watching him.
+He pulled out some memorandum slips from his pocket and made some
+notations. As if by accident he left one of the slips on the case,
+lighted his cigar, bought a newspaper, and sat down and lounged.
+
+Another man came to the cigar counter, also bought some cigars, picked
+up some matches, and with it the slip of paper.
+
+So there were two.
+
+At five minutes past the hour Strong strolled to the door, made a
+frantic dash for the machine, which seemed very slow to start. A
+moment later two men entered the machine immediately next, gave the
+driver instructions to follow the first machine, which by now had
+dashed off.
+
+The first car went south. You may remember that Mrs. Marsh lived
+north. The second car followed. The occupants could never suspect the
+innocent appearing chauffeur of that second car, as he swore and raved
+at the policeman who had ordered him to stop to let the east and west
+traffic go by at the side street. The frantic men inside were assured
+that he would make up the lost time; that he knew the number of the
+car he was following. But he never found that car. He became very
+stupid, although always pleasant.
+
+John Strong reached the home of Mrs. Marsh, certain that he had eluded
+the pursuit.
+
+"Mrs. Marsh, I believe?" he asked as she opened the door.
+
+"I am Mrs. Marsh," she answered.
+
+"I am a friend of some friends of Ted. The main reason for his coming
+down to Chicago is to see me, although I am sure he will think that
+seeing you will count for even more than that."
+
+"Did you get word from him?" further asked Strong.
+
+"Yes, I got a telegram. It said he was coming to see you, but that I
+was to let anyone else who might ask think that he was coming because
+I sent for him. I do not understand."
+
+Very carefully Strong explained it all to Mrs. Marsh.
+
+"It is important that these people should not suspect that he is
+coming to see me, only that he is coming home, nothing more. It may
+even be, that one of them will be here to see you, some time today.
+They surely will if they find out anything about his coming, and where
+you live. I will say this, that I feel I am speaking for Mr. Dean when
+I say it will be a great service to him and to his country."
+
+"I shall be glad to do anything for Mr. Dean. You can count on me. I
+think I understand and perhaps will be able to help. Perhaps, too, my
+daughter, Helen, even more so."
+
+"Will you have your daughter come and see me right after supper. The
+train comes in at 9:10 tonight, and she will meet you afterward at the
+station. She will go there from my office. Possibly, as you say, she
+can help."
+
+He left Mrs. Marsh, confident that she understood and that she had the
+ability and willingness to carry her part through.
+
+ [A] Readers will find it interesting to study out the simplicity
+     of this code. There is special pleasure in their working it out
+     for themselves. It is simple and unweaves itself once you have
+     the key. For those who do not wish to decipher the code, they can
+     use the following method. The first syllable of any word of more
+     than one syllable is attached to the third word following. Of one
+     syllable words the first letter is found by itself after the
+     second word. In no case is a single letter considered a word.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+TED ARRIVES IN CHICAGO
+
+
+Between the hours of seven and nine that night many things were
+happening. Helen had gone down to see Strong. A man, who may have been
+a Dane or a German, boarded Ted's train at Milwaukee, and O'Reilly was
+preparing to meet that same train, as was John Strong. At home Mrs.
+Marsh was leaving to meet the train. We shall follow the man who
+boarded the train. He entered one of the Pullmans, but no boy seemed
+to be there; another one, and there were two boys, but both seemed to
+be with parents.
+
+But he was successful in the third car. It was Ted he saw and as he
+sat down very near him he pulled out a Danish newspaper and started to
+read.
+
+Pretty soon he looked up. He seemed a very pleasant man. He spoke to a
+man in the seat in front of him, then he turned to Ted. "Have you
+come from far?" he asked innocently.
+
+"Yes, sir," answered Ted, "from Wayland."
+
+"So," observed the man. "Do you live in Chicago or in Wayland?" He
+added, "I live in Milwaukee, but I go twice, sometimes three times a
+month to Chicago. My daughter lives there."
+
+"In Chicago," answered Ted. Truth to tell, he was very glad to talk,
+the trip had been a long one.
+
+"Where do you live, what part?" asked his new acquaintance.
+
+"Over north, 11416 Wells street." Ted saw no reason why he should not
+tell this harmless stranger where he lived. Although he had no
+suspicion of him, he had made up his mind that such questions he would
+answer, no matter who asked them.
+
+For he realized that the one way to arouse curiosity was to appear
+secretive.
+
+"My daughter lives up that way, too," the man said. He seemed quite
+interested in the idea of making conversation.
+
+"I will leave you for a minute." The train was slowing up for Racine.
+His telegram was all ready except for the address. He rushed into the
+ticket office, added the address and had it sent collect, and had
+plenty of time to board the train.
+
+"I wonder why," thought Ted, "he should have to run into that
+station." Ted's suspicions were somewhat aroused. He decided to appear
+as if he had not taken note of the actions of his acquaintance.
+
+Schmidt had underestimated the ability of the boy. He was so young, he
+thought, there was no necessity for special care.
+
+Then, too, he was so very affable, so very simple. To his questions as
+to who would meet him Ted answered that he thought no one would, the
+time he was coming was a little uncertain, he added.
+
+"No one is to meet me, either. Perhaps we can both go up home
+together, eh?"
+
+"Sure," replied the boy, "that would be fine."
+
+Ted fancied by now that the man was a German. But, then, he had that
+Danish newspaper. Maybe he was not.
+
+"What do you do at your place--Wayland, I think you said?"
+
+"I go to the Academy there. I belong to the Scouts--it is military and
+academic." The boy was quite young and quite simple, Schmidt decided.
+
+"Ah, that military business is bad, very bad. There will never be war
+anymore."
+
+Ted wondered if the man really believed it. He could not make up his
+mind. So they talked. The man grew less and less interested. He had
+made up his mind that the boy was really going to see his mother. Of
+course, that would be proven when they found out how much the mother
+knew about it and if she would meet the boy. Probably all this time
+had been wasted, but Schmidt had no regrets. After all, eternal
+vigilance was the watchword.
+
+An hour later the train came into the station.
+
+Ted, who had been quite tired, no longer felt any weariness. Here was
+Chicago, here was home.
+
+As he stepped away from the train, his mother and sister ran forward.
+Two men watched him from close by--one motioned to the other.
+O'Reilly went forward.
+
+"My boy, are you looking for Mr. Strong?"
+
+Helen interrupted: "Looking for Mr. Who? Why, of course he's not--he's
+my brother--I guess you are mistaken. Come, Ted, we are going home
+first."
+
+Ted did not question his sister; he knew there was method in her
+outburst. He added:
+
+"Sorry, sir."
+
+"I'm so glad you came, Ted. How I hoped you would!" his mother said.
+
+O'Reilly turned doubtfully, as the other man beckoned him away.
+
+"Time lost," said Schmidt. "Let them go. No harm done. I pumped the
+boy on the way; he had no secret, apparently. He is but a child."
+
+"I was scared by that girl," replied O'Reilly musingly. "My, she's a
+Tartar. All right, then, I'm tired and I'm going home. Good-night."
+
+"Good-night, my friend--see you tomorrow." Schmidt watched him go.
+
+"Say, sis, I did have to meet a Mr. Strong." Ted spoke in a low
+voice.
+
+"I know it, Ted, but that man was not he. When we get away somewhere
+I'll tell you something about it."
+
+"Let's go home. I'm crazy to be back here and it certainly feels
+fine."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+TED MEETS STRONG
+
+
+There were many eager questions on the way home. The mother listened
+with great pride to Ted's account, even though he had told many of the
+same things in his letters.
+
+Ted painted a great picture of his new home and it made Mrs. Marsh
+very happy for his sake, even though she wished a little longingly
+that both Helen and she could be a part of this wonderful and happy
+life.
+
+Helen must have been thinking the same thing, for she spoke out:
+
+"I wish mother and I could go out there. If there were only something
+I could do there. My work here is interesting, but I would gladly give
+it up for such an opportunity."
+
+"It's all right, sis," replied Ted. "It won't be long before you will
+both be out there. I wouldn't want to stay myself if I did not feel
+sure of that." They had reached their "L" station by now and home was
+only a matter of a few moments.
+
+"I guess you are tired, Ted. But I think I had better tell you what
+Mr. Strong wants you to do." Then Helen told him of her going down to
+see Mr. Strong, how the latter had reason to believe that there was to
+be a meeting of the Germans the very next night. He wanted to see Ted,
+who was to go to a certain number on Adams Street at eight the next
+morning. She gave him the number of the room. Ted was to wait until
+such time as Strong came. He might be late, for often there was
+difficulty in getting there unobserved. He would mention the word Dean
+and Helen for identification, should it be necessary.
+
+Ted went to bed and slept the sleep of the just and the weary.
+
+That next morning the newspapers printed in large headlines the
+ultimatum that Austria had put up to Servia. They speculated on the
+possibilities of war. To Ted--refreshed and no longer weary, reading
+the newspaper as he made his way downtown--it brought a feeling that
+he was in some way involved. It made him feel quite important; it
+increased his respect for the men who had sent him to Chicago. It was
+big work these men were doing; he was having a share in it. He left
+the elevated station with some time on his hand. It seemed so long
+since he had been down here in the heart of Chicago. It came to Ted
+that it would always hold a warm spot in his affections. After all, it
+was here he had spent his childhood; it was to the knockabouts
+received here that he owed much. If only he could be successful, if
+only he could obtain the necessary information and be able to deliver
+the message to John Strong. Without knowing very much about it all, he
+realized that the things for him to do were important parts of it all.
+A little uncertainly, because the subject was a little too much for
+him, and he was still a very young boy, he speculated on why nations
+should go to war.
+
+"Hello, Ted," someone greeted him. It was Spot, the fellow with whom
+he had had that fight at the beginning of this story.
+
+"Hello, Spot," Ted greeted him cordially. He was glad to renew old
+acquaintances. "How's business?"
+
+"Fine," answered Spot. "Lots of news, lots of papers sold. What are
+you here for? Thought you went 'way out West?"
+
+"I'm just paying a visit," laughed Ted. "Seeing friends." They talked
+for a few minutes.
+
+"See you again, Spot. Is this your regular stand?"
+
+"Sure is," replied Spot, as he turned to a customer.
+
+Ted went on his way. Very soon he reached the building on Adams street
+to which Helen had directed him. He turned in and when he came to the
+seventh floor he entered Room 701.
+
+He accosted the man who looked up from a desk with:
+
+"Want a boy?"
+
+"Well, perhaps." He sounded very English. "What is your name?"
+
+"Theodore Marsh," replied the owner of that name.
+
+The man's manner changed on the instant. Ted liked him then. "Come in,
+Ted. Mr. Strong is expected any minute, but of course he may not come
+for a while. We have just moved in here. We have to move quite often,
+for those Germans certainly are shrewd. Quick, too, and they keep us
+on the jump."
+
+He turned to work on an intricate little machine which had a long coil
+of wire, very thin, much thinner than a telephone wire.
+
+"Do you know what this is?" Ted did not know.
+
+"A dictaphone. We will have use for it. I am getting it ready for
+tonight."
+
+Ted had heard of a dictaphone, but he had not yet learned its
+usefulness. He was to find out that night how wonderfully useful it
+could be, how much danger the use of it would avoid.
+
+It was almost two hours before a man entered. When he saw Ted he said,
+with a smile:
+
+"Hello, my boy. I guess you and I have met both Dean and Helen,
+haven't we? Let us go into this room."
+
+Ted delivered the papers he had brought for Strong. Strong took them
+eagerly and just as eagerly Ted gave them up. He heaved a sigh of
+relief at getting rid of them.
+
+"This paper alone," Strong picked up one of the papers from his desk,
+where he had placed them, "if trouble should come, would prove to the
+United States Government what the Germans are doing in the States and
+just how it affects Canada. Without this it would be disagreeable to
+be found doing some of the things we find ourselves compelled to do. I
+see, also, that this letter says that I may count on your help. We
+will need it, I am sure.
+
+"Tonight, the Germans are to hold a meeting. The purpose and decision
+reached there we must know at all costs. We must go down there, you
+and Walker and I. Walker is the man in the office. He has the
+necessary knowledge to place a dictaphone or tap a telephone wire.
+Also, he, another man named Bronson, and I have already made
+arrangements for placing that dictaphone at the Germans'
+meeting-place."
+
+He turned to Walker. "Are you ready?"
+
+"In about five minutes," replied Walker, with a grin.
+
+While they were waiting Strong suddenly thought of something.
+
+"As I understand--am I right?--you were a newsboy up to a year ago?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I was," answered Ted.
+
+"Good. Do you think you could manage to fix yourself up as one and
+meet us in front of the Auditorium?"
+
+"I think I can," replied the boy, after a moment's thought.
+
+"All right, I'll give you forty-five minutes," Strong said, as he
+turned to Walker, who was now ready.
+
+Quickly, Ted located Spot.
+
+"I'll tell you what I'll do, Spot," he confided to the news merchant.
+"I'll give you two dollars and my clothes for your clothes and papers.
+I want you to have a share in my good fortune and I also want to sell
+papers for awhile."
+
+Spot grinned delight. "You mean it, Ted?"
+
+"Sure. Where can we change?"
+
+"Any place will suit me. But I'll show you a place. That's easy."
+
+A place was very easily located. Spot had managed to wash his hands
+and face, while Ted's had not yet gotten to the color they should be.
+They had exchanged everything from shoes to hats.
+
+"Where are you going now, Spot?" asked Ted.
+
+"I beg your pardon," replied Spot. "My name is Mr. James Sullivan. I
+would have you address your betters properly, boy." He never cracked a
+smile as he walked off, but Ted laughed uproariously.
+
+A little later two men came out of the Auditorium.
+
+"Paper, sir, papers?"
+
+"No," answered one of them. The other took a second look at the
+newsboy and laughed. "He certainly fooled you, Strong. It's Ted."
+
+"Good work, Ted," Strong said, with appreciation.
+
+"Slip into that automobile while we stand in front of it." They walked
+toward it. "Now, quick." The machine was off to the German
+meeting-place.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+SETTING A TRAP
+
+
+The automobile came to a stop two blocks from the German
+meeting-place.
+
+As the three walked toward it, a beggar stopped Strong. The latter
+gave him some coins. Ted, who was watching, saw a paper pass between
+the two. It was so quickly done that he was not even sure of it. He
+made no comment, as he knew that Strong would mention it, if he
+thought it necessary.
+
+"The room is on the third floor," Strong said. "There is someone in it
+now. That beggar has just been up there; he has been watching the
+house all morning, so that he could keep me in touch.
+
+"Suppose, Ted, you go up and sell your papers. Go to every office.
+When you reach Room 318, size it up as well as you can. See what you
+can of 316 and 320 also."
+
+"All our work and our preparations have been from 418," Walker added.
+"Our friends are there."
+
+"Yes," Strong said, "take a look in there, even though you will meet
+Bronson a little later."
+
+A boy tried to sell his papers in the many offices. He canvassed each
+floor and in due time reached the fourth. He came to Room 418 and saw
+a sign on the glass reading as follows:
+
+                           TERENCE McMAHON
+                     INSURANCE AGENT AND ADJUSTER
+                     MAIN OFFICE--OLIVER BUILDING
+
+                       Russell Bronson, Br. Mgr.
+
+He entered. "Want a paper?" he asked one of the men.
+
+The man took one. Ted glanced about and then went out. He had some
+idea of the room. He noticed that three other doors seemed to belong
+to the same office, Rooms 422, 420 and 416.
+
+He soon reached the third floor. He went through the same routine,
+just as carefully and matter-of-factedly, as he had done on the other
+floors. When he reached 320 he found the door locked and a hand
+pointing to 318 as the entrance. On the glass of that door he saw a
+sign which read:
+
+                          NOVELTIES AND TOYS
+                            A. CHRISTENSEN
+
+Ted opened the door. A man was inside, his feet perched upon a desk
+and he was reading a German newspaper.
+
+"Paper, sir?" Ted asked him.
+
+"No," was the answer. He did not even glance up.
+
+"I have a Staats-Zeitung and a Wochen-Blatt," coaxed Ted. All this
+time he was taking stock of the room.
+
+"A Wochen-Blatt? I'll take one," the man became interested. He offered
+a half dollar to Ted.
+
+"I haven't the change, but I will get it for you." Ted was fighting
+for time, so that he could form impressions.
+
+"And run away with my money?" the man sneered. "Not on your life. I'll
+wait until later."
+
+"You can hold all my papers. I'll come back."
+
+The man grudgingly gave the boy the money. At the corner store Ted
+found his two friends; the automobile had long since left.
+
+"Good work," Strong commented, after hearing Ted. "Now, how can we get
+that fellow out of the building for half an hour?"
+
+"When I suggested going out for the change," volunteered Ted, "he
+didn't want to trust me and said: 'I'll wait until later.' Perhaps he
+intends going out."
+
+"Well, here is one way to coax him to go a little sooner. A German
+wants what he wants when he wants it, and he never stops wanting it
+until he gets it. When you go back, Ted, insist on being paid twice as
+much as the paper sells for. He probably will not pay it. He will
+consider it a holdup. But he will want that paper and it may hurry his
+departure. It is almost lunch-time anyway.
+
+"Walker, you go to all the news-stands within three square blocks and
+also any stores you may see that sell newspapers and buy up any
+Wochen-Blatts they have. That ought to keep our friend busy trying to
+get what he wants and so give us more time. We will all meet in Room
+418. I'll steal up while you two are wrangling over your high-handed
+outrage, Ted. Walker can come any time. There is small chance that he
+will be recognized. You see," Strong added, his eyes smiling, "that's
+the value of having the ordinary face Walker has. He looks like
+seventy-five million other folks, so no one would notice him."
+
+Ted rushed back to the office. "Everybody is poor around here or else
+they don't want to make change. My, what trouble." He was counting out
+the change and he now placed but forty cents on the man's desk.
+
+The man picked up the money and for a moment it looked as if he would
+not count it, but he did.
+
+"Hey, boy, another nickel! You're short here."
+
+"No, I'm not. I took a nickel for all the trouble I had in making
+change." Ted felt mean and he knew his argument was a poor one, but he
+was doing it for a purpose.
+
+"Five cents, or I don't want the paper." He made a threatening motion
+toward Ted.
+
+Ted laughed at him. He threw the dime on the desk, picked up his paper
+and backed out of the door. The man was muttering fiercely in
+German.
+
+Out on the street our hero watched from a nearby door. It was just
+mid-day and people were hurrying for their lunch. But it was at least
+twenty minutes before he saw his man walk out of the building. He
+watched him and saw him stop at one, then at another stand and try to
+obtain the desired paper. He was not successful and Ted saw him stroll
+further down the street.
+
+Two minutes later Ted was in Room 418. Walker joined them almost at
+the same time.
+
+Ted was introduced to the man to whom he had sold a paper a little
+earlier and then the party got down to business.
+
+"Walker, jump down and try the door," said Strong. "Here is the key."
+
+But a new problem presented itself when Walker reported back that the
+key would not fit the lock and Strong, incredulous, had proven the
+truth of it for himself.
+
+"Phew!" whistled Strong. "They must have changed the lock. They
+figured the old one was too easy for anyone who had a mind to enter.
+Come on, Walker, we'll try the window."
+
+But they found no way of entering through the window. It was securely
+fastened. Walker, with one foot on the edge of the fire-escape and the
+other on the ledge of the next room's window and holding himself
+secure with one hand, attempted to open that window also, but found it
+just as securely locked.
+
+"There is still one way before we think of any rough stuff," said
+Strong. With the other three he went down to the third floor.
+
+"Here, Ted, get on my shoulders and try the fanlight. Let's pray that
+it opens."
+
+It opened so very easily that they all laughed. But they found that
+neither Walker, Strong nor Bronson could get through. But Ted could.
+
+"Well," said Bronson, "I reckon it's up to the boy, isn't it?"
+
+"It certainly is," said Strong.
+
+Walker now very quickly, yet very clearly explained the workings and
+the manipulations of the dictaphone. Ted listened carefully as he was
+told how the wires should be laid and connected.
+
+"You see, Ted," Walker continued, "the whole thing is already
+prepared. We knew how little time we would have when the time did
+come, so we did everything we could beforehand. You will find a place
+for these wires on the wall behind the steam-pipes. The floor moulding
+running along the window wall will move if you remove the screws--four
+of them. Then count off the sixteenth floor board--you work it this
+way," Walker showed Ted how, "and it will pry loose. It is all very
+simple and should take no more than twenty minutes. It would take me
+ten.
+
+"The floor-board has a little groove into which the wires will fit.
+You will find that where this board ends is another piece of moulding
+which will most surprisingly give way to your magic fingers, and the
+screwdriver, as did the moulding at the other end. On the big cabinet
+that is there, try that corner of it nearest you and against the wall,
+and there you will find that your wires will fit snugly. Your hands
+are small and can get in there, back of the cabinet. You just can't go
+wrong. On top of the cabinet see that the mouthpiece or, rather, the
+listener, is propped up so that it faces the table. If you have any
+doubts call out--we will be here. You will also find that it will not
+be seen, for the cabinet is high."
+
+"Be careful, Ted, about leaving things just as they were. It all will
+fit back snugly. Be twice as careful as you are quick," Strong warned
+him.
+
+"I shall be up here, Bronson will be one flight below, and the beggar
+is watching in the street. Walker will be up above passing the wires
+down to you."
+
+More than fifteen minutes had already been consumed. Strong had warned
+Ted to open the window of Room 420 and, should a warning come, hide in
+that room. A rope would be passed down for him from the window above.
+
+Ted got to work at once. He found it even more simple than Walker had
+told him. In fifteen or twenty minutes he called out. "I think I am
+through." He took another look about. He had carefully seen to
+everything and there was no sign of any disturbance.
+
+"Wait a minute," said Strong. There was a pause. Then he heard Strong
+speaking to him again, "Say something right out, not too loud, just
+ordinary conversation."
+
+"Want to buy a paper? News, Post, American, Staats-Zeitung?" said Ted
+to the empty air.
+
+There was another pause, then he heard Walker say to Strong, "It's
+fine and distinct, old man."
+
+Ted took another look about. He lifted himself on the door-knob and
+then eager hands helped him out. Walker ran down the fire escape to
+take a look around the room and Strong hoisted himself up on the knob
+and also looked about. Ted's work had been thorough and neither of
+them made any criticisms.
+
+"Well, that's something of a relief," said Walker. Ted closed the
+fanlight.
+
+"Nothing to do until tonight," and Walker grinned.
+
+"Let's eat," said Strong. "Coming with us, Bronson?"
+
+"Certainly," was the answer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+STRONG SEEMS CHECKMATED
+
+
+Ted was too excited to eat.
+
+"Better eat, lad," said Walker. "We do not know when we will get
+another chance today. If no one else seemed to be following his
+advice, he himself considered it good enough to heed. He was eating
+enough for two.
+
+"I imagine it is going to be risky business tonight," Bronson
+remarked. "I wish I could be with you."
+
+"It's either going to be that, or it is going to be very simple,"
+Strong answered.
+
+"That is the trouble with all adventure, these days," Walker
+complained. "It's always so very simple."
+
+"I consider this extremely interesting and exciting," replied Strong.
+"It is like a tremendous game of chess with enough elements of danger
+added to suit the most exacting. Don't imagine that we shall not be in
+danger every second tonight. These Germans are cold-blooded. If we
+should happen to be in their way, should they find out how much we
+actually know, we can say good-bye; the sun would rise tomorrow, but
+we might not."
+
+He turned to Ted. "Well, lad, are you afraid?"
+
+"I'm going to stick, of course," was the reply.
+
+"Well, comrades, here is the plan. The keys you see here, one for each
+of us, are for Room 420. We shall separate. At six-thirty we must all
+plan to be in that room. No noise must be made when you come; no sound
+must be made while you are there."
+
+"We had better make sure we do all our sneezing outside, eh?" Every
+one laughed with Walker.
+
+"It will be your last sneeze, if it's inside," Strong laughingly
+warned him. "The least sound, a scraping chair, would be heard. Stay
+in Room 420; the fire escape makes 418 dangerous, if anyone should be
+curious and decide to come up and look into that room. Of course,
+there will be no lights turned on.
+
+"Should any of us fail to get there, he who does must make every
+effort to get the import of the conversation."
+
+"Can I do anything, before I leave for New York tonight?" asked
+Bronson.
+
+"No, I guess not. Get your room into shape for us. Put the chairs
+where we cannot stumble over them. How long will you be gone?"
+
+"I don't know. These Germans certainly keep us busy. Some of our
+optimists are turning pessimists, now that Austria is declaring war
+against Servia. They are beginning to think that perhaps there is
+something in this war-talk. I have to go to them and tell them just
+how much there really is in it. I had much rather stay--wish I
+could."
+
+"I know that, Bronson, and there is no one I would rather have. But
+perhaps you will be of better service there. I shall code Wright the
+information we get tonight, if we get it. They will have it at the New
+York office."
+
+Strong and Walker returned to the Adams street office; Ted went home.
+He was glad of the chance to see more of his mother; Helen, he knew,
+would not be home. Ted was very fond of his pretty, efficient sister,
+and proud of her rapid rise at the store.
+
+He found his mother there when he reached home. He explained the
+reason for his wearing the newsboy's clothes.
+
+Ted spent a quiet, comfortable afternoon with her. Many things they
+still had to talk about and the mother realized how much it was the
+desire of Ted to have her and Helen come out to that great West, a
+land where contentment and opportunity, at least, were more likely to
+be found than in this place, in which she had lived so many years.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+About three o'clock, only a half hour after he had been at Adams
+street, Strong was called to the telephone. He had been busy at a
+report, the call was unexpected and could only come from his secretary
+or from Ted, the only two besides Walker who knew of this new
+location.
+
+It proved to be his secretary.
+
+"A messenger boy came here a little while ago with a message for you,"
+she said.
+
+"Read it."
+
+"'A meeting is to be held at W.'s house. If you will come, can get
+you in. 4:30!' It is signed 'J.'," she added.
+
+There was a pause. She continued: "It looks as if it comes from Jones.
+It is his writing, beyond doubt, but he signed his initial instead of
+his number."
+
+"I'll come right over," Strong answered, and his voice sounded
+perplexed.
+
+Charles Jones was an operative, employed as a butler by the Winckel
+household. He had so often given proof of profound stupidity in
+everything except his duties in the household that Herr Winckel would
+have laughed at any suspicion of his being anything else but a butler.
+Herr Winckel was so fond of saying and repeating that the man had a
+butler mind it could never grasp anything outside of that.
+
+In reality, Jones was shrewd, keen, able to obtain information without
+creating suspicion. He had been one of Strong's best men and the
+latter felt he could count on him.
+
+Could it be a trap, he wondered?
+
+Strong was uncertain as to what he should do. To miss this meeting,
+which perhaps was important; to go there, on the other hand, and
+endanger the chances of his getting to that night meeting?
+
+"I wish I knew what to do, Walker." Together they went over the phases
+of it as they walked down to the office.
+
+"I'd go," advised Walker. "You say that the boy could do his part. If
+they do want you out of the way, should this be a trap, they will hold
+us until morning; they would not dare hold us any longer. And, if they
+do, they will not feel the need for carefulness and the boy will thus
+have a better chance. It works well both ways."
+
+When they came to the office, Strong read the message again.
+
+"We'll go, Walker," he decided. "Dress up. Be sure not to carry any
+papers."
+
+Two men came out of one of the inner offices a few minutes later. They
+would have been taken anywhere for two English servants; they might
+have been valets, footmen, even butlers. Each one looked the other
+over critically, but the disguise was thorough.
+
+At fifteen minutes past the hour they reached the Winckel house,
+knocked at the servants' entrance. The maid answered and they asked
+for Mr. Jones. They appeared to be very superior, upper-class
+servants. Very English, too. She escorted them in and then opened a
+door for them to enter. They passed through. As they did, each one of
+them was pounced upon. They struggled against the sickening smell of
+the chloroform held tightly against their noses. Then they knew
+nothing more for a while.
+
+An hour later they awoke with a feeling of nausea and the smell of
+chloroform all about them. They found themselves tied hand and foot
+and unable to move. From all appearances they seemed to be in the
+cellar of the house.
+
+"Are you there, chief?" asked Walker, in a sick and very low voice.
+
+"Yes, I'm here; going to stay awhile, I guess."
+
+"I wonder what happened? Suppose they got on to----?"
+
+"They are probably gloating somewhere within earshot," Strong warned
+him in a whisper. "They certainly have us out of the way for the time
+being," he added, ruefully.
+
+"Well, there's nothing to do; we're caught," Walker said, in his
+ordinary voice. Then, in a voice so low Strong could barely hear him,
+he inquired, "Are you pretty well tied? Can you do anything?"
+
+"Can't even move," was the answer.
+
+"Same here," Walker said dejectedly. "They made a good job."
+
+At five o'clock Ted left home for downtown. He stopped off to buy some
+of the late editions of the newspapers and proceeded to the
+meeting-place. He made his rounds through several buildings and at
+last reached that particular one.
+
+There was no one watching, however. With Strong out of the way the
+Germans felt quite secure.
+
+At five-thirty he had already let himself into Room 420 and was
+preparing to make himself comfortable. He picked up the dictaphone
+every few minutes, but for a long time heard nothing. Things seemed
+quiet and he began to wonder where Strong and Walker were, what was
+delaying them. His heart was going at a great rate because of the
+forced quiet and the excited state of his mind.
+
+Things would depend on him if the two men did not come. Would he be
+able to carry out the plans?
+
+"I can only do my best," the boy said to himself. And there was a
+strong determination to make that best count.
+
+It was now half past seven. He lifted the dictaphone oftener. Very
+soon he heard voices, very indistinct, but as he listened they became
+clearer and clearer. Then he began making out the words and the sense
+of the conversation.
+
+"Yes," said one voice. "We found out that this man Jones, who was
+Winckel's butler, was one of their men. He dropped a card which young
+Winckel found. That was enough to warrant his being watched, although
+we did nothing for several days except to see that he got no further
+information.
+
+"Today, at the point of a gun, we forced him to write a note to Strong
+telling him that there was to be a meeting at Winckel's house at
+four-thirty and that he could get him in. Strong with another man
+came. We trapped them, bound them and they are now in the cellar out
+of harm's way."
+
+Ted welcomed the information. At least he knew just what to expect.
+
+"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 new-comers. "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 VII
+
+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."
+
+"How lucky," thought Ted.
+
+"Well, gentlemen, I have good news for you--war is to be declared the
+day after tomorrow."
+
+There was the sound of moving, falling chairs, of men getting to their
+feet. Then a whispered toast--a whisper that was almost loud because
+of the number of voices--"Der Tag."
+
+"You, in America, who have never given up your allegiance to the
+supreme nation, nor to the emperor, must do your share. Although war
+is to be declared the day after tomorrow, it will be a matter of a
+few more days before we are at war with England; possibly it will be
+more than a week. I understand you are ready."
+
+Another voice spoke. "We are prepared. We will announce picnics at
+certain places; it is for you to tell us the locations."
+
+"I am ready to tell you that now," replied the captain. "Concentrate
+on your picnic grounds near Detroit for the taking of Windsor. Herr
+Winckel has the plans. I have given him three sets--Windsor, Toronto,
+Winnipeg. He also has the charts which show how to move and what
+railroads to occupy. Our friends in Canada are to see that there are
+available cars, engines and even motors. Of course, all of you will
+know just what picnic grounds are to be selected, so we need waste no
+time on that."
+
+"How many men have you, Herr Winckel?" Captain Knabe wanted to know.
+
+"Will you tell us, Schoen?" Herr Winckel asked.
+
+"Approximately, armed and ready for the call, one hundred and
+twenty-five thousand men. There are also forty thousand Irishmen.
+O'Reilly has them equally prepared and ready. Pfeffer reports thirty
+thousand men in Canada, eager for the call. They are so stationed that
+we can throw one hundred and fifty thousand men on Windsor and Toronto
+or such other points as are within one half day's ordinary travel. For
+Montreal we would need eighteen hours' additional notice. For Quebec
+we would need thirty. We figure that thirty thousand men will be
+enough for Winnipeg, although we shall have more."
+
+"The fool Englishmen," sneered a voice.
+
+"Not such fools, Schmidt. Do not underestimate them." The voice was
+Winckel's.
+
+"Everything looks so easy," said another voice.
+
+"Aye," said Captain Knabe, "we cannot help but win. But the Englishman
+fights best with his back to the wall."
+
+"You have your commands assigned, have you not?" the captain
+inquired.
+
+"We have," replied Schoen.
+
+"Now, gentlemen, here is the thing of the utmost importance," Herr
+Winckel spoke warningly. "The facts must not leak; they must not get
+to the United States officials. That is so important that the whole
+plan will have to be dropped if there is any suspicion as to a leak."
+
+"I think a number of us will bear out what Winckel says," O'Reilly
+spoke up. "For myself, and I think I speak for the other Irishmen here
+present and also for the forty thousand against England, but against
+the United States--never. Not one Irishman can be counted on if it
+comes to a showdown against the U. S. A."
+
+"Nor very many Germans," added Winckel.
+
+"So be it," said Captain Knabe. "Shall we go over the ammunition
+storehouses, those that are in Canada and those that are in this
+country?"
+
+Many of the places Ted could not make out, others he did. He realized
+that this was valuable information. Names though they were, they were
+clues and so might be important.
+
+Much more was said by the many men and Ted stored up in his mind such
+information as he thought would be useful. At half past ten all the
+men had left and from what Ted heard he understood that Knabe,
+Winckel, O'Reilly and Schoen were adjourning to some other place to
+perfect plans.
+
+Ted cautiously stretched himself. He was wary and still watchful.
+Although his muscles were stiff and his bones ached, he had not dared
+to move. When he was fairly certain that he could move, he indulged in
+that luxury for at least five minutes. He had no trouble in leaving
+the building. Once outside, he hastened to a telephone booth. He had
+no intention of telephoning, but he did want to find out the address
+of Winckel. A plan was in his mind.
+
+He found two Winckels in the telephone. He decided that in all
+likelihood it was the one on Michigan avenue, the other was somewhere
+on the North Side.
+
+When he came to the first cross street he saw a passing taxi and
+hailed it. The driver had some suspicion as to the ability of his
+customer to pay, for Ted was still in his newsboy's clothes. However,
+Ted proved he had the necessary funds and satisfied the chauffeur.
+
+Ted left the taxi two blocks before he reached the Winckel residence.
+The inside of the house was almost, not quite dark. Stealthily the
+boy investigated. He decided that any entrance would have to be made
+from the rear or the side of the building. The rear windows to the
+basement and the door he found were locked.
+
+The boy studied the situation. He saw where he could enter through one
+place, but it would mean that he would have to remove a window glass.
+He decided against that. There was danger of being heard.
+
+Though Ted was seeking an entrance he had not as yet made up his mind
+to try to go to the rescue of his friends. To go into the building and
+take chances? But then, after all, his information could be of use to
+Strong only, for he held the many threads.
+
+It would be folly to call the police, Strong would not care to have
+the publicity, and then, too, the two men might not be there after
+all.
+
+He decided, come what may, he would go in. He felt fairly certain that
+Winckel would not be in the house nor would he return for an hour or
+more. Before making any further attempt to get inside, Ted went to a
+nearby drug store. He obtained paper and stamped envelope and wrote
+the following message to Strong's office, addressing it to Strong's
+secretary, Miss Ford.
+
+"Unless you hear from us in the early morning, you will find us
+imprisoned in the cellar of Mr. Winckel's house. I am now trying to
+get Mr. Strong and Mr. Walker out, but may not succeed.
+
+"11:15 p.m.                                            Ted."
+
+Having mailed the letter he hurried back to the house. Cautiously he
+prowled about, trying to find a way into the basement. There was no
+way.
+
+At any ordinary time Ted would have said it was impossible to get up
+on that ledge, but he managed it now. The house entrance was through a
+wide door, but one had to go down three steps and it made the floor an
+English basement. The floor above that was much higher than most
+ground floors and yet lower than most second floors. Ted crept along
+the narrow ledge holding on to such supports as were there. He reached
+a big window and by careful manipulation and urging the boy managed to
+force it open.
+
+He crawled in. Spot's suit was very useful now, for it held matches.
+Ted did not intend to use any unless he had to, but the building was
+strange to him and the occasion for the use of them might arise. He
+knew that he would have two floors to travel, the one to the basement
+and the one to the cellar. He got down the one floor without mishap.
+He was about to begin the exploration of that floor for the entrance
+to the cellar, when he heard the key being inserted into the street
+door.
+
+His heart leaped within him. Two people entered, a man and woman. They
+switched on a light. If these people had come thirty seconds earlier
+he would have been caught coming down the stairs, Ted thought, as he
+crouched behind the turn of the staircase.
+
+"It was nice of you to see me home, Mr. Erkin," said the young lady.
+"Will you be good enough to let the light burn, as some of the folks
+are not in yet? Come and see me some time."
+
+"Good-night, thank you, I will," the man answered and left.
+
+The boy thought, "Well, I certainly should be called Lucky. Here I
+wonder how to find an entrance to the cellar and they are kind enough
+to turn on a light for me."
+
+It was fairly easy for Ted to find his way now, but because of the
+light he had to use even greater care.
+
+The cellar seemed deserted, when he got there. It was pitch dark and
+it took several minutes for him to grow accustomed to the extreme
+darkness. Then he heard the faint murmur of voices.
+
+Strong and Walker had slept fitfully and had been wide awake at
+various times. Strong had again been awakened and was insisting that
+Walker listen to him.
+
+As Ted drew nearer, he heard Strong say, "I don't think, the way I
+feel, I shall ever be able to move again. But if I knew that Ted was
+just the least bit successful I could be forever content."
+
+"The poor child--if he did anything at all," Walker answered, "it
+would be wonderful. It's a man's job, what, then, could a boy do?"
+
+As if in answer to the question, they heard a low voice call, "Mr.
+Strong, Mr. Strong!"
+
+"Who is that?" the startled voice of Strong demanded.
+
+"It's me, Ted!" said that ungrammatical young man, a bit excitedly.
+
+[Illustration: TED FREES THE PRISONERS]
+
+"God bless you, boy. Is it really you? Have you a match?"
+
+Ted struck one. Hurriedly he untied the two men, who were already
+questioning him excitedly and to whom he whispered assurances.
+
+As they turned the corner (having left the building without trouble)
+Strong looked back. An auto passed north on Michigan avenue.
+
+"That's Winckel's car," he said. "We weren't any too soon."
+
+Ted told the two men of the night's adventures and they both listened
+eagerly. Strong was laboring under great excitement as the boy went on
+with his story. When Ted was through he placed his hand on Ted's
+shoulder and said, quietly and very impressively, to him:
+
+"I simply can't tell you the things I long to say. You're going to be
+a man, my boy! This is a day's work of which you will always be
+proud.
+
+"Knowing what we know, we can go to sleep tonight, awake in the
+morning with a plan as to just what we will do. I could almost cry
+with contentment. This news you bring is what we have long striven to
+learn, and along comes Ted Marsh--Lucky, the Boy Scout--and makes
+Canada and England his very grateful and humble servants.
+
+"There are several things we know we can do now," he added. "We had
+best take a night to sleep it over."
+
+"You are a wonder, Ted, my friend," added Walker.
+
+"Come, let us go," said Strong.
+
+"We are all weary. I hate to leave you. I'd like to celebrate, but I
+guess we had better postpone it until tomorrow. See you at eight."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+WINCKEL CALLS A HALT
+
+
+There were glaring headlines in the newspapers the next morning. War
+was on. People who had doubted all along, who could not believe it
+possible, now had to believe. And, although England was as yet not
+involved, no one was optimistic enough to imagine that she would stay
+out of it.
+
+Around newspaper offices, everywhere, excited, eager groups discussed
+it all. Many a man heard the thrilling call of his native land and
+many listened and made plans to return to either Germany, Russia,
+England or France.
+
+Yet neither in headlines nor in the ordinary run of news, was there
+mention made of the events of our story. Silent, powerful forces were
+at work to keep it quiet.
+
+The automobile of Herr Winckel stopped before his house and from it
+Schmidt, O'Reilly and the owner alighted. They made their way to the
+cellar, a precaution as to the safekeeping of the prisoners. O'Reilly
+and Schmidt were to be guests of Winckel for the night. Much work had
+been planned for the morning.
+
+"Quiet, aren't they?" said Schmidt, as Winckel started to turn on the
+light.
+
+"I guess they are asleep," remarked O'Reilly. The light glared. A
+moment's hush. There were astonished and wondering exclamations. The
+ropes which had held the prisoners tied, were strewn about, but the
+prisoners were nowhere.
+
+"What can it mean?" exclaimed Winckel, searching vainly for an
+explanation.
+
+Wild guesses were made by the three as to how the escape was made.
+
+"Well," said Winckel after awhile, "never mind how they escaped, the
+important thing is--how much have they found out of our plans." He
+showed plainly how disturbed he was.
+
+"How can they have found out about our plans? Pretty far fetched to
+imagine that they could have obtained any information--the chances
+are that they did not escape until late this evening."
+
+O'Reilly interrupted Schmidt. "Is there any way in which we can find
+out the last time someone in the house saw the prisoners?"
+
+"Good idea," said Winckel. "We shall soon find out."
+
+The household was awakened. Inquiries and investigation showed that
+Lauer, a trusted employee of Winckel, had taken a last look at the
+prisoners at about ten o'clock. He was certain of that; he had heard
+their voices, although he could not make out what they spoke about.
+
+There were sighs of relief from Schmidt and O'Reilly, who felt that
+the situation was covered, but Winckel was more skeptical and less
+canny.
+
+"I will admit that they were here until ten o'clock and later. I will
+even admit that they were not listening at the conference. But how was
+their escape managed and why after ten? Did they have outside help and
+how did the outside help know of their imprisonment here?
+
+"Both of you gentlemen may be tired and may wish to retire. Please do
+so, if you want to. I am going down to our meeting place to see what I
+can see. A little late, I will admit, and it may not do us much good,
+but there is always a chance. It is important for us to find out if we
+have blundered, if our plans have been disclosed."
+
+Both Schmidt and O'Reilly insisted on accompanying Winckel and the
+three left the house in the next five minutes.
+
+They reached the building in about twenty minutes. No policeman was
+about to see them violate the speed laws on the way. An immediate and
+careful search of the room was made, to see if anyone had been there
+since they left and also for any clue as to the probable leak.
+
+"Nothing seems wrong as far as I can see," O'Reilly started to say.
+"Hello, what is this?" He had discovered the cleverly concealed wires
+of the dictaphone. Winckel and Schmidt joined him on the instant. They
+traced the wires and soon found out the whole layout.
+
+"Mischief is certainly afoot," exclaimed Schmidt. The other men said
+nothing, but studied the proposition.
+
+"There still is a chance," said O'Reilly In an unconvincing manner--as
+if he wanted to believe something his better sense did not permit him
+to do, "that this outfit was not used since Strong and the other man
+had been kept from it."
+
+A sickening thought at the same instant came to Schmidt. "O'Reilly, we
+talked about the prisoners, how we had trapped them, where they
+were--and all the time someone was listening. That someone heard all
+we had to say and then, after we were all through, he went up to
+Winckel's house and rescued them."
+
+Winckel said nothing for many minutes; he seemed lost in thought. The
+other men waited for him to speak. Finally he did.
+
+"We are a lot of dunces. We were so sure of ourselves, we felt we were
+so wise. Pride goeth before a fall and we fell. We must give up our
+plans. It is up to both of you to get busy, we still have time to keep
+out of trouble. There is a ray of comfort in that, at least."
+
+"I hate to think what Knabe and the others at the embassy will think,"
+was the rueful comment of Schmidt.
+
+"Don't let that bother you. This plan has failed, we must plan
+again--when again we match wits, let us hope we shall be more careful
+and consequently more successful. Come, enough of post mortems, let's
+get busy."
+
+It was a busy night for all of them. There were many men who had to be
+seen and who in turn had to see others. It was, so they explained to
+the others, a matter of life and death that all preparations cease at
+once, as there would be close and careful watch kept. There was much
+telephoning and telegraphing to the friends who were in other cities.
+
+There can be nothing but thorough admiration for the effective,
+capable way these men went about calling a halt to all activities.
+Like a perfect, well oiled machine which slows down and then ceases
+its movements, until there is something tremendously impressive in its
+inaction and silence; like a well-drilled army which retreats
+magnificently and in its very retreat almost gains a victory, so much
+like all this, was the action and the work of these men at this time.
+They were obeyed as only the Germans know how to obey. By morning,
+there was no sign, no clue to their plans and activities. One thing
+only remained to prove the danger to Canada that had been. Arsenals
+and warehouses holding weapons and vehicles of war were found at the
+places shown on the list that Ted had copied.
+
+At Ottawa and a little later in London and in Washington, the
+powers--the men at the helm--found out that what would in all
+probability have been a successful invasion of Canada had been
+checked. And they found out, too, just how and in what way it had been
+done.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+AT OTTAWA
+
+
+"Come in, both of you," Strong called from the inside office. Ted had
+shown up at Strong's office early the next day. He found Strong at his
+desk and he found afterwards that he had been there for more than two
+hours. His secretary told Ted that he was telephoning long distance
+and that Ted should wait. When the operative was through talking, he
+came out and saw Ted.
+
+"Sit down a few minutes, Ted, I shall be busy," he had said. He had
+returned to his office and proceeded to do some further telephoning.
+Walker had come in a little later and the two were busy going over the
+evening's events when Strong called out as above.
+
+"Well, Ted, I guess we are going to have war. At least we won the
+first victory, or rather you did."
+
+Ted fidgeted at the praise and grinned sheepishly.
+
+"I wonder," said Walker, "if they have, found the dictaphone as yet."
+
+"You can safely figure on the fact that they did. They started a
+little investigation when they found that the birds had flown. But it
+does not matter how much they know we know, now. It's a fight in the
+open from now on. I'm thankful for that.
+
+"I have already notified Ottawa, New York, and the different capitals
+of the provinces. Washington also knows, our embassy has already
+notified them as to the location of the arsenals. They are going to
+issue orders from Ottawa to confiscate those in our own country at
+once.
+
+"Ottawa wanted all the facts and it got them. I expect to hear further
+from them in the course of the day."
+
+"I wonder," said Walker, "if our friends will be polite enough to
+return my dictaphone. They should, it does not belong to them and they
+probably know to whom, it does belong."
+
+"You might go over and claim it," answered Strong.
+
+"I think I will, just to see old Winckel's face."
+
+Strong turned to Ted.
+
+"Dear lad," he said, "what you did isn't the kind of thing that can
+appear in the newspapers, but it is the kind about which history is
+made. It is a big job you have accomplished. The men who sent you down
+to us made no mistake in their judgment as to what you could do. Sir
+Robert Wingate wanted to know all about you, I must have talked to him
+for more than twenty minutes on the telephone.
+
+"Walker and I go to Ottawa on a late train today. They want to see me,
+to go fever details.
+
+"Well, let's get busy with the last threads of what happened last
+night--we have to put it down on black and white for future,
+reference. When do you want to return to Wayland, Ted?"
+
+"I should like to go by Saturday, if it can be arranged," answered
+Ted.
+
+"Well, I think it can be done. I shall return tomorrow night or early
+the following morning. You will be free for these two days. Have a
+good time; remember, we pay all your expenses--nothing is too good
+for you. If you can, come down the day after tomorrow. I may have some
+news for you."
+
+"I shall be glad to come down," answered Ted, as he wondered at the
+news to which Strong had reference.
+
+They spent a half hour or more going over the events of the evening,
+Strong's secretary taking notes. Then Ted left and returned home.
+
+That afternoon he took his mother to the ball game and saw the Cubs
+defeat the Giants. He tried to explain the game to his mother, who
+pretended an interest and tried hard to understand. But she found her
+truant fancy going elsewhere--it centered about this boy of hers, her
+daughter and also about the husband who could not endure the
+troubleous times, not because of the hardship to himself so much as
+the hardship to her and the child.
+
+Ted's interest was not divided, however, except in rare moments when
+he would turn to his mother and accuse her of lack of interest. She
+would flush guiltily and pretend that she was interested. She would
+ask a question or two, but her very questions convicted her, showed
+her inability to understand, and Ted gave it up as a hopeless job and
+comforted himself in the belief that only men understood the game, it
+was too deep for women, excepting one or two, who knew something.
+
+As they rode home the boy and the mother discussed the improvement in
+their condition.
+
+"We will never have to worry any more, mother, not as long as I am
+able," the boy said, with all of youth's surety and confidence.
+
+Mrs. Marsh wiped an unbidden tear from her eye.
+
+"I am very happy, dear. And yet, I would give so much if your father
+was one of us. He was a fine man, but things were against him, too
+much so."
+
+Ted did not answer, he felt that nothing he could say would help.
+
+After a long period of quiet, the boy spoke a little more quietly:
+"Never mind, mother, you have Helen and me."
+
+"I am happy in my riches," answered the mother proudly.
+
+When they reached home, both of them began to get the supper ready so
+that Helen would not have to wait. A brilliant idea came to Ted as
+they prepared. "Mother," he said excitedly, "let's not eat at home
+tonight. We are going to the theater, so let us have supper out."
+
+At first the mother demurred, but she gave way--there was great
+temptation in the unusual treat. When Helen came home and was told the
+plan she was even more excited than they; it was so unusual an
+adventure. You can readily believe that it was a happy party of three
+that repaired to one of the many nice restaurants in the loop and
+afterward to the theater. They did not reach home until late in the
+night. On the way home they discussed what the news could be that
+Strong would have for Ted.
+
+The next day Ted spent at the Settlement, renewing old acquaintances.
+Miss White, who had taken Mrs. Dean's place, was glad to see him and
+gave him a hearty welcome. She was greatly interested in his story of
+his year in the West and wanted to know all about Mrs. Dean. It was a
+great day for Ted and the pleasantest of his stay in Chicago.
+
+On his way home that night Ted began to wish for Wayland. He had not
+realized how much the place meant to him until now, Syd Graham and the
+rest of the boys seemed very dear, very desirable.
+
+"I hope," he said to himself, "that nothing will keep me from going on
+Saturday."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+TED RECEIVES A REWARD
+
+
+Sir Robert Wingate listened while John Strong told the story of the
+plotting and counterplotting in Chicago. Many times he made
+memorandums. He asked questions once or twice, but in the main he just
+listened. When Strong finally completed his account, Sir Robert said:
+
+"We took immediate action at our end and the results are more than
+satisfying. Strong, I do not want you to think for a minute that the
+importance of what you men have done is underestimated. The excitement
+of the Great War, the necessity of secrecy as to what you have
+accomplished--all these facts may give you an idea that we do not
+consider your work as important as it is. We do, however. Now, as to
+this boy, Theodore Marsh. He must be an unusual youngster with a good
+head. He will bear watching."
+
+"Unfortunately for us, he is American. Those are the kind of boys
+Canada could use to advantage. Not only is he American, but loyally
+so.
+
+"Well, he shall have acknowledgment of his deed of service. Tell me,
+is he from a family of wealth?"
+
+Strong briefly gave Sir Robert an account of Ted's past. The latter
+nodded his head understandingly.
+
+"I think we will also give a more practical acknowledgment of the
+value of his service. The Government, I am sure, will be glad to give
+a reward of $1,000.00 to him. When you go back to Chicago, you will
+give him a letter from me which will also hold a check for that
+amount."
+
+You would think that both Strong and Walker were the ones who were
+receiving the money, they showed how glad they were.
+
+Strong could not complete his work until late in the afternoon. Walker
+and he boarded a train which brought them into Chicago about three
+o'clock the next afternoon.
+
+"This letter and the enclosure will be a great surprise to Ted, won't
+it?" said Walker. "I certainly am glad of it; he surely deserves it."
+
+"That he does, and I am just as glad. Let me manage the business of
+letting him know about it."
+
+When they reached the office, Ted had already been there. He had left,
+saying that he would be back at two o'clock, when told that Strong
+would not arrive until the afternoon.
+
+Promptly at two Ted showed up. Strong saw him as he opened the door
+and greeted him warmly.
+
+"Hello, Ted; it's good to see you. We certainly shall miss you when
+you go back to Wayland. But I guess you will be glad to be back, won't
+you?"
+
+"I certainly will. I am going by way of Big Gulch and shall stop off
+at the ranch for a day or so."
+
+"That's a splendid idea, isn't it?" commented Walker.
+
+"Well, Ted, hear anything more from our friends, the enemy?" asked
+Strong, laughingly.
+
+"No, sir, but then I would not be the one to hear. I thought Mr.
+Walker would, he was going to claim his property."
+
+They all laughed.
+
+"By Jove, I must do that; I have completely forgotten it," remarked
+Walker.
+
+"Well, Ted, they were very nice at Ottawa. I understand the Government
+is going to honor you in some way for your service; they even spoke of
+doing the same thing for both Walker and myself."
+
+Strong gave Ted an outline of what had happened, but made no mention
+of the letter from Sir Robert. Walker was tempted to remind him,
+thinking that he had forgotten, but he remembered that Strong had said
+he wished to handle that end himself.
+
+"I suppose you will be busy packing and getting ready tomorrow. You
+leave at four on Saturday afternoon? Come down and see us before you
+go. When we need your services again, we'll have you come on."
+
+Ted got up to go. As he opened the door, Strong called to him.
+
+"I say, Ted, I almost forgot another thing which probably is not very
+important. I have a letter for you; silly, not to have remembered."
+And Strong smiled, while Walker laughed.
+
+"For me?" said Ted wonderingly, as he took the letter. Then, as he
+opened it, he saw the check. He looked at it a little dazed. He saw
+his name as if in a haze--then he saw the amount.
+
+"One thousand dollars--and for me?" He stammered the words, he was
+almost stricken dumb.
+
+"Yes, for you--to do with as you will. You certainly deserve it," said
+Strong.
+
+"Every bit of it," added Walker.
+
+Ted had a feeling as if he wanted to cry. He did. Walker patted him on
+the shoulder understandingly, while Strong looked out of the window
+and pretended he did not see.
+
+"There is a letter which you might be glad to read and which I think
+will be almost as welcome as the money." Strong turned round and faced
+him as he said this.
+
+The boy opened the letter.
+
+                                                  "August 2, 1914.
+
+  "Master Theodore Marsh,
+    "Chicago, Illinois.
+
+  "Dear Theodore:
+
+  "Mr. Strong has advised me as to the service you have done
+  Canada. It has been a big service, one that Canada must
+  remember. I want you to know that it does and will. You have
+  shown a capacity for thinking, for doing the right thing at the
+  right time. I think even better than both these things, though,
+  has been the simple way in which you have carried out
+  instructions when conditions were such as to put up to you the
+  burden of necessary action. What would have been a remarkable
+  accomplishment for a man is a tremendous accomplishment for a
+  boy.
+
+  "I regret the fact that you are not Canadian but am glad you are
+  a loyal American. Your country is fortunate in having a boy of
+  your kind. I hope you will have the future that your present
+  action promises.
+
+  "The enclosed, in a small way, signalizes a reward for your
+  invaluable services.
+
+  "I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you at some time, and I
+  am,
+
+                                    "Very sincerely yours,
+                                               "Robert Wingate."
+
+"That's a fine letter, isn't it?" said Ted, when he finished. He spoke
+in a low voice--he did not trust his feelings.
+
+"Yes, it's fine. Sir Robert is a great man. He does things in a big
+way. But I think you want to go home now, so go."
+
+And Ted did.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+TED GOES BACK
+
+
+"But, Ted, it would be impossible for us to go on Saturday. I am not
+so sure that we can go at all, it will require a lot of thinking."
+
+Mrs. Marsh had heard the wonderful news and Ted's sudden plan for them
+to go out to Big Gulch or Wayland. She was trying to show Ted how
+impossible it was for them to do it and he was only just beginning to
+acknowledge that perhaps Saturday would be too soon.
+
+"Well, I tell you, mother. Maybe Saturday is too soon, but you will be
+ready in two weeks--that is plenty of time. I know that Helen will be
+able to do whatever she wants to do out there--and this money, after
+we have repaid the Deans, will help to tide over the time until we are
+settled. We shall hear what Helen says--and I shall speak to Mr. and
+Mrs. Dean when I get out there."
+
+Helen was told the news almost before she passed the doorstep. She was
+astonished and glad and cried all in the same minute.
+
+"How wonderful!" she finally managed to say.
+
+Then she was told of Ted's plan. The boy had thought that she might
+need convincing, but she agreed almost at once.
+
+"I know I can obtain a position in my line of work out there. It is a
+land of opportunity and we should grasp the chance to get out there."
+
+All that remained was for Ted to get the opinion of the Deans.
+
+Ted went down to say good-bye to Strong and Walker the next day. Both
+men were very busy, but the three had lunch together and Ted promised
+to write to both of them.
+
+"You may have to write both of us at the front--we shall go off to the
+war--that is, Walker will. It may be my bad luck to have to stay on
+duty here, although I have asked to be relieved."
+
+"Well, Ted," said Walker, "I shall see you at the train."
+
+"And I will try to do so," added Strong.
+
+The boy told both his friends of the plan to bring his mother and
+sister out West. They agreed that it was a good plan.
+
+His mother and sister, and Walker and Strong saw him depart. It was
+just a year before that Ted had left, what a big year it had been.
+
+Ted's thoughts turned to the ranch. He was eager to see Red Mack,
+Smiles, Graham, Pop, and the Deans. He hoped it would be Red who would
+meet him--and that he would bring his horse down so that they could go
+back to the ranch on horseback. Of course, in all likelihood, it would
+be the Packard that would come down for him, for the distance was long
+and it would mean a lot of extra trouble for Red or anyone to lead his
+horse down all the way. The trip to Big Gulch seemed long because of
+the boy's eagerness to see his friends. He awakened very early on the
+second morning when the train was due. When the train finally reached
+the station, he eagerly looked out to see who was there. But he could
+see no one until he stepped from the train.
+
+There stood Red and next to him Pop. There were three horses and one
+of them was his.
+
+Glad greetings were exchanged.
+
+"My, I'm glad you came for me on horseback. I hoped you would, but it
+seemed too much to expect."
+
+"Well, we figured you would like it. Glad you do."
+
+They started off. As best he could, Ted told his story and both of the
+men listened with different interest. When Ted came to that part where
+it had practically been settled that his mother and Helen were to come
+out, a queer look came into Pop's eyes which neither of them saw. The
+older man rode behind most of the way after that.
+
+"You should see Wolf, you would not know him," said Red.
+
+"I guess he would not know me, either," answered Ted.
+
+"He may be your dog, but I'm kind of attached to him myself," remarked
+Red.
+
+Some time in the afternoon they reached the ranch. Smiles was there
+and so were the other men and they gave Ted a great welcome.
+
+So did Wolf, who had grown wonderfully, and who, while he did not
+look like any particular kind of dog, showed himself to have an
+individuality, all his own. He sprang at Ted and barked his delight.
+It made Ted feel good to have the dog remember him. It was queer to
+see how the dog tried to pay attention to both Red and Ted, and it
+made the men laugh at his double devotion.
+
+Ted hurried to the house where Mrs. Dean was waiting for him. She
+showed how glad she was to see him.
+
+"Mr. Dean will be back a little later. He has been very busy."
+
+Ted thought he would wait with his news until later and merely
+mentioned some of the things that had happened.
+
+"Ted, dear," said Mrs. Dean, "I want to tell you that we are going to
+have a little stranger in this house, soon." Then Ted knew why he had
+hesitated about blurting out his news--there was an even bigger event
+to happen.
+
+"I'm so glad," said he.
+
+He stayed a little while only, as Mrs. Dean did not seem strong.
+
+He saw Dean when he came home. To both of his friends he told his
+news, what had been done, he showed Sir Robert's letter and then spoke
+of his plan for his mother and sister.
+
+"How wonderful," said Mrs. Dean, while John Dean looked tenderly at
+her.
+
+"I'm proud of you, Ted. I counted on you, but you did much more. I
+heard from Strong, but I did not know what had been accomplished. As
+to your mother and sister--they must come out here--the wonderful
+thing is that Mrs. Dean will need your mother's help very soon and it
+all seems to fit one thing into another. Helen will get a rest here;
+she need not worry as to finding the right kind of opportunity. When
+do you expect to write home?"
+
+"At once," answered Ted.
+
+"The sooner they come the better, although I suppose it will be every
+bit of two weeks."
+
+Ted started to leave his friends to rejoin Red and the rest. Dean
+caught up with him about one hundred yards from the house.
+
+"You know, Ted," he started without any preamble, "I feel as if my
+country is calling me. I cannot think of going until the child is
+born and Mrs. Dean is well. But I shall have to, hard as it may be.
+That is one reason why I shall be glad to have your sister and your
+mother here. They will be company for Mrs. Dean. She agrees with me
+that I should go. She is the bravest, best woman in the world." He
+stopped for a minute. "I shall see you later, as soon as Mrs. Dean
+takes her rest. I want to know all about Chicago and what happened."
+
+He returned to the house while Ted joined the men.
+
+They were in the midst of a discussion of the war. Ted listened.
+Smiles and several of the other men were leaving in three days--off
+for the war. Red was not going--he was American. "I may go later, if
+they need me," he said. There was to be a great shortage of men at the
+ranch.
+
+Dean had made Pop the new foreman to take Smiles' place. Pop was not
+in the conversation, he was sitting by himself and he showed every
+desire to be left alone. After a little while, he left the room.
+
+It made the war very near and Ted felt very lonely to hear that these
+friends of his were going off, some of them never to return.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+THE MARSHES REUNITED
+
+
+Pop entered the house. He wanted advice and he wanted it bad. He knew
+that ordinarily he would have gone to Mrs. Dean--a woman would help so
+much at a time like this. But Dean met him in the hall.
+
+"Hello, Pop--what's the trouble?" asked Dean.
+
+"Hello, Jack. I can't say whether it's trouble or not. What I want is
+advice. Maybe you can give it to me, although I figured Mrs. Dean
+would be better."
+
+"Tell me, I may be able to help." Dean was surprised at the agitation
+of the older man.
+
+Pop told his story. He did not keep any of the details from Dean. The
+latter listened, his astonishment growing all the time.
+
+"You see, Jack, it's this way. If they come here, my wife will see me.
+She probably hates me. I cannot hope that she will understand. On the
+other hand, I want so much to be with her, I am going to be foreman
+and that means I can support her comfortably. But I probably would
+make her miserable if I entered into her life again. What do you
+say?"
+
+"Let us ask Mrs. Dean. She will give you the right answer."
+
+Mrs. Dean listened. There was no hesitation in her answer.
+
+"Go to Chicago at once. You need not worry about how your wife will
+take it, nor as to how she feels. I know. She understands better than
+you can ever suppose. Jack, dear, whoever said that God did not weave
+our lives? How closely our friends here have been interwoven with our
+lives, how much we have been of service to each other.
+
+"Go to Chicago on the first train," she finished.
+
+"Yes, and we shall tell Ted. Bring them back with you," added Dean.
+
+Pop left the house, much relieved. He was happy that his duty was
+what his inclination was--what he craved to do. He joined the other
+men.
+
+Without giving any explanation he told Smiles he would have to be away
+for about ten days and that he had already arranged for the same with
+John Dean.
+
+Early the next morning he was off. He asked Red to take him down. To
+Red he explained the whole thing, that he was coming back with his
+folks.
+
+"I understand a whole lot of things now. How queerly you acted at
+times. I guess I'll call you Marsh, now."
+
+"Yes, and it's up to you to explain. I shall wire you before you do
+so. If my wife should decide that she does not want me, I am not
+coming back. If she decides she will forgive me, I will telegraph you
+and you can let it out casually."
+
+"I will be glad to do so," answered Red. "Is Jack going to tell Ted?"
+
+"Yes, that's the plan."
+
+"The boy will be glad. He likes you a lot. But, mostly glad, because
+it will make his mother happy."
+
+"I hope so much that it will," the older man answered.
+
+We are not going into details as to the meeting between the Marshes.
+We, who are acquainted with so much of their story, can imagine what
+happened. Bill Marsh left home because he felt he could not hold his
+head up nor his wife's respect. He had been very foolish, and it was
+this foolishness, this false pride, even a lack of faith in the
+understanding of his wife that had made him stay away. Who should have
+known him better than his own wife? It was harder to make Helen
+understand. She asked some searching questions, but in the end she
+realized the fine manliness of her father.
+
+The two, mother and daughter, marveled at the coincidence of the
+father being at the same place as Ted.
+
+"The world is a small place, isn't it?" said Mrs. Marsh.
+
+It did not take very long for them to be ready to leave. Marsh helped
+where he could and a week after he arrived they left for Big Gulch.
+Red had paved the way, in accordance with their plan.
+
+Ted was too surprised to make any comment when he heard the news. At
+first he was furiously angry at his father. Boylike, he could not
+forgive certain things which an older person could. It was Mrs. Dean,
+even more than Red and John Dean, who made him see and understand.
+
+Then the Marshes came to Big Gulch. Matters adjusted themselves. It
+was a busy time for all. Smiles was off, smiling and glad. So were the
+other men who were to go. Brave men, all of them, doing their duty as
+they saw it. Pop took up his duties as foreman.
+
+Then the child was born to the Deans. A girl, which seemed like a
+squalling, ugly baby, much like any other baby, to Ted. But to say so
+to the mother or to the father or to Mrs. Marsh or to Helen, would
+have been a great, an awful insult.
+
+The men came in to see the heir apparent. They seemed clumsy, uncouth,
+sheepish creatures and all of them were glad to get away, including
+Pop and Ted.
+
+With the excitement subsiding, things began again to take a normal
+aspect. Mrs. Dean began to sit up, the child began to look more like a
+human being, it had been decided that Helen was to rest for a few
+months and then continue her studies at the nearest preparatory
+school, with the purpose of entering college. John Dean was to leave
+for the front in two weeks.
+
+Our story is almost complete. Ted received a great welcome at the
+Academy. The boys had heard of what he had done, of his reward and the
+letter he had received from Sir Robert Wingate. For one whole day his
+coming made the Great War an even smaller event. Captain Wilson had
+gone to Ottawa, he had been promoted to be a major. Some of the
+instructors were gone and even one or two of the older students. Those
+who were left spoke only of the time when they, too, could go and they
+were bemoaning their misfortune in being young.
+
+Ted heard from the folks at home. He heard from Helen and somehow he
+got the impression that all she spoke about was Red and what a fine
+man he was. A letter from Red made no mention of Helen, but he did say
+that he was getting down to the serious business of thinking of the
+future. Even as young as Ted was, he could guess that they had become
+great friends and he was glad. His father wrote him that he had
+placed his $1,000.00 in the bank for him, he having settled all the
+debts and accounts himself. It was a fine letter and it removed what
+resentment still remained with Ted against his father. His mother also
+wrote, saying she was wonderfully happy and he got a short note from
+John Dean before he left. He also heard from Walker, who told him he
+was off for the war, but that Strong had to stay.
+
+Syd Graham and Ted were inseparable. They did many things together and
+the plans for the future each of the boys made included the other.
+There was, of course, a great deal more of military training and many
+times the boys at the Academy were called upon for some duty or
+other.
+
+So the days went. Ted received a fall vacation and he went home. There
+was news from the front. Dean had been wounded, so the report came,
+not seriously, but enough to disable him, and he was returning home.
+He would always limp. In that awful charge when so many Canadians had
+been wounded and killed, Smiles had lost his life. It made Ted very
+sad to think that he would never see the happy, smiling ex-foreman
+again. Helen was at school. Ted pumped Red Mack as to Helen and found
+his suspicions confirmed. He teased Red unmercifully and it was one
+time when Red was flustered. The Dean baby was a healthy, lusty
+youngster of a few months.
+
+Ted Marsh has his life before him. This story is but one incident of
+his early life. But for later events we must look elsewhere.
+
+
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES
+
+A series of 9 books of friendly, likeable fun-loving animals, written
+by well known authors of children's books. Each book 64 pages, with
+lithograph cover in five colors and a number of full page
+illustrations. Size 8-1/2 x 6-1/4--64 pages--each 15c.
+
+Written by Elizabeth Billings Stuart Illustrations by Elsie M. Kroll
+
+THE FAIRY AND THE BUNNY-TAIL
+
+Bunny-Tail is a dear little Bunny, who is always finding something
+that turns every-boy's trouble into happiness. The fairy JOY gives
+him a magic password, which makes him quite safe in the company of any
+of the forest animals or in the presence of hunters.
+
+TRICKY MR. FOX
+
+Tricky Mr. Fox is a sly animal, whose adventures lead him into many
+pitfalls and mishaps. He becomes the captive of a little Indian boy
+and later his adoring companion. Tricky Mr. Fox proves his devotion
+and quick wits by saving the little boy's life when a fire threatens.
+
+TEDDY BEAR, THE TOY MAKER
+
+Brownie Bunny is a harum-scarum Bunny, full of mischief and merry
+pranks. He lives with Teddy Bear and makes Teddy Bear's life
+delightfully miserable until Bunny-Tail persuades him to become a
+Boy Scout. After this transformation he performs many thrilling and
+heroic deeds.
+
+
+
+
+LUCKY, THE BOY SCOUT
+
+By ELMER SHERWOOD
+
+A Fascinating Story. Its Action Covers Chicago and the Far West of
+Canada.
+
+There comes the rumbling of the Big War. German plots are many. Ted's
+share in following these plots, his life at the Double X Ranch and at
+Wayland Academy, make this a book that will hold the absorbed
+attention of the reader.
+
+Those who are readers of the Lucky Series know that none of the books
+are namby-pamby--there is in all of them the true strain of things
+worthwhile. Honor, faith and courage hold their rightful place.
+
+WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+RACINE
+
+
+
+
+_Good Books for Boys and Girls_
+
+THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS AND AUNT MADGE
+
+THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS' WEEK-END PARTY
+
+Delightful stories that are sure to be well liked. The titles would
+indicate that they are purely girls' stories but boys will find them
+equally interesting. Be sure to read them.
+
+
+
+
+LUCKY, THE YOUNG NAVYMAN
+
+By ELMER SHERWOOD
+
+This book follows the story of Lucky, the Young Soldier.
+
+It deals with Ted Marsh and his service to the American Navy. A book
+complete in itself in which Mr. Sherwood has brought to play many of
+the incidents of today.
+
+Great things are happening every day. Ted's great fortune is to have a
+big share in them.
+
+A story as good as Lucky, the Boy Scout and Lucky, the Young Soldier.
+
+WHITMAN PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+RACINE
+
+
+
+
+THE FRIENDLY ANIMAL SERIES
+
+LAMMIE AND MRS. FUSSY-CAT
+
+"If you read this book written about me," said Lammie, "you will wish
+there were a hundred books to the series the same as mine. Dear me!
+that was a day! Read the book. You'll just laugh at the pictures.
+Especially the one where I am riding the little wooden-legged squirrel
+on my back."
+
+LAMMIE WANTS TO LEARN
+
+"Can you do tricks on a pumpkin, the way I can?" asked Lammie. "If you
+don't believe I can do them, just look at the picture that Warner Carr
+drew of me the day he caught me out in the garden. My, but I was
+having a good time until I happened to take a big mouthful of
+horseradish."
+
+LAMMIE ON A FROLIC
+
+"Doing tricks on a pumpkin is nothing compared to doing a buck-jump,"
+said Lammie. "Just watch me," and he wheeled around on one toe and
+then jumped straight up in the air, kicking out all four feet at once.
+"Do you see that field over there? Well, that's where I go
+every day to eat white clover and I have the best of times, too."
+
+
+
+
+COMING!!
+
+TED MARSH & THE ENEMY
+
+TED MARSH--THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER
+
+Two great books of present day events. Ted's coolness and daring stand
+him in good stead and he proves of great value in the service of the
+Government.
+
+The Lowest Priced And Best Series Of Boys' Books
+
+
+
+
+THE BUNNY-TAIL SERIES
+
+by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART
+
+With Full Page Illustrations in Color and in Black and White
+
+  Winkie Bunny-Tail
+  Brownie Bunny and Teddy Bear
+  Mr. Rusty Fox
+  Twinkle Squirrel and Muffle Face
+  Fifteen Little Bunny-Tails
+
+"Oh, mother," said little Goldi-locks one day as they were hurrying
+through a big Department Store, "do please stop a minute and look at
+these books."
+
+"Which ones, my dear?" asked her mother.
+
+"The Bunny-Tail Series, of course. All the children are reading them.
+Even Teacher told us a story out of one of them the other day.
+Couldn't you buy them for my birthday present?" coaxed the sweet
+little girl. "Just see this picture where the Bunnies are all dressed
+up and are having a dancing party!"
+
+Just then a dainty clerk stepped up and smiled as she saw the
+interested little girl.
+
+"It's really wonderful," said she, addressing the mother, "how the
+children love Mrs. Stuart's Bunny-Tail Books. We sell so many of them,
+all the year 'round. I have read them all to my little nephew and he
+just dotes on them."
+
+Five Titles, Cloth, Size 8-3/4 x 6-1/2. Colored Jackets, 64 Pages.
+
+
+
+
+ARABIAN NIGHTS STORIES
+
+_Retold by ELIZABETH BILLINGS STUART_
+
+With 4 Color and 8 Black and White Illustrations
+
+by Elsie M. Kroll
+
+"Tomorrow is Jack's birthday and I don't know what to buy him," said
+Jill.
+
+"Does he like books?" asked Phil.
+
+"He reads all the time," answered Jill.
+
+"Then why don't you buy him a nice book for his birthday?" asked Phil.
+
+"I'd love to, but I have only thirty-five cents to spend, and I
+couldn't get a nice enough book for that. He likes lots of
+pictures--colored ones, too."
+
+"I know the very book you want," said Phil, all excitement. "It's
+called 'Arabian Nights Stories,' by Mrs. Stuart. You know her, don't
+you? She's the one who wrote 'Winkie Bunny-Tail' and all the rest of
+the Bunny-Tail Series."
+
+"Goody, goody!" said Jill. "Just to think what a lovely birthday
+present it will make, and for only thirty-five cents!"
+
+
+
+
+THE FAMOUS ANIMAL STORIES
+
+(For Children from Three to Ten Years of Age)
+
+_"Never Have Animal Stories Made More Fascinating Reading"_
+
+ Hazel Squirrel
+ Tommy Turtle
+ Happy Bunny
+ Baby Pony
+ Bobby Bear
+ Famous Rover
+
+This series is an innovation in the field of children's books. Six
+wonderful animal stories written by Howard M. Famous, each beautifully
+illustrated with a full-page colored frontispiece and a number of
+full-page black and white illustrations.
+
+Never have animal stories made more fascinating reading. The books are
+the kind that will sell all the year round--the children will demand
+them. Mr. Famous is at his very best in all these stories--and we
+predict that the doings of his animal folks will become known
+throughout the world.
+
+Six Titles, Cloth, Size 7-1/4 x 5, Colored Jacket, 128 Pages.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 28769.txt or 28769.zip *******
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