"Well," said Hal, "I am going to the home of the German undersecretary
of foreign affairs. I am going to see Mrs. Schweiring."

Chester nodded.

"Then we shall stay here until you return," he said.

"Very well," Hal agreed. "But if I have not returned by noon, you will
know something has happened, and you will proceed about the work with
no further thought of me."

He left the room quickly.

He made inquiries at the hotel office, and half an hour later found
himself before the residence of the German undersecretary of foreign
affairs. He rang the doorbell. A footman answered the ring. Hal
announced that he would like to see Mrs. Schweiring.

"Your card," said the footman, allowing him to enter.

"I have no card," said Hal. "You will tell her that Herr Block, of the
Dutch newspaper, The Amsterdamer, desires to see her."

The footman bowed and departed. A few moments later he returned,
followed by a young woman -- she could not have been more than 18, Hal
decided. The young woman approached, and spoke to Hal.

"My mother is unable to see you at this moment, Herr Block," she said.
"She has sent me to learn the nature of your business with her."