"Very well. Now I have a little information that may be of value. In
another code message from the state department I am advised that
efforts are being made to get a member of the diplomatic staff back
into Berlin. There is one person in the German capital whom you may
trust." General Pershing lowered his voice. "That person," he said,
"is the wife of the German undersecretary for foreign affairs. She is
an American woman, and upon several occasions has been of service to
her own country. Her name is Schweiring."

"We shall remember, sir," said Chester.

"Now," said General Pershing, "I have no advice to offer as to how you
shall reach Berlin, nor how you shall go about your work. Once in
Berlin, however, you will have to be governed by circumstances. You
speak German, I am told?"

"Like natives, sir," said Hal with a grin.

"Very well. I shall see that you are granted indefinite leave of
absence. There is just one thing more. I want to say that I do not
like to ask my men to become spies."

"Why, sir," said Chester gravely, "it's all for our country; and the
day when a spy was looked down upon has gone. It is just another way
of serving ones country, sir."

"Nevertheless," said General Pershing, "the punishment is the same as
it has been down the ages: death."

"If caught," Hal added with a smile.