Hal smiled.

"I'm not applying for a job, sir," he replied. "I came here at your
son's suggestion. He said you might have a proposition to make, and if
I can be of service without taking too great risk, I am willing, sir."

Again the general meditated. At last he said:

"It's true that we have need of men for the work my son mentions. To
my mind, your youth would be in favor, rather than against, the success
of the undertaking. Would you be willing to go back to America?"

"Well, I don't care particularly about going right now," said Hal
truthfully.

"But there is nothing to prevent your going?"

."Well, no. But I would know the nature of my work first. I would not like to
become a spy, sir. It seems to me that spies are not made of manly
caliber, sir."

"You are wrong," was the quiet response. "Why, I can show you the
names of men whom you would not think of suspecting, and yet who are
acting for the German government in America."

"Is that so, sir?"

"It is indeed. Wait." General Rentzel arose, approached the big safe
in the rear of the room, unlocked it and took there from a small