Part 8 (2/2)

Hal bowed.

”Very well, sir,” he said.

”I don't know that there is anything further,” said General Rentzel, ”except to warn you that treachery means death.”

”I am aware of that, sir,” returned Hal quietly.

”Very good, then. Good luck to you.”

The general moved away.

Hal sought Chester instantly, glancing at his watch as he pa.s.sed along slowly and without apparent haste. It was 10:30 o'clock.

”It's time to get busy, Chester,” he said quietly. ”It's half-past ten, and I may require an hour and a half. You get word to Gladys and her mother to keep General Rentzel here under some pretext until midnight. I'm off.”

”Am I not going with you?” demanded Chester.

”No,” said Hal. ”I don't have time to wait, and the message must be delivered to Mrs. Schweiring or her daughter at once. I'll pick McKenzie up on the way. Good-bye.”

”Good luck,” said Chester simply.

Hal left the room quietly. In the hall he found McKenzie, whom he motioned to follow him. McKenzie did so quietly.

Outside Hal found the automobile which had brought them to the ball.

He leaped in and McKenzie followed. Hal gave quick directions to the chauffeur to drive them home. The latter asked no questions.

At the home of Mrs. Schweiring Hal ordered McKenzie to remain in the car while the lad hurried into the house. He returned a moment later, carrying a small grip. This he threw into the car and climbed in after it.

”We have important business with General Rentzel,” he told the chauffeur. ”You will drive us there and then return to the ball for your mistress.”

The chauffeur asked no questions. There were so many queer things going on in Berlin that he was not even greatly interested.

General Rentzel's office was in darkness when the car pulled up before it. Motioning McKenzie to follow him, Hal hastened up the steps. The chauffeur, in accordance with Hal's instructions, immediately disappeared down the street with the car.

In the darkness of the vestibule, Hal tried the door.

”Locked,” he said. ”Lucky we came prepared.”

He opened the little grip he carried.

Meanwhile, Chester had carried Hal's message to Gladys. The latter had repeated it to her mother, and these two now shadowed General Rentzel every place he moved, for they were fearful that he might decide at any moment to leave the house. Chester kept his eyes on all three.

Chester was plainly nervous. Had he been in the danger himself his nerves would have been as hard as steel, but the inaction while someone else was doing the work made him impatient and fanciful.

Finally General Rentzel approached the Swiss minister and paid his adieus. Then he moved toward the cloakroom.

Halfway there he was intercepted by Mrs. Schweiring and Gladys.

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