Part 19 (2/2)

”Jack Edestone, you know perfectly well that you can depend upon me, while I know that you will not do anything that is not strictly on the level, so what's the use of saying anything more. I'm with you. What is it you want?”

”Well, take me up on the roof,” said Edestone.

”Say, Bo, is that all?”

”Now be quiet, Lawrence; do what you are told. You will get a good run for your money, so for Heaven's sake do be serious.”

The roof, which was reached by elevator, was flat, covered with cement, and but for the chimneys, a few skylights, and the penthouse over the elevator shaft, was unenc.u.mbered.

Edestone first went over and examined this penthouse with great care.

He found as he expected a small free s.p.a.ce over the machinery which was entirely hidden from view and could be reached only from the roof of the car when it was run to the top of the elevator shaft, and then by climbing over the big drum around which the cable ran. It was perfectly dark inside and one could remain there for days without being discovered.

After thoroughly inspecting this, the inventor went over and examined the tall flag-pole, first saluting the stars and stripes which were waving from it. Finally, appearing satisfied, he led Lawrence to the edge of the roof and stood for a moment looking over the coping wall at the city below. He seemed to be establis.h.i.+ng his bearings, but seeing one of the soldiers who was stationed in the street near the Emba.s.sy, he stepped back quickly.

”Come below,” he drew Lawrence back. ”We must not be seen.”

Lawrence, who by this time was satisfied that there was going to be some real excitement, led the way back to his apartments.

”Little did I think,” said Edestone with a smile when they were once more settled, ”when I used to chase you out of the wireless room on board the _Storm Queen_, Lawrence, that I would some day make use of the information which you got there, and which cost me a new instrument and one of the best operators I ever had, but that is the reason I am calling on you now.”

”Good,” cried Lawrence. ”I am the best little sparker that ever sent an S. O. S. over the blue between drinks of salt water, while swimming on my back around the wireless room chased by a man-eating shark. And as for a catcher, why, my boy, I can receive while eating a piece of toast.”

”All right,” said Edestone with a laugh; ”as your references from your last place are so good you shall have the job. You took charge of my trunks, did you not?”

”Yes,” replied Lawrence.

”Well, in the one marked 'Black,' there is a small wireless instrument.

The Germans know that I have it, and I realize that they let it get through in the hope of picking up any messages I may send out. They do not know, however, that I intend to send but two, and these will be both of but one word each. If they can make head or tail of these, they are welcome. Still, on Jones's account, I want them not to know that I am sending from here, nor do I care to have Jones know that this instrument is in the Emba.s.sy. I want you to install it in the penthouse above the drum, and I will a.s.sure you that if I ask you to send out my two messages, it will not be until after Jones has given his consent.

Do you think that you can do this?”

Lawrence pondered for some moments. ”Of course I can send the messages, and I can install the instrument too, but how to do it without letting the Secretary know or keeping the d.a.m.n German servants from catching on I don't quite see.”

”I have thought of all that. The elevator is an electric one and any person can run it by pus.h.i.+ng the b.u.t.ton. All you have to do then is to unpack the wireless instrument here in your room, and after you have adjusted it you can certainly arrange in some way to get it on top of the elevator car?”

”Yes,” Lawrence nodded.

”Now my Mr. Black, who is at the hotel, is one of the best electricians in America. He can install the instrument easily, and I will tell you how. In the other trunk I sent up is a moving-picture machine----”

”Oh, I say, come now!” said Lawrence. ”I suppose you are going to tell me next that you've got a setting hen in another trunk and that you are going to bribe Fritz and Karl with fresh eggs. And that's no merry jest; we haven't seen a fresh egg in Berlin in six months.”

”No, Lawrence, I'm not joking. I mean exactly what I say. I have a moving-picture machine with me and lots of films, interesting ones too, and I propose to give a show right here in the Emba.s.sy. I will ask the Secretary to allow every servant in the house to come in and see it. I can keep them quiet for an hour, and during that time you can get Black, who will be acting as my helper, into the elevator shaft and run him up to the top of the penthouse. You can depend upon him to do the rest, and all you will have to do after that is to see that he gets down before I turn up the lights, when your absence might be remarked.

Isn't that simple enough?”

”But how am I to get up there to send the messages when the time comes?” asked Lawrence.

<script>