"Herr Benson, I have already told you that I am Herr Professor--"

"Now, don't hang out the striped pole again, please," urged Jack, his
face as sober as that of a judge. "Come right down to the points of
the compass. How am I to know that you really do represent the
German government?"

"Ach! I comprehend," nodded the German. "Of course you will understand
that, on an errand of this kind, I do not travel with too many papers.
But I shall take you and your two companions on to Washington to-morrow,
I think--"

"To-morrow ought to do as well as any time," replied Jack, ironically.

"Yes; I think it will be to-morrow," continued the German. "I shall
take you to our German Embassy, and one of our officials there will
prove to you that I have been acting with authority."

"That'll be right fine of him," agreed Jack, placidly.

"Ach! It is settled, then," replied the German, all but dismissing the
matter with a wave of his hand. "Yet you must bring your two comrades
here. They must understand just what is wanted of them. And now, Herr
Benson, do you wish to understand what is to be paid to you to transfer
your services to our German flag?"

"Why, yes; that will be mighty important--if we go under the German
flag."