Part 6 (1/2)
”But mother has no secrets from me,” she declared.
”That's the American blood talking now,” said Hal to himself. Aloud he replied: ”Nevertheless, fraulein, I must again ask to be permitted to speak to your mother.”
The girl glanced at him sharply. Then she exclaimed in a low voice:
”You are no Dutchman, mynheer.”
Hal started a trifle in spite of himself; then, realizing that this must have betrayed him, he dropped his hand to his pocket, where reposed his revolver.
The girl smiled.
”Have no fear,” she said. ”I shall say nothing. Can it be you are the one whom mother expects?”
”The best way to find that out,” said Hal, ”is to summon your mother.”
The girl hesitated no longer. She fairly flew from the room. She reappeared a moment later, followed by an older woman.
”This is Herr Block, Mother,” she said.
”Very well, Gladys,” replied her mother. ”Now, if you will leave us alone, and make sure that we are not disturbed.”
”I shall stand guard myself,” replied the daughter.
She disappeared into the long hall.
”Now, Herr Block,” said Mrs. Schweiring, ”you may tell me the nature of your business.”
Hal glanced sharply about the room. Then he leaned close.
”I come from the American expeditionary forces in France,” he said quietly.
Mrs. Schweiring manifested no surprise.
”I had surmised as much,” she returned, ”I had looked, however, for a man in civil life rather than a military man; also, I had looked for one farther along in years.”
”I am sure you will find that my youth may work to our advantage,” said Hal quietly.
”Perhaps. Now tell me in what way I may help.”
”Well,” said Hal, ”I have come, two friends and myself, in an effort to lay hands upon the list of German spies in America--the list kept by the German prime minister.”
Mrs. Schweiring nodded.
”I had supposed as much. It was I who informed the department of state in Was.h.i.+ngton that such a list exists; but without help and without laying myself open to suspicion, I dared not try to get it. It is desperate work, but we shall see what can be done. Gladys!”
Her daughter re-entered the room in response to this summons.
”Gladys,” said her mother, ”Herr Block is the man we have been expecting; but he has not come alone. His companions are at the Hotel Bismarck, registered as Herr Spidle and Herr Amusdem. You will have their belongings moved here. They are friends whom you met in Switzerland and who will share our hospitality while here. Do you understand?”