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+Project Gutenberg's Bob Cook and the German Spy, by Tomlinson, Paul Greene
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+Title: Bob Cook and the German Spy
+
+Author: Tomlinson, Paul Greene
+
+Release Date: February, 2006 [EBook #9899]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on October 29, 2003]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan,
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
+
+
+
+
+BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
+
+BY PAUL G. TOMLINSON
+
+
+Author of "To the Land of the Caribou," "The Trail of Black Hawk," etc.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+Every one knows that Germany is famous for her spy system. Scarcely a
+land on earth but is, or was, honeycombed with the secret agents of the
+German Government. Ever since this country began to send war munitions to
+the Allies an organized band of men has plotted and schemed against the
+peace and welfare of the United States. When America itself declared war
+their efforts naturally were redoubled. Our Secret Service has been
+wonderfully efficient, but it has not been humanly possible to apprehend
+every spy and plotter at once. It is a big task to unravel all the
+secrets of this great German organization.
+
+We are at war with Germany now and it is the duty of every American to
+help his government in every way he can. This book is the story of how
+two boys, too young to enlist, did "their bit" right in their own home
+town. It is not an exaggerated tale, but presents in story form what has
+actually happened all around us. Due allowance is made for the fact that
+the most of our citizens of German birth and descent are good Americans.
+No one whose motto is, "America First," need fear offense from anything
+contained in the story of "Bob Cook and The German Spy." Two boys loved
+their country and did their duty by it. May we all do as well.
+
+PAUL G TOMLINSON.
+
+Elizabeth, N. J.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER
+
+
+     I WAR IS DECLARED
+    II THE SECRET SERVICE AT WORK
+   III BOB HAS A FIGHT
+    IV HEINRICH AND PERCY
+     V ON THE BRIDGE
+    VI HUGH HAS AN IDEA
+   VII IN THE NIGHT
+  VIII A STRANGE OCCURRENCE
+    IX ANOTHER SURPRISE
+     X BOB IS MYSTIFIED
+    XI THE DESERTED HOUSE
+   XII TRAPPED
+  XIII MISTAKEN IDENTITY
+   XIV AN EXPEDITION
+    XV FIRE
+   XVI MORE COMPLICATIONS
+  XVII A MESSAGE
+ XVIII KARL HOFFMANN
+   XIX A DISCUSSION
+    XX ANOTHER SUSPECT
+   XXI ON THE STREET
+  XXII BOB ACTS QUICKLY
+ XXIII UNDER THE LIGHT
+  XXIV AT THE FACTORY
+   XXV A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK
+  XXVI AN EXPEDITION IS PLANNED
+ XXVII A RAID AND A SURPRISE
+XXVIII CONCLUSION
+
+
+
+
+BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+WAR IS DECLARED
+
+
+"Well," said Mr. Cook, "I see that the United States has declared war on
+Germany. I am glad of it, too."
+
+"Why, Robert!" exclaimed Mrs. Cook. "How can you say such a thing? Just
+think of all the fine young American boys who may be killed."
+
+"I realize all that," said her husband. "At the same time I agree with
+President Wilson that the German Government has gone mad, and as a
+civilized nation it is our duty to defend civilization. The only way left
+for us is to go in and give Germany a good beating."
+
+"And I shall enlist and get a commission," cried Harold, their eldest
+boy. "I am twenty-three years old. I have been at Plattsburg two summers,
+and I have done a lot of studying; I know I can pass the examinations."
+
+"What will you be if you do pass?" inquired his father. "A lieutenant?"
+
+"Well," said Harold, "a second-lieutenant."
+
+"I wish I could enlist," sighed Bob.
+
+"Huh!" snorted his older brother. "You can't enlist. What military
+training have you had? And besides, you're only seventeen; they wouldn't
+take you."
+
+The Cook family were seated at the dinner table, mother, father, and
+three children, the two boys referred to above and a young daughter,
+Louise, just thirteen years of age. Congress had that day declared war on
+Germany, and naturally that was the one thing in every one's mind. Crowds
+in front of the newspaper offices had greeted the news from Washington
+with wild enthusiasm, patriotic parades had been organized, and from
+almost every house and office streamed the Stars and Stripes.
+
+Bob Cook had been among the crowds, and his young mind and heart were
+fired with patriotism and enthusiasm. A company of soldiers from the
+Thirty-ninth Infantry called out the week before had caused him to
+cheer and hurl his cap high in the air, while all the time he envied
+the men in khaki.
+
+"I hate to think of you enlisting, Harold," said Mrs. Cook sadly.
+
+"Why?" demanded Harold earnestly. "Don't you think it is my duty to
+offer my services to my country! I'm free; no one is dependent upon me."
+
+"I know," agreed his mother, "but somehow I don't like to have my boy go
+over to France and be killed. Let some one else go."
+
+"Suppose every one said that," exclaimed Harold. "We shouldn't have much
+of an army and our country wouldn't be very well defended, would it?"
+
+"Let him go," said Mr. Cook quietly to his wife. "I don't want him killed
+any more than you do, but there are some things worse than that. Suppose
+he was afraid to go; you'd be ashamed of your son then I know."
+
+"How do you know I'm going to get killed anyway?" demanded Harold. "Every
+one that goes to war doesn't get killed. At any rate it's sort of
+gruesome to sit up and hear your family talk as if you were just as good
+as dead already."
+
+"True enough," laughed Mr. Cook. "When does your examination come?"
+
+"Next Monday."
+
+"Will you wear a uniform?" asked Louise.
+
+"Why, certainly," said Harold, swelling out his chest at the thought.
+
+"I wish I could enlist," sighed Bob.
+
+"You're too young, I told you," said Harold scornfully.
+
+"I'll bet I could fight as well as you could," said Bob stoutly.
+"Besides, I'm big for my age and maybe if I told them I was older than I
+really am they might take me."
+
+"Don't do that, Bob," said his father earnestly. "Don't lie about it."
+
+"They'd find you out anyway," exclaimed Harold. "You can't fool these
+recruiting officers."
+
+"I'd like to get to France and see the trenches, and see the soldiers,
+and the guns, and the fighting," Bob insisted.
+
+"Do you realize that Harold may never get to France even if he does
+enlist and get a commission?" remarked Mr. Cook.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"First of all on account of Mexico."
+
+"Do you think the Mexicans will make trouble?" inquired Harold.
+
+"I shouldn't be at all surprised," said Mr. Cook. "If they think we have
+our hands full with Germany those bandits may stir up a fuss and then
+troops would have to be sent down there."
+
+"And Harold might be one of them," laughed Bob. "That would be a joke,
+wouldn't it?"
+
+"I don't see why," cried Harold warmly. "If troops were needed in Mexico
+and I was one of those sent, I'd be serving my country just the same."
+
+"Of course you would," his father agreed. "It might be though that you
+wouldn't even get out of High Ridge."
+
+"You think they'd keep us right here?" demanded Harold, his face falling.
+
+"Possibly," said Mr. Cook. "It might be that you'd have your hands
+full too."
+
+"Do you think the Germans could land an army and invade this country?"
+exclaimed Mrs. Cook in alarm.
+
+"Not for a minute do I think that," said Mr. Cook.
+
+"Then what do you mean?"
+
+"Aren't there lots of Germans in the country already?"
+
+"Do you think they'd make trouble?"
+
+"Most of them would be peaceable enough, but some of them would only be
+too glad to blow up some factories, or railroads, or things like that."
+
+"They've been doing that for the last two years," said Harold, "but I
+don't see what there is in High Ridge."
+
+"There's my company," said Mr. Cook. He was president of the High Ridge
+Steel Company.
+
+"But you don't make war supplies," exclaimed Mrs. Cook. "Why should they
+want to blow up your plant?"
+
+"Up until now we haven't manufactured war supplies," Mr. Cook corrected.
+"This afternoon, however, we took a contract from the Government to make
+high explosive shells. And, what is more, we are going to do it at cost
+price so we shan't make a cent out of it."
+
+"I think that's fine," said Bob enthusiastically. "Perhaps you'll have to
+stay home and guard father's factory, Harold."
+
+"Do you think there'll be any danger to it?" Harold asked his father.
+
+"I don't know," replied Mr. Cook. "There are a lot of rabid Germans in
+High Ridge and you can't be sure just what they will do."
+
+The telephone rang at that moment and Bob excused himself to go into the
+next room and answer it. Dinner was now over and the rest of his family
+shortly followed. As they entered the sitting-room where the telephone
+was located, Bob was in the act of hanging up the receiver.
+
+"Who was it, Bob?" asked his mother.
+
+"I don't know; it sounded like a German's voice. At any rate he had the
+wrong number. He said, 'Iss dis Mr. Vernberg?'"
+
+"Oh, Wernberg," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "He's the man who moved into that
+house down on the corner about two years ago. Karl Wernberg is his full
+name and he's one of the worst of the Germans; he used to be an officer
+in the German army, I understand."
+
+"What do you mean 'he's one of the worst of the Germans'?" asked Harold.
+
+"Why, the way he talks against the United States and for Germany. He's
+made all his money here, too."
+
+"What's his business?"
+
+"Some kind of chemicals, I believe."
+
+"Perhaps he's making bombs," laughed Harold, and the rest of the family
+joined in the laugh. That is, all but Bob, who took the suggestion
+seriously, and his heart thumped a beat faster at the thought.
+
+In fact, as he went to bed that night his mind was filled with thoughts
+of spies, and plotters, and the hundred and one other things connected
+with the war that he and his family had discussed that evening. He went
+to the closet and took out the .22 caliber rifle that he owned; it was
+in good condition and Bob assured himself that he had plenty of
+cartridges, though he knew so small a gun would be of but little use in
+time of trouble.
+
+As he undressed he thought over the events of the day. Never had he
+experienced such excitement. War had been declared, and many of the young
+men, not much older than he, had enlisted. He, too, wanted to go in the
+worst way, but he knew that his father and brother were right when they
+said he would not be accepted.
+
+"Why not?" muttered Bob to himself. "I'm big enough and strong enough
+too; I could stand it as well as most of those fellows, even if they are
+older. Besides I weigh a hundred and fifty-three and I'm five feet nine
+inches tall. Perhaps they won't take me because I've got light hair and
+blue eyes," he murmured bitterly. "They think I look like a German."
+
+Stripped to the skin he stood in front of the mirror and looked at
+himself. Certainly he was big and strong. He had always lived a clean,
+outdoor life, he had been active in athletics and right now was captain
+of the high school baseball team. The muscles played and rippled under
+his white skin, as he moved his lithe young body to and fro.
+
+A few breathing exercises before he jumped into bed, and then he was
+under the covers. And all night long he dreamed of chasing big fat
+Germans up and down the streets, over fences, and across fields, and even
+up the steep sides of houses. Usually just as he had caught up with them
+he awoke. Most of all he dreamed he was pursuing Karl Wernberg, who was a
+middle-aged German and not hard to overtake. But Bob did not catch him
+because he always woke up too soon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+THE SECRET SERVICE AT WORK
+
+
+The following morning Bob was in the trolley car on his way to school.
+The car was full, and every one was eagerly scanning a newspaper or
+discussing the war with his neighbor. Words of praise for the President
+were to be heard on all sides, and enthusiasm was everywhere in evidence.
+Old men wished they were young enough to enlist.
+
+All at once Bob heard voices raised in dispute. The trouble was at the
+opposite end of the car, but he could hear plainly what was said.
+
+"It is wrong, all wrong," exclaimed a florid-faced man with a light
+mustache, who plainly was of German blood. "What has Germany done to
+this country?"
+
+"They've sunk our ships when they had no right to, and they've murdered
+our peaceful citizens," said the man next to him. "Isn't that enough?"
+
+"They were forced to do it," the German insisted.
+
+"Oh, no, they weren't," said his neighbor calmly. "Any one can play the
+game according to the rules if he wants to; there is never any excuse
+for dirty work."
+
+"Germany wants peace with the United States," said the German loudly.
+
+"Well, if they do, they take a strange method of showing it," replied the
+other man with a grim smile. "Personally it's my opinion that we've been
+patient with Germany far too long. Now they've forced war upon us and for
+my part I'm ready to go out and fight for my country."
+
+Every one in the car was now listening to the discussion, and perhaps the
+most interested listener of all was young Robert Cook.
+
+"Well, I won't fight for the United States!" exclaimed the big German,
+rising to his feet. "I won't fight for Germany either, but I'll fight all
+right." He started toward the door of the car, while Bob pondered over
+his last remark and wondered what it could mean.
+
+As the German approached the door, a man dressed in a neat black suit and
+soft hat got up out of his seat. Bob was watching the German and also
+noticed this man, though not particularly; he did see that he had a
+square jaw and a determined look in his gray eyes.
+
+The German started to crowd past the stranger who stood squarely in the
+aisle. "Don't be in such a hurry," said the man quietly. "You stay here."
+
+"I want to get off this car," shouted the German angrily. "Get out
+of my way."
+
+"I want you to come with me," said the man still in the same quiet tone.
+As the German started to protest once more he drew back his coat slightly
+and Bob saw the gleam of a badge on his coat. "Sit down," he said to the
+German, who obeyed without further question.
+
+There was a mild flurry of excitement in the car, and there were smiles
+of amusement on the faces of many of the passengers as they glanced at
+the German sitting meekly in the corner of the seat. He seemed entirely
+cowed now, and kept his eyes fixed upon the floor, save for an occasional
+look he stole at the secret service man standing in front of him. The
+latter seemed entirely at his ease and acted as if not a thing out of the
+ordinary had taken place.
+
+Bob was greatly impressed, and looked with marked respect at the
+quiet-mannered detective standing near him. He wondered what it was all
+about, and his father's words of the evening before concerning plotters
+and spies came again to his mind. He wondered if he could join the secret
+service and help his country in that way. Then he remembered that he was
+only seventeen and sighed to think that there was probably less chance of
+that than there was of being taken into the army.
+
+What was the detective going to do with the German, wondered Bob. The
+car was approaching the high school, and he would have to get off soon
+and he did not want to miss any of the drama. Suddenly he remembered the
+police station on the block adjoining the school building and decided
+that that must be the detective's destination. Bob decided to stay on the
+car long enough to see anyway.
+
+They passed the high school, and sure enough, as they came to the next
+corner, the secret service agent motioned to the German to follow him
+out. Bob decided to go along. They got off the trolley car and entered
+the police station. Behind the desk sat the sergeant, a man named Riley,
+well known to Bob. The detective led his prisoner up to the rail.
+
+"I want you to take care of this man for me, Sergeant," he said, at the
+same time displaying his badge.
+
+"Certainly," said Sergeant Riley quickly. "Here, Donovan," he called to a
+policeman standing near by. "Take this man and lock him up."
+
+Officer Donovan beckoned to the German who was standing sullenly by the
+side of the policeman; his face was white and his eyes gleamed wickedly
+while he opened and closed his hands nervously. He even started to
+protest, but before he could say anything Sergeant Riley quickly
+silenced him. Without further ado he joined the policeman, and together
+they disappeared through the door leading out to the room where the
+cells were located.
+
+Satisfied that his prisoner was taken in charge, the secret service agent
+turned and without further ado left the building.
+
+Bob was much excited and interested. "Who was that secret service man?"
+he inquired of the sergeant.
+
+"Dunno," said Riley. "I never saw him before."
+
+"He didn't even make a charge against the man," said Bob.
+
+"I know it," said Riley. "He don't have to."
+
+"I thought you couldn't lock up a man unless there was some charge
+against him," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"We have orders to lock up every man them fellers bring in here," said
+Sergeant Riley. "We keep 'em here until we get word to do something else
+with 'em. It's not for us to ask questions, you know."
+
+"Have you got any more here?" demanded Bob.
+
+"That's the first; we have accommodations for seventy-five though."
+
+"Whew," exclaimed Bob. "Do you think there'll be much trouble with the
+Germans here in High Ridge?"
+
+"Can't say. Some of them are a crazy lot. At any rate we're ready for
+'em. And what are you doing here at this time o' day anyhow? You'll be
+late for school; your visiting hour here is usually in the afternoon."
+
+"I saw that fellow on the trolley," Bob explained. "I wanted to see what
+happened to him."
+
+"Well, you better run along," advised the sergeant. "Come in and see
+me later."
+
+Bob hurried out and ran down the block toward the high school. His mind
+was not on his lessons, however. War was uppermost in his thoughts, and
+he still pondered over what his father had said the evening before, and
+the recent arrest of the German in the trolley car. Probably after all
+there was something in this scare about spies and plotters.
+
+He arrived at school fifteen minutes late, but nothing was said to him.
+School discipline was greatly relaxed that morning and instead of
+recitations the first period, the principal gave a talk on patriotism and
+what the declaration of war would mean. He especially warned the pupils
+against acting differently toward any of their number who might be of
+German blood.
+
+"They may be just as good and loyal citizens as we are," he said. "At
+any rate we must act as though they were until they convince us
+otherwise."
+
+Bob considered this good advice, but he still thought of his father's
+words and his experience of that morning. "Suppose anything should happen
+to father's steel works," he thought. They were making shells for the
+Government and could afford to run no risks. "I'll see if I can be of any
+help in protecting them," he told himself.
+
+He tried to concentrate his mind on his tasks, but it seemed hopeless.
+The words of the German in the trolley came back to him continually--"I
+won't fight for Germany. I won't fight for the United States either, but
+I'll fight all right." What could he have meant? Did he mean that he
+wouldn't try to enlist in either the German or American armies, but that
+he'd do his fighting on his own account? How could that be? Bob wondered
+if the fighting he would do would be for this country or Germany. If for
+this country, it seemed queer that the secret service officer should have
+arrested him. The thought of bombs returned insistently to Bob's mind.
+
+Recess came at last and he sought out Hugh Reith, his best friend. Hugh
+was a boy of Bob's own age, almost exactly his size, and as they both
+liked to do the same things they were bosom companions. Bob was light and
+Hugh was dark, his hair was almost raven black, and his eyes a deep
+brown. He had large hands and several crooked fingers owing to the fact
+that he had broken them playing base ball. He was stronger than Bob,
+though not so agile or quick on his feet, and while he could defeat his
+light-haired friend in tests of strength he was not a match for him when
+it came to speed.
+
+"What do you think of this war, Hugh?" Bob asked eagerly.
+
+"I wish I could enlist," said Hugh.
+
+"So do I, but I guess we can't."
+
+"We're too young, I suppose. Isn't there anything we can do to help?"
+
+"My father thinks we may have trouble with the Germans here in town. If
+anything starts you can be sure I'm going to get in it if possible."
+
+"Say," exclaimed Hugh, "did you see young Frank Wernberg this morning
+when the principal was making his speech about patriotism?"
+
+"No, what was he doing?"
+
+"Oh, he was snickering and making side remarks to Jim Scott, and making
+himself generally objectionable."
+
+"If I'd been Jim I'd have told him to keep quiet," said Bob warmly.
+
+"That's just what he did do finally."
+
+"Did he stop?"
+
+"Oh, for a little while," said Hugh. "He was awful, I thought."
+
+"You know," said Bob, "my father says that Mr. Wernberg is about the most
+rabid German in High Ridge. He's crazy on the subject."
+
+"Who, your father?"
+
+"No, Mr. Wernberg. He's crazy on the subject of Germany. He thinks it is
+the greatest country in the world and that every one in the United States
+is a fool or something."
+
+"Why doesn't he go back to Germany then?" demanded Hugh angrily.
+
+"That's what I--"
+
+"Sh," hissed Hugh. "Here comes Frank Wernberg now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+BOB HAS A FIGHT
+
+
+Frank Wernberg was a stocky, light-haired boy with blue eyes and a pink
+and white complexion; that is, it was usually pink and white, though this
+morning his face was flushed and red. His eyes had a glint in them not
+usually apparent and his mouth was drawn down at the corners into a
+scowl. His hair, close-cropped, seemed to bristle more than was its wont;
+in fact his usual mild-mannered appearance had given way to one of
+belligerency.
+
+"Hello, Frank," said Bob pleasantly.
+
+"Hello," said Frank shortly.
+
+"What's the matter?" inquired Hugh. "You seem to have a grouch."
+
+Something was in the air and the boys felt uneasy in one another's
+presence. Usually they laughed and joked incessantly, and Frank Wernberg
+was one of the jolliest boys in the school. He was inclined to be stout
+and like most fat people was full of fun as a rule. This morning,
+however, his demeanor was far from happy.
+
+"Why shouldn't I have a grouch?" he demanded angrily. "I've just been
+talking to that chump, Jim Scott. He seems to think that any one who
+disagrees with him must be wrong."
+
+Bob nudged Hugh. "What was the argument?" he asked.
+
+"The war," said Frank bitterly. "I said I thought Germany was all
+right, and he tried to lecture me about it. Hasn't a fellow a right to
+his own opinion?"
+
+"Sure he has," exclaimed Bob. "Any one can think Germany is all right if
+he wants to, but no one who is an American can side with Germany against
+the United States at a time like this."
+
+"Who says they can't?" demanded Frank flaring up.
+
+"I say so," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Who are you to tell others what they can do?"
+
+"I'm an American, anyway."
+
+"Well, I'm a better American than you are," cried Frank hotly.
+
+"And you stand up for Germany now?"
+
+"I do, because Germany is right and America is wrong."
+
+The three boys were standing in one corner of the school yard, removed
+from all the others so that the rapidly rising tones of their voices
+passed unheard. Their faces were now white and their breath came fast.
+Hugh had taken no part in the argument thus far, but he stood shoulder to
+shoulder with Bob, prepared for any emergency.
+
+"And what's more," exclaimed Frank, "this country was forced into war by
+a lot of men who want to make money out of it."
+
+"You're crazy," said Bob.
+
+"No, I'm not crazy either. Some of those men live right in this town too.
+I guess you know who I mean all right."
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded Bob in a tense voice. "Name somebody. I
+suppose the fact that Germany has murdered a lot of Americans has nothing
+to do with our going to war."
+
+"Certainly not," said Frank. "It's the men who want to make money."
+
+"Who says so?"
+
+"I say so, and so does my father."
+
+"Huh!" sniffled Bob. "Name one of the men."
+
+"They may get fooled," said Frank darkly. "Something might happen to
+their factories and they'd lose money instead of making it."
+
+"What do you mean by that?"
+
+"Oh, you know all right."
+
+"He hasn't named anybody yet," Hugh reminded his friend.
+
+"That's right," exclaimed Bob. "Who are they, Frank?"
+
+"Well," said Frank, "one of the men who thinks he is going to make a lot
+of money but who may get fooled is--"
+
+"Go on," urged Bob, as Frank hesitated.
+
+"Your father!" snapped Frank suddenly.
+
+Quick as a flash Bob's right arm shot out and his clenched fist caught
+Frank squarely on the nose. Hugh started forward as if to help his
+friend, but Bob waved him aside. "This is my affair," he panted.
+
+Whatever else he was, Frank was no coward. Blood was already trickling
+from his nose and the force of the blow he had received brought tears to
+his eyes. He recovered himself almost immediately, however, and with head
+down rushed at Bob. Bob was waiting for him and sent a crushing blow to
+his opponent's jaw. Again Frank staggered back, but a moment later
+advanced for more.
+
+He was more wary this time, however, and several of Bob's blows missed
+their mark. The boys danced about, each sparring for an opening. They
+were of almost equal size and weight, though Frank was probably a better
+boxer. Bob, however, was furiously though quietly angry, and convinced
+that the right was on his side had an advantage to that extent. Meanwhile
+the rest of the boys, attracted by the noise of the combat were running
+from all directions to get a close view of the fight. They quickly formed
+a ring around the two combatants and urged their favorites on. Most of
+them cheered for Bob, he being popular with all, while Frank had not so
+many friends.
+
+Bob lowered his guard for an instant, and Frank was quick to take
+advantage of the opportunity offered. He dealt Bob a staggering blow
+directly over the left eye; a ring on his finger broke the skin and blood
+flowed into Bob's eyes, while a swelling appeared almost immediately. He
+felt no pain, however, and with a yell of rage he rushed at his opponent.
+He had thrown caution to the winds and consequently Frank drove home two
+more good stiff punches to Bob's wet and bleeding face. Nothing daunted
+Bob clinched and swaying back and forth for a moment they presently fell
+to the ground. Over and over in the dust they rolled, each one trying
+desperately to get his arms free. The crowd cheered wildly and moved back
+to give more room to the fighters.
+
+Presently the spectators saw that Bob was on top. He was in better
+physical condition than Frank and this fact was beginning to count. Frank
+was short of wind and puffing hard. Bob sat astride him, holding him
+pinned to the earth with both knees while he pounded his head up and down
+on the ground.
+
+"Lemme up," said Frank weakly.
+
+Bob bumped him once or twice more for good measure. "Had enough?" he
+asked.
+
+"Yes," gasped Frank, while the spectators yelled their approval.
+
+Suddenly the cheering stopped and a gap appeared in the ranks of the
+onlookers. The principal of the school came running toward the spot where
+the fight had occurred.
+
+"What does this mean?" he demanded, much out of breath.
+
+The two fighters picked themselves up slowly. They were smeared with
+dirt and blood. Bob's collar was torn and Frank's coat was almost
+ripped from his back. Bob's left eye was half closed and rapidly
+turning black; Frank's nose was swollen and the skin all scraped off
+the side of his jaw.
+
+"We had a fight, sir," said Bob.
+
+"So I see," said the principal, while the crowd snickered.
+
+"He started it," exclaimed Frank.
+
+"I did not," cried Bob hotly, turning half way around as if he was
+considering pitching into his opponent again.
+
+"We won't discuss that question here," said the principal. "The best
+thing for you two boys to do is to get cleaned up and then come and see
+me in my office."
+
+He turned away, slowly followed by Bob and Frank and all the rest of the
+spectators. "Good boy, Bob," whispered Hugh in his friend's ear. "You did
+him up all right and he deserved it too." Many others also took occasion
+to show Bob that they heartily approved of what he had done.
+
+A short time later Frank and Bob stood before Mr. Hewitt, the
+principal. He was a kindly man and well liked by all the boys, even if
+they did love to imitate the way he had of looking at them over his
+spectacles. He was always fair to every one and the boys knew they
+could expect to be treated justly by him at all times. They respected
+him and looked up to him.
+
+"Well, boys," said Mr. Hewitt, "I'm sorry you had a difference of
+opinion."
+
+"That's just what it was, sir," exclaimed Bob quickly.
+
+"Haven't I a right to opinion?" demanded Frank.
+
+"What is your opinion?" inquired Mr. Hewitt.
+
+"Well," said Frank slowly, "I say that the United States is wrong about
+going to war with Germany."
+
+Mr. Hewitt glanced at Frank over his spectacles. "I'm afraid I can't
+agree with you, Frank," he said. "I don't like war and I don't believe
+many of our people do either. There is a limit to any country's
+patience, however."
+
+"Some people here want war," said Frank.
+
+"Yes," exclaimed Bob. "He said that my father wanted war so he could make
+money out of it."
+
+"He's making ammunition for the Government," Frank exclaimed.
+
+"But at cost price," said Bob. "He will lose money if anything."
+
+"I have always regarded Mr. Cook as one of our best citizens and a fine
+man," said Mr. Hewitt. "I think you must be wrong, Frank."
+
+"I tried to convince him that he was," said Bob, stealing a sidelong
+glance at Frank's battered features. Mr. Hewitt also looked at Frank and
+a faint smile flitted across his face.
+
+"People should be careful about what they do and say these days," he
+advised. "You are very wrong to talk against the United States, Frank."
+
+"I only repeated what my father says," exclaimed Frank. "He knows."
+
+"I'm sure he's mistaken this time," said Mr. Hewitt quietly. "I also hope
+he won't talk like that again; people's feelings are easily aroused in
+times of war and he might suffer harm."
+
+Frank looked sullenly at the floor and said nothing. Bob held out his
+hand to him. "Let's shake hands," he said. "We all ought to work together
+now. I'll forget this morning if you will."
+
+Frank made no move. "Come on, Frank," urged Mr. Hewitt. "Do as Bob says,
+and in the future try to remember that you were born in America, not in
+Germany. You were born here, weren't you?"
+
+"No, sir," said Frank. "I was born in Germany."
+
+"Well, at any rate remember that you are living in the United States.
+Shake hands and go back to your work, and I hope you will have no
+further trouble."
+
+Frank somewhat reluctantly shook hands with Bob and they walked out of
+the principal's office together. At the door of the study room Frank
+turned to Bob. "I shook hands with you then because I had to," he
+snapped. "I warn you though, I'll never do it again, and you'll be sorry
+for what you did to me this morning. Yes, you and your whole family!"
+
+Bob was completely taken aback by this sudden outburst but before he
+could make any reply Frank was gone. Bob walked slowly to his desk,
+carefully avoiding the glances of the many boys in the room who looked
+curiously at him and his black, swollen eye.
+
+When school closed that afternoon he hurried away as quickly as he could,
+for he had no desire to discuss the matter with his schoolmates. Around
+the corner he waited for Hugh and together the two boys started homeward.
+
+"What did Mr. Hewitt say?" asked Hugh.
+
+Bob told him.
+
+"Good for him," exclaimed Hugh. "What did Frank think of that?"
+
+"He was mad," said Bob, and he told his friend of the threat Frank had
+made. Hugh was silent for some time.
+
+"We must watch him pretty closely," he said at length.
+
+"Yes," Bob agreed, "and his father too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+HEINRICH AND PERCY
+
+
+"Bob!" exclaimed Mrs. Cook as her son arrived home that afternoon. "What
+have you been doing to get that black eye?"
+
+Bob related the story of his fight with Frank Wernberg. He did not tell
+her of the threat Frank had made against him and his "whole family,"
+however, for he had no desire to cause any alarm. His mother listened
+with a troubled countenance.
+
+"Oh, Bob," she said. "I wish you wouldn't fight like that."
+
+"But he insulted the United States, and father too," Bob insisted.
+
+"I know," she admitted. "Still I hate fighting so. One boy in the family
+is enough to worry about."
+
+"Where is Harold?" exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Down at the armory," said Mrs. Cook. "I wish it was all over."
+
+"I wonder if I can go down and see him," said Bob eagerly.
+
+"Perhaps," said his mother. "I don't know." She turned away and Bob
+hurried out of the house and turned his steps towards the garage. His
+plan was to get his bicycle and ride down to the armory. He entered the
+garage just in time to see Heinrich, the chauffeur, stuffing a large roll
+of bills into his pocket.
+
+"Whew, Heinie!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get all the money?"
+
+Heinrich seemed much embarrassed at being thus interrupted and colored
+violently. "Golly," said Bob, "I never saw so much money in all my life."
+
+"Dot's not so much," said Heinrich. "Besides it iss mine."
+
+"I didn't say it wasn't," laughed Bob.
+
+Heinrich Muller was the Cooks' chauffeur. He was a German, as his name
+implies, but he had been in the United States for over twenty years and
+had originally come into the employ of the Cook family as a coachman.
+Then when the automobile had taken the place of the horse to such a large
+extent he had been converted into a chauffeur.
+
+He was a mild mannered, quiet little man, and had always been a prime
+favorite with the children of the neighborhood. He could do wonderful
+things with a jackknife and the whistles, canes, swords and other toys he
+had made for the Cook children had often filled their friends with envy.
+He wore thick glasses with gold rims and was very bow-legged. He always
+said that his legs were crooked because he had ridden horseback so much
+when he was a young German cavalry trooper.
+
+He was a skillful man with horses, and had never liked an automobile
+half as much. He loved all animals and they seemed to love him too. At
+the present time his pets consisted of a small woolly dog, an angora
+cat, a parrot, and an alligator. The last named pet he kept in an old
+wash tub, half full of water, and called him Percy. He used to talk to
+all his pets as if they were human beings, Percy included, and many
+people had ventured the opinion that his brain was not quite as good as
+it should be.
+
+"A little bit cracked, but harmless and faithful," was the way Bob's
+father described him.
+
+Bob had never seen Heinrich so upset as he was that afternoon. He put the
+rolls of bills in his pocket and looked at Bob fiercely through his thick
+glass spectacles. His watery blue eyes looked almost ferocious.
+
+"What do you want here?" he demanded.
+
+"My bicycle," said Bob.
+
+"It iss got a puncture," said Heinrich.
+
+"Oh, Heinrich," Bob exclaimed. "Why didn't you fix it?"
+
+"I had no time so far."
+
+"I need a new one anyway," said Bob, looking at his wheel where it rested
+against the wall of the garage. "This one is six years old."
+
+"It iss one bunch of junk," said Heinrich.
+
+"Right you are," laughed Bob. "I tell you what, Heinrich; you've got a
+lot of money now, why don't you buy me a new one for my birthday?"
+
+"Dot iss my money," said Heinrich insistently.
+
+"Of course it is," exclaimed Bob. "You don't suppose I thought for a
+moment that you stole it, do you?"
+
+Heinrich glanced at him questioningly. "Come and see Percy," he said,
+apparently very anxious to change the subject.
+
+"What has he done lately?" asked Bob.
+
+"He iss grown."
+
+They approached the tub where the alligator was kept. "I can't see that
+he has grown much," exclaimed Bob. "He looks about the same to me."
+
+"He iss now two feet and one inches long," said Heinrich proudly. "He
+does not grow fast though."
+
+"I wish my bicycle was fixed," sighed Bob. "I wanted to ride down to
+the armory."
+
+"Harold iss in the army," said Heinrich.
+
+"I know it," said Bob. "I wish I was too."
+
+"You want to fight?" Heinrich asked.
+
+"Of course I do. Don't you? You're an American citizen, aren't
+you, Heinie?"
+
+"Yes, indeed," said Heinrich quickly. "For twelve years I been one."
+
+"You're all right," exclaimed Bob heartily. "If all Germans were as loyal
+as you I wouldn't have this black eye right now."
+
+"A German hit you?"
+
+"He ought not to be a German, but he is," said Bob bitterly.
+
+"Who was it?"
+
+"I won't tell you. What's the use?"
+
+"It was Frank Wernberg," said Heinrich.
+
+Bob looked curiously at the chauffeur. "How do you know?" he demanded.
+
+"Was it him?"
+
+"Yes, but how could you find it out so soon?"
+
+"Mebbe I guess," said Heinrich.
+
+"Probably you did," laughed Bob. "What do you know about the Wernbergs
+anyway, Heinie?"
+
+"Nothing," said Heinrich quickly and he acted as though he had made
+a mistake. "Look at Percy," he exclaimed. "He iss going down into
+the water."
+
+The alligator slipped slowly off the rock where he had been dozing. He
+slid quietly into the water and remained floating there all its four
+feet standing straight out.
+
+"He iss cute," said Heinrich proudly.
+
+Bob had never considered an alligator as being cute, but he did think
+"Percy" was interesting. Little did he dream how much more interested he
+would be in the small animal before many days had passed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+ON THE BRIDGE
+
+
+Harold came home for dinner that night. He was serving in the ninth
+infantry as a private until such a time as he should pass his examination
+and receive his commission.
+
+"Bob has seen active fighting sooner than you have, Harold," laughed Mr.
+Cook glancing at his younger son's battered eye.
+
+"Yes, and he won the battle too," said Bob warmly.
+
+"All I can say is," remarked Harold, "that Frank Wernberg must be an
+awful looking sight if he's worse than you."
+
+"He is," said Bob. "You ought to see his nose."
+
+"Don't talk about it," urged Mrs. Cook. "I hate it."
+
+"All right," laughed her husband. "Tell us what you have to do down at
+the armory, Harold. You were lucky to get off to-night."
+
+"Oh, I've got to go back," said Harold. "We'll probably be ordered out
+for guard duty to-night. I may be guarding your plant for all I know."
+
+"I hope we'll need no guards," said Mr. Cook earnestly. "In spite of all
+I said last night I can't believe that many people will be disloyal."
+
+"Some German got on our wire by mistake again to-day," said Louise. "He
+wanted Mr. Wernberg just as that man did last night."
+
+Mr. Cook shook his head slowly. "I don't like that man Wernberg," he
+said.
+
+"Oh, the secret service must be watching him," said Bob. "They seem to be
+ready for anything," and he related what had taken place in the trolley
+that morning when he was on his way to school.
+
+The telephone rang and Bob answered it to find Hugh Reith on the wire. He
+wanted Bob to go down to the armory that night and see the soldiers. Bob
+readily agreed.
+
+A short time after supper Hugh arrived at the Cooks', and the two boys
+accompanied by Harold set out. They felt very proud to be walking with a
+real live soldier, a man in the olive drab uniform of the American Army.
+Harold carried a rifle, with an ugly looking bayonet affixed to the
+barrel, the whole thing being nearly as tall as he was.
+
+The roll call had been started at the armory and Harold took his place in
+line just in time to answer to his name. Bob and Hugh looked on from the
+gallery and were greatly impressed by the business-like appearance of the
+men, and the curt, crisp orders of the officers. The soldiers were
+divided into squads and presently were marched out of the building to
+unknown destinations.
+
+"I guess it's all over,'' remarked Hugh.
+
+"Looks so," Bob agreed. "It's early yet though and I don't want to go
+home."
+
+"Nor I. What do you say to a walk down by the river? My canoe is in
+Brown's boathouse and I'd like to take a look at it. It has been laid up
+all winter and I'll want to get it out pretty soon."
+
+"All right," said Bob. "How shall we go?"
+
+"We can take a short cut down over the railroad bridge."
+
+"Come ahead."
+
+They set out through the streets of High Ridge. Few people were stirring
+and nowhere were any signs of war. The soldiers had disappeared and the
+quiet town seemed far removed from the strife of conflict. It seemed
+incredible that even at that moment some one might be plotting to
+overthrow the law and order of the little city. It was a far cry to the
+crimson-stained battlefields of France.
+
+"No school to-morrow," said Hugh finally.
+
+"That's true," exclaimed Bob. "I had forgotten that this is Friday."
+
+"Nothing to worry about," said Hugh. "No lessons to prepare and as far as
+I am concerned I'd just as soon stay up all night."
+
+"We ought to have baseball practice to-morrow," said Bob. "Somehow I've
+lost all interest in it though; this war is more exciting to me."
+
+"If we could only do something," sighed Hugh bitterly.
+
+"Where do you suppose those soldiers went?"
+
+"Out for a hike probably. They looked fine, didn't they?"
+
+Bob said nothing; both boys were busy with their thoughts and walked
+along in silence for some distance. Presently the steel span of the great
+bridge across the Molton River loomed ahead of them in the darkness.
+
+"There's the bridge," Bob exclaimed.
+
+It appeared ghostly in the dark, the big steel girders taking on weird
+and fantastic shapes. A train rushed across its span, roaring and
+throwing a shower of sparks high into the air.
+
+"Come on," urged Hugh and scrambled up the embankment.
+
+Bob followed close at his heels and together they made their way towards
+the bridge itself. They soon found themselves picking their way on the
+open ties above the water; as they were headed west they of course took
+the east-bound track. The walking was precarious and they had to pay
+close attention to what they were doing, for a misstep might prove fatal.
+
+Suddenly a sharp command to halt startled the two boys. They stopped
+short and peered intently about them in the dark.
+
+"Who are you?" demanded a curt voice, and Hugh and Bob saw the figure of
+a man in khaki outlined against the skyline. A faint flicker of light
+showed a keen-edged bayonet affixed to the gun he carried.
+
+"Who are you!" repeated the voice, strangely familiar in tone to both of
+the boys. "Come over here, and keep your hands over your head."
+
+"Harold!" exclaimed Bob suddenly. "Is that you?"
+
+"That you, Bob?" queried Harold, for the guard proved to be Bob's older
+brother. "Who's that with you?"
+
+"Hugh."
+
+"Well, it seems to me you two are pretty nervy," said Harold testily.
+"What are you doing down around here anyway?"
+
+"We were going down to Brown's boathouse to see Hugh's canoe," Bob
+explained. "We thought we'd take the short cut over the bridge."
+
+"And stand a good chance of getting shot," said Harold. "All bridges
+are guarded by soldiers with rifles, and we're not supposed to wait
+forever before we shoot either." Hugh and Bob had advanced to the spot
+where Harold was standing, and the three young men were grouped in a
+small circle.
+
+"We never thought of that," said Bob sheepishly.
+
+"Don't you know the United States is at war?"
+
+"Of course we do."
+
+"Well, then--. Sssh!" hissed Harold suddenly.
+
+He peered intently down the railroad track. The figure of a man could be
+seen approaching. "Get back, quickly," whispered Harold, and the two boys
+flattened themselves against one of the big steel girders.
+
+Nearer and nearer came the man. Harold stood motionless, his gun half
+raised and ready for instant action. Hugh and Bob looked on, fascinated.
+When about thirty yards distant the man stooped and appeared to be
+fumbling with something at his feet. Only for a moment, however, for he
+soon straightened up again and proceeded on his way.
+
+"Halt!" commanded Harold sharply.
+
+The man started, and then came to an abrupt stop.
+
+"Come over here," Harold ordered.
+
+His order was obeyed somewhat slowly, but without question.
+
+"What's your name?" queried Harold, as the man came up to him.
+
+There was no answer.
+
+"What's your name?" repeated Harold shortly.
+
+"John Moffett," said the man sullenly.
+
+"Where do you live?"
+
+"High Ridge."
+
+"Where in High Ridge?"
+
+"Elm Street."
+
+"What number?"
+
+"Twelve eighty-two," said the man after a moment's hesitation.
+
+"What are you doing on this bridge?"
+
+"I been across the river to see my brother."
+
+"Why didn't you take the passenger's bridge then, instead of this?"
+
+"This one is shorter for me."
+
+"Oh, no, it isn't," said Harold quickly. "The other one takes you right
+into Elm Street."
+
+The man offered no comment.
+
+"Why did you bend over down there a minute ago?" Harold asked.
+
+No answer was forthcoming.
+
+"Answer my question," ordered Harold curtly.
+
+The man shifted uneasily from one foot to the other. "My shoe lace came
+undone," he muttered finally. All the time he was talking he kept
+looking behind him and over the route he had just come. He seemed to be
+intensely nervous about something.
+
+Harold looked at him up and down from head to foot, as best he could in
+the poor light. He appeared undecided as to what he should do.
+
+"You'd better come along with me," he said finally. "I guess the captain
+might like to talk to you for a few minutes."
+
+"Where is the captain?" demanded the man.
+
+"That's nothing to you," said Harold. "You do as you're told. You walk on
+ahead of me and don't try any funny business; I'll be right behind you
+and my gun is loaded."
+
+"Which way?" the prisoner asked.
+
+"That way," directed Harold, indicating the High Ridge end of the bridge
+with the point of his bayonet. "As long as you live in High Ridge I'll
+see you part way home," he added drily.
+
+"Yes, sir," exclaimed the man, it seemed almost joyously. He set out
+immediately, Harold following close at his heels.
+
+"You two better go home," Harold called to Bob and Hugh as he walked off
+down the track.
+
+"All right," called Bob, and then he turned to his friend. "We'll take
+our time," he announced.
+
+"Sure," agreed Hugh. "Who do you think that man was?"
+
+"I don't know, but he did act sort of queer I thought. Probably Harold
+was wise to arrest him."
+
+"What'll they do with him?"
+
+"Oh, lock him up probably," said Bob carelessly. "I guess some officer
+will question him and if he's all right he'll be let go; otherwise I
+don't know what will happen to him."
+
+"How about the canoe?" suggested Hugh.
+
+"You mean, shall we go on to the boathouse?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The other end of the bridge is probably guarded too," said Bob. "We
+would be held up there and maybe be arrested ourselves." He peered
+earnestly down the track which led over the bridge to Rivertown on
+the opposite bank. Suddenly he started violently and clutched Hugh
+by the arm.
+
+"What's that?" he gasped in a terror-stricken voice.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+HUGH HAS AN IDEA
+
+
+"What's what?" demanded Hugh, peering in the direction Bob indicated.
+
+"Look!" cried Bob.
+
+"I am looking. What is it?" The tone of his friend's voice had alarmed
+him greatly, though he did not know what it was that Bob saw.
+
+"Can't you see? Right down there!"
+
+"Where? Where?" pleaded Hugh. "Tell me, Bob."
+
+"Down under the track. I see sparks."
+
+"It's a bomb," cried Hugh suddenly catching sight of the little flashes
+of light. "It's a bomb that man planted there."
+
+"What shall we do?" cried Bob, acting as if he was ready to turn and run.
+
+"Go and get it," said Hugh instantly. "Come along," and he started
+towards the spot of danger. Spurred on by his comrade's show of courage,
+Bob followed.
+
+Their hearts were in their throats and terror held them in its grasp as
+they hurried along. The little sparks still appeared, and the sputtering
+of the fuse could be heard distinctly as they ran forward. The footing
+was dangerous and who could tell but that at any moment the bomb might
+explode and blow them into eternity.
+
+Hugh reached the spot first. He was outwardly calm, but had the sun been
+shining his face would have shown white and frightened. A second later
+Bob arrived and stood beside him.
+
+"There it is," he gasped. "It's a bomb all right."
+
+"Pinch the fuse," cried Hugh excitedly. "Put it out."
+
+Both boys reached for it, but Bob was first. He had completely recovered
+his nerve now and was perhaps even more self-possessed than Hugh.
+
+Bob grasped the lighted part of the fuse between the thumb and forefinger
+of his right hand. He squeezed it tightly, but quickly withdrew his hand
+with a cry of pain. The fuse still sputtered.
+
+"Let me!" almost sobbed Hugh. "Let me try."
+
+He repeated Bob's performance, except that he held on in spite if the
+pain he suffered. With tight-shut lips and set jaw he pinched the fuse
+with all his strength. Finally he could stand it no longer and let go.
+
+"It's out," cried Bob. "No, it isn't either," he exclaimed a second
+later as the fuse once more showed red and the tiny sparks again made
+their appearance. "We'd better run for it, Hugh. What's the use in our
+being blown up along with the bridge?"
+
+"Get out of the way!" ordered Hugh, and Bob obeyed at once. There was
+something in the tone of his friend's voice that made him hasten to do
+as he said.
+
+Hugh knelt on the ties and leaned down over the bomb.
+
+"Here comes a train," cried Bob suddenly. "On this track too."
+
+Hugh paid no attention to this warning. He picked the bomb up in his two
+hands and staggering under its weight, carried the spitting and
+sputtering engine of death to the edge of the bridge. With a supreme
+effort he hurled it from him. A moment later a splash told that it had
+landed in the river below.
+
+"That'll never do any more harm," he gasped faintly.
+
+"Stay there, Hugh!" shouted Bob. "Look out for the train!"
+
+The two boys crowded close against the side of the bridge and a moment
+later a heavy train thundered past them. Through the lighted windows
+could be seen crowds of passengers, and Hugh and Bob shuddered as they
+thought what might have happened to the train with its load of precious
+human freight had the bomb exploded. They felt faint and weak after their
+experience and presently sat down until their shattered nerves should
+have recovered somewhat from the shock.
+
+The night was cool, but Bob mopped his perspiring brow. "Whew," he
+gasped. "That was a close call."
+
+"I should say it was," echoed Hugh. "What luck that you should have
+seen those sparks when you did! There was only a couple of inches of
+fuse left."
+
+"Lucky you were with me too," said Bob soberly. "If I'd been alone I
+think I would have run for home."
+
+"Haven't you two gone home yet?" demanded a voice, and the two boys
+looked up to see Harold standing over them.
+
+"Not yet," said Bob.
+
+"Well, you'd better skip," Harold advised. "You'll get in trouble
+around here."
+
+"There'd been more trouble if we hadn't been here," said Bob quietly.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+Bob related the story of the bomb to his brother.
+
+"Say!" exclaimed Harold in an awestruck voice. "That was pretty good work
+of you two. A train came along on that track too."
+
+"Hugh got the bomb out just in time," said Bob.
+
+"Say," repeated Harold. "Say," he said again, completely overcome.
+
+"Do you think they'll let us enlist on the strength of what we did?" Hugh
+asked hopefully.
+
+"I doubt it," said Harold. "I'll certainly speak to the captain about
+you though."
+
+"We might as well go home now, I guess," said Bob. "You don't want to see
+your canoe tonight, do you?"
+
+"No," replied Hugh grimly. "I've lost all interest in canoes for
+the present."
+
+They said good night to Harold and started homeward. They still felt
+a little shaky as a result of the bomb episode, but before long the
+walk and the crisp night air had refreshed them and their spirits
+once more revived.
+
+"I wonder what they'll do to that German," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Harold said they had locked him up for over night, and I guess when they
+hear what he tried to do, they'll keep him longer than that."
+
+"They'll send him to jail probably."
+
+"I hope so," said Hugh. "Any man who would try to blow up a bridge and
+kill crowds of people deserves worse than jail."
+
+"They'll give him five or ten years all right," said Bob.
+
+"Yes, and when they try his case we'll have to act as witnesses I
+suppose."
+
+"I wouldn't mind that," Bob exclaimed. "It might be a lot of fun."
+
+"Aren't these plotters silly?" said Hugh. "They may be able to blow up a
+plant or a bridge here and there, but they'll lose more than they gain."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because it'll make the people mad. When they once get angry they'll
+fight and work much harder to defeat Germany. Half the people in this
+country don't seem to realize that we are at war now, but when a few of
+them get blown up we'll begin to do something."
+
+They discussed the war and the possibility of sending American troops to
+France. Hugh wanted to go into the aviation corps when he was old enough
+but Bob thought the infantry and solid ground under his feet would be
+good enough for him.
+
+Presently they came near home. Hugh lived two blocks farther down
+the street than Bob and consequently he had to pass the Cooks' house
+on his way.
+
+"There's the Wernbergs'," said Bob. "A light in the second story back
+window, and two automobiles in front."
+
+"Do you suppose they're up to anything?" exclaimed Hugh.
+
+"I suspect them all right, but how can we prove it?"
+
+"I have an idea," Hugh exclaimed suddenly. The two boys were standing on
+the opposite side of the street from the Wernbergs' house, regarding it
+curiously.
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"Can you get your automobile?"
+
+"I guess so, if Heinrich hasn't taken the family out."
+
+"Let's get it and follow one of those machines. In that way we can see
+where the people live who are at the Wernbergs'. Maybe we can learn
+something about them if we know who they are."
+
+"A good scheme," exclaimed Bob readily. "We'll have to be awfully
+careful though; if they ever found out we were following them it might
+go hard with us."
+
+"We'll be careful all right," said Hugh grimly. "Come ahead, we want to
+be ready to start and they may leave at any time."
+
+The two boys walked quickly up the street, taking care to keep on the
+opposite side from the Wernberg home. When they arrived in front of the
+Cooks' they darted across the street and hurried along the driveway
+until they came to the garage. The door was shut and locked. Bob
+knocked loudly.
+
+There was no reply. Bob looked at his watch under the light of a match
+which Hugh struck. It was twenty minutes of eleven.
+
+"That's queer," he muttered. "Heinie is usually in bed long before this."
+
+"Maybe he is now, and is asleep," Hugh suggested.
+
+Bob glanced up at the second story window. "I don't think so," he said.
+"The window is closed in the room where he usually sleeps, and I know he
+is a crank on fresh air."
+
+"Throw some gravel at it," said Hugh. "That'll get him up if he's there."
+
+This plan was followed, but with no success.
+
+"He's out," said Bob finally. "What'll we do?"
+
+"Is the car there?"
+
+"Yes, but what good will it do us if we can't get in?"
+
+"Haven't you got a key to the garage up at the house?"
+
+"Father has one, but I don't dare wake him now." Bob glanced at the house
+and the absence of lights on the first and second floors convinced him
+that his family were all in bed. A single light shone from a window on
+the third floor where Lena, the cook, slept.
+
+"Maybe we can force a window," suggested Hugh. "You can open the door
+from the inside, can't you?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Bob. "Let's try a window anyway."
+
+They went around the corner of the garage and the first window they tried
+yielded immediately. A moment later both boys had clambered inside, and
+presently Bob found the electric light button. As the light flooded the
+garage Heinrich's angora cat rose sleepily from the tonneau of the
+automobile and stretched himself. A cloth covering over the parrot's cage
+kept that garrulous bird quiet. Percy lay stretched out in the water
+which filled his tub.
+
+"The dog must be out with Heinrich," said Bob.
+
+He seated himself in the driver's seat of the car, and Hugh lifted the
+drowsy cat to the floor. Bob pushed a button, put his foot on the
+self-starter and the engine started. Heinrich always backed the car into
+the garage so that it was headed in the right direction as it stood. Hugh
+undid the spring catch on the door and rolled the door back. They were
+now ready to start.
+
+"I'll go down by the street and watch the Wernbergs," said Hugh. "I hope
+they haven't gotten away while we have been fooling around here."
+
+"I guess not," said Bob. "When they start you whistle twice and I'll be
+with you right away."
+
+"All right," agreed Hugh. "You'd better run with your lights dimmed."
+
+"I shall, don't worry."
+
+Hugh hurried away. Bob was left alone in the car and he presently shut
+off the engine. He had wished to warm up the motor so that it would start
+readily when the time came; he was convinced that it would do so now.
+
+He thought over the events of the day, and for the first time he realized
+that he was tired. Excitement had spurred him on and the intense interest
+he took in the war had made him forget all else. He wondered if he and
+Hugh were starting off on a wild goose chase now. What particular reason
+had they to suspect the Wernbergs anyway? True, all Germans were more or
+less under suspicion just then, but why the Wernbergs any more than the
+others? He recalled his fight with Frank that morning, and his father's
+remarks. Perhaps it was just as well to go out that night after all.
+
+Bob thought of the war and the terrible things the Germans had done. What
+brutes and beasts they were! The Germans had been busy in the United
+States too. The big factory at Eddystone had been blown up that day, with
+the loss of a hundred and twenty-five lives, mostly of girls. That
+showed what the American people had to guard against.
+
+"I hate them all!" muttered Bob angrily. He took that back a moment
+later, however, as he thought of Heinrich. Surely their chauffeur was as
+faithful and kindly a soul as ever lived; his love for animals proved
+that. Then there was Lena, their cook, a buxom woman of forty who had
+never been heard to utter a cross word in her life.
+
+Heinrich was capable of getting mad, however, particularly about the car.
+Bob wondered what he would say if he should arrive home now, and find him
+preparing to go out in it and perhaps get it dirty.
+
+His reverie was suddenly interrupted by the sound of two whistles. A
+moment later the motor was purring softly, and with the headlights
+dimmed, the big sixty horse-power car slid out of the garage and started
+silently down the driveway.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+IN THE NIGHT
+
+
+"They're starting," said Hugh in a low voice. He jumped upon the running
+board as Bob came along, and climbed into the front seat beside him.
+"Let's wait here a minute," he whispered.
+
+Down the street in front of the Wernbergs' house they could see men
+getting into the two automobiles. Presently the whirr of the motors came
+to their ears and the two cars started. One came towards them and the
+other went in the opposite direction.
+
+"Which one shall we follow?" whispered Bob.
+
+"Let's follow the one going the other way."
+
+They rolled out of the driveway and started down the street. As they
+turned into the avenue the first car passed them, a gray roadster
+bespeaking power and speed in its every detail. Two men were seated in
+it. Bob and Hugh obtained a fleeting glimpse of them as they flashed by.
+The tail light of the car they intended to follow showed a dim, red spot
+far down the street.
+
+"Speed her up a little, Bob," urged Hugh. "We don't want to lose them."
+
+"We can't keep too close to them either," said Bob. "Besides, my thumb
+and forefinger are pretty sore from that fuse burn and it's hard to grip
+the wheel."
+
+"Mine are sore too," said Hugh. "Put on gloves."
+
+"I haven't any with me."
+
+"I have; take mine."
+
+Still watching the small red dot ahead of them Bob managed to slip on
+Hugh's right-hand glove. It was a great help to him in driving.
+
+"They've turned a corner," exclaimed Hugh suddenly. "Faster, Bob!"
+
+Bob pressed his foot on the accelerator and the car leaped forward as if
+it were a living thing. A moment later they reached the cross street and
+turned into it, peering anxiously ahead. The car they were following was
+still in sight.
+
+"Keep about two hundred yards in back of them," Hugh advised.
+
+"We mustn't lose them."
+
+"No, and we don't want them to get suspicious either."
+
+"They're turning another corner," exclaimed Bob after a few moments.
+
+"Speed it up now that they can't see us."
+
+Bob did so and they came to the corner just in time to see the car they
+were following pull up at the curb in front of a white stucco house.
+
+"Go ahead, Bob! Go ahead!" urged Hugh. "Don't turn!"
+
+Bob kept straight on. "What street was that?" he asked.
+
+"Elm Street."
+
+"Isn't that where the German on the bridge told Harold he lived?"
+
+"Why so it is," exclaimed Hugh.
+
+"I wonder what number that house is."
+
+"I don't know. Let's see, Howard Seeley lives on Elm Street, just the
+next block down; his number is eleven hundred and something."
+
+"The German told Harold he lived at twelve eighty-two, and I'll bet you
+that was the house."
+
+"Whew!" whistled Hugh. "I wonder if it was."
+
+"They probably went to find out why the bridge wasn't blown up to-night,"
+said Bob. "Do you suppose that could be it?"
+
+"Maybe. We could have told them quicker if they'd come to us
+though," chuckled Hugh. "They'll probably give that fellow the
+mischief for failing."
+
+"They can't get at him if he's in jail."
+
+"That's so. Suppose we're called as witnesses at his trial? They'll learn
+that we spoiled their game and our lives won't be worth two cents."
+
+"Well, if those men are plotters we must prove it before the case even
+comes to trial."
+
+"Do you suppose they have a regular organization to blow up everything
+around here that they can?" said Hugh. "I should think the secret service
+would get after them."
+
+"Probably it has; no doubt the names of all those men are listed."
+
+"That is, if they really are plotters."
+
+"Of course. Where are you going!"
+
+They had kept straight on down the road and were now on the outskirts of
+the city. The houses were fewer and more scattered all the time and
+presently the boys would be in the open country.
+
+"I don't know," said Bob. "I was just going ahead without thinking."
+
+"We'd better go back, hadn't we? We must be about three miles from home."
+
+"There's a road up ahead here to the right," said Bob. "We can turn down
+there and go back that way."
+
+When they were about two hundred yards distant from the road in question,
+an automobile came out of it and turned into the main highway. A moment
+later it was speeding along in front of Bob and Hugh, the roar of its
+cutout coming faintly to their ears.
+
+"Bob," exclaimed Hugh excitedly, "that's the gray roadster!"
+
+"What gray roadster?"
+
+"The one we passed in front of your house. It came from the Wernbergs'."
+
+"Shall we follow it?"
+
+"Certainly. It's going like the wind though."
+
+"Well, it can't lose us," said Bob grimly. He advanced the spark, gave
+the motor more gas and they were soon tearing through the night at fifty
+miles an hour. Over the crest of a hill in front of them, the gray
+roadster was outlined for a moment and then disappeared.
+
+Up the grade of the hill Bob drove the big car. When they arrived at the
+top they peered ahead anxiously for any sign of the machine they
+followed. Nothing was to be seen of it.
+
+"It's gone," exclaimed Hugh.
+
+"Perhaps not," said Bob. "It can't be very far ahead of us anyway."
+
+They continued down the road at breakneck speed, passing through a clump
+of woods that lined both sides. Bob forced the motor to its utmost, but
+no sign of the gray roadster could they discover. Finally he brought the
+car to a dead stop and turned to Hugh.
+
+"What became of that car?" he demanded. "They weren't far enough ahead of
+us to have gotten out of sight so quickly."
+
+"They must have turned off into another road," said Hugh. "I don't see
+what else could have happened."
+
+"But there are no roads into which they could have turned."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Positively."
+
+Both boys relapsed into silence, completely mystified by the
+strangeness of the thing. Apparently the roadster had vanished from the
+face of the earth.
+
+"Wait a minute," cried Bob suddenly. "There is a road back there too."
+
+"I thought there must be."
+
+"Remember those woods back there, just this side of the hill?"
+
+"Yes. That's where we used to go for chestnuts in the fall."
+
+"That's the place. Remember the old house back in there?"
+
+"It's deserted and tumble-down."
+
+"I know it, but there's an old wagon road leading to it."
+
+"Do you think that is where they went?" exclaimed Hugh in surprise.
+
+"Where else could they have gone?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure."
+
+"Shall we go back there and see?"
+
+"We can't run the car in there."
+
+"Why not? We can if they can."
+
+"Suppose we should meet them coming out?"
+
+"That's right," exclaimed Bob. "I tell you what we can do though.
+We'll run back down the road and leave the car and then go to the old
+house on foot."
+
+"Good scheme," said Hugh readily. "We can hide the car somewhere I
+suppose."
+
+"Oh, yes. We'll leave it a little way off the road under some trees."
+
+A few moments later Bob had turned the car around and they were speeding
+back in the direction whence they had come.
+
+"You know where the road is, don't you?" asked Hugh.
+
+"I do," said Bob confidently. "We'll leave the car about a quarter of a
+mile this side of it and then walk."
+
+"I wonder if they could have gone to that old deserted house,"
+mused Hugh.
+
+"Maybe. I swear I don't see why though."
+
+"We're probably chasing moonbeams," said Hugh.
+
+"Perhaps we are, but we're having a lot of fun anyway."
+
+"Of course we are," exclaimed Hugh, "and I'm for going ahead."
+
+A moment later Bob slowed down the car. A clump of trees appeared
+alongside the road, and shifting into second speed Bob carefully steered
+his course toward them. In the shadow of the trees he stopped, shut off
+the motor, turned off the lights, and stepped out. Hugh got out on the
+other side.
+
+"Here we are," whispered Bob. "I guess it's all right to leave the
+car here."
+
+"I should think so," Hugh agreed. "We're about fifteen yards from the
+road and I don't believe any one would notice it in here."
+
+They started down the road, keeping well to one side, so that they would
+not show up against the faint white ribbon of the highway as it stretched
+through the country. After a walk of about five minutes Bob halted.
+
+"There's the road," he whispered, pointing ahead.
+
+"Come on then," urged Hugh. "Carefully now."
+
+It was a weird sensation to be stealing along in the darkness, and the
+hearts of both boys were pounding. They turned from the main road and
+started down the narrow wagon track through the woods. It was much darker
+there and difficult to pick one's path.
+
+A dry twig snapped under Hugh's foot and the boys stopped short, their
+breath coming fast. The hoot of an owl directly overhead startled them
+violently and unconsciously they clutched each other's arm. The giant
+trees loomed black and forbidding in the darkness, and it was easy to
+imagine all kinds of things lurking behind to spring out at them.
+
+"I don't like this," whispered Hugh. "How far is it from here?"
+
+"Just a short distance. I don't like it either."
+
+Presently Bob tugged at Hugh's sleeve. "There's a light," he said softly.
+
+A faint glimmer appeared through the darkness ahead. Presently the boys
+were able to see that it came from a lantern held by some man standing in
+the open doorway of the old house. A moment later four others appeared
+from within and came out to the tumble-down porch. Bob and Hugh looked on
+with bated breath. What could it all mean?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A STRANGE OCCURRENCE
+
+
+The man with the lantern advanced to the edge of the porch, holding the
+lantern at arm's length and shoulder high. In the flickering light Bob
+and Hugh could see the others putting on their overcoats. Presently there
+was a flash of light as the powerful searchlights of an automobile were
+turned on; only for a second or two, however, as they were quickly
+extinguished.
+
+"There's the gray roadster," whispered Hugh.
+
+The two boys were crouched behind a fallen tree, an obstruction they had
+been on the point of climbing when they had spied the lantern. They could
+hear the men walking about near the house, and frequently could even
+catch the sound of voices.
+
+Presently they heard the whirr of a motor. Dimmed lights were turned on
+in the roadster and soon it started.
+
+"Lie low," whispered Hugh. "They mustn't see us."
+
+Bob needed no cautioning on that score, however.
+
+The car rumbled toward them as if it were feeling its way. The
+wagon-road was some ten yards to the left of the spot where the two boys
+were concealed. Directly to it the roadster went, its two glowing eyes
+giving it the appearance of some gigantic bug. With bated breath Hugh and
+Bob watched its progress. Presently it passed them and lumbered away over
+the rough road.
+
+"How many men were in it?" whispered Hugh.
+
+"Three, I think."
+
+"There were only two when we passed it in front of your house."
+
+"I know it. There must be a couple more men here, too."
+
+"Ssh," hissed Hugh softly, grasping his companion by the wrist.
+
+Voices could be heard, coming nearer and nearer to their hiding place.
+Once again the two boys almost stopped breathing while they waited for
+the speakers to pass. They could make out two shadowy forms following the
+same course taken by the automobile. The two men conversed earnestly
+together in tones so low, that the listeners could not overhear what was
+said. After a few moments the sound of the voices died away and Hugh and
+Bob were left alone. That is, they were alone as far as they could tell.
+
+"Well," said Hugh finally. "They're gone."
+
+"Seems so," admitted Bob. "We can't be sure though."
+
+"Were those men talking German?"
+
+"I couldn't tell."
+
+"Neither could I for sure, but I thought they were."
+
+"Probably so," said Bob. "At any rate it looks to me as if there was some
+queer business going on in this place."
+
+"It certainly does. I wonder what's in that house?"
+
+"Shall we go and see?"
+
+"You don't catch me in that house at this time of night," said
+Hugh grimly.
+
+"How about coming out here to-morrow, then?"
+
+"To-morrow's Saturday, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"All right," said Hugh. "I'll come out with you."
+
+"And now we'd better go home."
+
+"I guess we had. It must be nearly midnight."
+
+They arose from their cramped positions on the ground and stealthily
+began to retrace their steps. They were even more wary on their way out
+than they had been going in, for they could not be sure that they would
+not meet some of the men they had seen about the old house. Just before
+they came to the end of the wagon-road they heard the sound of a motor
+and saw the lights of an automobile speeding down the main road in the
+direction of High Ridge.
+
+"Sounds like our car," said Bob. "All those motors make the same sort
+of noise."
+
+"Pretty good ears you have," remarked Hugh.
+
+"You ought to see old Heinie," said Bob. "He may look stupid, but he can
+tell almost any make of car just by the noise it makes."
+
+"What'll he say when you get home?" queried Hugh.
+
+"He'll be mad. He doesn't think I know how to drive the car, and if there
+is any dirt on it he'll be madder yet."
+
+"The roads aren't muddy now though."
+
+"I know it, but he'll be cross if there's dust on it even."
+
+They emerged on the main road, looked carefully in both directions, and
+then still keeping to the side of the road, started back toward the spot
+where they had left the car. A ghostly moon, in its last quarter, shed
+its pale light on the highway, and aided the boys to distinguish their
+surroundings.
+
+"There's the place," said Bob a moment later.
+
+They ran quickly across the road and hurried towards the clump of trees
+where they had hidden the car. Both boys would feel relieved when they
+were seated in their conveyance once more, and on their way home. It was
+nervous work prowling around the countryside at night with a suspicious
+gang of men lurking near.
+
+Bob and Hugh hurried along side by side and presently came to the patch
+of trees, which was their destination. A feeling of relief came over them
+that soon they would be speeding back to High Ridge.
+
+Suddenly Bob uttered an exclamation of surprise and stopped short.
+
+"The car is gone," he gasped.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+ANOTHER SURPRISE
+
+
+At first the two boys were too amazed to speak. They stared blankly at
+the spot where the car had been concealed. It now was nowhere to be seen.
+
+"Is this the place?" exclaimed Hugh, the first to regain his senses.
+
+"I know it is," said Bob. "I ran the car right up under that big birch
+tree so that I could surely mark the spot."
+
+"Well!" gasped Hugh, unable to say more.
+
+"What'll we do?" Bob almost sobbed. "Some one has stolen the car, and it
+is all my fault. What will father say?"
+
+"You'll have to tell him the circumstances," said Hugh lamely. "I don't
+know what else you can do."
+
+"But the car is gone," insisted Bob, his mind unable to grasp any idea
+beyond that. "The car is gone."
+
+"Maybe it'll come back," said Hugh. "Stolen cars are often recovered."
+
+He lighted a match and held it close to the ground. There were the
+marks made by the tires in the damp earth. There was no doubt that this
+was the place.
+
+"Who could have taken it?" demanded Bob.
+
+Both boys were silent and the same thought flashed through their
+minds at once.
+
+"One of those men from that old house," said Hugh.
+
+"They must have had sentries posted," said Bob and he glanced about him
+nervously. "Probable they watched us leave it here and when we went back
+into the woods they took it. Probably they followed us and watched us all
+the time too; very likely they're watching us now."
+
+"Let's go home," exclaimed Hugh. "I've had enough of this."
+
+"But the car," protested Bob.
+
+"It's gone, isn't it?" said Hugh. "We can't find it by just standing
+around here. The best thing we can do is to hurry back to High Ridge as
+fast as we can and report it to police headquarters."
+
+"It's over three miles," said Bob.
+
+"Suppose it is," Hugh exclaimed. "Suppose it was twenty miles: we'd have
+to go just the same. We may get a lift on the way."
+
+"Not at this time of night."
+
+"Anyway we'd better start; we may be in danger here."
+
+This latter consideration had great weight with Bob. He realized that
+enemies of one kind or another were there, or had been recently, in that
+neighborhood and he had no desire to meet them, unarmed as he was. His
+judgment also told him that Hugh's suggestion about reporting the loss of
+the car to the police was the only feasible one under the circumstances.
+
+"Come on," he urged. "Let's go home."
+
+"Some one may come along and offer us a ride," said Hugh hopefully.
+
+"I'm afraid there won't be many people out at this time of night,"
+returned Bob disconsolately. "I wish I knew what had happened to the
+car."
+
+They proceeded in silence, glancing about them nervously for fear that
+they might be the victims of some further surprise. For a half-mile
+they kept to the side of the road, for little as they cared to walk
+where the darkness was thickest, they knew they would not be as exposed
+there as they would be in the middle of the road. When they reached the
+top of the hill, however, they became bolder and ventured out upon the
+paved highway.
+
+They walked swiftly, every few yards one or the other of the boys turning
+to glance behind them to see if they were followed. The night was clear,
+and the stars were shining brilliantly; hardly a breath of air was
+stirring. Presently they came within sight of the town, and the sound of
+the clock on the town hall striking one came faintly to their ears.
+
+"Whew," said Bob, "it's late."
+
+"I should say so," Hugh agreed, "and I was just thinking of everything we
+have done to-day. We've certainly been busy."
+
+"We may be even busier to-morrow."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Well, if we go back to that house again, you can't tell what we'll
+get into."
+
+"I wonder if we ought to report to the police what we've seen."
+
+"Probably we should," said Bob. "I'd like to go it alone though."
+
+"And so should I. Let's wait a day or two longer anyway."
+
+"I hope it won't be too late then."
+
+"We'll risk it anyway," said Hugh. "Look, here comes an automobile."
+
+"It's going the wrong way for us. Get over on the side of the road."
+
+In the distance appeared the headlights of an automobile rapidly
+approaching. The two boys hurried to one side of the road and took up
+their positions behind the shelter of some low growing bushes. The car
+was traveling fast and as it neared the spot where they were concealed
+they could hear the thunder of the cutout. A moment later it roared past
+them and disappeared.
+
+"Hugh," exclaimed Bob. "The gray roadster!"
+
+"It was for sure!" said Hugh. "What do you think of that?"
+
+"It was going back to the old house probably."
+
+"I guess it was. Perhaps after all, we should report to the police."
+
+"Wait till after to-morrow," said Bob. "We'll go out in the morning and
+take a look around there on our own account."
+
+"We may have to spend to-morrow looking for your car."
+
+"That's true, but let's wait and see what happens anyway."
+
+They continued on their way homeward and soon came within the outskirts
+of the town. The houses were darkened and apparently every one was in bed
+and asleep. The sound of the boys' footsteps on the pavements echoed
+loudly along the still, deserted streets.
+
+"Here's Elm Street," said Hugh. "Let's turn down here; it's on our way
+home and we can pass right by that stucco house."
+
+"All right," Bob agreed, and they turned the corner.
+
+"That's the place," whispered Hugh a few moments later.
+
+"There's a light in the third story," said Bob in a low tone.
+
+"Perhaps they're waiting up for that German bomb planter," chuckled
+Hugh. "I guess he won't be home to-night."
+
+"Don't joke about it, Hugh. I feel sorry for the man's family."
+
+"So do I, but I don't feel sorry for him."
+
+"I should say not! Anything they do to him won't be half bad enough."
+
+"The snake," muttered Hugh. "I'd like to have one look inside that room
+up there though and see what is going on." He glanced up at the lighted
+window questioningly. As he did so the shade was thrown up and the
+window opened by some man who thrust his head out and looked around. Bob
+and Hugh shrank back within the shadow of a nearby tree. They caught
+only a fleeting glimpse of the man's face, and saw that it was no one
+they knew. He had closely cropped hair and a bristling mustache turned
+up at the ends.
+
+"Who do you suppose that was?" whispered Bob a moment later, as the man
+they watched withdrew his head and shut the window.
+
+"Never saw him before," said Hugh.
+
+"He looked like a German though. Let's get home before he comes outside
+and begins to prowl around."
+
+Walking on the ground so that they would not make any noise they hurried
+on. A few moments later they stood in front of the Cooks' house.
+
+"There's a light in your house too," said Hugh. "This and that house on
+Elm Street are the only ones where people seem to be awake."
+
+"That's Lena's room," said Bob.
+
+"The cook?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"She's a German, isn't she?"
+
+"Look here, Hugh," laughed Bob. "You can't make me suspicious about
+Lena. She has been our cook ever since I was born. She's the most
+faithful and kindhearted woman that ever lived. Why she's practically
+one of the family."
+
+"Then what is she doing up there all this time?" demanded Hugh. "Her room
+was lighted up when we started out."
+
+"I don't know what she's doing," said Bob. "Reading, maybe. You can't get
+me excited about her, and just because some Germans are disloyal you
+mustn't think they all are."
+
+"All right," said Hugh. "I'd watch them all though."
+
+"You're crazy," said Bob. "What I want to know is what happened to our
+automobile. Tomorrow morning before breakfast you'll see me on my way to
+police headquarters to report it. Heinie was going to fix the puncture in
+my bicycle to-day and I'll go down on that."
+
+"Will you telephone to me about eight o'clock?"
+
+"I will," said Bob, "and if there's nothing we can do about the
+automobile well take our bicycles and ride out to the old deserted
+house."
+
+"Good, and now we'd better sneak to bed, for we shan't get much sleep
+as it is."
+
+"All right. Good night."
+
+"Good night," said Hugh and turned off down the street.
+
+Bob made his way quietly across the lawn towards the house, glancing up
+curiously once or twice at the lighted window in Lena's room. As he
+looked the light went out. "Poor old Hugh," he thought. "How silly he is
+to be suspicious of Lena." He tiptoed up the steps and across the porch,
+let himself in carefully with his latch key, and stole upstairs.
+
+He wished to get into bed without waking any of the family, and was
+successful in this, for soon he was snugly under the covers without
+having disturbed any one. It was a long time before sleep came to him,
+however. He was greatly worried about the loss of the car and he dreaded
+having to tell his father about it the next day. Of course his father
+would understand, but no one could be blamed for being upset at the loss
+of a new automobile, particularly as the result of what might prove to be
+a wild goose chase.
+
+Heinrich too would be furious, and Bob expected their chauffeur to knock
+on his door at any moment and demand where the automobile was. Heinrich
+did not go to bed until the car was safely in the garage, and as a rule
+he washed it no matter how late the hour was.
+
+Bob's black eye throbbed somewhat too, his fingers smarted from the burn
+of the lighted fuse, and his brain was reeling with the events of the
+day. At length, however, he fell asleep and strange to say he slept
+dreamlessly. He had taken care to set his alarm-clock for half-past six
+and it seemed to him that his eyes had been closed only a very few
+minutes when it went off close beside his ear. He clutched it quickly and
+stifled the alarm so as not to awaken the rest of the household; a moment
+later he had jumped out of bed and was getting into his clothes.
+
+He glanced out of the window and saw that it was light outside. The early
+morning sun shone on the bare limbs of the trees and made them glisten.
+Here and there a bud could be seen almost ready to burst its shell and
+Bob rejoiced to see signs of the coming of spring and summer. He was not
+happy, however, for the loss of the car weighed him down and oppressed
+him. Even the awakening beauties of nature did not cheer him up and that
+was unusual in Bob's case.
+
+A few moments later he was fully dressed except for his shoes. He held
+them in one hand, and in his stocking feet slipped out of his room and
+stole downstairs. He opened the front door carefully and then sat down on
+the steps to put on his shoes. As he busied himself a bicycle passed
+along the street in front of the house, and Bob recognized the rider as
+Frank Wernberg.
+
+"What's he doing out at this time of day?" muttered Bob angrily. He sat
+motionless and as Frank did not look toward the house he decided that he
+had not been seen. Bob yawned, rubbed his eyes sleepily, and stretched.
+He suddenly recalled the loss of the automobile, and jumping to his feet
+started toward the garage.
+
+As he came near he saw that the front door of the garage was open. That
+was queer, he thought, as Heinrich never left it open at night. Then he
+recalled that he and Hugh had left it open the night before and that
+probably Heinrich had left it undisturbed so that they could run in the
+car without trouble when they returned. Heinrich had no doubt come in and
+gone to sleep, and had not yet discovered that the car was missing.
+
+Imagine Bob's surprise therefore when he turned the corner of the
+building and saw the car standing in its accustomed place. Heinrich was
+washing it as if nothing in the world had happened.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+BOB IS MYSTIFIED
+
+
+Bob stopped and stared in amazement. He could scarcely believe his eyes.
+There was the car that had disappeared so mysteriously the night before,
+in its right place, and undamaged as far as he could see.
+
+"Heinrich," he exclaimed in amazement.
+
+The chauffeur, a hose in one hand, a big sponge in the other, and wearing
+high rubber boots, looked up inquiringly.
+
+"What are you doing up so early?" he asked.
+
+"Where did the car come from?" demanded Bob.
+
+Heinrich straightened up and gazed at Bob.
+
+"What you mean?" he inquired.
+
+"Who brought the car home?"
+
+"How do I know? Maybe your father use it last night. Whoever do it, get
+it all covered mit dust."
+
+"But," stammered Bob, "the car was stolen."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Heinrich. "What you talking about?"
+
+"What time did you get in last night?" Bob inquired, becoming more and
+more anxious and bewildered every moment.
+
+"Twelve o'clock," said Heinrich. "What you mean the car iss stolen?"
+
+"Was it here when you came home?"
+
+"Certainly it was here. What you talking about?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bob weakly, and he sat down on the running board and
+passed his hand across his brow.
+
+"Are you sick?" asked Heinrich anxiously. "You look pale."
+
+"I'm not sick," said Bob. "I guess I'm crazy," and he held his head in
+both hands, staring blankly at the floor.
+
+Heinrich did not know what to make of the strange behavior of his
+employer's son. He stared at him curiously, and it was plain to see that
+he was telling the truth in all he said.
+
+"What you mean the car iss stolen?" he inquired finally.
+
+"Nothing," said Bob blankly. "It's too much for me."
+
+"I go to a party last night," said Heinrich. "I come home late and the
+door here iss open. Here iss the car too. Why you think it stolen?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bob. "I guess I must have dreamt it."
+
+"You are sick," exclaimed Heinrich. "You had better go back and go to
+bed. If you wish I go with you to the house."
+
+"No," said Bob. "I'm all right." He rose to his feet dazedly, looked in
+bewilderment at the car again and started out.
+
+"I have a loss," said Heinrich, convinced that Bob was probably
+all right.
+
+"What's that?" demanded Bob, turning around.
+
+"Burglars," said Heinrich.
+
+"Where? In the garage here?"
+
+"Yes. Last night," and Heinrich brushed a tear from his eye.
+
+"You did?" exclaimed Bob. "They didn't steal all that money you had
+yesterday, did they?"
+
+"No," said Heinrich sorrowfully. "I almost wish they had. They
+steal Percy."
+
+"Percy," cried Bob, greatly relieved. "Why should any one steal him?"
+
+"I do not know. I come down this morning and I look in the tub to say
+good-morning to Percy. The tub iss here, but Percy iss gone."
+
+"There are some queer things going on around here, Heinie," said Bob.
+
+"I like to catch the man what steal him," said Heinrich fiercely.
+
+"I'd like to catch lots of people," said Bob. "Maybe he fell out
+of the tub."
+
+"He could not do that," exclaimed Heinrich. "The sides iss too high."
+
+"Well, it's certainly strange." Bob went out of the garage and started
+slowly back toward the house. Heinrich, sorrowing over the loss of his
+alligator, with a sigh took up the sponge and hose again and fell to
+washing the car once more.
+
+Bob returned to his room, washed his face and hands, something he had
+neglected to do before, and went downstairs again. He glanced at the
+morning newspaper, full of war news and preparations for war; one
+column told of the arrest of many Germans all over the country, men who
+were suspected of caring more for the Fatherland than they did for the
+United States.
+
+There was no mention of the bomb episode on the railroad bridge the night
+before, however. Bob knew that the authorities would not permit the
+publication of any such items if they could prevent it so he was not
+surprised. Presently the rest of the family appeared and they went in to
+breakfast.
+
+Mr. Cook's mail was lying on the table by his plate; it was his custom
+every morning to glance it over while he was eating. While Mrs. Cook
+talked to Bob about Harold, her husband looked through his letters.
+Suddenly he uttered an exclamation of surprise. "Here's a queer
+thing," he said.
+
+"What?" demanded Mrs. Cook anxiously. She had been very nervous lately.
+
+"This postcard," said Mr. Cook. "Listen to what it says. 'Take the advice
+of one who knows and keep your automobile home at night.'"
+
+Bob turned pale. "What does it mean!" inquired Mrs. Cook.
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," said her husband.
+
+"How is it signed?"
+
+"It is not signed at all."
+
+"I can't imagine what it's all about," said Mr. Cook. "As far as I know,
+our car hasn't been out of the garage at night for over a week."
+
+"Perhaps Heinrich has had it out," Mrs. Cook suggested.
+
+"I'll ask him right after breakfast," said Mr. Cook. "They must have
+mistaken our car for some one else's."
+
+"Who do you suppose sent it?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," said her husband musingly. "At any rate I think
+I shall turn it over to the police; I don't like the look of it."
+
+Throughout this conversation Bob sat silent. He thought perhaps he could
+explain part of the mystery to his father, but he was puzzled as to
+whether he ought to do so or not. On the other hand if his father called
+in the police, he knew that he and Hugh would have small chance of
+clearing up the matter themselves.
+
+"It worries me so, Robert," exclaimed Mrs. Cook. "I am so afraid that
+something will happen to you, especially as you are making war supplies
+at the factory now."
+
+"The plant is guarded," said her husband. "Besides I think I owe it to my
+country to help all I can, don't you?"
+
+"Of course, but suppose some of your guards are treacherous."
+
+"They are all trusted employees of American birth."
+
+"No Germans at all?"
+
+"The man in charge at night has parents born in Germany; you know him,
+Karl Hoffmann, the one who wants to marry Lena. He is just as faithful
+and true as she is. I can vouch for all the others as well."
+
+"He's all right I guess," said Mrs. Cook with a smile. "Even if Heinrich
+doesn't like him." Heinrich and Karl Hoffmann were rivals for Lena's
+affections, and they despised each other. Lena, however, seemed to like
+them both equally well, or at least she did not care enough about either
+to marry him.
+
+Bob used to delight in teasing Heinrich about his rival. When Karl was on
+the premises Heinrich would sulk in the garage and mutter threats against
+him. Karl was twice Heinrich's size, but the little blue-eyed, spectacled
+chauffeur never seemed to question his ability to deal with him.
+
+Mr. Cook rose from the table. "I'll go down and ask Heinrich about this
+car business," he said, "and then I'll go down to the office." He kissed
+Mrs. Cook and Louise and left the room. Bob followed him out. His father
+put on his coat and hat and stepped out onto the front porch. A sudden
+resolution seized Bob.
+
+"Father," he said.
+
+"What is it, Bob?" asked Mr. Cook, turning to glance at his son.
+
+"I think I can explain about the car."
+
+"You can?" exclaimed his father in surprise, looking curiously at Bob's
+pale face.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Bob, nervously. "It's a sort of a long story. Shall I
+tell it all?"
+
+"Certainly. Come out here to the summer house."
+
+They walked in silence to the little rustic house on the lawn and sat
+down side by side on the rough wooden seat. Bob was excited, but still
+determined that the best thing for him to do was to tell his father the
+whole story. He knew his father would understand and see things from his
+point of view; they were more like two brothers than a father and son.
+
+"Hugh and I had the car out last night," said Bob, and then he began at
+the beginning and related the entire story through to the end. He told of
+their visit to the armory, their meeting with Harold on the bridge, the
+narrow escape with the bomb, their decision to watch the Wernbergs'
+house, their trip to the deserted house, the disappearance of the
+automobile, and finally its strange return.
+
+Mr. Cook listened intently throughout the whole narrative, one
+exclamation as Bob told of the bomb episode being his sole interruption.
+
+"That card must have been sent by the one that brought the car
+back," said Bob.
+
+"It would seem so," his father agreed, and fell silent, thinking.
+
+"That was a close call you boys had with that bomb," he said finally.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Bob.
+
+"What have you planned to do to-day?"
+
+"We were going to report the loss of the car to police headquarters and
+then go out to the deserted house again, to see what we could find."
+
+"You weren't going to say anything to the police about it?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"That might be dangerous, you know."
+
+"Yes, sir," said Bob. "We wanted to solve the thing ourselves if we
+could though."
+
+"I don't know about that," said Mr. Cook musingly. "I hate to
+think of you two boys fooling around out there with a lot of
+desperate men around."
+
+"Don't do anything until this afternoon anyway," Bob pleaded.
+
+Mr. Cook thought for a minute. "All right," he agreed. "Ill wait until
+after luncheon. Do you and Hugh expect to go out there this morning?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Have you got a gun?"
+
+"No, we haven't."
+
+"Well, there's an automatic pistol and two boxes of cartridges in the
+second drawer of my bureau. Go up and get them before you start, for I
+think you ought to be armed. And above all don't say anything about it to
+your mother."
+
+"Certainly not," exclaimed Bob, much excited that his father was
+helping them.
+
+"Be careful," warned his father. "I'll be home for luncheon and we'll
+talk more then."
+
+Heinrich appeared with the car and Mr. Cook got in and was soon on the
+way to his office. Bob hurried into the house to telephone to Hugh and
+possess himself of his father's automatic pistol.
+
+Hugh promised to hurry over as fast as he could, and he could tell from
+the tone of Bob's voice that something stirring was on foot. Bob had
+answered his question about the car evasively and he was anxious to hear
+the latest developments. Consequently by the time that Bob had tucked the
+pistol safely in his back pocket and had gone to the garage for his
+bicycle, Hugh appeared.
+
+Bob related the story of the car and its strange return, and also told
+about the postal card his father had received that morning. The mystery
+seemed to deepen rather than clear up, and both boys were profoundly
+mystified by the strange events of the previous day.
+
+"Your eye's better anyway," remarked Hugh.
+
+"Yes," said Bob. "But I may get another one to-day."
+
+"We'll hope not. When do you want to start?''
+
+"Right away."
+
+"Come ahead then," and jumping on their bicycles the two boys pedalled
+out of the yard. Little did they dream that bright April morning, as they
+rode along, that they were headed for adventures which would make the
+events that had gone before appear mild in comparison.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE DESERTED HOUSE
+
+
+"Somebody stole Percy," said Bob when they had ridden a little way.
+
+"The alligator?"
+
+"Yes. Heinrich's pet, you know."
+
+"Why should any one want to do that?"
+
+"I can't imagine, and poor old Heinie is all broken up about it. I've
+never seen any one who liked animals as much as he does."
+
+"Who do you suppose did it?"
+
+"I've no idea. Perhaps the man who returned the car stole him and is
+planning to wait until he grows big and then train him to come and bite
+us," laughed Bob.
+
+"Let's hope not," smiled Hugh. "There are too many strange things going
+on for me to understand just now. My brain is all mixed up."
+
+"And so's mine. I should like to know who sent that postal card though."
+
+"Perhaps we'll get on the trail of it when we get to the deserted house."
+
+"Do you suppose we can break in?"
+
+"Perhaps we can. I've brought an electric flashlight along that may come
+in handy."
+
+"A good idea," exclaimed Bob. "I have an idea myself."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"We'd better not ride too far down the road. Let's leave our wheels this
+side of the hill, and then go across the country and come in to the
+house from the back. In that way I think we'll stand less chance of
+being seen."
+
+"Probably you're right. At any rate I hope no one steals our bicycles."
+
+"I wonder if they'd be returned," said Bob. "Wasn't that a queer thing?"
+
+"It certainly was."
+
+They rode in silence for some time and presently came within sight of the
+hill of which they had been speaking. They dismounted from their
+bicycles, and wheeling them by their sides started across the fields. A
+hundred yards from the main road they concealed them under a clump of
+bushes and then continued on their way. They walked for about a half-mile
+until they saw the fringe of the woods in the middle of which stood the
+deserted house.
+
+"Bob," said Hugh suddenly. "I know who took your automobile."
+
+"What?" exclaimed Bob. "What are you talking about?"
+
+"I know who took your automobile."
+
+"Who!"
+
+"Heinrich."
+
+Bob burst out laughing. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "How
+could Heinrich take it? Hugh, you're going crazy."
+
+"Isn't Heinrich a German?"
+
+"He is."
+
+"Weren't there a lot of Germans meeting out here in the old house
+last night?"
+
+"We think so. I still don't see what that has to do with Heinie."
+
+"How do you know Heinrich wasn't here?" asked Hugh.
+
+"You mean that Heinrich is a plotter?" exclaimed Bob, suddenly realizing
+what his friend was driving at.
+
+"He might bear watching," said Hugh. "He and that German cook of yours."
+
+"They're both honest and reliable," exclaimed Bob warmly.
+
+"Well," said Hugh, "I heard a story last night about two men coming to a
+house where they had a nice 'honest and reliable' German girl and
+demanding to see her. The owner of the house refused, and the men then
+showed secret service badges. Of course when he saw the badges he had to
+do as they said and he called in the girl. As soon as she came into the
+room one of the men went up to her and grabbed hold of her hair. Well,
+sir, it came right off her head and then they discovered that the maid
+was nothing more nor less than a man, a German in disguise, trying to get
+information for his government."
+
+"Is that a true story?" exclaimed Bob in amazement.
+
+"The man in whose house it happened told it to father," said Hugh. "It
+only goes to show that you can't be too careful. I wouldn't be too sure
+about Heinrich and Lena if I were you. The Germans are a bad lot and I
+suspect them all."
+
+"Perhaps," said Bob. "Still Heinie and Lena are different."
+
+"They may be tools of Mr. Wernberg for all you know."
+
+"You're foolish," exclaimed Bob. "Why even if they weren't loyal to the
+United States they'd be loyal to father and mother. I know that."
+
+Hugh shrugged his shoulders. "It sounds fishy to me, that's all," he
+said. "Didn't Heinrich say he went to a party last night? How do you know
+the party wasn't held out here, and that he just happened to run across
+your car and decided to bring it home."
+
+"If he had he would have washed the car last night, not this morning."
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Because he's so methodical, like all the Germans. He never could have
+slept if he had known the car was dirty."
+
+"Why, Bob," Hugh protested, "Heinrich says he didn't come in until twelve
+o'clock and he says the car was there then. Why didn't he notice that it
+was dirty then? I'd like to know."
+
+"He probably didn't light but one light in the garage and didn't
+notice it."
+
+"Sounds likely," snorted Hugh. "Take my advice and watch 'em both."
+
+"They're just as faithful as you or I," exclaimed Bob. "You can't talk me
+into getting suspicious of those two."
+
+"The faithful ones are the ones to suspect," said Hugh grimly.
+
+"Nonsense," said Bob, but his friend's words nevertheless set him to
+thinking. What if Heinrich and Lena should turn out to be working in the
+interests of Germany? He recalled the light in Lena's room the night
+before, and then he thought of all the money Heinrich had had and how
+embarrassed and uneasy he had been when Bob spoke of it. Ugly stories of
+Germans crowded through his mind, but he refused to believe that their
+two servants were of that sort.
+
+Presently they reached the edge of the woods. The wagon road they had
+followed the night before ran all the way through the stretch and a
+break in the trees a short distance away showed where it came out on
+that side.
+
+"We must go carefully now," warned Hugh. "How far in is the old house?"
+
+"Oh, about a quarter of a mile," said Bob. "I don't believe any one is
+apt to be out here in the daytime." He felt for his back pocket, however,
+and the knowledge that he had a revolver with him was most reassuring.
+
+They stole along through the woods, stepping softly and keeping a sharp
+lookout in all directions. All was silent, however, and seemingly they
+were alone. Before long they were able to glimpse the old deserted house
+through the trees. They stopped and gazed at it intently.
+
+It was two stories high and of wood. Years had evidently passed since any
+one had lived there and the house was in need of repairing. Some of the
+shutters were missing, others sagged or were hanging limply from the
+frames, the glass in most of the windows was broken, and the wind and
+weather had stripped practically all the paint from the sides of the
+abandoned dwelling. The cellar door was missing and all in all the place
+presented a forlorn and desolate appearance. Hugh and Bob both recalled
+tales of ghosts connected with the old house, and somehow now that they
+were there they wished they had stayed at home.
+
+"Perhaps we ought to report this business to the police after all,"
+whispered Hugh.
+
+"Yes," said Bob. "Still I'd hate to go home and tell father that we
+didn't even go inside the place."
+
+"That's true," Hugh agreed. "What shall we do?"
+
+"Let's walk around it and see if we can see anything suspicious."
+
+"All right. We'd better keep in the shelter of the woods though."
+
+"Oh, yes, of course."
+
+Remaining almost a hundred feet distant from the little clearing, in the
+center of which stood the house, the boys began to walk. Save for an
+occasional nervous glance about them they never took their eyes off the
+deserted dwelling. When they came to the wagon-road they darted across
+quickly, fearful lest they should be discovered. Their progress was slow
+and an hour had elapsed when they returned to their starting point.
+
+"I don't believe any one is there," whispered Bob.
+
+"It doesn't look so. Shall we go in?"
+
+"I suppose so," said Bob, though it was plain to be seen that neither boy
+much relished the task. However they dared not go home and report failure
+to Mr. Cook, so presently they ventured forth from the woods and started
+across the clearing. The cellar door was open and toward this they made
+their way.
+
+A gentle breeze rattled one of the shutters, causing the boys to start
+nervously. Bob kept his hand on his hip pocket and they walked closely
+together. Presently they came to the cellar steps and peered in
+cautiously. Their faces were pale, as gingerly they walked down the stone
+steps and entered the gloomy cellar.
+
+"Flash your light," whispered Bob.
+
+Hugh did so, and a huge gray rat scuttled across the floor, startling the
+boys so that they almost cried out. Little by little their courage
+returned, however, and they advanced a few steps. They listened intently,
+but no sound came to their ears. Hugh's flashlight revealed the stairs
+leading to the first floor and stepping noiselessly the boys approached.
+
+Slowly and very cautiously they ascended and presently came to the top
+of the stairs. Bob was in the lead, his pistol gripped tightly in one
+hand. With his free hand he pushed the door open gently and looked
+within. The kitchen was deserted, a broken-down stove in one corner, a
+water heater covered with dirt and rust, a sagging sink, and two
+battered chairs and a table completing the furnishings. A soft breeze
+entered through a broken window and gently stirred the strip of wall
+paper hanging limply from the ceiling.
+
+Bob beckoned to Hugh and they emerged into the room. They listened
+intently. Not a sound was to be heard. Reassured they passed out of the
+kitchen through a narrow back hall, and into the parlor. The same aspect
+of neglect and decay was everywhere evident, but nothing suspicious was
+to be seen.
+
+"Shall we go upstairs?" whispered Bob.
+
+"We might as well. I don't believe there's any one here anyway."
+
+The stairs leading to the second floor creaked and groaned under the
+weight of the boys, but as they were now convinced that the house was
+uninhabited they were not worried. Coming to the second story they
+proceeded to the room located in the front of the house.
+
+"This must be the place," whispered Bob excitedly.
+
+A table stood in the center of the room; around it were grouped five
+seats, chairs and old boxes, as if five men had had a meeting or
+conference there.
+
+"This is where they had their meeting last night," said Hugh. "Here are
+places for five men, and we saw that many come out."
+
+"Yes, sir," echoed Bob. "This looks like headquarters."
+
+"Suppose we could expose them," exclaimed Hugh. "Wouldn't it be great?"
+
+"If we only could," said Bob eagerly. "Let's look around."
+
+Pen and ink, together with a pad of writing paper were lying on the
+table. Besides the table and seats, however, there was no furniture in
+the room, and there seemed small promise of anything of interest to the
+two searchers. They lifted every box and searched under it, but all in
+vain. Finally Bob looked behind the door. With an exclamation of delight
+he stooped and picked up a piece of paper lying upon the floor.
+
+"What is it, Bob?" inquired Hugh eagerly.
+
+"I don't know. I can't see very well."
+
+"Bring it over here by the window. It's awfully dark and gloomy in
+this room."
+
+Bob followed this suggestion, and presently was reading what was written
+on the paper. Hugh looked on over his shoulder.
+
+"'List of places to be attacked.'" Bob read. "'Railroad bridge, Court
+House, Armory, National Cartridge Company, High Ridge Steel Company. More
+to be added later.'"
+
+"This looks like the real thing," exclaimed Bob excitedly. "I wonder if
+they plan to take these in order. At any rate we fooled them once on the
+railroad bridge."
+
+"Yes," said Hugh, "and we want to fool them on the others if we can."
+
+"They've got father's factory listed," exclaimed Bob. "I was afraid they
+would; the Germans don't like him. He's too good an American."
+
+"Some one must have dropped that paper by mistake," said Hugh. "They
+never would have left anything like that lying around."
+
+"Suppose they discover they've left it and come back after it."
+
+Both boys looked nervously out of the window, but all they saw was
+the little clearing and the quiet trees, swaying gently under the
+light breeze.
+
+"Isn't it signed?" asked Hugh.
+
+"No."
+
+"Look on the back; there may be something there."
+
+Bob turned over the sheet of paper. "No writing," he said. "There's a
+picture here though."
+
+"What is it?"
+
+"I can't see very well. It looks like some sort of a bug."
+
+"It looks like an alligator," said Hugh, taking the paper from Bob and
+examining it closely.
+
+"Let me see," exclaimed Bob. "That's what it is," he announced a moment
+later. "What do you suppose is the idea of that?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know. Probably some man was just trying to amuse
+himself by drawing pictures, and happened to draw an alligator."
+
+"Maybe it's a picture of Percy," laughed Bob.
+
+"Say," exclaimed Hugh suddenly, "it's strange, though. Heinie's
+alligator was probably stolen by the man that returned the car, and
+whoever returned the car was probably out here at this meeting. What's
+the connection?"
+
+"I don't believe there is any," said Bob. "You're too suspicious, Hugh."
+
+"Won't you admit that it's queer?"
+
+"Of course I will, but I think it also proves that Heinie couldn't have
+been the one who returned our car last night. That is, if you think the
+man who stole the alligator was the one who brought back the car.
+Heinrich wouldn't cry about the loss of his pet if he was the one who
+took it, would he?"
+
+"It's too deep for one to understand," sighed Hugh with a shake of his
+head. "At any rate one thing is sure and that is that some plots are
+being hatched around here and--"
+
+Before he could finish there was a loud crash behind them, the only door
+leading out of the room was slammed shut, and a key turned in the lock.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+TRAPPED
+
+
+Bob and Hugh stared at each other in astonishment. They had been tricked
+and were now prisoners. A moment later they recovered somewhat from their
+surprise and with one accord sprang for the door.
+
+Bob seized the knob and shook it violently. To no purpose, however.
+
+"Get a chair, Hugh," he cried. "We'll smash the door in."
+
+"How do we know what's waiting for us in the hall?"
+
+"I don't care. We've got to get out of here."
+
+There was a deafening report of a gun fired in the narrow hall. The panel
+of the door close to Bob's head was splintered, and a bullet shot across
+the room, shivering the one remaining pane of glass left in the window.
+
+"Duck!" shouted Hugh. "Get away from that door!"
+
+Bob needed no second urging. He sprang aside and cowered against the
+side of the wall. The two boys looked at each other, pale-lipped and
+breathing hard.
+
+"Whew," exclaimed Hugh. "That was a close call."
+
+Bob whipped his pistol out of his pocket, and began to crawl back
+toward the door.
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Hugh in alarm.
+
+"I'm going to send a bullet through there myself," said Bob. "We might
+just as well let them know we're alive too."
+
+"Don't you do it. You'll only waste your bullets and it may help us later
+if they don't know we are armed."
+
+Bob hesitated. "I guess you're right," he said a moment later, and
+presently resumed his place against the wall.
+
+"What'll we do?" said Hugh.
+
+"I don't know. Did you hear anybody?"
+
+"Not a soul. All I heard was the door bang and then the pistol shot."
+
+"I guess we're in for it," said Bob nervously.
+
+"We must get out of here."
+
+"I think so too, but how?"
+
+"We can smash the door."
+
+"Yes, and the minute we stick our heads out of the door we'll get a
+bullet through us. I don't see that we stand a chance."
+
+"But we can't stay here," protested Hugh. "If we do they'll certainly fix
+us one way or another."
+
+"If I don't come home to lunch father will get worried and bring help to
+us; he knows where we are."
+
+"These people won't wait that long. If they are spies and plotters
+they'll be desperate and they won't waste much time dealing with us."
+
+"I wonder how far it is to the ground."
+
+"We'd break a leg trying to jump," said Hugh.
+
+"I'll look anyway," and Bob carefully raised himself to his feet and
+advanced toward the window. He peered out and then suddenly uttered an
+exclamation.
+
+"Hugh," he cried in a low voice. "The gray roadster is out there. A man
+just got in and is driving off."
+
+With one bound Hugh was by his friend's side. "Could you see who it was?"
+he demanded eagerly. The roadster had disappeared down the wagon road.
+
+"I couldn't see," said Bob. "His back was toward me all the time."
+
+"How do you suppose that car got in here without our hearing it?"
+
+"I don't know. Of course they had the cutout closed."
+
+"Do you think that man has gone for help?"
+
+"I wouldn't be surprised."
+
+"Then now is our chance to get out of here."
+
+"Perhaps he left a guard."
+
+"I can't help it. At any rate we'll never have a better opportunity
+than this."
+
+"Shall we smash the door in with a chair?" asked Bob.
+
+"I don't see what else we can do."
+
+"It's a chance."
+
+"Of course it is, but it's no bigger chance than it is to stay here."
+
+"All right then," said Bob. "Let's each get a chair."
+
+They possessed themselves of chairs and then took their places one on
+each side of the door. They held the chairs by the backs and prepared to
+swing them against the panels.
+
+"One, two, three," counted Bob, and smote the door with all the
+strength he could muster. A second later Hugh followed suit. The door
+was made of heavy oak, however, and stood fast. Bob and Hugh shrank
+back against the wall and waited for any result of their efforts.
+Silence pervaded the house.
+
+"I guess that man was the only one here," said Hugh.
+
+"It seems so; let's try it again."
+
+Once more the chairs crashed against the door, but without effect. Again
+and again the two boys exerted themselves to the utmost, but the sole
+result of their efforts was to break the chairs. Finally, well-nigh
+exhausted, they stopped.
+
+"It's no use, Bob," panted Hugh. "The door is stronger than the chairs."
+
+"We've got to get out of here though."
+
+"The only way I can see is the window."
+
+"But we can't jump that far; we'd only break a leg or something. There
+isn't even a roof to help us."
+
+"Can't we make a rope out of our clothes and slide down?"
+
+"I say to try the door again," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"But we can't smash it with these chairs," Hugh protested.
+
+"I know it; let's try the table."
+
+"How are you going to do that?"
+
+"I'll show you," said Bob. "Take hold of this end with me."
+
+They grasped the table and dragged it to a spot directly in front of the
+door and eight or ten feet distant from it. "Now," exclaimed Bob. "When I
+say, 'three,' we'll push it with all our might against the door."
+
+"It'll never work," said Hugh, with a shake of his head.
+
+"Try it," cried Bob. "We've got to do something."
+
+They took firm hold of the table and set themselves. "Now," said Bob.
+"One, two, three." They pushed with all their strength and a moment later
+the table crashed into the door. The door creaked and groaned but did
+not give way.
+
+"It won't work," said Hugh with great conviction.
+
+"Yes, it will too," exclaimed Bob. "Stick to it."
+
+They dragged the table back and once again drove it hurtling against the
+door. This time their efforts met with some success for the corner of the
+table drove straight through one of the panels.
+
+"See that?" cried Bob excitedly. "I believe that if I put my hand through
+that opening I can reach the key and unlock the door."
+
+"You don't suppose for a second that that man left the key in the
+door, do you?"
+
+"I don't suppose he did," admitted Bob, somewhat crestfallen. "Still
+there's no harm in trying anyway."
+
+"There may be somebody on guard in the hall."
+
+"We'll have to risk that." Bob thrust his arm through the opening made in
+the door panel, but soon withdrew it. "The key is not there," he said.
+
+"Of course not," exclaimed Hugh. "Get out of the way and let me get a few
+whacks at that panel with the chair." He attacked the door furiously and
+in a few moments had knocked out the panel completely.
+
+"I guess we can squeeze through there now," he said.
+
+"Let me go first," exclaimed Bob. "I've got a gun."
+
+He squirmed through the opening in the door and seeing no sign of any one
+outside called to Hugh to follow him. A moment later they stood side by
+side in the dark and narrow hallway.
+
+"We'd better get out of here as fast as we can," whispered Bob.
+
+"The sooner it is, the better I'm pleased," returned Hugh grimly.
+
+They stole along the hall, every sense alert. Presently they came to
+the head of the stairs and discovering nothing to alarm them, started
+down. The stairs still creaked and groaned, but the boys' confidence
+was rapidly returning as they neared outdoors and safety, and they
+hurried along.
+
+A side door stood open and toward this they made their way. Bob had
+returned his revolver to his pocket for he really thought he should not
+need it any more. He stepped out of the doorway and started down the
+steps. As he did so a man sprang at him and with a blackjack dealt him a
+stunning blow over the head. Bob reeled uncertainly for an instant, and
+then sank unconscious to the floor; there he lay in a limp heap.
+
+Before the man could deal with Bob's companion, Hugh had grappled with
+him, and a moment later they were rolling over and over on the ground
+fighting like wild cats.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+MISTAKEN IDENTITY
+
+
+Hugh had seized the man by his right wrist and as they went down the
+blackjack was sent spinning. It was man to man, bare hands for weapons.
+
+Hugh's assailant was not large, but he was extremely agile. He squirmed
+and wriggled, kicked and butted, in fact he used every weapon at his
+command. Hugh probably outweighed his enemy, and in addition was a
+splendid wrestler, but he was young and his antagonist's strength was
+more developed.
+
+Each fighter struggled desperately to get an arm free. Once Hugh
+succeeded, but it was his left arm, and when he seized his opponent's
+throat his hold was soon shaken loose. They fought fiercely, both
+breathing hard, their faces were red and blotched, and their eyes were
+staring. Over and over they rolled, the stones and twigs on the ground
+tearing and lacerating their hands and faces.
+
+Hugh got hold of his opponent's right arm. He bent it back with every bit
+of strength he possessed, until the man cried out in pain. Hugh knew,
+however, that he would receive no mercy if he was overcome and he pressed
+home his advantage. Suddenly, with a convulsive twist of his body, the
+man shook loose Hugh's hold, and dealt him a heavy blow in the chest.
+Hugh felt his wind badly shaken and he seized his opponent around the
+waist with both arms, squeezing with all the strength in his body. His
+one idea was to keep as close to his enemy as he could, so that the man
+would have no opportunity to strike him again.
+
+Gradually Hugh felt his strength slipping. He knew he could not hold out
+much longer, and even as he struggled he wondered how soon it would be
+before the other Germans returned and made an end of him. Then when he
+least expected it, help came to him.
+
+Bob had opened his eyes after a moment. He had seen millions of stars,
+and as he came to his senses again his head felt sore and battered. He
+did not recall for a moment just what had befallen him. Suddenly,
+however, he heard the sounds of a violent struggle being waged near at
+hand, and sitting up he spied Hugh and his assailant locked in each
+other's grasp, and still fighting. Bob sprang to his feet and
+approached them.
+
+He remembered everything now. His throbbing head recalled to him the blow
+he had received and he could feel a large lump on the back of it. He
+wondered what would have happened to him if he had not worn a hat. A
+moment later, however, he had dismissed from his mind all thought of
+himself and was engaged in assisting his friend.
+
+He grasped Hugh's assailant by his throat and knelt on his shoulders
+with both knees. Gradually the man's strength waned; Hugh could feel
+it slipping. A moment later he lay gasping on the ground too weak to
+offer any resistance to the two boys. Hugh held his arms, while Bob
+released his hold on the man's throat and sat on his legs. The
+prisoner, his breath rattling in his chest, lay with eyes half-closed,
+completely done up.
+
+Suddenly Hugh spied something that made him start violently. The man's
+coat lay wide open and pinned on his vest was a badge. More than that, it
+was a police badge, one of the badges of the police of High Ridge.
+
+"Bob," gasped Hugh in alarm, "this man's a detective."
+
+"What!" cried Bob. "You're crazy."
+
+"I am not. Look here."
+
+He released his hold on his erstwhile opponent and stood up. Bob followed
+suit. In amazement they looked at the man on the ground at their feet.
+
+"That's a High Ridge police badge all right," said Bob. "No doubt of
+it."
+
+"Are you a detective?" Hugh asked their victim.
+
+The man looked at them through narrowed eyelids. "Yes," he said weakly,
+and started to reach towards his hip pocket.
+
+"Here, here!" cried Hugh. "None of that! This whole thing is a mistake."
+
+"Let me help you up," urged Bob, offering his hand to the beaten man.
+Hugh also assisted him and they raised him to his feet.
+
+"I guess we were after the same people you were," exclaimed Bob, taking
+it for granted that the detective had trailed the Germans to the deserted
+house as he and Hugh had done. "They had us locked up in there and we had
+just broken down the door and were coming out. We didn't know you were a
+detective."
+
+"You didn't give us a chance to find out," laughed Hugh, greatly relieved
+at the unexpected turn of events. He also felt safer to have an officer
+of the law with them.
+
+The detective rubbed his neck, and looked at the two boys narrowly.
+
+"Germans in this house?" he said at length.
+
+"They had a meeting here last night," said Bob.
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"We followed them out here. Look at this too," and he handed over the
+list of buildings to be destroyed that they had found in the old house.
+
+The detective snatched the paper out of his hand and scanned it eagerly.
+
+"Where did you get this?" he demanded.
+
+"We found it upstairs," said Bob.
+
+"Humph," ejaculated the detective and thrust it into his pocket.
+
+"Weren't you trailing these Germans too?" inquired Bob.
+
+"How do you know they were Germans?"
+
+"Who else would want to blow up bridges and ammunition factories?"
+
+"Did they intend to do that?"
+
+"That's what that list says," exclaimed Hugh, nettled by the questions
+the man asked as well as by his odd behavior.
+
+"Well," said the detective, "you take my advice. This is no place for a
+couple of boys like you to be hanging around. You might get hurt the
+first thing you know." He glanced about him nervously as though he
+expected some one else to arrive upon the scene at any moment.
+
+"A man locked us in that room just before you arrived," said Bob. "Then
+he dashed off in a big gray roadster."
+
+"Well, you'd better get out of here yourselves," said the
+detective shortly.
+
+"They may come back at any minute and perhaps you'll need help,"
+protested Bob.
+
+"I'll take care of that part of it," exclaimed the detective. "You get
+out."
+
+Convinced that there was nothing else for them to do, Bob and Hugh
+started off through the woods, leaving the detective in undisputed
+possession of the premises. They were greatly puzzled by their recent
+experience.
+
+"What do you think of that detective?" demanded Bob, when they had
+reached a point out of sight of the house.
+
+"I think he was an old grouch," exclaimed Hugh. "I don't see why he had
+to be so disagreeable to us; all we wanted to do was to help him."
+
+"Yes, when those Germans come back he's apt to be handled roughly."
+
+"He was jealous of us, I believe," said Bob.
+
+"Why so?"
+
+"Well, we had gone ahead on our own account, and from the way he acted I
+guess we knew more about what was going on than he did."
+
+"Perhaps that's it," said Hugh. "Maybe he was afraid we might take some
+glory away from him."
+
+"How silly!" exclaimed Bob. "What do we want with glory?"
+
+"We'd better tell your father what happened this morning."
+
+"Of course. He'll think I'm a pretty poor fighter though; a black eye
+one day and a big lump on my head the next."
+
+"How does your head feel anyway?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"Oh, pretty well. It still throbs though."
+
+"I should think it might, and you can consider yourself pretty lucky that
+you didn't get your skull cracked open."
+
+"He was a queer looking man, wasn't he?"
+
+"Yes, and his actions were even queerer."
+
+"I guess he was jealous," said Bob. "Oh, well, I don't suppose it makes
+any difference who corners those Germans, so long as somebody does it."
+
+"Personally, I'm sort of glad to get away from that house," said Hugh. "I
+believe that if we had stayed much longer we never would have left."
+
+"How about the detective?"
+
+"If he wants to stay that's his lookout, not ours."
+
+"That's right, and I suppose he'll go for help anyway."
+
+"Perhaps they'll just watch the house for a day or two," said Hugh. "It
+may be though that now that those Germans know they are watched they may
+meet in some other place."
+
+"True enough. I wish we could find the place."
+
+Presently they came to the spot where they had left their bicycles. They
+were still there, and a moment later the boys were wheeling them back
+across the field again. Once more in the road, they mounted and soon were
+riding towards home. Their minds were busy with plots and Germans and the
+recent experiences they had undergone. They felt sure that they were on
+the trail of a desperate gang, and that quick action perhaps was
+necessary to prevent untold damage, and possible loss of life.
+
+They were confused, however. Everywhere they turned they seemed to run
+into some new angle of the affair, or some other person who might bear
+watching. Hugh was still of the opinion that Heinrich and Lena should
+be looked after pretty carefully, though Bob laughed at him. He knew
+his family felt that their servants could be relied upon absolutely.
+Bob wondered about his father's plant; was it properly guarded? Perhaps
+his father might consent to let him go down there and help watch over
+it at night.
+
+Talking but little they spun along the road. Each boy was occupied with
+his own thoughts, and consequently did not notice an automobile rapidly
+approaching down the road.
+
+"Here comes a car," exclaimed Bob suddenly. They swung over to the right
+side of the road to let it pass, and a moment later it roared past them
+in a cloud of dust.
+
+"Bob," cried Hugh excitedly. "The gray roadster."
+
+"I know it. Did you see who was in it?"
+
+"I didn't notice."
+
+"Mr. Wernberg."
+
+"What!"
+
+"It certainly was."
+
+"I guess your father was right about him then. He said he was a dangerous
+man, and I guess he is, if he's mixed up with that gang out there."
+
+"Well, Frank wouldn't talk the way he does unless he'd heard it at home."
+
+"Probably not. Do you suppose they recognized us?"
+
+"Suppose they did?" said Bob, carelessly. "We have a right to the road,
+haven't we?"
+
+"Certainly, but the man who locked us in the room! He must have been in
+the car and would surely recognize us as the ones who were in the house."
+
+"That's true," exclaimed Bob. "Do you think they'll turn around and come
+after us?"
+
+Hugh glanced back over his shoulder. "The car has stopped," he exclaimed.
+"Come on, Bob, we'd better ride for all there is in us."
+
+The two boys leaned forward on their pedals, bent low over the
+handlebars, and rode as hard as they could. They were not far from the
+town now and they knew that the occupants of the gray roadster would not
+dare molest them, when once they had gained the populated districts. Not
+once did they look back until they were safely within the city limits.
+
+"I didn't think they'd follow us," puffed Hugh. "Still it's just as well
+to take no chances."
+
+"I wasn't so much afraid of them chasing us," said Bob. "What worries me
+is that probably they know who we are now, and consequently we won't be
+safe no matter where we are."
+
+"I guess we'll have to report to the police."
+
+"If we do I hope they treat us better than that detective did."
+
+"I hope so, too," laughed Hugh. "At any rate we'll ask your father."
+
+"You are coming to our house for luncheon, you know."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"We can talk it over with father then."
+
+They arrived at the Cook residence without further adventure or mishap.
+They left their bicycles in the garage, and then started for the house.
+Half-way across the lawn they met Mr. Cook.
+
+"Well, boys," he said, plainly relieved at seeing them safely back,
+"what luck?"
+
+"Feel my head," said Bob, removing his cap.
+
+Mr. Cook did so. "Whew!" he exclaimed. "Where did you get that?"
+
+Bob related the story of their experiences that morning. Mr. Cook offered
+no comment until he had finished. "This looks serious," he said at
+length. "It's too bad you got such a bump from a detective, a man on your
+own side."
+
+"What do you think of our seeing Mr. Wernberg?" asked Hugh.
+
+Mr. Cook's face clouded and he shook his head. "I was afraid of
+him," he said.
+
+"What shall we do about it?" Bob inquired.
+
+"I think we'd better report it to the police, and do it soon, too." He
+looked at his watch. "We've got time before luncheon," he exclaimed. "Was
+Heinrich in the garage?"
+
+"No, sir."
+
+"How about the car?"
+
+"That's there all right."
+
+"Well, come along then," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "We'll get it and go
+straight down to police headquarters now."
+
+"Don't you think our friend the detective will make a report?"
+asked Hugh.
+
+"Possibly. Still, as Bob says, those men are sometimes very jealous and
+he might not tell the whole story, particularly about what you did."
+
+A few moments later all three were on their way to the police station.
+Bob's old friend, Sergeant Riley, was still behind the desk and gave them
+a jovial greeting.
+
+"Yez haven't got no Germans for me, have yez?" he demanded.
+
+"No," said Mr. Cook, "we haven't, but we can tell you where to get some."
+
+"Sounds interesting," said the sergeant laying aside his pen and
+carefully blotting the sheet of paper on which he had been writing. "Tell
+me about it."
+
+"Go ahead, Bob," his father urged. "Tell your story, and first of all let
+Sergeant Riley feel the bump on your head. That'll convince him."
+
+"It would indade," exclaimed the sergeant, after examining the swelling
+on Bob's head. "Not that I'd ever doubt anything a son of yours told me,
+Misther Cook."
+
+Bob related the events of that day to Sergeant Riley. The police officer
+listened attentively and interestedly until Bob came to the part about
+the detective. As he began to tell of that the sergeant started
+perceptibly.
+
+"A detective, yez said?" he demanded.
+
+"Yes," said Bob, "he had a badge on."
+
+"Can yez describe him?"
+
+"Well," said Bob, "he was a man about five feet seven inches tall; he had
+dark hair and a close-cut black mustache. I should think he would weigh
+possibly about a hundred and fifty pounds; maybe not quite so much. He
+had on a soft brown hat and a dark suit of clothes. I can't remember
+anything more about him."
+
+"That's a plenty," exclaimed the sergeant. He had been jotting down the
+description of the detective as Bob spoke.
+
+"He was a grouchy fellow all right," exclaimed Hugh. "He chased us away
+from there as though he was jealous of us and didn't want us around."
+
+"I daresay he didn't want yez," said Riley.
+
+"What's his name?" asked Bob.
+
+"I don't know," replied the sergeant.
+
+"Come on, Riley," laughed Mr. Cook, "you can't tell me that. Why I
+thought you knew every one in High Ridge to say nothing of your own
+force. You don't mean to tell me you don't know a detective that wears
+the same badge you do?"
+
+"Yes, sir, I do," said Riley soberly. "And I'll tell yez why. That man
+these boys met this morning is no detective at all."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+AN EXPEDITION
+
+
+Mr. Cook and the two boys were so completely taken aback by the
+sergeant's statement that for a moment all they could do was stare at one
+another in amazement. Bob was the first to regain his voice.
+
+"What do you mean, Sergeant?" he demanded.
+
+"Just what I say."
+
+"That man was not a detective?" stammered Bob. "He is not a member of the
+High Ridge force?"
+
+"There is no man answering to that description here."
+
+"Then he was a fake."
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Well," exclaimed Hugh, Bob, and Mr. Cook in one breath. They could
+say no more.
+
+"He was a fake," repeated Sergeant Riley emphatically. "There is no
+doubt of it."
+
+The boys were too surprised for words. What kind of a business was this
+they were becoming involved in anyway? The further they went the more
+confused they became. If you could not trust a man with a regulation
+police badge, whom could you trust?
+
+"It seems incredible," said Mr. Cook.
+
+"We are at war with Germany, aren't we?" asked Sergeant Riley calmly.
+
+"We are," Mr. Cook agreed.
+
+"Well, then," said the sergeant, "that explains it. They want to do us
+all the harm they can and as they can't bring soldiers over here, thanks
+to the English fleet, they've got to strike at us with plots and bombs
+and such things. They will stop at nothing."
+
+"Are there many to guard against in High Ridge?" asked Mr. Cook. "You
+know I am interested because my factory is making ammunition for the
+Government."
+
+"There are several," the sergeant admitted.
+
+"Can you tell me who they are?"
+
+"I cannot. 'Twould be against my orders. Yez might feel better to know
+that we are watching them pretty carefully though."
+
+"I hope so," said Mr. Cook fervently.
+
+"Have yez had lunch?" asked the sergeant suddenly.
+
+"No," replied Mr. Cook. "Not yet."
+
+"Well, suppose yez go home and get it. I may telephone yez a little later
+to go out to that house with some of our men."
+
+"Good," cried Mr. Cook. "We'll hurry and you may be sure we'll be ready
+any time you call on us."
+
+They left the police station and were soon on their way home. Arriving at
+the house, Hugh and Mr. Cook got out, and Bob drove the car down to the
+garage. There he found Heinrich seated on a box in one corner intently
+studying a sheet of paper he held in his hand.
+
+"What you got, Heinie?" asked Bob cheerily. "A love letter!"
+
+Heinrich looked up at Bob, a curious expression in his pale blue eyes. He
+made no comment, however, and presently returned to the perusal of the
+paper he held.
+
+"What is it?" demanded Bob, impressed by the chauffeur's manner. An air
+of gloom seemed to pervade the garage, even the dog, the cat, and the
+parrot appeared to be affected by it. The dog stood listlessly by his
+master's side, the cat walked idly up and down, and the bird failed to
+greet Bob with his usual cheery "How do"; he sat limply on his perch, his
+feathers ruffled, and muttered to himself.
+
+Heinrich handed the paper to Bob. It was a sheet evidently torn from a
+pad and in a large scrawling hand was written the following: "We warned
+your boss to keep his car at home; now tell him to keep his son there,
+too." No name was signed and Bob turned the paper over and looked at the
+opposite side. A picture of an alligator was drawn there. Bob recognized
+the sheet as similar to the one that he and Hugh had found in the
+deserted house and the detective had taken from them; apparently it had
+been torn from the same pad.
+
+"Where did you get this, Heinie?" he demanded.
+
+"I go up to the house to see Lena," said Heinrich. "That is maybe a
+half-hour ago. I only stay there a few minutes and when I come back
+here is this."
+
+"Lying on the floor?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Have you no idea who sent it?"
+
+"How should I?" exclaimed Heinrich.
+
+"Somebody must have slipped in here while you were absent and left
+it," said Bob. "There are queer things happening around here these
+days, Heinie."
+
+"There is," the chauffeur admitted solemnly.
+
+"Do you mind if I keep this paper?"
+
+"No."
+
+Bob started out.
+
+"You better do as that says, too," exclaimed Heinrich earnestly. "You
+would not want anything to happen to you."
+
+"I'm not afraid," said Bob soberly. "You know, Heinie," he continued,
+"some people are trying to blow up things around here. Some of your
+countrymen, and we can't let them do anything like that, you know."
+
+Heinrich seemed much perturbed at this. "So?" he exclaimed his eyes wide.
+
+"Yes," said Bob, "and it's men like you who ought to stop them. You men
+who were Germans but are now Americans, could do yourselves a good turn
+if you did. Some people of German blood are under suspicion nowadays and
+if you showed that you were loyal to the United States it would be a good
+thing for you. Not that I mean to say we are suspicious of _you_," Bob
+hastened to add.
+
+This speech of Bob's seemed to offer a new line of thought to Heinrich
+who merely stared at Bob and said nothing.
+
+"Heinrich is so loyal himself that it never occurred to him that any one
+would be suspicious," thought Bob as he hurried off toward the house, the
+strange paper clutched tightly in one hand.
+
+He arrived to find every one at the dining-table, and consequently he
+said nothing about the warning, for he did not wish to alarm his mother.
+She had just heard from Harold; his company had been ordered away from
+High Ridge that morning for an unknown destination. She was worried
+enough over that without having another son on her mind. Fortunately the
+lump on Bob's head was covered by his hair so that it was not noticeable
+enough to draw attention to it. His black eye already had been explained.
+
+Luncheon was hardly over when the telephone summoned Mr. Cook. Sergeant
+Riley was on the wire inquiring if Mr. Cook and Bob and Hugh could not
+meet him at headquarters immediately. A few moments later they were in
+the car and on their way down the street. Bob was at the wheel.
+
+Another car was drawn up alongside the curb in front of the police
+station and in it were four plain-clothes men. Sergeant Riley was there
+to explain that they planned to go out to the deserted house and search
+it thoroughly, by force if necessary. He wished the two boys to go along
+as guides, and he thought probably Mr. Cook would want to accompany them.
+
+A short time later they started, Bob leading the way. As they passed Elm
+Street he glanced curiously at the white stucco house, number twelve
+eighty two, and wondered what had happened to the German who had
+attempted to destroy the railroad bridge. Probably he now rested in jail,
+awaiting trial. Then again it occurred to Bob that possibly he had been
+shot; the country was at war and offenders of that kind were not dealt
+lightly with at such a time.
+
+They left the city behind and rolled along over the country road. The
+three occupants of the car were silent for they did not know what might
+await them at their destination. A squad of soldiers out on a hike passed
+them. They were hot, dirty and dusty, but their rifles glinted wickedly
+in the light of the afternoon sun.
+
+"They look like business," remarked Mr. Cook.
+
+"They certainly do," exclaimed Bob. "I wish I was one of them."
+
+"If the war lasts long enough maybe you will be."
+
+"The United States can certainly raise a big army."
+
+"Indeed it can," his father agreed. "Germany thought they'd have nothing
+to fear from us, but they'll be sadly fooled. Just think of the money and
+food and equipment of all kinds we can furnish our allies; those things
+are just as important as men, and we can send millions of those, too, if
+they need them."
+
+Presently they came to the spot where Bob and Hugh had dismounted from
+their bicycles that morning. Bob stopped the car and the plain-clothes
+detectives followed suit. Sergeant Riley took charge.
+
+"You lead the way," he said to Bob. "We'll follow wherever you go."
+
+A moment later they were off across the field and soon came to the woods
+which sheltered the deserted house. In Indian file they commenced to
+pick their path among the trees and underbrush. Complete silence was
+maintained and the party advanced, ready for any emergency. Of course the
+detectives were armed. Mr. Cook carried his pistol, so Bob and Hugh were
+the only ones not provided with some means of defense.
+
+In the course of perhaps fifteen minutes Bob, from his position in the
+lead, caught a glimpse of the old house through the trees. So far as
+he could see there was no sign of life around it anywhere. He held up
+his hand and the little party came to a halt. A whispered consultation
+was held and it was decided to spread out somewhat and move forward in
+open order.
+
+The plan was to advance until they reached the border of the trees, and
+then at a given signal rush out into the opening and surround the house.
+Stealthily the band stole forward. The spring air was soft and balmy, the
+buds on the trees were commencing to swell; everywhere nature gave signs
+of a reawakening, but these things passed unnoticed. The members of the
+little party were occupied with the business in hand, and had no time or
+interest for anything else.
+
+Soon they reached their appointed positions. From the spot where he
+crouched Bob could see the others lurking within the shelter of the
+trees. He could see Sergeant Riley raising a police whistle to his lips
+to sound the signal that had been agreed upon. Bob set himself. He had
+been advised that inasmuch as he was unarmed he should remain behind, but
+he had no such intention. Neither had Hugh.
+
+Suddenly Sergeant Riley sounded a shrill blast with his whistle. Every
+man rushed forward. Only for a few steps, however. A burst of flame, and
+a puff of smoke shot from the cellar window of the old house, and the air
+was rent by a terrific explosion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+FIRE
+
+
+Staggered, the men all stopped short in their tracks. An instant later
+there was a second explosion. There was a ripping, splitting sound, and
+the whole side of the building fell out. The air was filled with bits of
+wood and plaster.
+
+"Keep away from that house!" shouted Sergeant Riley as one of his men
+darted forward. "Do yez want to get killed?"
+
+A minute later flames appeared, and the red and yellow tongues of fire
+began to play around the window frames. Black smoke curled from every
+opening. It was plainly to be seen that the house was doomed.
+
+"Look!" cried Hugh suddenly. "There goes a man!"
+
+Without waiting to see what the others were going to do he dashed off in
+pursuit of a figure which could be seen scuttling away through the trees.
+Two of the detectives joined in the race and one of them fired two shots
+from his pistol at the fugitive. In reply the man suddenly wheeled and
+shot once at his pursuers. Bob heard the bullet whine past close to his
+head. He also had caught a fleeting glimpse of the man, and one look was
+enough to convince him that it was the fake detective with whom he and
+Hugh had struggled that morning.
+
+A moment later the man was out of sight, Hugh and the two detectives
+still after him, shouting and calling to him to halt. Meanwhile the fire
+in the house roared and blazed.
+
+"She's a goner," said Sergeant Riley. He stood beside Mr. Cook and Bob as
+they watched the burning building.
+
+"I guess she is," remarked Mr. Cook. "There's nothing we can do."
+
+"Nothing," agreed the sergeant.
+
+"It's not much loss anyway," said Mr. Cook.
+
+"No loss at all," exclaimed Bob. "It's a gain if anything, for it makes
+one less place for spies and plotters to meet in."
+
+"But any evidence that might have been in there is destroyed,"
+said Riley.
+
+"I never thought of that," said Bob. "That's probably why they
+burned it."
+
+"Was that your detective running off through the woods?" asked the
+sergeant.
+
+"It certainly was," said Bob. "I guess he was one of the gang after all.
+I suppose they left him behind to watch us."
+
+"Then why did he let you get away?" his father replied.
+
+"Probably he thought it would create less suspicion," said Sergeant
+Riley. "He got the paper away from the boys and as long as he thought
+he could bluff them into thinking he was a detective he thought that
+was sufficient. On the other hand if he had held them prisoners or
+anything like that there would have been a search for them and trouble
+started at once."
+
+"I guess that's right," said Mr. Cook soberly. "However, I hope they
+catch him this time."
+
+Suddenly a piercing scream startled them. They glanced up to see a white
+face at one of the windows of the house. All around, the fire roared and
+the smoke curled up in great clouds. Before they could see who the man
+was he had fallen back into the room and disappeared from view.
+
+"I'll get him," exclaimed one of the detectives, and without further
+ado, he sprinted for the burning house. Paying no heed to the warning
+cries of his comrades he dashed up to the back door and entered, and was
+soon lost to sight.
+
+"That feller Donovan is a dare-devil," exclaimed Sergeant Riley. "He'll
+stop at nothing. Why should he risk his life for a man that's as good as
+dead now?"
+
+"He'll never come out alive," cried Mr. Cook.
+
+"And all for a man who is plotting against the country," echoed
+Riley. "Here you!" he shouted to the other plain-clothes man. "Keep
+out of there. The High Ridge police force can't afford to lose more
+than one man a day." The fourth detective showed signs of wishing to
+follow his comrade.
+
+"If he does rescue that man it'll only be to put him in jail," said Bob.
+
+"Or shoot him more likely," cried Riley angrily.
+
+Breathless they waited for any sign of Donovan. The fire burned more
+fiercely every moment, and it seemed incredible that any man could enter
+that seething furnace and return alive. The air was filled with sparks
+and blazing embers; the smoke mounted heavenward in a thick column which
+must have been visible for miles.
+
+Minutes that seemed like hours passed. Hugh and the two detectives
+returned from their chase. They had not captured their man.
+
+"We followed him as far as the road," one of them reported. "He had a
+motor cycle there and got away from us."
+
+"We'll get him later, never fear," said Sergeant Riley, grimly.
+"Meanwhile that crazy man, Donovan, is in the house here trying to rescue
+some one of them German plotters that showed his face at the window."
+
+The recipients of this piece of news gasped. "He'll never come out,"
+exclaimed one of the men. "Still, he never did seem to care much for
+his life."
+
+White faced and tense they watched the conflagration. Certainly not one
+of the men ever expected to see Donovan again. Yet what could they do? As
+Sergeant Riley had said, it was folly for any one else to follow him in,
+and so they were powerless. All they could do was watch and hope.
+
+Suddenly a figure appeared at the door. It seemed to issue straight
+from the hottest part of the fire. On its shoulder was the limp
+figure of a man.
+
+"There he is!" cried six voices together, and together the six watchers
+made for the house.
+
+Donovan, for it was he, stood on the charred steps. Sparks and blazing
+firebrands fell all around him and he tottered uncertainly. Willing
+helpers rushed to his assistance, but before they could reach him he
+swayed and fell. He rolled down the step dropping his burden, and side by
+side the two men lay on the ground. Close by, the wall threatened to fall
+on them at any moment.
+
+It did not take long to seize both men, and carry them away from danger
+and a moment later they were stretched out side by side on the grass, a
+safe distance from the burning building.
+
+The man whom Donovan had rescued, had a face so blackened by smoke and
+soot that he was unrecognizable. His clothes were scorched and his whole
+body seared with terrible burns. He was unconscious.
+
+"Is he still alive?" whispered Bob in a low voice.
+
+Sergeant Riley put his hand over the wounded man's heart. "I think so,"
+he said. "Get some water somebody. And look after Donovan."
+
+"There's a spring back there in the woods," exclaimed Hugh. "I have
+nothing to carry water in though."
+
+"Take all the handkerchiefs you can get," ordered the sergeant. "Fill the
+hats; you'll lose most of it on the way back, but you'll get some."
+
+Hugh hastened to obey; with him went Bob and two of the detectives. The
+spring was not far distant, and they soon were sousing the handkerchiefs
+in the clear, cold water. The hats, too, were filled and those made of
+felt held the water fairly well. A few moments later they were hurrying
+back toward the spot where the injured man was lying.
+
+It had been found necessary to remove the patients farther away from the
+burning building, for the heat grew more intense every moment. Donovan
+had so far recovered as to be sitting up. He suffered acutely from
+numerous burns, but otherwise seemed to be all right. The man whom he
+had rescued, however, still lay unconscious on the ground.
+
+Sergeant Riley now took charge of the operations. He bathed Donovan's
+face with one of the handkerchiefs and gave him another to suck. Mr. Cook
+under Riley's instructions poured water from one of the hats upon the
+other sufferer's face, and then gently sopped it with a handkerchief. As
+a result of this treatment the soot and grime disappeared and presently
+it was possible to distinguish his features.
+
+Suddenly Mr. Cook started back in surprise. "Come here, Bob," he cried.
+"See who this is."
+
+One glance was enough for Bob. He recognized the man over whom his father
+was working as Mr. Wernberg.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+MORE COMPLICATIONS
+
+
+"Who is he?" inquired Sergeant Riley, noting his companion's
+astonishment.
+
+"His name is Wernberg," said Mr. Cook.
+
+"I've heard of him," said Riley grimly.
+
+"Have you been looking for him?"
+
+"I know his name," exclaimed the sergeant evasively.
+
+"Well," said Mr. Cook, "he's about done for, I'm afraid. I suppose we
+ought to get him to a doctor as fast as we can though."
+
+"Yes," agreed Riley.
+
+"I'll get our car," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"Can you bring it in here?" asked his father.
+
+"Yes. I'll have it here in ten minutes," and Bob set off at top speed
+through the woods toward the spot where the automobile had been left.
+
+Mr. Wernberg was still unconscious. In fact it was difficult for a time
+to ascertain whether or not he was alive. More water was brought from the
+spring and Mr. Cook and Riley continued to minister to the sufferer. Some
+of the worst of his burns were bound up with strips of shirts offered by
+members of the party, and his outer clothing was removed. As a matter of
+fact a large portion of it was so burned that it crumbled to powder at a
+mere touch.
+
+"He's alive," said Sergeant Riley after a few moments.
+
+"Then he ought to recover," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "That is, unless he has
+inhaled some of the flames and injured his lungs in some way."
+
+"Only a doctor can tell that," said the sergeant. "Whether he gets well
+or not, one thing is certain and that is he'll be in the hospital a
+long time."
+
+"That's right," agreed Mr. Cook. "I wish he could talk though."
+
+At that moment Bob arrived with the automobile and presently Mr. Wernberg
+was lifted into the tonneau and a blanket wrapped around him. He was
+still unconscious, but his face was drawn with pain that fortunately he
+could not feel. Much as the men who cared for him despised him for his
+suspected work with the gang of spies and plotters they could only feel
+pity for his sufferings.
+
+Mr. Cook, Hugh, and Sergeant Riley accompanied Bob on his trip to the
+High Ridge Hospital, and the three other members of the party were left
+to watch the fire and see that it did not spread, and then they were to
+follow in the other car. Donovan the detective seemed to be himself once
+more and related briefly the story of how he had rescued Mr. Wernberg.
+
+"I rushed into the house," he said, "and as I stuck my head inside the
+door a wave of smoke caught me full in the face. At first I expected I
+should have to turn back, but I kept on and presently the air cleared for
+a minute. I knew the trapped man was on the second floor so I hurried
+around looking for the stairs. Finally I found them and though they were
+awfully rickety I got up.
+
+"The smoke seemed to be thicker on the second floor and I could scarcely
+see. I heard a cry and followed it, stumbling and falling along the
+hall. The door of one big room was smashed and the smoke poured out of
+there as if it was a chimney. No one was in that room and I came out
+into the hall again. I heard another call, and traced it as coming from
+a room where the door was closed. I grabbed the door-knob, but it was
+locked. 'Help! Help!' I heard from inside. 'Unlock the door!' I shouted.
+'I have no key,' said the voice, so I put my shoulder to the door and
+tried to force it.
+
+"I was choking and coughing and gasping, what with the smoke and all, and
+it was hard work standing there. I shoved with all my might though, and
+all of a sudden the door gave way. I went shooting into the room and fell
+right over a man stretched out on the floor. 'They blew me up,' he cried
+and fainted. Well, the room was full of smoke and all around the edges
+little tongues of flame were playing; the fellow had fallen to the floor
+and been terribly burned. I picked him up and staggered out with him and
+you know the rest."
+
+Donovan himself was badly burned about his hands and face. Every one
+knows how painful is a burn, but the detective made no complaint, in
+spite of the fact that he must have been suffering agonies.
+
+Meanwhile Bob was speeding the car back towards High Ridge. He broke all
+speed laws on the way, but he had been warned that haste was imperative
+if Mr. Wernberg's life was to be saved. Besides he had a police officer
+in the car with him and knew that he was safe.
+
+In an incredibly short time he pulled up in front of the hospital. Two
+orderlies were summoned, and soon Mr. Wernberg, placed on a stretcher,
+was being carried into the building. Once or twice his eyelids fluttered
+as though he were about to regain consciousness, but he did not seem to
+possess sufficient strength to accomplish that end.
+
+Two doctors hastily took him in charge, Sergeant Riley left word that
+he should be summoned the instant the patient was able to talk, and
+then Bob ran the car around to police headquarters. Sergeant Riley
+invited them all into his office and they discussed what their next
+move should be.
+
+A band passed by the door, several men in uniform followed behind on
+their way to the city square where they were to make speeches in order
+to urge more enlistments in the army and navy. Crowds of enthusiastic
+people trailed the procession, and Bob could not help wondering if the
+people realized that danger threatened the country from within as well
+as from without.
+
+Presently the car bearing the three detectives arrived at headquarters.
+They reported that nearby farmers had come to the scene of the fire,
+which was now in such condition that no harm could come from it. The
+farmers had promised to watch over the smouldering ruins, for ruins were
+now all that remained of the old house.
+
+Donovan once again related his story and then went off in search of a
+doctor to care for his burns.
+
+"It's bad business, Sergeant," said Mr. Cook.
+
+"It is," Riley agreed. "I'd like to get me hands on some of them
+fellows."
+
+"Seems queer that they should have blown up one of their own men."
+
+"'Twas probably a mistake. Perhaps they saw us coming and were in such a
+hurry that our friend Wernberg had no time to get away."
+
+"But look here," protested Bob. "Don't you remember what Donovan said
+that Mr. Wernberg said when he burst into the room?"
+
+"He said, 'they tried to blow me up,'" quoted Mr. Cook.
+
+"Exactly," exclaimed Bob. "Doesn't that seem queer to you?"
+
+"He was probably left there by mistake, as the sergeant says,"
+said Mr. Cook.
+
+"But," Bob insisted, "the door was locked."
+
+The men looked at one another blankly.
+
+"I had forgotten that," said Sergeant Riley.
+
+"Well," insisted Bob, "I'd like to have that part of it explained to
+me. You don't suppose for a minute that Mr. Wernberg locked himself
+in, do you?"
+
+"I shouldn't think he would," Mr. Cook admitted. "But if he didn't do it,
+who did? That's what I'd like to know."
+
+"Mr. Wernberg wasn't the only man in the house, you know," said Bob.
+
+"Who else was there?"
+
+"Didn't Hugh and two of the detectives chase another man?"
+
+"Yez mean the fake detective?" asked Sergeant Riley.
+
+"I do."
+
+"But wasn't he in the same gang? What use would it be to him to blow up
+one of his own men?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bob. "Still I don't believe that Mr. Wernberg locked
+himself in and threw the key out of the window."
+
+"Doesn't sound likely," the sergeant agreed. "I'd like to know why those
+two men were enemies though. From all I can learn I should think they
+were working for the same purpose. Why should that fake detective be so
+eager to get that paper away from yez, and to get you boys away if he
+wasn't up to something suspicious?"
+
+"Don't ask me," exclaimed Bob. "It's too deep for me, and I get more and
+more mixed up all the time."
+
+"Well, I believe it's just as I said," continued Riley. "They were both
+parts of the same crowd. There must have been evidence against them in
+that house and they wanted to destroy it. Your fake detective blew it up
+and Mr. Wernberg got caught in there by mistake."
+
+"How do you explain the locked door?" asked Bob.
+
+"I don't, but there must be some explanation for it."
+
+"You think it was an accident, don't you?"
+
+"I do," said Sergeant Riley firmly. "When Mr. Wernberg gets so he can
+talk I'll bet he'll say the same thing."
+
+Bob merely shrugged his shoulders. He did not think that the
+sergeant's explanation was correct, but he could offer no better one
+himself so he said nothing. After all it might be that in the hurry to
+get away there was a mix up and Mr. Wernberg was left behind, locked in
+the room. Bob had no doubt in his mind that Mr. Wernberg was a member
+of a gang that was plotting against the United States. In his heart he
+felt sure he was guilty.
+
+On the other hand if the fake detective was not equally guilty he would
+be surprised. Certainly no man would disguise himself in that way who
+had honorable motives. Nor would any man run away as he had done, or
+fire a pistol at real officers of the law unless he was engaged in some
+evil doing.
+
+How were these two men connected? That was the question that bothered
+Bob. He felt that there was some connection between them, and yet why
+should one of them be locked in the second story of a house while the
+other one put a bomb under it and burned it up? Perhaps after all it was
+as Sergeant Riley had suggested.
+
+"Come on, boys; we'll go home," exclaimed Mr. Cook.
+
+"Thank yez for coming with us," said Sergeant Riley, as Mr. Cook and the
+two boys rose to their feet preparatory to leaving.
+
+"Not at all," said Mr. Cook cordially. "If there is anything further we
+can do to help, please call on us."
+
+"I will," said the sergeant. "Thank yez again."
+
+"And don't forget to let us know what Mr. Wernberg has to say."
+
+"I won't."
+
+They went out and got into the automobile and a few moments later were
+home again.
+
+"After you put away the car, I want you to take a note down to the
+Wernbergs for me," said Mr. Cook to Bob as he mounted the steps of
+the house.
+
+"To tell them what happened to Mr. Wernberg?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I should think it would be better to go and see them."
+
+"No doubt it would, but somehow I don't like the idea of having to go and
+talk to Mrs. Wernberg about it. I suppose I'm a coward."
+
+"I don't blame you," exclaimed Bob, and after he had returned the car to
+its place in the garage he came back to the house to wait until his
+father should have finished the note he was writing.
+
+When it was ready Mr. Cook handed it to Bob, who at once started for the
+Wernbergs' house, accompanied by Hugh. They discussed the recent turn of
+events in the mystery and were somewhat at a loss as to what their next
+move should be. Now that the old deserted house was a thing of the past
+they did not know where to look for the seat of the conspiracy. They did
+decide, however, that in so far as it was possible they would keep watch
+on number twelve eighty-two Elm Street.
+
+They mounted the front steps of the Wernbergs' house, and Bob advanced
+toward the door bell. Before he rang it, however, he spied an envelope
+lying at his feet, half concealed under the door mat. He stooped to pick
+it up, and as he glanced at it he uttered an exclamation of surprise.
+
+"Look, Hugh," he exclaimed.
+
+The envelope was of plain white paper and addressed to Mr. Wernberg.
+There was no street number on it, merely the name. This in itself was not
+particularly odd, nor was it the cause of Bob's surprise. On the other
+side of the envelope, however, was scrawled a drawing. It was the picture
+of an alligator.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+A MESSAGE
+
+
+"Well, Hugh, what do you think about that?" demanded Bob.
+
+Hugh looked blankly at the rude drawing on the back of the envelope.
+"I don't know," he said slowly. "Why should they send Mr. Wernberg one
+of these?"
+
+"Unless it's a message from one member of the gang to another."
+
+"But Mr. Wernberg is in the hospital."
+
+"The others may not know that."
+
+"That's true," Hugh agreed. "This handwriting is the same as that on the
+messages that came to your father and to Heinrich too."
+
+"I know it, and the same as in the list we found in the old house."
+
+"What do you suppose the alligator stands for?"
+
+"I've no idea. Why did they steal Percy?"
+
+"Anyway we'd better ring the bell and deliver our message. We can't stand
+out here on the porch all day, you know."
+
+Bob pushed the electric bell, and almost instantly the front door was
+opened by Frank Wernberg. It would seem as if he had been behind the door
+waiting all the time. His close-cropped light hair bristled fiercely, and
+his nose was still slightly swollen; his chin also was still raw where
+Bob had planted his fist the day before. Bob thought how much longer ago
+than that it seemed; so many things had happened in the last two days.
+
+"What are you doing here?" demanded Frank brusquely.
+
+Bob and Hugh had been so surprised by the sudden opening of the door that
+for a moment neither one of them replied.
+
+"What do you want?" exclaimed Frank.
+
+"We've got a letter for your mother," said Bob.
+
+Frank glared at them under lowering brows. "Who from?" he asked.
+
+"That's for her to find out," said Bob. "It's addressed to her you see."
+
+Frank snatched the letter from Bob's outstretched hand, and made as if he
+was about to go in and shut the door.
+
+"Wait a minute," exclaimed Hugh. "Here's another."
+
+"What kind of a joke are you trying to play on me?" cried Frank angrily.
+
+"None at all," said Hugh. "This one is for your father."
+
+Frank grew red in the face, "If this is a joke I swear you'll be sorry
+for it," he exclaimed hotly.
+
+"It's no joke at all," said Hugh. "We found this letter lying here under
+the mat. I was just going to hand it to you."
+
+Frank took the letter from Hugh and looked at it suspiciously. Then he
+turned it over and looked at the back of it. Suddenly he turned pale.
+
+Bob and Hugh, watching him closely, noticed this fact, and Bob, suddenly
+plucking up courage, determined to speak of it.
+
+"What does that alligator mean, Frank?" he asked.
+
+The color rushed back into Frank's face. He looked as though he were
+going to run. He swallowed hard two or three times, choked, and then
+swallowed again. "I don't know," he blurted out finally, and stepping
+inside slammed the door shut in the faces of the two boys.
+
+Hugh looked at Bob and smiled. "Frank was certainly glad to see us,
+wasn't he?" he said sarcastically.
+
+"I should say so," Bob agreed. "Let's go home."
+
+They went down the steps and walked slowly in the direction of the
+Cook home.
+
+"Frank's a queer fellow," said Hugh finally.
+
+"He certainly is," Bob agreed.
+
+"Do you think he knows what has happened to his father?"
+
+"I doubt it. I don't believe he would have been so surly if he had
+known."
+
+"What do you think about the alligator?"
+
+"I'm sure I don't know," said Bob. "It must mean something though, and
+Frank must know what it is. Did you see how pale he got when he saw it!"
+
+"Maybe it's the sign of some secret society like the Black Hand, or the
+Ku Klux Klan, or something like that."
+
+"Still I can't understand why they should send a warning to Mr. Wernberg
+if he is a member of the gang."
+
+"It may not have been a warning," said Hugh. "Perhaps it was just a
+message of some kind or another."
+
+"Then why should Frank have been so scared when he saw it?"
+
+"Don't ask me. I'm getting more mixed up every minute."
+
+They turned into the Cooks' yard and slowly approached the house. A man
+and woman were just disappearing around the corner.
+
+"Who are they?" Hugh inquired.
+
+"Lena, the cook, and one of her beaux," said Bob.
+
+"I thought Heinrich was in love with her."
+
+"He is," laughed Bob, "but he has a rival, and that's the man."
+
+"What's his name?"
+
+"Karl Hoffmann."
+
+"Another German," said Hugh soberly.
+
+"Say, Hugh," laughed Bob, "you certainly are suspicious. You suspect good
+old Lena, and now you suspect the man with her because he has a German
+name. Why, that man Hoffmann has worked for father for years, and father
+thinks the world of him."
+
+"That doesn't mean he may not be mistaken," Hugh insisted.
+
+"Why, father has even selected him as one of the guards for the factory,"
+said Bob. "I guess that shows how much confidence he has in him."
+
+"But suppose Lena is disloyal," exclaimed Hugh. "If Karl Hoffmann is in
+love with her there's no telling what she might get him to do."
+
+"But Lena is not disloyal," said Bob peevishly. He was becoming tired of
+Hugh's constant slurs against the people whom his father employed.
+
+"Well, I'd watch them all," said Hugh.
+
+Bob offered no further comment. He could not convince Hugh that his
+suspicions were unfounded so he decided there could be no use in arguing
+with him. They entered the house and found Mr. Cook seated in the
+library alone.
+
+"Did you deliver my note?" he asked.
+
+"We did," replied Bob.
+
+"Who came to the door?"
+
+"Frank," and Bob related their experiences to his father. Mr. Cook was
+much interested and puzzled by the manner in which Frank had acted when
+he saw the drawing of the alligator on the back of the envelope.
+
+"We thought perhaps it might be the sign of some secret society,"
+said Hugh.
+
+"Possibly so," agreed Mr. Cook. "Let's see; the same sign was on the
+paper you found in the old house, Heinrich got a note with the
+picture on it, and now this letter you picked up on the Wernbergs'
+porch had it too."
+
+"And the handwriting was the same as on that postal card you got this
+morning," said Bob.
+
+"I didn't see any picture on that though."
+
+"No," agreed Bob. "Neither did I."
+
+"I threw the card away," said Mr. Cook. "I was afraid your mother might
+find it and worry."
+
+"Perhaps there won't be any more trouble, now that Mr. Wernberg is out of
+the way," suggested Bob. "If he was the leader of the gang, his burns
+will keep him in the hospital and out of mischief for some time to come."
+
+"You didn't hear what happened this afternoon then?" asked his father.
+
+"No, what?" demanded Bob and Hugh in one breath.
+
+"You remember the railroad bridge, don't you?"
+
+"I guess we'll never forget that, will we, Hugh?" exclaimed Bob. "You
+don't mean that they tried to blow it up again?"
+
+"Well, it looks so," said Mr. Cook. "One of the guards on the bridge this
+afternoon saw a man coming down the river in a rowboat. He called to him
+to halt, but the man kept right on. The guard challenged him three times,
+but as the man gave no answer he fired at him."
+
+"Did he kill him?" demanded Bob excitedly.
+
+"No," said Mr. Cook, "he didn't try to kill him. He just wanted to scare
+him, and when he fired the man jumped out of the boat into the water. The
+guard hurried down to the bank of the river, but the man had scrambled
+ashore and run off; you know it's quite a long distance from where the
+railroad tracks cross the bridge down to the water. The guard got a long
+pole and waded out into the river after the boat. He caught it finally
+and when he had hauled it ashore he found it was loaded with dynamite. Of
+course no one knows, but they think he planned to blow up the bridge."
+
+"Whew!" exclaimed Hugh. "The man got away, you say?"
+
+"Yes, unfortunately."
+
+"Couldn't the guard see what he looked like?"
+
+"Yes, he did see that, and here is the interesting part."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why," said Mr. Cook, "the man was rather slight, weighing perhaps a
+hundred and fifty pounds and he had a close-cropped black mustache."
+
+"The fake detective!" exclaimed Bob. "Was that who it was?"
+
+"The description fits him, doesn't it?"
+
+"Yes," agreed Hugh, "but he was out at the old house this afternoon. How
+could he be on the river at the same time?"
+
+"He was out at the old house early this afternoon," said Mr. Cook. "This
+episode at the bridge happened only about an hour ago."
+
+"He must have hurried right down there," exclaimed Bob. "When he realized
+that the police were on his trail he probably decided he had no time to
+lose, and that's why he dared try such a thing in broad daylight."
+
+"Where did you hear about it, Mr. Cook?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"Sergeant Riley just told me over the telephone; I had called him up to
+inquire how Mr. Wernberg was getting along."
+
+"How is he?" asked Bob.
+
+"Pretty bad yet; once in a while he recovers consciousness, but only
+for a few minutes. Besides he suffers so from his burns he can't do
+any talking."
+
+"And meanwhile his gang keeps on working," said Hugh.
+
+"Is that fake detective part of his gang?" said Bob. "He's the one who
+blew him up."
+
+"I don't know," exclaimed Hugh in despair. "We just go 'round and 'round
+in circles and don't seem to get anywhere at all."
+
+"But the fact remains, doesn't it, boys," inquired Mr. Cook, "that
+whether we know who the gang is, and what the relations are between the
+two gangs--if there are two--that somebody is hard at work plotting
+against this country? Also they are becoming bolder for they know that
+their time is short; sooner or later they are bound to be caught."
+
+"You're afraid for your factory to-night, aren't you, father?" asked Bob.
+
+"I am, indeed," said Mr. Cook.
+
+Bob was on the point of asking if he and Hugh might not help guard it
+when the telephone rang and his father was called away to answer it.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+KARL HOFFMANN
+
+
+"Let's go down and talk to Heinrich," exclaimed Bob when his father
+left the room.
+
+"Aren't you going to ask your father if we can stand guard to-night?"
+
+"Wait till after dinner. I'll ask him then."
+
+"Do you think he'll let us?"
+
+"I guess so. It depends on how badly he needs us."
+
+They went out, and just at the corner of the porch met Karl Hoffmann. He
+had said good-by to Lena and was on his way home. Bob knew him well, as
+he did most of his father's employees, for much of his spare time was
+spent down at the factory. Furthermore, on account of Lena, Hoffmann was
+a frequent visitor in the Cook home.
+
+He was a big, fine looking fellow of about forty. He had black hair and a
+piercing black eye, a typical Prussian, for it was from that province in
+Germany that his parents had migrated some twenty-five years previously.
+He was a powerful man, standing nearly six feet in height, and not yet
+showing any tendency towards stoutness, so common among Germans.
+
+"Hello, Karl," cried Bob cheerily.
+
+Hoffmann stopped short. His face had been drawn into a scowl as he strode
+along, and he had been deeply engrossed in his own thoughts. Bob had
+often seen him that way after talking with Lena, however. She was
+something of a flirt and received lightly her admirers' advances. Many a
+time both Heinrich and Karl had been driven almost to desperation by the
+manner in which she treated them. Neither did they like each other,
+because they were rivals.
+
+"Hello there, Bob," he exclaimed, his face brightening. Bob had always
+been a marked favorite of his, and many a thing he had showed him about
+the machinery at the factory.
+
+"You look mad," said Bob.
+
+"I was sort of mad," said Karl. "I was worried."
+
+"Anything I can do for you?" Bob inquired, nudging Hugh with his elbow.
+He loved to tease both Karl and Heinrich about their love affair.
+
+"No, thanks," replied Karl seriously. "It will be all right I hope."
+
+"I hear you're making ammunition down at the factory," said Bob.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Keeps you pretty busy, doesn't it?"
+
+"It certainly does. We're going to work both a night and day shift
+next week."
+
+"You want to watch out for some of these bomb plotters," said Bob. "There
+are a lot of them around here, I understand."
+
+"That so?" exclaimed Karl. "I hadn't heard of any."
+
+"Well, they're here all right."
+
+"We have the plant guarded, you know."
+
+"I know it. It's a good thing too."
+
+"I think it's unnecessary," said Karl. "I told your father so, too."
+
+"You're more of an optimist than he is, I guess," laughed Bob. "He's
+heard a lot of things that have made him sort of nervous."
+
+"That so?" demanded Karl. "I wonder what they were?"
+
+"I don't know," Bob lied. He thought that if his father wanted to tell
+his employees any details he would probably do so himself.
+
+Just then Hugh plucked his sleeve. "Look, Bob," he exclaimed. "Here comes
+Frank in to see you."
+
+Bob swung around just in time to see Frank Wernberg on a bicycle turning
+into the driveway. He rode a few yards and then suddenly turned around
+and rode out again. Coming to the street once more he dismounted from his
+bicycle, and gazed back at the Cooks' house as if he was debating
+whether he should go in or not. Finally, however, he seemed to decide
+against that course and jumping on his wheel rode off down the street.
+
+"He lost his nerve," exclaimed Hugh. "You ought to have called to him."
+
+"A fine chance of that," snorted Bob. "If he wants to he can come in here
+and see me, but I won't run after him."
+
+"Who was that boy?" asked Karl curiously.
+
+"Frank Wernberg," said Bob.
+
+"Wernberg?" exclaimed Karl. "Does his father live down on the
+corner here?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"I don't like that man," said Karl soberly. "I hope he's not a friend
+of yours."
+
+"He is not," exclaimed Bob warmly. "What do you know about him, Karl?"
+
+"Nothing much; I just don't trust him."
+
+"No one seems to like him," laughed Bob. "I guess he won't bother us for
+some time to come though now."
+
+"Why not?" demanded Karl quickly.
+
+"He's sick."
+
+"What's the matter with him?"
+
+"I don't know," said Bob evasively. He suddenly remembered that probably
+he had no right to talk about what they had done that day. "All I know is
+that he's in the hospital."
+
+"Serves him right," exclaimed Karl. "That's a good place for him and for
+all of his same kind."
+
+If Hugh had had any lingering doubts as to whether or not Karl was loyal
+they were now dissipated. If Mr. Wernberg was implicated in German plots
+against the United States, certainly no man who sympathized with him
+would hate him as Karl Hoffmann plainly did.
+
+"We may come down and help you guard the factory to-night, Karl," said
+Bob. "You'll be there, won't you?"
+
+"Yes, I'll be there," said Karl. "I wish you wouldn't come though."
+
+"Why not!"
+
+"Suppose something should happen and you got hurt?"
+
+"I thought you said there was no danger."
+
+"I don't think there is, but I know your father doesn't agree with me,
+and if something should happen to you, just think how badly he'd feel."
+
+"We want to help though," insisted Bob.
+
+"Let the men who are paid for it do the guarding."
+
+"But it's my father's plant," said Bob. "You don't think I want anything
+to happen to it if I can help it, do you?"
+
+"If he wants you to come, all right," said Karl. "Still you take my
+advice and stay home."
+
+He said good-by to the boys and went off toward his house. He had to be
+at the factory early and wanted his supper before he went on duty.
+
+"Well, Hugh?" demanded Bob after Karl had gone. "What do you think of
+him?"
+
+"Oh, he's all right," said Hugh.
+
+"Do you think he would be disloyal?"
+
+"No, I guess any man who hates Mr. Wernberg as much as he does can't be
+pro-German. Still he was funny about not wanting us at the factory
+to-night."
+
+"I know why that was," exclaimed Bob. "He thinks we're just a couple of
+kids and would only be in everybody's way."
+
+"I guess so," Hugh agreed. "He seemed like a nice fellow all right."
+
+"He is, but Heinie doesn't think so. Let's go ask him about Karl now, and
+I'll guarantee you'll see some fun. Heinie gets mad the minute you
+mention his name."
+
+"He's jealous of him, isn't he?"
+
+"He surely is. Lena likes Karl better than she does him, I think, and I
+guess Heinie knows it. That's why he doesn't like Karl."
+
+"Still I don't blame Lena," observed Hugh. "Karl is certainly
+better looking."
+
+They found Heinrich seated on a chair in the garage busily counting over
+a large pile of bills. When the boys appeared he showed the same
+embarrassment he had when Bob had surprised him at the same work before.
+
+"The rich man again," laughed Bob, but Heinrich said nothing.
+
+"Any trace of Percy?" Bob inquired.
+
+"No," said Heinrich sorrowfully. "I guess he iss gone."
+
+"We've just been talking to Karl Hoffmann," said Bob. "You don't suppose
+he could have stolen him, do you?"
+
+Immediately Heinrich's manner changed. He rose to his feet angrily, while
+Bob nudged Hugh. Heinrich became pale with rage.
+
+"That scoundrel!" he stammered. "I would not be surprised if he would
+steal poor Percy. He iss mean and low enough to do anything."
+
+"Why, Heinie," said Bob mildly. "I always thought Karl was a fine
+fellow."
+
+"He iss a low down snake!" cried Heinrich. "I would not trust that fellow
+mit two cents."
+
+"Lena likes him," said Bob.
+
+Heinrich became madder than before at this remark. He stuttered with
+rage, and advancing toward Bob shook his clenched fist in his face. "Sure
+she like him," he cried. "Why not? He gives her presents all the time and
+it iss for that that she like him. She knows what a low down cur he iss,
+for I have told her so. Only because he has money and can give her
+presents does she like him. But I will show her!"
+
+"What are you going to do?" demanded Bob, somewhat alarmed by the
+violence of Heinrich's manner.
+
+"I buy her presents now," exclaimed Heinrich. "You see that?" he
+demanded, pulling the roll of bills out of his pocket. "You see that?" he
+repeated. "Well, I got some money now, and I show her who can buy nice
+presents. She like me better than Hoffmann when I get more money than
+he." Heinrich looked at the bills held in his fist, and then jammed them
+back fiercely into his pocket.
+
+"Where'd you get all the money?" asked Bob. "You didn't draw it out of
+the savings bank, did you?"
+
+"No," exclaimed Heinrich. "I earn it."
+
+"Working for father?"
+
+"No, for Mr. Wernberg."
+
+"What!" exclaimed Bob, completely taken by surprise. He and Hugh looked
+at each other in astonishment. This was a new turn of events.
+
+"Yes," said Heinrich. "I do some work for Mr. Wernberg; he iss a
+fine man too."
+
+"What was the work?" inquired Bob. He remembered that Hugh had advised
+him to watch their chauffeur. He never imagined, however, that even if
+Heinrich was guilty he would be so bold as to confess brazenly that he
+was employed by a man to plot against the United States. Still, he had
+always suspected that poor Heinrich was not quite right in his head.
+
+"I cannot say," said Heinrich. "The work iss secret."
+
+"Why, Heinie," exclaimed Bob. "I never thought you would do a thing
+like that."
+
+"Why not?" demanded Heinrich. "I do my work here, don't I? Why should I
+not make a little extra money if I can?"
+
+"But Mr. Wernberg is a bad man."
+
+"He iss not," Heinrich protested stoutly. "He iss one man who knows right
+from wrong."
+
+Bob shook his head sorrowfully. It hurt him to discover that their
+chauffeur, a man he had grown up with and liked, was working hand in
+glove with Mr. Wernberg. He never would have believed it possible had he
+not heard it with his own ears from Heinrich himself. It was a great
+shock to him and he knew how badly his father and mother would feel. Of
+course he must tell his father.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+A DISCUSSION
+
+
+"Come on, Hugh, let's go," exclaimed Bob. Heinrich had turned away from
+them and walked off angrily. The combination of Lena and Karl and Mr.
+Wernberg, had been too much for him to stand apparently. He was mad
+clear through.
+
+"Well," said Bob, when they were outside, "I never would have
+believed that."
+
+"I told you to watch them all," Hugh reminded him.
+
+"I know you did, and I guess you were right. Why poor old Heinie should
+be such a fool is more than I can understand."
+
+"Are you going to tell your father?"
+
+"I suppose I must."
+
+"Will he tell the police?"
+
+"I don't know. I should think perhaps he'd have to, though."
+
+"It's too bad," murmured Hugh. He knew how fond his friend was of
+Heinrich.
+
+"At any rate Karl is all right I guess," said Bob.
+
+"I'll agree with you there," said Hugh. "How about Lena?"
+
+"Don't ask me. I feel as if I couldn't think."
+
+Mr. Cook met them on the front porch and was at once impressed by the
+expression on the faces of the two boys.
+
+"What's wrong?" he demanded.
+
+"We've just had an awful shock," said Hugh.
+
+"What is it? Tell me, Bob," his father urged.
+
+"Heinrich is one of Mr. Wernberg's gang."
+
+"Say that again," exclaimed Mr. Cook incredulously.
+
+"Heinrich is working with Mr. Wernberg. You ought to see the pile of
+money he has been paid already."
+
+"Why, Bob," exclaimed Mr. Cook amazedly. "I think you must be mistaken."
+
+"He just told us himself," said Bob. "He said Mr. Wernberg was a fine man
+and one of the few who knew right from wrong."
+
+"How did he happen to tell you all this?"
+
+Bob related the circumstances to his father. When he had finished Mr.
+Cook remained silent for several minutes.
+
+"I am so sorry," he said finally. "I don't see why Heinrich told you."
+
+"He was mad," said Bob, "and jealous."
+
+"A dangerous man to hire for that kind of work I should think,"
+exclaimed Mr. Cook. "If he would say as much as he did to you this
+afternoon I don't see what there is to prevent him from telling all
+he knows."
+
+"You mean he might give the whole thing away?"
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"Still," said Bob, "Heinie can be awfully stubborn sometimes."
+
+"I know it. We'd have to be clever to get a full confession from him
+I imagine."
+
+"I don't see what use he could be to Mr. Wernberg," said Hugh.
+
+"It's a favorite method of these German plotters, Hugh," said Mr. Cook.
+"Very often they get some simple-minded, ignorant fellow like Heinrich
+and make a tool of him. Heinrich hasn't got brains enough to think of
+anything himself."
+
+"Are you going to turn him over to the police?" inquired Bob.
+
+"I was just thinking of that," said Mr. Cook. "I certainly would hate
+to do it."
+
+"But he may do some damage."
+
+"I know it and I think I know what I'll do. To-night I expect to be at
+the factory practically all night; I'll keep Heinrich with me on one
+pretext or another. He'll be right with me all the time so that he won't
+be able to do any harm and besides I can watch his actions. I am still
+hoping that he may prove to be loyal."
+
+"I'm afraid he won't," said Bob.
+
+"I'm afraid not too," agreed his father. "Still I won't let him out of
+my sight and when morning comes we can decide what ought to be done
+about Him."
+
+"If it isn't too late."
+
+"Let's hope not," exclaimed Mr. Cook earnestly.
+
+"Hugh and I would like to help guard the factory to-night," said Bob.
+
+"I think we have plenty of guards," said Mr. Cook. "You'd better stay
+home and go to bed; you've had a busy time of it the last two days."
+
+"I know it, but we want to help," explained Bob. "Somehow I have a
+feeling that something is going to happen down there to-night."
+
+"Suppose it does, and you get hurt. What would your mother say?"
+
+"That's what Karl Hoffmann said," exclaimed Hugh.
+
+"Karl is usually right too," said Mr. Cook. "He takes so much
+responsibility about my personal affairs that really I don't know what
+I'd do without him."
+
+"He was afraid we'd get hurt," sniffed Bob.
+
+"Karl likes you," said his father. "He doesn't want anything to
+happen to you."
+
+"We can take care of ourselves."
+
+"I know that," his father assented. "Do you want to go very much?"
+
+"We certainly do," cried Bob and Hugh in one breath.
+
+"Well," said Mr. Cook, "I'm proud of you for wanting to help, and under
+the circumstances I don't see how I can refuse."
+
+"That's great!" cried Bob enthusiastically.
+
+"It won't all be fun by a good deal," his father warned him.
+
+"We know that, but we're ready to do anything that comes along."
+
+The two boys were much excited at the prospect of the guard duty. It
+seemed to them that at last they had been recognized as capable of aiding
+in the defense of their country. Perhaps if they had known what awaited
+them they would not have been quite so enthusiastic.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+ANOTHER SUSPECT
+
+
+Hugh was going home for dinner, and was to return shortly afterward to
+accompany Bob and his father to the factory. He left the house and Bob
+started upstairs to prepare himself for the evening meal. On the landing
+of the stairs he heard some one talking over the telephone and stopped to
+listen. Of late he had become suspicious of every one and had fallen into
+the habit of noticing every little thing that happened.
+
+It was the cook's voice and he was doubly interested at once.
+
+"Yes," he heard her say, "this is Lena."
+
+Bob flattened himself against the wall and listened intently.
+
+"What's that?" Lena demanded over the 'phone. "In the hospital, you say!"
+
+There was a pause while the other person talked to her.
+
+"I will try to be there," said Lena. "I also have a message for you, but
+I don't know whether I should say it now or not; those blamed detectives
+are on to us."
+
+There ensued another pause while Bob became more and more excited. What
+was this plot anyway that turned old and trusted servants against their
+masters? Was no one to be relied upon? Who could be trusted?
+
+"Yes, I will tell Heinrich," said Lena speaking again. "Good-by."
+
+She hung up the receiver and Bob continued up the stairs, whistling and
+trying to act as if he had heard nothing. He met Lena in the hall and she
+eyed him narrowly.
+
+"Hello, Lena," he exclaimed cheerfully. "Fine day, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes, Mr. Bob," she said, and passed on toward the back stairs.
+
+No sooner was she gone than Bob turned and sped down stairs again to the
+library. He burst into the room breathlessly, causing his father, who was
+reading his evening paper to glance up in surprise.
+
+"Father," exclaimed Bob in a tense whisper, "Lena's in it too."
+
+"What's that?" demanded his father. "Sit down, Bob."
+
+Bob grasped a chair and sat down facing his father. "Lena's in it too,"
+he repeated.
+
+"In what?"
+
+"In the plot with Mr. Wernberg."
+
+Mr. Cook laid down his paper. "Tell me what you know," he said soberly.
+
+Bob repeated the part of Lena's telephone conversation that he had heard.
+"You see," he exclaimed, "she spoke about the hospital and that must have
+meant Mr. Wernberg; then she said the detectives were on to them; finally
+she said she'd tell Heinrich and also try to be there to-night."
+
+"You don't know what she is to tell Heinrich and where she is to be
+to-night?"
+
+"No, sir," said Bob. "That's all I heard."
+
+"Well," exclaimed Mr. Cook after a moment's pause. "This is a nice state
+of affairs."
+
+"What are you going to do about it?" asked Bob. "Are you still going to
+wait until to-morrow before you report Heinie to the police?"
+
+Mr. Cook passed his hand across his brow as if to wipe away the doubts
+that assailed him. "Heinrich and Lena both," he muttered. "What a pity."
+
+"I tell you what I'll do," he exclaimed finally. "I'll take Heinrich
+along with me to-night just as I planned, and I'll tell your mother under
+no conditions to let Lena go out this evening. In the morning we may know
+better what to do."
+
+"I have a better scheme than that," said Bob eagerly.
+
+"Tell me what it is."
+
+"Take Heinrich along with you and watch him all the time; that part is
+all right. But let Lena go out if she wants to."
+
+"What's the point of that?" demanded his father. "For all we know Lena
+may he able to do more harm than Heinrich; certainly she's smarter."
+
+"Let her go out," said Bob, "and I'll go with her."
+
+"I don't see what you mean."
+
+"I'll follow her."
+
+"You'd have to be disguised."
+
+"I know it; I'll attend to that though."
+
+"It might lead you to some very dangerous spot," said Mr. Cook. "I hate
+to have you do it."
+
+"Look here, father," exclaimed Bob earnestly. "We're at war with Germany,
+aren't we? Well, just think of all those millions of men over in Europe
+on the battlefields; all the English and French, and Italians, and
+Belgians, and Russians, and all the others. If the United States is in
+the war we ought to be willing to do our part. Our allies in Europe are
+fighting for us as much as for themselves, and it seems to me that to
+disguise myself and follow the cook is a small thing for me to contribute
+to the common cause."
+
+"I guess you're right, Bob," said his father.
+
+"Why look here," continued Bob. "Just think of the way those men over
+there are every one of them risking their lives a hundred times a day. We
+just can't sit still and let them do all our fighting for us. We can give
+them money and food and I think we ought to expect to give our lives too
+if it is necessary. I know I don't want to hide behind somebody else and
+let him fight for me."
+
+"You're all right, my boy," exclaimed Mr. Cook, rising to his feet. He
+grasped his son affectionately by the arm, and there were tears in his
+eyes as he did so. "You're all right," he repeated, "and I'm proud of
+you. You've got the spirit that every true American should have, and
+which I believe they do have. When Germany finds herself facing a million
+American troops and sees the Stars and Stripes floating from the opposing
+trenches she'll know she's beaten. I hope we'll show them that we mean
+business and the sooner we do, the quicker the war will be over."
+
+"What kind of a disguise can I wear?" asked Bob.
+
+"I guess you won't need a very elaborate one. Isn't there a false-face in
+the house with whiskers or a mustache on it!"
+
+"I think there is one I used last hallowe'en."
+
+"Get that then," said his father. "We can rip off the whiskers and glue
+them on your face. Put on an old suit of clothes and a sweater; wear a
+slouch hat and take along that hickory cane that I have. That ought to
+fix you up all right."
+
+"I guess it will," exclaimed Bob, much excited at the prospect. "I'll go
+upstairs and look for the false-face now."
+
+"Don't put it on until after dinner."
+
+"I won't," said Bob as he hurried up to the attic in search of the
+disguise he was to wear. In a cupboard on the top floor he found the
+false-face and quickly tore the whiskers and mustache from it. He brought
+the handful of hair down to his room and hid it in his closet. He
+selected the oldest suit he owned and placed it on a chair with an old
+slouch hat he used to wear when he went fishing.
+
+The announcement that dinner was ready put an end to any further
+preparations for the time being. The meal was a quiet one and there was
+but little conversation. Mrs. Cook's thoughts were of Harold and she was
+greatly worried about him; particularly as she did not know where his
+regiment had been sent. Mr. Cook, although he too was concerned about his
+elder son, was occupied principally with anxiety as to the plots that
+seemed to be brewing all about him, and the possible damage to his
+factory. Bob, needless to say, was highly excited over the prospects of
+adventure that the evening held forth for him.
+
+Finally dinner was over. Mr. Cook dispatched Bob to the garage with a
+message to Heinrich to have the car ready in half an hour. As Bob ran
+across the lawn he met Lena returning from the garage. "Aha," he thought
+as he greeted her, "you saw Heinrich all right, didn't you?" He was fully
+convinced now that their cook and chauffeur were agents of Mr. Wernberg,
+and partners in crime. A moment later he reached the garage.
+
+"Father wants you to bring the car around in half an hour," he announced
+to Heinrich, who was engaged in putting on a clean collar and necktie.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Heinrich angrily. Bob had never before seen their
+chauffeur question any order that his father had given. "I can't."
+
+"Those are his orders," said Bob, eyeing Heinrich closely.
+
+"Does he want me to drive him out?"
+
+"He does."
+
+"But I can't," cried Heinrich. "I can't, I tell you; I have an
+appointment."
+
+"I guess you'll have to break it then," was Bob's retort.
+
+Heinrich wrung his hands in desperation. "What shall I do?" he moaned.
+"What shall I do?"
+
+"Can't you change your appointment?"
+
+"I do not think so," wailed Heinrich. "This iss terrible. Do you think
+your father would change his mind if I should speak to him?"
+
+"I'm sure he wouldn't," said Bob. "I know he wants the car and he wants
+you to drive it. I heard him say that positively."
+
+"This iss terrible," repeated Heinrich. "What will they do mitout me?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"My friends."
+
+"It's too bad," said Bob, more convinced every moment that mischief was
+afoot that evening. "I don't know what you can do about it though."
+
+"Of course I have to go mit your father," said Heinrich finally, heaving
+a great sigh. "I wonder if he will want the car for long."
+
+"I think he will."
+
+"Very well," said Heinrich, becoming resigned to his fate, "I will be
+there but only because I do not wish to lose my job. But I fear something
+will happen."
+
+"That's just what we want to prevent," thought Bob grimly. "All right
+then, Heinie," he said aloud. "Father will expect you in half an hour."
+
+He hurried back to the house, warned his father that he should keep
+Heinrich always within sight, and related his conversation with the
+chauffeur as an argument for this course. Then he went upstairs, two
+steps at a time to make ready his disguise. While he was there Hugh
+arrived and went up to Bob's room.
+
+"What are you doing, Bob?" he demanded.
+
+"Putting on a disguise."
+
+"What for?"
+
+Bob told him.
+
+"I want to go with you," exclaimed Hugh eagerly. "Two would be better
+than one anyway."
+
+"Where are you going to get a disguise?"
+
+"I'll borrow part of yours. You can certainly spare enough of those
+whiskers to make me a mustache anyway."
+
+"You ought to have another hat."
+
+"You can lend me an old cap, can't you? I've got on the oldest
+suit I own."
+
+Bob brought out the glue pot and with Hugh's assistance was soon adorned
+with a set of black whiskers and a mustache. His hair did not match at
+all, but as he expected to wear a hat pulled far down over his eyes that
+fact did not make much difference. He put on the hat, and wearing his old
+clothes and a sweater looked at himself in the mirror.
+
+"Whew," he exclaimed, "I'm certainly a hard looking character."
+
+"You certainly are," agreed Hugh, "and you look about forty years old."
+
+"All the better," said Bob. "Now let's get you fixed up."
+
+With what was left of Bob's whiskers a small black mustache was twisted
+into shape and glued to Hugh's upper lip. It was remarkable to see what a
+great change in his appearance it made.
+
+"When we take these things off, all the skin on our faces will come too,"
+said Hugh inspecting himself in the mirror.
+
+"Don't you care," exclaimed Bob. "What we're interested in at present is
+to have them stay on to-night. How about a hat for you now?" He rummaged
+around on the closet shelf and produced an old cap and a derby.
+
+"Put the derby on, Hugh," he urged. "You'll look just like Charlie
+Chaplin."
+
+"That wouldn't do, I'm afraid," laughed Hugh. "I'd have too big a crowd
+following me."
+
+"Turn up the ends of your mustache and you'll look like the kaiser."
+
+"Not for me!" exclaimed Hugh hastily. "I don't want to look like
+anything German. I'll wear the cap, I guess. I think that's better than
+the derby."
+
+At that moment Mr. Cook appeared upon the scene. He stood and looked at
+the two boys approvingly. "Well," he said, "you certainly look like a
+couple of tough customers all right. I'm glad you're going along, Hugh; I
+think two will be better than one."
+
+"Is Lena still here?" asked Bob.
+
+"Still here," said his father. "She's getting ready to leave though and
+you two had better be prepared."
+
+"Where's Heinrich?"
+
+"He's due in about five minutes."
+
+"You'd better watch him, father," warned Bob.
+
+"Don't worry about that," said Mr. Cook soberly. "I suppose that you two
+'things' will come to the factory later. I expect to be there all night."
+
+"We'll try to get there," said Bob. "We'll keep track of Lena as long as
+we can, and if it's possible we'll report to you at the office."
+
+"Good," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Don't forget to be very careful, and don't
+get into trouble if you can help it."
+
+"We'll do our best," Bob promised.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+ON THE STREET
+
+
+As Mr. Cook left the room the two boys heard the automobile come up the
+driveway and stop in front of the house. Mrs. Cook and Louise were to
+spend the evening with an aunt of Bob's a short distance down the street,
+and Mr. Cook was to take them there in the car. Bob and Hugh waited until
+they should all leave for they did not want to be seen by any one in
+their disguises.
+
+Presently they heard the car start off and they knew the coast was clear.
+Silently they slipped down stairs and out the front door. By the side of
+the house they paused for a consultation.
+
+"These whiskers itch awfully," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"So does this mustache," said Hugh. "I guess we'll have to endure
+it though."
+
+"Where shall we wait?"
+
+"Won't Lena come out the back door?"
+
+"I guess so. At any rate she'll have to come around and go down the front
+walk, there's no other way for her to get out of the yard."
+
+"Let's cross the street and wait there then."
+
+They followed that plan and presently were standing side by side in the
+shadow of a tree on the opposite side of the street. Lena could be
+expected to appear at any minute and they kept a sharp lookout for her.
+
+"What do you suppose is ahead of us to-night?" asked Hugh in a low tone.
+
+"I wish I knew."
+
+"I hope we aren't going off on a wild goose chase."
+
+"You've been saying right along that we ought to watch Lena," Bob
+reminded his friend.
+
+"I know that and I think it's a good plan. All I say is that she may fool
+us in some way if we're not careful."
+
+"How do you suppose Mr. Wernberg's getting along in the hospital?"
+
+"I don't know," said Hugh. "I must say though that I'm more
+interested in Lena."
+
+"I'd like to see our old friend, the false detective."
+
+"So would I. What do you suppose he is--"
+
+"Ssh," hissed Bob suddenly.
+
+Around the corner of the Cooks' house came a woman. She walked briskly
+and a moment later had reached the street. She gazed apprehensively up
+and down while the two boys shrank farther back into the shadow; then she
+started off in the direction of the city's business district.
+
+"That's Lena," whispered Bob. "Come on."
+
+On the opposite side of the street and perhaps a hundred paces in back of
+the hurrying woman the two boys followed.
+
+"We'll have to keep closer than this when she gets down town,"
+whispered Hugh.
+
+"I know it," agreed Bob. "She'd get suspicious now though."
+
+Now and again Lena stopped and glanced behind her. Every time she did so
+the boys stopped too; evidently she was afraid of being followed. They
+met few people and those who did pass them apparently took them for a
+couple of tramps, for they paid no particular attention to them.
+
+A little distance down the street Lena turned the corner to her right.
+The two boys as a consequence had to run in order not to lose sight of
+her. They were fearful lest she should slip away from them and therefore
+were greatly relieved when they came to the turn and saw her still in
+front of them.
+
+A few moments later she turned again, and then presently, turned still a
+third time.
+
+"She's trying to lose us," whispered Bob.
+
+"Maybe not," said Hugh. "This is Elm Street."
+
+"Where's twelve eighty-two!"
+
+"On the next block."
+
+The white stucco house was on the same side of the street with the boys,
+and as Lena came opposite it she crossed over. Bob and Hugh stopped short
+under a large maple tree whose trunk cast a shadow affording ample
+protection from a nearby arclight. From this vantage point they watched
+the woman they were trailing.
+
+"She's going in," whispered Bob, clutching Hugh's arm excitedly.
+
+Lena turned in from the side walk and started toward the steps of the
+white stucco house, number twelve eighty-two. Half-way up she paused
+irresolutely. She acted as if she was puzzled as to what she should do;
+finally she turned, descended the steps rapidly and continued on down
+the street.
+
+"That was queer," whispered Bob.
+
+"It looked as though she lost her nerve."
+
+"Why should she be scared to go in where her gang is!"
+
+"Don't ask me. Come on."
+
+Once again they took up the chase. Lena seemed to walk more swiftly than
+ever now, and it was not an easy task to keep pace with her and still not
+be seen. The night was dark with low-hanging clouds, the street lamps
+affording the only light available. Ahead they could see the reflection
+from the lights of the main street of the city.
+
+"Do you suppose she dropped a note or anything on that porch back there?"
+demanded Hugh suddenly.
+
+"I didn't see her do anything like that," said Bob.
+
+"Nor I. At any rate I guess the best thing we can do is to stick
+close to her."
+
+"Yes, and we'd better keep closer too, now that we are coming to where
+the stores are. We'll lose track of her if we don't."
+
+"Do you suppose any one will notice that we're disguised?"
+
+"I hope not. There's usually a big crowd on the streets Saturday
+night though."
+
+"We'll hope for luck," said Hugh earnestly.
+
+They quickened their paces until they were scarcely more than
+seventy-five feet in back of Lena. There were many people passing them in
+both directions now, and apparently Lena was not as suspicious as she had
+been; she glanced behind her no more.
+
+Presently they turned into the main street. The sidewalks were thronged
+with people and everything was lighted up brilliantly in the glare of
+arclights and shop windows. Lena was just ahead of the boys and it was
+not an easy task to follow her in the crowd.
+
+Music sounded down the street. A troop of cavalry was approaching and
+every one lined the curb to see them pass. Lena stopped and the boys
+took their places directly behind her. Every trooper was mounted on a
+coal black horse, and they made a fine showing as they drew near; the
+crowd began to cheer and many waved small American flags that they were
+carrying. Women waved their handkerchiefs as the horsemen passed, and
+much to both Bob's and Hugh's surprise Lena waved her handkerchief and
+clapped her hands with the others.
+
+"What do you think of that?" whispered Bob.
+
+"Bluff," said Hugh. "She's clever."
+
+The crowd began to break up and presently was moving up and down the
+street again. Lena started on her way once more, and almost at her heels
+followed Bob and Hugh. They were beginning to wonder whether they were
+following a false clue. It might be that Lena had dropped a message on
+the porch of the house on Elm Street, and if so her work was probably
+done and there could be no object in following her farther.
+
+Suddenly Hugh seized Bob by the arm. "Look at this man coming," he
+hissed.
+
+Not thirty feet distant and walking directly toward them was the false
+detective. There could be no mistaking him. Bob and Hugh, forgetting for
+the moment that they were disguised were fearful lest he should recognize
+them as well. A moment later, however, an interesting event happened
+right before their eyes, and they forgot all else.
+
+As the "detective," the man with whom they had fought that morning, the
+man who had blown up the deserted house, and whom they suspected of
+having tried to blow up the railroad bridge in the afternoon, passed Lena
+he held a slip of paper in his left hand. As she went by she took it with
+her left hand, though as far as the boys could see the two conspirators
+had not even looked at each other.
+
+Lena continued on down the street as if nothing had happened, while the
+detective also kept on as though unconscious of having seen Lena at all.
+He passed the two boys without even a glance.
+
+Bob and Hugh stopped short.
+
+"What do you think of that?" demanded Hugh. "What'll we do?"
+
+"Follow them," said Bob quickly. "You follow him and I'll trail Lena."
+
+Without another word the two boys separated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+BOB ACTS QUICKLY
+
+
+Bob had almost lost sight of Lena through this temporary delay and he
+hurried ahead through the crowd, bumping into several people, and drawing
+black looks from many for his rudeness. He was in a hurry, however. He
+had to catch up with Lena, and there was no time to be polite.
+
+Lena too was hurrying. She threaded her way in and out among the throngs
+of people, and Bob was hard put to it to keep pace with her. As he rushed
+along he became more and more puzzled and confused as to what was taking
+place. There was no doubt in his mind that Lena and Heinrich were working
+in the interests of Mr. Wernberg and therefore were to be watched
+closely. Apparently Lena was in league with the fake detective too, else
+why should he stealthily slip a communication into her hand?
+
+But the detective had blown up the house when Mr. Wernberg was within it
+and had nearly caused his death. If they were all working together how
+was that fact to be reconciled with what had befallen him? Probably Mr.
+Wernberg had been injured accidentally as Sergeant Riley had explained.
+At all events Lena was hurrying along through the crowd and Bob's task
+was to follow her. His father was watching Heinrich and it would never do
+for Bob to let his quarry escape him.
+
+Lena followed the main street for several squares. The crowd was still
+thick, but Bob kept his eyes on her. Presently she turned down a side
+street, where it was easier to follow her and Bob heaved a sigh of
+relief. He was sure he could keep track of her now, and his mind was
+easier. They passed fewer people all the time, and now the only
+illuminations were the street lamps and an occasional arclight.
+
+Bob dropped further behind. His one wish was to avert suspicion on Lena's
+part, and the sight of a tough-looking man with heavy black whiskers, old
+clothes, and a dilapidated slouch hat dogging her footsteps might well
+have made her uneasy.
+
+Every hundred feet or so Lena cast a quick glance over her shoulder. Bob
+did not walk on the stone pavement, but skulked along in the shadow of
+the hedges and fences except when a passerby came along. Consequently
+whenever Lena looked behind her he stood still. It was exciting work.
+
+A half-mile or so down the street Lena stopped. She stood under one of
+the street lamps, and after a sharp glance in all directions, stealthily
+drew a piece of paper out of the bag she carried. She was plainly
+nervous, and Bob watched her intently. She was about to read the note
+that the fake detective had handed to her.
+
+It took Bob only a second to make up his mind. The occasion called for
+quick action and he acted quickly. Running swiftly and silently on the
+moist earth, he stole up behind Lena. She was standing still, deeply
+engrossed in what she read on the paper she held in her hand.
+Consequently she was unaware of Bob bearing down upon her.
+
+When he was about ten feet behind her, Bob suddenly dashed forward, even
+more swiftly than before, and before the startled cook knew what was
+happening he had snatched the paper from her hand and was speeding away
+with it. He ran only for a few steps, however. An exposed root from one
+of the big maple trees that lined the sidewalk caught his foot; he
+tripped, was thrown violently forward, and fell sprawling on his face. He
+did not relax his hold on the paper, however. It was crumpled, but he
+held it tightly clenched in his hand.
+
+The fall jarred him considerably. The knee of his trousers was torn and
+his hand scraped. His hat fell off, and as he slid along the ground on
+his face, half of his false whiskers were ripped off. He picked himself
+up as quickly as he could, however, and turned around to see what Lena
+was doing.
+
+She was nowhere to be seen.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+UNDER THE LIGHT
+
+
+Hugh turned quickly and followed the fake detective through the crowd.
+The man sauntered along as if he was in no hurry whatsoever, so that Hugh
+too had to walk very slowly. The man stopped and looked in at the windows
+of many of the stores, and close behind him every time stood Hugh; he was
+at a loss to account for this behavior on the part of the man he was
+following, as his dilatory tactics were in sharp contrast to the way in
+which Lena had hurried.
+
+Every few moments the fake detective took out his watch and looked at the
+time. Hugh decided he must have an engagement for later on in the
+evening, and that until then there was nothing for him to do.
+
+As nine o'clock struck on the City Hall clock the man whom Hugh had been
+following stepped into a drug store. There was a row of telephone booths
+along one side of the store and the man entered one of these and shut the
+door. Hugh could see him through the glass, as he took down the receiver
+and gave the number to central.
+
+Hugh loitered around the store, looking at the various articles offered
+for sale under the numerous glass cases, while at the same time he kept
+a careful watch on the telephone booth. The man talked for what seemed
+a long time and finally Hugh was afraid to remain in the store any
+longer lest he should arouse suspicion. He went out and took his stand
+near the front entrance, in a spot where he could see every one who
+came in or went out.
+
+There were large posters in the store window urging men to enlist in the
+army and the navy. Pictures of trim looking soldiers and sailors were on
+the posters and the cards bore urgent calls for recruits. "Your country
+needs you _now_," ran the legend and Hugh sighed to think that he was not
+yet old enough to answer the call. His ancestors had been Americans for
+many generations, they had fought and bled in every war the country had
+declared, and Hugh wanted to live up to the traditions they had
+established. He realized too that his country did need men, perhaps as
+never before. He knew that in order to defeat Germany every ounce of
+strength the country possessed would have to be thrown into the struggle.
+As his father said, "Germany is beaten, but they don't know it yet, and
+it may take years of stubborn fighting to teach them."
+
+Hugh's thoughts were interrupted presently by the reappearance of the
+fake detective; he came out of the drug store and turning to the right
+walked off down the street. He hurried now, so that Hugh had trouble in
+keeping pace with him. The man walked swiftly as if he had some definite
+objective in view, and Hugh realized that probably the crisis of the
+whole affair was not far distant.
+
+Suddenly Hugh spied a rough-looking individual approaching them from the
+opposite direction; his clothes were dirty and the knee of one of his
+trousers legs torn. He recognized Bob at once.
+
+The fake detective eyed Bob as he passed, but probably took him for some
+tramp passing through town; certainly he looked the part. Every one in
+the crowd edged away from him as he drew near, and Hugh could not help
+wondering if he looked as tough as his friend.
+
+Bob recognized Hugh as he came along without a word of greeting, turned
+about and walked along beside him. He had seen the fake detective on
+ahead and though there was no chance for explanations, he knew that Hugh
+was still on the trail.
+
+In a few moments they came to the City Hall. The detective looked up at
+the clock on the tower, compared the time with his watch and then took
+his stand under one of the electric lights on the street in front.
+
+"He has a date here," whispered Hugh. "We'll have to cross the street."
+
+They crossed over and under the pretense of looking at the billboards in
+front of the moving picture theater kept watch on their man.
+
+"Where've you been?" demanded Bob.
+
+"Just following that man around," said Hugh. "What happened to you?" and
+he looked at his friend's torn and dirty clothes.
+
+Bob related the story of his experiences. He had searched vainly for any
+trace of Lena and failing to find her had resolved to take one turn along
+the main street and then go down to the factory. He had met Hugh as has
+been told.
+
+"But the paper Lena had," exclaimed Hugh. "You got it you say?"
+
+"I certainly did."
+
+"What did it say?"
+
+"Read it," said Bob, handing the crumpled sheet over to his companion.
+
+Hugh started to unfold it, but before he could do so, Bob grasped him by
+the arm and pointed across the street. "Look," he exclaimed.
+
+A woman had joined the fake detective under the light, and the two were
+talking together.
+
+"It's Lena!" said Hugh excitedly.
+
+"But where did she come from?"
+
+"I don't know, but there she is all right."
+
+"He's mad about something," said Bob. "Probably because she lost that
+piece of paper."
+
+"That'll prove to him they're being watched."
+
+"I wonder if they suspect us."
+
+"Let's hope not, yet," said Hugh earnestly. "There they go," he added a
+moment later, as Lena and the fake detective started down the street.
+They still were talking excitedly together and it was hard to tell from
+their manner whether the man was threatening Lena or pleading with her.
+
+"Another chase, I suppose," sighed Bob. "I'm getting tired."
+
+"Not a chase on foot anyway," said Hugh, for just then the fake detective
+hailed a passing cab; he and Lena stepped into it and a moment later were
+being driven rapidly away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+AT THE FACTORY
+
+
+"Well," exclaimed Bob in dismay, "I guess they got rid of us that time."
+
+"Why have they?" demanded Hugh. "Why can't we hire a cab and
+follow them?"
+
+"Have you got any money?"
+
+"Not a cent."
+
+"Neither have I. I guess we're left."
+
+"Aren't we fools?" cried Hugh angrily. "How could any one be so stupid?"
+
+"There's no use in crying over spilt milk," said Bob. "The thing for us
+to do is to decide what we ought to do next."
+
+"Let's go down to the factory; I don't see what else we can do."
+
+"All right," said Bob disconsolately. "I do hate to have to go and tell
+father that we've been tricked and beaten though."
+
+"He can at least get the police to come down and help guard his factory,"
+said Hugh. "Probably no harm will come to it if they do that."
+
+"But how do you know his factory is to be attacked? It may be they are
+planning other damage to-night. We might have had a chance to stop it if
+we'd followed those two, and now they've got away from us."
+
+"Your father ought to have reported Lena and Heinrich to the
+police anyway."
+
+"He said he'd keep watch of Heinie, and no doubt he has. He expected we'd
+do as well for Lena. We'd better go down and see him about it."
+
+"Let me read this paper first," said Hugh. He once again started to
+unfold the crumpled sheet that Bob had stolen from Lena.
+
+"You can't read it."
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"Try and see."
+
+Hugh unfolded the paper and gave it one look. "Why it's written in
+German," he exclaimed in surprise.
+
+"I know it is; that's why I said you couldn't read it."
+
+"We must get it translated."
+
+"Let's take it down to the factory. We can get Karl Hoffmann to tell us
+what it says."
+
+Without further ado they set out. They walked swiftly and exchanged but
+few words, for they were both occupied with their own thoughts; a feeling
+that something was hanging over their heads oppressed the two boys. The
+country was at war and plotters and spies were abroad in the land. The
+events of the last two days had convinced them that High Ridge had its
+share of mischief makers, and they felt sure that that very night a blow
+would be struck.
+
+A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the factory. The low, brick
+buildings loomed ghostly in the darkness, with only here and there an
+electric light burning inside as protection against thieves. The small
+brick office was situated in front of the other buildings and here a
+light was shining brightly.
+
+A guard challenged them. Bob recognized the man as one of his father's
+employees, and soon convinced him that he and Hugh were all right. They
+passed on and a moment later were in Mr. Cook's office. Mr. Cook was
+seated at his desk and in a chair opposite him Sergeant Riley was
+ensconced.
+
+"Well," exclaimed the sergeant as the boys entered, "if ever I saw two
+hard looking bums you two are it. 'Tis a wonder one of my men didn't
+run yez in."
+
+"We were sort of afraid of that," laughed Bob. "No one bothered us
+though."
+
+"Where's Heinrich?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"In the next room," said Mr. Cook. "Where's Lena?"
+
+"We lost her."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+Bob told his father what they had done.
+
+"It looks serious," said Mr. Cook thoughtfully. "Sergeant Riley has just
+come from the hospital and he brought me news of Mr. Wernberg."
+
+"How is he?"
+
+"He's better; he talked a little this evening."
+
+"Did he?" cried Bob eagerly. "What did he say?"
+
+"He didn't talk connectedly," said Mr. Cook. "He was only conscious for a
+few minutes, and wasn't well enough to hold a real conversation."
+
+"But he must have said something."
+
+"He did. He mumbled about bombs, and plans. He talked a lot about a
+factory, and kept saying, 'hurry,' over and over again."
+
+"Didn't any one ask him what he meant?"
+
+"I asked him myself," exclaimed Sergeant Riley, "but he was not well
+enough to answer me or understand what I was saying."
+
+"Do you think he referred to this factory?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"The sergeant thinks so," said Mr. Cook. "There are only two others in
+High Ridge that they would try to destroy probably, so you see the chance
+is one in three that he was speaking of this one."
+
+"I can't imagine a man plotting such things," said Bob bitterly. "He
+thinks he's helping Germany I suppose."
+
+"Huh," snorted Bob. "A nice kind of man that will earn his living in a
+country and then try to blow it up. Is he going to get well?"
+
+"The doctors say he has an even chance," said Sergeant Riley.
+
+"Well, all I hope is," said Bob, "that when he does get well they take
+him and put him in jail for about fifteen years. Have you got plenty of
+guards, father?"
+
+"I think so," said Mr. Cook. "I've got all I can get anyway."
+
+"Hugh and I are ready to help you know."
+
+"I know it, and I may use you later to-night; we will need them more
+then probably. In the meantime why don't you go and lie down for a
+little while?"
+
+"We've got a paper here to be translated first," said Bob.
+
+"Give it to me," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "I'll call Heinrich in."
+
+In response to his summons Heinrich soon appeared from the next room. He
+looked pale and haggard as though he was tired and worn and worried. He
+glanced from one to another of the people gathered around the desk, but
+even his old pals, Bob and Hugh, gave him no more than a fleeting smile.
+
+"We have a letter or something here written in German, Heinrich," said
+Mr. Cook. "I'd like to have you translate it for us, please."
+
+Heinrich took the paper that was held out to him. Every one watched him
+narrowly as he looked at it, and were amazed to see him suddenly turn
+deadly white. His hand shook violently and he had to lean against the
+desk to keep from falling. He gazed at Mr. Cook pleadingly, a hunted look
+in his eyes.
+
+"What does it say?" asked his employer.
+
+Heinrich gasped and almost choked once or twice. He swallowed hard and
+finally found his voice again. "I don't know," he replied.
+
+"You mean you can't read the German?"
+
+That seemed to be as good an excuse as any, so Heinrich seized upon it
+eagerly. "Yes," he stammered. "That iss it."
+
+"I don't believe you," said Mr. Cook calmly.
+
+"Please, Mr. Cook," begged Heinrich. "Don't ask me to read it."
+
+"But I want to know what it says."
+
+"I can't read it."
+
+"You don't mean that," said Mr. Cook. "You certainly can read it."
+
+"I can't read it," Heinrich repeated. It was plain to be seen that he was
+suffering great mental agony; he glanced about him fearfully as if he
+expected to be attacked suddenly. He looked at the paper again and an
+involuntary groan escaped him. He appealed to Mr. Cook.
+
+"Please let me go home," he pleaded.
+
+"You won't even leave this room until you've read what that says,"
+exclaimed Mr. Cook, becoming angry and irritated at Heinrich's refusal to
+do as he said. Bob had seen their chauffeur stubborn before, however, and
+he knew that if he made up his mind to a thing he was as obstinate as
+only a German can be.
+
+Heinrich merely looked at Mr. Cook sorrowfully.
+
+"I'm a policeman you know," said Sergeant Riley sharply.
+
+Heinrich ignored the implied threat completely.
+
+"Come on, Heinie," urged Bob cajolingly. "Don't be foolish."
+
+"I can't read it," said Heinrich again.
+
+"You know," said Mr. Cook, "we're suspicious of some things you have done
+already, Heinrich. Don't make it worse if you can help it."
+
+"I can't read it," said Heinrich.
+
+Bob knew the chauffeur well enough to know that there was no use in
+arguing with him further; it would only be a waste of breath and time.
+
+"I don't want to turn you over to the police, Heinrich," said Mr. Cook.
+"That is what I shall do, however, unless you do as I ask."
+
+Heinrich turned paler than ever at this, but the words had no
+other effect on him. "I can't help it," he muttered doggedly. "I
+can't read it."
+
+"Let me see the paper," said Sergeant Riley. Heinrich handed it over.
+
+"What's the little alligator doing on it?" queried the sergeant
+curiously.
+
+"Heinrich can tell you," said Mr. Cook. "What does it mean, Heinrich?"
+
+The chauffeur made no reply. He looked at the floor dejectedly but
+offered no remark. Now and again he glanced about him nervously.
+
+Just at that moment the door of the office was opened and Karl Hoffmann
+entered. Heinrich looked at the newcomer, and there was hatred in his
+very glance. His fists were clenched tightly so that his knuckles showed
+white. He opened his mouth as if about to speak, and apparently with
+difficulty checked himself.
+
+Karl Hoffmann took in the scene with one glance and was plainly surprised
+by the gathering. At first he did not recognize Bob and Hugh, who still
+wore their disguises. Both boys greeted him, however, and laughed at his
+surprise when he discovered who they were.
+
+Karl himself looked pale as though he was working under a high tension;
+certainly the times were strenuous. He held something in his hand that
+apparently he wished to give to Mr. Cook. Before he could speak, however,
+Mr. Cook anticipated him.
+
+"Here is a paper, Karl," he said. "It has German written on it and I'd
+like to have you translate it for us if you will."
+
+As Karl took the paper Heinrich started forward as if he would protest.
+He was pale and his lips were shut tight; his face was the picture of
+desperation. He looked as if he had reached the limit of his endurance
+and must speak. For a moment Bob thought he was going to spring at Karl.
+Heinrich finally got control of himself, however, and relapsed into a
+sullen calm.
+
+Karl took the paper and looked at it carelessly. Suddenly his jaw
+dropped and he started back aghast. He turned almost as pale as
+Heinrich had done.
+
+"Where did you get this?" he demanded.
+
+"Tell us what it says," urged Mr. Cook.
+
+"This is certainly remarkable," said Karl, though by this time he had
+partly regained control of himself.
+
+"He won't read it, I bet," said Heinrich fiercely.
+
+"Keep quiet, Heinrich!" exclaimed Mr. Cook sharply. "Karl is a good
+American; of course he'll read. Won't you, Karl?"
+
+"Certainly I will," said Karl easily. He had entirely recovered his
+composure now.
+
+He had just opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by a
+volley of shots outside. Instantly everything was in confusion. Every
+one made a rush for the door and as it was yanked open a piercing shriek
+rent the air.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+A STRUGGLE IN THE DARK
+
+
+The woman's scream was so full of terror, so agonized, and so
+blood-curdling that for a moment the mad rush out of the door was halted.
+Every one stopped short in horror and amazement.
+
+Sergeant Riley was the first to regain his senses. "Come on!" he shouted
+and plunged out into the night. Close at his heels followed the others.
+That is, all except Heinrich; he dashed into the room adjoining the
+office and remained there unnoticed.
+
+The air was filled with shouts and cries. Men ran hither and thither,
+black shapes flitting up and down like shadows.
+
+"Spread out!" shouted Sergeant Riley. "Circle the factory and don't let
+any one escape."
+
+Bob and Hugh unconsciously kept close together in spite of the sergeant's
+orders. One end of the factory was situated on the shore of the Molton
+River, and toward the river bank the two boys made their way.
+
+"What a scream that was," shuddered Hugh.
+
+"Awful," cried Bob, and then he tripped over something lying on the
+ground, and pitched forward headlong on his face. A moment later he had
+regained his feet.
+
+"What tripped you?" demanded Hugh.
+
+"Look!" said Bob, shivering as he spoke. He pointed to a misshapen heap
+of something lying on the ground at his feet. "It was soft, like a body."
+
+"The woman who screamed," cried Hugh in terror.
+
+"Strike a match."
+
+"I haven't got one."
+
+"We must pick her up and carry her into the office."
+
+"But she may be dead."
+
+"Suppose she is," exclaimed Bob. "We've got to do it just the same."
+
+"This is terrible," cried Hugh. "Can't we get some one to do it for us?"
+
+"Every one is busy."
+
+"Where's Karl?"
+
+"He's busy, too. Come on, Hugh, we must do it. If she's not dead now she
+may die while we stand here and talk about it."
+
+Hugh braced himself for the task. They could distinguish the vague
+outlines of the woman's form, as Bob stationed himself at her head and
+Hugh grasped her feet.
+
+"All ready," said Bob. "Lift her up."
+
+"Suppose we are attacked while we're carrying her."
+
+"Lift her up, will you?" demanded Bob angrily. "What's the matter with
+you, Hugh?"
+
+Bob took hold of her shoulders and Hugh grasped her ankles. She was
+heavy and absolutely limp so that it was very difficult to lift her from
+the ground. The two boys exerted all their strength, however, and
+presently were able to start on their way back to Mr. Cook's office,
+panting and straining as they went. The distance was not great,
+fortunately, and soon they opened the door of the office and deposited
+their burden on the floor.
+
+"Why," gasped Bob, starting back in surprise. "It's Lena."
+
+"What?" demanded Hugh.
+
+"It certainly is. Look at the blood on her shoulder."
+
+"Is she dead?"
+
+"I don't know." He took hold of Lena's wrist and felt for her pulse. "Her
+heart is still beating," he announced a moment later.
+
+"Hadn't we better get a doctor?"
+
+"I should say so," exclaimed Bob. "Call up Doctor Clarke and tell him to
+come down here just as fast as he can."
+
+Hugh hastened to obey, while Bob secured a towel soaked in water and
+began to bathe the wounded woman's face. How had it all happened? Perhaps
+one of the factory guards had surprised her at some criminal work and had
+shot her as she fled. Bob did not know enough to understand whether she
+was badly wounded or not; at any rate she was still bleeding profusely.
+
+Presently Hugh reported that the doctor would be down just as quickly as
+he could. He had promised to start at once.
+
+"What shall we do?" inquired Hugh.
+
+"Don't you think we ought to stay here with Lena?"
+
+"I don't see that we can do anything for her, and we may be needed
+outside. Where's Heinie? Why don't we leave her with him?"
+
+"Where _is_ Heinie anyway?" exclaimed Bob. He hurried to the door of the
+adjoining room, but there was no trace of the missing chauffeur.
+
+"He's gone, I guess," said Hugh. "When every one rushed out in the
+excitement he must have slipped away. We'll never see him again."
+
+"How stupid of us," cried Bob. "Every one clean forgot him, I guess."
+
+"His escape doesn't settle what we have to do," said Hugh.
+
+"Let's go out and leave her here, I say. We don't know anything to do for
+her. Anyway you told the doctor where to come, didn't you?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Come on then," and Bob hurried out, with Hugh following close behind.
+
+In front of the office they stopped for a moment, peering intently all
+about them and straining their ears for every sound. Bob remembered the
+big hickory stick of his father's and stepped inside again to get it.
+
+"We're taking chances prowling around here unarmed," said Hugh when his
+friend had joined him once more.
+
+"I know it, but what can we do?"
+
+"Nothing, I guess. Where do you suppose the others are?"
+
+"Let's go find them."
+
+Again they started in the direction of the river, not in a mad rush this
+time, but slowly and carefully picking their way. They skulked along in
+the shadow of the factory walls, ready for any emergency that might
+arise. They kept close together and if the truth were known both boys
+would have been very glad to have had an armed companion with them.
+
+They had covered perhaps a hundred and fifty feet or so, and ahead of
+them could just make out the dark bank of the river. Suddenly they saw a
+man appear around the corner of the building, running toward them. Bob
+and Hugh crouched against the brick wall and waited for him to come
+near. All at once Bob recognized the stranger and started forward.
+
+"Karl," he cried.
+
+The man halted.
+
+"Where are you going?" asked Bob. "Where are father and the others?"
+
+"Down by the river," replied Karl and once more broke into a run. A
+moment later he was lost to sight in the darkness.
+
+"Seems to me he's in an awful hurry," remarked Hugh.
+
+"Father had probably sent him on an errand," said Bob. "Let's hurry and
+see if we can't find father and Sergeant Riley."
+
+"Who do you think shot Lena?" asked Hugh.
+
+"I don't know. We'd better not talk here now."
+
+"Do you suppose it could have been the fake detective?" said Hugh
+regardless of Bob's advice.
+
+"I don't know, but I don't see why he should shoot one of his own gang."
+
+"He blew up Mr. Wernberg though."
+
+"I know it, but I can't understand it, and as I said I don't think we
+ought to talk here."
+
+They proceeded in silence. Both boys were eager to join the others and
+they wondered what they could be doing down by the river. Perhaps they
+had captured the plotter and had dispatched Karl for rope or handcuffs
+to secure him. At any rate nothing suspicious had happened since the
+shots had first been heard.
+
+The boys had progressed but a short distance further, when suddenly a
+great tongue of flame shot heavenward between them and the river. An
+ear-splitting detonation followed, and the very earth was rocked by an
+enormous explosion. Both boys were thrown violently to the ground by the
+force of it, while showers of earth, bricks, and material of all kinds
+pelted down all about them.
+
+A moment later the boys were on their feet, still partly stunned and
+undecided as to whether they should run or not.
+
+"There may be another one coming," warned Hugh.
+
+While they hesitated a man suddenly appeared running swiftly away from
+the direction of the explosion.
+
+"Hey there!" challenged Bob. "Who are you?"
+
+For answer there came the flash of a revolver and a pane of glass in the
+window close beside the boys' heads was shattered.
+
+"Stop!" shouted Bob at the top of his voice and regardless of danger he
+started in pursuit of the fleeing man. Hugh was not to be left behind at
+such a time and together they raced after the fugitive.
+
+Suddenly he stopped, raised his right arm, and hurled his revolver. It
+struck the ground directly in front of Hugh, spun around a number of
+times and hit him a sharp blow on his shin bone as it caromed.
+
+"Let it alone," cried Bob.
+
+"It must be empty."
+
+Both boys were fleet of foot, but in the first fifty yards of the race
+the man gained on them. It was plain to see that unless something
+happened they would soon be outdistanced. Bob realized that the time had
+come when chances were to be taken. He raised his father's hickory cane
+above his head, whirled it around a couple of times, and sent it spinning
+in the direction of the fleeing figure ahead.
+
+The one chance in a hundred was successful. Bob's aim was true and the
+heavy stick flew straight to its mark. As the man ran, one end of it
+protruded itself between his legs; he was tripped up and, losing his
+balance, fell sprawling to the ground. Almost instantly he was on his
+feet again, but the delay occasioned by his fall had been almost
+sufficient to enable the boys to catch up with him. They were barely two
+steps behind him now.
+
+"Tackle him!" shouted Bob.
+
+Like two ends going down the field to get the quarterback who is
+receiving the punt Bob and Hugh leaped forward at the same time. They
+had both had experience in football and it stood them in good stead now.
+The man went down, both boys literally swarming all over him.
+
+"I've got his legs, Hugh," cried Bob. "Grab his arms."
+
+The man kicked and struggled with all the strength that was in him. Bob
+hung on for dear life, however. He held one of the man's feet in each
+hand and threw his body across his legs to hold them down. Hugh scrambled
+forward and hurled his entire weight across the man's chest. Their
+prisoner's fists were going like flails, but Hugh persisted. The thought
+of this German plotting against the United States was more than he could
+endure and he dealt the man a stunning blow squarely in the face.
+
+A moment later the man's arms and legs were tightly pinned to the ground
+while the two boys sat astride him, complete masters of the situation.
+
+"I'd like to pound his head off," cried Bob fiercely. "Just look at
+that fire."
+
+The bomb had done its work, and already the flames were mounting higher
+and higher over the damaged portion of the factory. The fire whistles
+were blowing violently; some one had turned in the alarm promptly anyway.
+
+"What shall we do with him?" panted Hugh.
+
+"You didn't knock him out when you hit him, did you?"
+
+"No. He's all right."
+
+"Let's get him on his feet and take him up to the office then."
+
+"Hang on tight."
+
+"Don't worry about that. If he tries to get away we'll choke his
+head off."
+
+Whether or not the man understood these remarks he offered no comment.
+Hugh held him by one arm and Bob by the other. They yanked him to his
+feet and marched him off in the direction of the factory office. Strange
+to say their prisoner offered but little resistance; he dragged his feet
+somewhat but followed along sullenly.
+
+Presently there was a clatter and a clang of bells and the fire engine
+dashed into the yard, shooting sparks in a broad yellow stream from its
+stack. There was much shouting and giving of orders, and a moment later
+the hose cart, and the hook and ladder made their appearance.
+
+Whether or not it was the distraction caused by these events, Bob and
+Hugh never could explain to themselves. At any rate they must have
+relaxed their caution and paid less attention to their prisoner than they
+should, for with a sudden violent twist of his body he wrenched himself
+free and was gone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+AN EXPEDITION IS PLANNED
+
+
+"Catch him! Catch him!" shrieked Bob hysterically.
+
+The man darted away in the direction of the fire engine with the two boys
+pursuing him at top speed. The fugitive was fleet of foot, however, as
+had already been proved to Bob and Hugh. He was gaining rapidly on his
+pursuers, while their shouts and calls were lost in the general hubbub
+and confusion incident to the fire.
+
+A short distance along the course of the chase two barrels supporting a
+plank were standing. As the man passed them he hesitated long enough to
+dislodge the plank and upset the barrels. They rolled directly in the
+path of the two boys, one of them causing Hugh to trip and fall. Bob
+kept up the chase, however, but the factory yard was now filled with
+people attracted by the fire and the man he followed soon eluded him in
+the crowd.
+
+There was nothing for Bob to do, but give up. He turned back and
+presently discovered Hugh limping toward him.
+
+"Hurt yourself?" he demanded.
+
+"I skinned my knee. Where's our man?"
+
+"He got away in the crowd."
+
+"We're a couple of fine ones," exclaimed Hugh disgustedly.
+
+"We certainly are," echoed Bob. "I'm getting so I'm ashamed to see
+father; all I do is report failures to him."
+
+"We'd better go back to the office and see him though."
+
+They returned to the office and at the door met Mr. Cook coming out. He
+greeted the boys heartily, for he had been worried about them.
+
+"I'm glad to see you two," he exclaimed. "I was afraid something had
+happened to you."
+
+"Oh, we're all right," said Bob. "Where's Lena?"
+
+"What do you mean?" demanded his father. "I haven't seen her."
+
+"Well, just look at that," said Bob, pointing to a dark stain on the
+floor. "That's where she was lying; she was the woman who screamed."
+
+"You don't tell me!" exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Was she badly hurt, and who
+shot her?"
+
+"We can't answer either question. All we know is that we found her
+outside, unconscious, and brought her in here. She was wounded in the
+shoulder and bleeding badly. We left her here and went out again."
+
+"Why didn't you telephone for a doctor?"
+
+"We did. We sent for Doctor Clarke."
+
+"And here's a note from him on the table here," exclaimed Hugh. As he
+spoke he handed the piece of paper to Mr. Cook.
+
+"'Have taken patient to hospital in order to remove bullet,'" Mr. Cook
+read aloud.
+
+"Golly," exclaimed Hugh. "There's lots going on around here, isn't
+there?"
+
+"Too much," said Mr. Cook soberly. "I hope that explosion hurt no one."
+
+"How about the fire?" asked Bob.
+
+Sergeant Riley arrived just then and reported that the fire department
+had the blaze under control and that it was only a question of a short
+time before it would be entirely out.
+
+"'Tis lucky it is no worse," he said seriously.
+
+"And it's also lucky that my insurance will pay for it all," added Mr.
+Cook.
+
+"The thing that makes me mad is that the German divils who exploded the
+bomb all got away," exclaimed the sergeant bitterly.
+
+"Were there more than one of them?" asked Bob.
+
+"We don't know for sure," replied Riley. "One o' the men told me he saw
+two of them running away, but he may have been mistaken."
+
+"Well, Hugh and I caught one of them," said Bob.
+
+"You did!" almost shrieked Sergeant Riley, bouncing out of his chair.
+"Where is he then?"
+
+"We don't know."
+
+"What do yez mean?"
+
+"He got away from us, and we lost him in the crowd."
+
+"Oh, my boy, my boy," wailed Riley, nearly in tears. "Why did yez ever
+let such a thing happen to you? That was our chance to put a crimp in the
+whole gang, and now I suppose they'll be after blowing things up worse
+than ever."
+
+"But we didn't do it on purpose," protested Bob meekly.
+
+"I know yez didn't," said the sergeant. "If I had only been there! I can
+tell yez that if ever I get my hands on one of them fellers he'll never
+get away."
+
+"It's too bad," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Still I don't think the damage they
+did here will seriously interfere with our work for the Government."
+
+"I hope not," said Sergeant Riley fervently. "I hope yez can make enough
+ammunition to blow the bloody Germans clean out of France and Belgium and
+sink every blooming submarine they have on the ocean."
+
+"I hope so, too, Riley," said Mr. Cook. "There's no room in a decent
+world for people who act as the Germans do."
+
+"First of all though we've got to fix it so they can't interfere with
+our factories over here," exclaimed the sergeant. "I wish we could catch
+this gang."
+
+"What happened to Heinrich?" asked Bob. "Did he get away?"
+
+"He did not," said Sergeant Riley. "One of my men escorted him to the
+police station where he'll be waiting until we want him."
+
+"He didn't say what was on that sheet of paper, did he?"
+
+"Not yet."
+
+"Where's Karl?" asked Bob. "He was going to read it for us."
+
+"I don't know where Karl is," said Mr. Cook. "He hurried off to look
+after part of the factory just before the explosion occurred. He's a good
+soul, Karl. I wish all the German-Americans were as loyal as he is."
+
+"Did one of the guards shoot Lena?" Hugh inquired.
+
+"No," replied Mr. Cook. "Karl and I asked them all, and not one of them
+had even seen her. It's a peculiar thing."
+
+"I wonder if our friend the fake detective could have done it."
+
+"He wasn't the feller you caught, was he?" asked Riley.
+
+"No," said Bob. "Our man had whiskers, didn't he, Hugh?"
+
+"Yes," said Hugh.
+
+"They may have been false," suggested the sergeant. "You've got
+false ones on."
+
+"And they still itch terribly."
+
+"Why don't you take them off?" inquired Mr. Cook. "I guess you won't need
+them any more to-night, will you?"
+
+"That depends on what is going to happen," said Bob. "Have you any plans,
+Sergeant?"
+
+"I wish I had," exclaimed Riley. "What I want to find out is where
+this gang has its headquarters. When I know that I'll go there and
+pay a call."
+
+"I know where it is," said Bob.
+
+"You do?" demanded the sergeant in surprise. "What are you two anyway; a
+couple of young Sherlock Holmes?"
+
+"Not at all," laughed Bob. "We are suspicious of a certain house though,
+and it might be worth while to go up there and take a look around."
+
+"That's the stuff," exclaimed Riley eagerly. "I'll swear you all in
+as deputy sheriffs, and we'll get guns for yez and go up just as soon
+as we can."
+
+"We're only suspicious of this house, you know," said Bob.
+
+"Where is it?"
+
+"Twelve eighty-two Elm Street."
+
+"I heard Heinrich say something about Elm Street," exclaimed Riley.
+"Your clue may be a good one after all."
+
+"Poor old Heinie," murmured Bob.
+
+"Poor old nothing," cried Riley. "Who feels sorry for a German plotter?"
+
+"But Heinie was stupid and they probably made a fool of him."
+
+"The fact remains, however, Bob," said Mr. Cook, "that Heinrich evidently
+was in with this gang and therefore he ought to be punished."
+
+"You're dead right, Mr. Cook," exclaimed the sergeant. "No matter whether
+a man's been made a fool of or not, if he's dangerous he ought to be
+locked up."
+
+"I suppose so," Bob agreed. "I feel sorry for him though, more sorry than
+I do for Lena. She has more brains than Heinie and ought to know better."
+
+"Meanwhile we ought to be on our way to Elm Street," exclaimed Sergeant
+Riley. "Come on, boys, let's get started."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+A RAID AND A SURPRISE
+
+
+Mr. Cook's automobile was still standing outside, and a few moments later
+the little party of four were seated in it and on their way to the police
+station. Bob was at the wheel.
+
+Upon their arrival it was the work of only a few moments to have Mr. Cook
+and the two boys sworn in as deputy sheriffs. Bob and Hugh retired to the
+wash room and after more or less trouble succeeded in removing the false
+crop of hair from their faces.
+
+Sergeant Riley ordered two policemen in uniform to go with them, and when
+Mr. Cook, Bob and Hugh had been equipped with pistols and heavy night
+sticks, the band, now increased to six, were ready to proceed. They used
+the Cooks' car again and presently were gliding silently along in the
+direction of Elm Street.
+
+Two blocks distant from number twelve eighty-two Bob stopped the car and
+every one got out. A short consultation was held and it was decided to
+separate. Consequently Mr. Cook, Hugh, and one of the policemen went
+down a side street in order to go around the block and approach the house
+from the opposite direction. Bob, Sergeant Riley, and the other policeman
+were to wait a few moments and then move on up Elm Street. It was thought
+best to have Bob with one party and Hugh with the other as both boys knew
+the house and could lead the way with no possibility of mistake.
+
+It was exciting work and Bob and Hugh both felt very important and
+elated at being allowed to accompany the officers on this raid.
+Furthermore they were going to see the inside of the mysterious stucco
+house, and perhaps clear up the whole mystery of the German plot and spy
+system in High Ridge.
+
+After a few moments' wait Bob, Sergeant Riley, and the policeman started
+to move slowly up the street. They met no one on the way, for it was now
+after midnight and people were mostly in bed. Only one house had a light
+burning as far as they could see; that house was a white stucco one,
+number twelve eighty-two and the light was on the third floor.
+
+"Here come the others," whispered Bob to Sergeant Riley as they drew near
+their destination.
+
+Orders had already been given and every one knew what he was to do. One
+of the policemen went around to the rear of the house and took his
+position by the back door. Mr. Cook was to guard the front entrance, and
+both men had instructions to do everything necessary to prevent the
+escape of any of the inmates of the house.
+
+The remaining four members of the party, led by Sergeant Riley, stole
+noiselessly up the steps and approached the front door. Riley took a
+bunch of keys from his pocket, inspected the lock, and then selected one
+of his keys. At the first trial the lock responded; he grasped the door
+knob and silently and, with extreme caution, pushed open the door.
+
+The hallway was unlighted. Sergeant Riley took out his flashlight and
+pressed the button on it for a second as he inspected the hall. He
+uttered a low grunt of satisfaction as he noted that there was a carpet
+on the floor, and also on the stairs leading to the second floor. That
+meant their footsteps would not be heard. He beckoned to the others to
+follow, and softly stepped inside.
+
+Scarcely daring to breathe, the four raiders advanced. They made no noise
+on the thick carpet, but a collision with a piece of furniture or a false
+step might have ruined all their chances for success. Sergeant Riley was
+in the lead, quick flashes from his pocket torch showing the way.
+
+After what seemed hours they reached the second floor. Thus far nothing
+had occurred to make them think that they had been discovered, but the
+hardest part was yet to come. From the third floor came the sound of
+voices and a shaft of light from an open door pierced the darkness of the
+hallway. The men above were talking in German.
+
+There was a brief halt and then Sergeant Riley stole forward again.
+With breath in check and walking on tip-toe his three companions
+followed. The open door above was about five or six feet distant from
+the head of the stairs. They started up the last flight; the voices of
+the men above seemed raised in anger, and though Bob of course could
+not understand what was said, he thought that the tone of one of them
+sounded strangely familiar.
+
+Suddenly the stairs under Sergeant Riley's foot creaked. The little band
+stopped short, their hearts pounding; every one gripped his revolver a
+bit tighter and waited for developments. Apparently the noise had not
+been heard, however, for the voices continued as before.
+
+The advance was resumed and finally Sergeant Riley reached the top of
+the stairs. He went a little farther and took his stand just beside
+the opened door and barely out of the light. As the others came up
+they stationed themselves directly behind the sergeant and close
+against the wall.
+
+It was a tense moment. Bob and Hugh could feel their hearts hammering so
+that it seemed to the two boys the noise must be heard. Their faces were
+pale, and frankly they were frightened. Suppose the men in the room
+should outnumber them and overpower them? Certainly if they were the
+spies and plotters they sought, they would be desperate. Then again it
+was just possible that the men were peaceful citizens, and that the
+affair would turn out to be a farce; that would be almost too
+humiliating.
+
+Suddenly Sergeant Riley stepped forward into the open doorway.
+
+"Hands up!" he ordered sharply, covering the inmates of the room with his
+pistol. His three companions crowded into the doorway alongside him.
+
+There were three men seated about a table in the room, and they were
+completely taken by surprise. They started to their feet with muttered
+exclamations of anger and astonishment, staring with wide eyes at the
+four pistols levelled at them from the doorway.
+
+One man hesitated and made a move as if to reach around towards his hip
+pocket, but Sergeant Riley was alert.
+
+"None of that," he cried. "Put up your hands."
+
+The man hastened to obey and together the three stood and faced their
+captors. Sullen and angry they looked, and not one of them spoke.
+
+"Now, Marshal," said Sergeant Riley, speaking to the policeman next to
+him. "I wish you would be so good as to relieve these gentlemen of any
+hardware they may have concealed about them."
+
+While Riley and Bob and Hugh covered the three prisoners, the officer
+went rapidly from one to another and took a revolver from each one of
+them. He also examined their other pockets, but finding no additional
+weapons returned to his post by the door.
+
+While this little drama was being enacted Bob had a chance to look about
+the room. It was scantily furnished, a table, four chairs, and a shelf
+along the wall constituting its equipment. On the shelf were a dozen or
+more bottles that looked as if they might contain chemicals; a square
+black box stood on the table and also a brass spring and what resembled a
+cord hanging from one side. Bob decided it was a bomb. From a nail in the
+center of the ceiling a small alligator was suspended by its tail. Bob
+recognized the missing Percy, and decided that this must be the
+headquarters of the gang that had used an alligator as its symbol, and
+traced a picture of it on all the notes and warnings they sent out.
+
+While the furnishings of the room were interesting, the three men
+captured were far more so, and as Bob saw one of them he experienced a
+distinct shock. The first was a man with dark hair, weighing perhaps one
+hundred and fifty pounds, and having a close-cropped mustache; the fake
+detective beyond a doubt. The second was a thin, wiry individual with a
+beard, and a swollen, red nose. He was the man who had escaped from his
+and Hugh's hands at the factory, Bob decided. His nose was swollen where
+Hugh had hit him. This must be the man who had set off the bomb.
+
+The third prisoner was the one who furnished the surprise to Bob,
+however. He was a man Bob had known for years, and liked, admired, and
+trusted as well. He was Karl Hoffmann.
+
+"Well," exclaimed Sergeant Riley, "it looks as if you men was through
+with your work. Get out your handcuffs, Marshal."
+
+Up till now not one of the prisoners had spoken. When they saw the
+manacles being brought out, however, they shifted uneasily and
+Karl spoke.
+
+"Bob," he said. "This is all a mistake."
+
+Bob would have liked to believe him but before he had an opportunity to
+say anything Sergeant Riley spoke up. "Perhaps it is a mistake," he
+exclaimed. "We can talk that over down at the police station better than
+here, however."
+
+There was now little left to do. The handcuffs were quickly attached to
+the prisoners' wrists and Hugh was sent to the second floor to telephone
+for the patrol wagon. The prisoners were marched downstairs, and Mr. Cook
+and the other policeman were summoned. Mr. Cook was as shocked as Bob had
+been to see Karl Hoffmann among those who had been captured in the raid.
+
+There was nothing for it, however, but to see him loaded into the patrol
+wagon and driven away to police headquarters.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+CONCLUSION
+
+
+Mr. Cook, with Bob and Hugh, returned home. They had been in the house
+only a few moments when the telephone rang, and Mr. Cook answered it to
+find Sergeant Riley on the wire.
+
+"I want to come up and see yez," he said. "I've let one of your friends
+out of jail and I'll bring him along with me if you don't mind."
+
+He offered no further explanations, and the three friends were at a loss
+to understand what his visit could mean and who the "friend" might be.
+
+"It must be Karl," said Mr. Cook. "No one can convince me he's disloyal."
+
+"I guess that's who it is all right," agreed Bob.
+
+They discussed their experiences of the past two days, but no one was
+able to offer any satisfactory explanation for the strange events through
+which they had passed. There was only one thing of which they were
+certain and that was that a band of men who were working for Germany had
+been plotting against the peace and welfare of the United States.
+
+It was not long, however, before Sergeant Riley arrived and every
+one was greatly astonished to see that his companion was none other
+than Heinrich.
+
+"Yes," said the sergeant. "Here's your friend Heinrich back again, and I
+guess he's here to stay this time."
+
+Mr. Cook was a trifle cool in his greeting to the chauffeur. Not that
+he did not like him, but he had hoped to see Karl with the police
+sergeant. He had been convinced of Heinrich's guilt, while he had
+considered Karl to be innocent. Furthermore Karl had been foreman of
+the factory for a number of years and had proved himself a most
+intelligent and valuable workman.
+
+"Heinrich has a story to tell you," said Sergeant Riley.
+
+"You confessed, did you, Heinrich?" asked Mr. Cook. He was under the
+impression that he had confessed in order to save himself, and glad as he
+was to have the mystery and uncertainty ended he did not like a
+"tell-tale."
+
+"He had nothing to confess," said Riley. "Tell your story, Heinrich."
+
+"Well," began Heinrich nervously, "in the first place you all suspected
+me because I worked for Mr. Wernberg. Mr. Wernberg was working all the
+time for the United States."
+
+"What?" exclaimed Mr. Cook in surprise.
+
+"Yes," said Heinrich, "that iss what he was doing. He knew there was
+plots on foot and he knew every one in High Ridge was suspicious of him.
+He decided to expose those plots and prove that he was a good American.
+He hired Lena and me mit some others to help him."
+
+"Lena, too, was all right?" demanded Bob.
+
+"Certainly," exclaimed Heinrich. "Of course she iss all right. Mr.
+Wernberg he knew who these plotters were, but he was not able to prove
+anything about them. He also knew that they were meeting in that old
+house out in the woods. The night before last he went out there in a big
+gray roadster to search the house."
+
+"I didn't know that was his car," said Bob in surprise.
+
+"Yes," said Heinrich, "and I was mit him. You and Hugh followed us and we
+knew it, so to scare you away I took the automobile and brought it home.
+You see Mr. Wernberg wanted to do it all himself."
+
+"We couldn't understand it," muttered Hugh. "To think that you were
+fooling us all the time, Heinie."
+
+"Yes," grinned the chauffeur, "I fool you all right. Well that night we
+could not find anything so we left and Mr. Wernberg went back the next
+afternoon to look around. One of the plotter's gang discovered that he
+was there and tried to blow him up."
+
+"But who locked us in that room?" demanded Bob.
+
+"I did," said Heinrich. "I thought you was part of the German gang."
+
+"Didn't you see us?"
+
+"No, I only hear you talking. Then I fire one shot to give you a scare."
+
+"And you almost blew Bob's head off," added Hugh.
+
+"I tried to shoot high," said Heinrich. "Then I hurry away to tell Mr.
+Wernberg that I had two of the plotters caught. When I was gone I guess
+one of the plotters came there and you had a fight with him."
+
+"The fake detective," exclaimed Bob.
+
+"His name iss Kraus," said Heinrich. "He has a little mustache, and in
+the afternoon he blew up the house, because he knew we were after him and
+he wished to destroy all evidence."
+
+"That's when Mr. Wernberg got hurt," said Mr. Cook. "What was he doing in
+the house, Heinrich?" He was amazed at the way the mystery was clearing
+itself up.
+
+"As I told you," said Heinrich. "He was looking around for evidence
+against the gang."
+
+"Why didn't he notify the police if he was suspicious?"
+
+"As I told you," repeated Heinrich patiently, "he wished to do all
+himself and when he turned those men over to the police no one could say
+he was forced to do it. They sent him lots of warning notes because they
+knew he was after them."
+
+"What did the alligator mean?"
+
+"It iss the sign of a secret society; all Germans in High Ridge know
+that. It was that snake Hoffmann who stole poor Percy to kill him and
+hang him up in the room where they had their office."
+
+"How long has Karl been a member of the gang?" asked Mr. Cook.
+
+"Ever since Germany went to war with England," said Heinrich. "Nearly
+three years."
+
+"But he never talked as though he sided with Germany."
+
+"The ones who mean trouble never do," said Heinrich. "Karl knew enough to
+keep his mouth shut. You see you never suspected him."
+
+"Tell me about Lena," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Why was she meeting that man
+Kraus down town tonight and going around with him if she was not working
+with the gang?"
+
+"She pretended to Karl Hoffmann that she was working mit them. All the
+time she was acting as a spy for Mr. Wernberg. Because Karl Hoffmann was
+in love with her he told her lots of things, and it was in that way we
+got most of our information."
+
+"Pretty clever, eh?" exclaimed Sergeant Riley, approvingly.
+
+"There's another thing, Heinrich," said Mr. Cook. "Why wouldn't you read
+what was written on that paper tonight?"
+
+Heinrich looked sheepish. "I could not," he said. "Kraus had become
+suspicious of Lena; he feared she was going to betray them and the note
+was a warning to her. It said that if they were caught they would see to
+it that she went to jail mit them. At that time you were all suspecting
+poor Lena, and I was afraid you would send her to jail before she had a
+chance to prove to you that she was loyal."
+
+"You're in love with Lena, aren't you?" asked Mr. Cook.
+
+"We are to be married," said Heinrich, proudly, his eyes shining.
+
+"Did Karl suspect that Lena was treacherous?"
+
+"I think not until he saw that note."
+
+"He was going to read it to us though."
+
+"He would not have read it," cried Heinrich hotly. "He would have made up
+something, not what it said at all."
+
+"Who shot Lena?"
+
+"Kraus shot her. She was going to your office to warn you that your
+factory was going to be blown up, and he shot her to prevent that."
+
+"Who was the man with the whiskers?" asked Bob.
+
+"His name iss Mueller. He iss the one who set off the bomb tonight."
+
+"That's what we thought," exclaimed Bob. "Well, Hugh, you hit him one
+good one anyway, didn't you?"
+
+"I hope so," said Hugh.
+
+"There was four of them altogether," said Heinrich. "Kraus, Mueller,
+Hoffmann, and a man named Schaefer who went to blow up the railroad
+bridge Friday night and has not been heard of since."
+
+"We know where he is, don't we, Hugh?" laughed Bob.
+
+"Where iss he?" demanded Heinrich.
+
+"In jail, I guess," said Bob. "We caught him on the bridge with a bomb."
+
+"Good boys," said Heinrich warmly.
+
+"Why were you so angry when you had to go with father tonight?" asked
+Bob. "Where was your engagement?"
+
+"I was going with Lena to twelve eighty-two Elm Street, where Schaefer
+lived. You see Lena was already a member of the gang, so they thought,
+and I was to join too, so we both could watch them better."
+
+"Somebody telephoned Lena about meeting them there this evening."
+
+"Yes, it was Mueller. He thought he had a recruit in me."
+
+"Well, Heinrich," said Mr. Cook, "I guess that explains pretty nearly
+everything, and I'm sorry I ever suspected you." He shook hands warmly.
+
+"Oh, that's all right," smiled Heinrich. "I had to get suspected with the
+job I had. That was part of the game."
+
+At that moment the door bell rang and Dr. Clarke was ushered in. "I
+thought you might be interested in the hospital patients," he said. "Mr.
+Wernberg will recover all right, and Lena is not badly hurt. She keeps
+calling all the time for somebody named Heinrich. Do you know him?"
+
+"Will you excuse me, Mr. Cook?" exclaimed Heinrich, and, without waiting
+for a reply, he dashed out of the room, nearly falling over two chairs in
+his haste to get away to the hospital.
+
+"He seems to be in a hurry, doesn't he?" laughed the doctor.
+
+"I must be going, too," said Sergeant Riley. "I have some boarders down
+at my hotel who may need attention."
+
+"Well, good-night, Sergeant," exclaimed Mr. Cook, shaking hands with the
+doughty officer. "I'm sorry Hoffmann was mixed up in this business, but
+I'm glad it's all cleared up. I hope we'll have no more trouble."
+
+"Ye won't, as long as yez have two young fellers like Bob and Hugh
+working for yez," exclaimed Riley. "The United States needs boys like
+that; this war is going to be a long and hard one in my opinion."
+
+"I'm afraid so," Mr. Cook agreed. "I guess we'll come out all right if we
+all work hard and stick together though."
+
+"That's it," exclaimed Riley. "We must all work together. Our personal
+feelings don't count. It's what our country needs."
+
+He said good night all around and went out.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The next morning Bob was out in the yard inspecting a plot of ground
+where he was going to have a garden. He could not enlist, but he was
+going to "do his bit" by raising a few vegetables, and thus help to
+supply the country with its necessary food. He heard a step behind him
+and turned to see Frank Wernberg.
+
+Frank held out his hand. "Shake hands with me, Bob," he exclaimed. "I
+want to tell you that I was wrong about that the other day, and you
+were right."
+
+Bob responded heartily. "Yes," said Frank.
+
+"I was dead wrong. I had thought from the way father talked that he was
+pro-German, but I found out that he wasn't at all. When it came to a
+question of deciding between his country and Germany there was never any
+doubt about where he stood."
+
+"I know that, Frank," said Bob. "I wish every one of German birth or
+descent over here felt the same way."
+
+"I think most of them do," said Frank.
+
+"I guess that's right," Bob agreed. "Look at Lena and Heinrich."
+
+"Well, all I wish now," exclaimed Frank, "is that we could enlist."
+
+"So do I," cried Bob enthusiastically. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if you
+and Hugh and I could enlist and go together?"
+
+The new adventures are recorded in the story entitled,
+
+BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN AIR FLEET.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Bob Cook and the German Spy
+by Tomlinson, Paul Greene
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY ***
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