Part 20 (1/2)

”I have not thought of that yet. You may not have to send any messages at all, and if you do, it will not be for some little time, so perhaps it's just as well that you can't get up there without my a.s.sistance.”

Then with a jolly laugh, which showed that although he was pitting his strength and wits against the great General Staff, the most wonderful machine on earth, he was as light-hearted as a boy, he said:

”You might, as you did on the yacht, want to see the wheels go 'round, or else you'd be sending messages off to a lot of girls.

”Now, make haste,” he directed, ”send for the trunk marked 'Black.'”

With the arrival of the trunk the machine was soon adjusted, and Edestone having tested Lawrence's knowledge, and explained to him again exactly what he was to do, gave him orally all that was necessary for him to know about the code that was to be used.

A little later, when they rejoined Jones, the Acting Amba.s.sador, he wanted to know what they had been up to. ”Has Lawrence been giving you the telephone numbers of some of these prospective war brides,” he asked, ”or does he want you to take tea with some Royal Princess? You know, Jack, Lawrence seems to be quite a favourite in the very smart army set. It appears that they have heard that his grandfather was the military governor of New York. That makes him eligible. And besides, he is teaching the entire royal family the latest American dances.”

”Well, if you care to know what we have been up to,” said Edestone, ”I don't mind telling you that we have been arranging for a little moving-picture entertainment here at the Emba.s.sy. Have we your permission to go ahead with it? It would be a little treat for the people here in the house.”

”Certainly,” consented Jones. ”Go as far as you like. I myself will be glad to see something beside battles and dead men. But why in the name of common sense have you lugged a moving-picture machine all the way over from America when you might have brought us some potatoes? I suppose, of course, it has something to do with your fool scheme. Well, as long as it doesn't get us into trouble, and helps to take our minds off this war, I haven't any objection. When do you propose to have your show?”

”I can't exactly say as to that,” Edestone answered. ”It all depends upon Lawrence, who is to be my trap-man. He had better fix the date.”

He looked at the other conspirator with a questioning glance.

”We'll have it tonight then,” said Lawrence. ”I think I can get up my part by that time.” He made significant faces at Edestone behind the Secretary's back.

”Tonight's the night, eh?” said Jones with a smile. ”Very well, we'll all be on hand.”

Edestone, after his experiences on the frontier, and his two days'

journey shut up in the railroad car, greatly enjoyed these evenings with his old friends, the Joneses; and found pleasure in meeting some of Mrs. Jones's young friends, who were delighted when they heard of the moving-picture show.

Later, while the Secretary of Legation and Edestone were alone, Lawrence having insisted upon helping Black install the moving-picture machine, Jones turned to his guest.

”I saw General von Lichtenstein at the club this afternoon,” he said.

”He seemed to be delighted with you, Jack. Said you were a fine young man, and will not believe that you are not of German descent. He hopes to present you when the Emperor returns to Berlin, which he says will be in a few days. When I told him that you had not told me what your invention was he merely laughed. I know he did not believe me. He seems to think that the United States has something to do with sending you over here. He is a sly old fox and I tell you to look out for him.”

He might have added more but Lawrence appeared just then and, imitating a barker in a sideshow, announced that everything was ready for the performance.

The entertainment proved a brilliant success. Edestone showed some scenes from America which he had brought over to amuse the distinguished audiences he had expected to meet in Europe. The pictures showing him tossing great weights and men about the room delighted the servants, but the Secretary only looked bored and Mrs. Jones did not hesitate to say that she thought Edestone must be losing his mind, travelling all around the world with such silly things.

But it answered his purposes. Lawrence soon came in and whispered to him that Mr. Black and the wireless machine were safely up in the penthouse, and if Edestone could hold his audience for a half-an-hour longer the work would be finished.

Edestone then threw on the screen all the crowned heads of Europe, taking tea, playing tennis, and laying corner-stones. He had some especially fine pictures of the German Emperor. He was getting a little nervous though as he found his supply of films running short, but at that moment he spied Lawrence entering the door, who gave the signal ”All is well.”

The Secretary, after the entertainment, pressed Edestone to tell him something more about his invention, but Edestone shook his head.

”I am purposely keeping you out of this, William,” he said, ”for if I get into trouble I don't want to drag you and the Missus in with me.”

Then with the promise that he would move around to the Emba.s.sy in the morning, he left for his hotel.

CHAPTER XXII

KAFFEE KLATSCH