Part 7 (1/2)

”I'm pretty sure, Gran'pa Jim,” said Mary Louise that evening, ”that I've trailed the traitor to his lair, and he's none other than--Jake Kasker!”

This was the first time she had mentioned her suspicion of Kasker to him, and her statement was received by the colonel with moderate surprise, followed by a doubtful smile.

”I know Jake,” he remarked, ”and while he is uneducated and his mind is unformed concerning most things outside the clothing business, I should hesitate to accuse him of downright disloyalty.”

”He's a German, and sympathizes with the Kaiser,” a.s.serted Mary Louise.

”Did he say that?”

”Well, not in so many words.”

”A German-American is not usually pro-German,” the colonel declared, ”for Germans who come to America come to escape the militarism and paternalism of the Junkers, which is proof in itself that they disapprove of what we term kaiserism. I know that Kasker talks foolishly against the war and resents the drafting of his son, but I think he is a good American at heart. He has bought Liberty Bonds more liberally than some who proclaim their patriotism from the housetops. I don't fear these outspoken objectors, my dear, as much as those who work slyly in the dark--such as the writers of those disgraceful circulars.”

”I practically accused Kasker of sending out those circulars,” said Mary Louise, ”and his defense was very lame and unconvincing. Listen, Grand'pa, to what he said. I took the speech down in shorthand, and that worried him, I'm sure.”

The colonel listened and shook his head gravely.

”Yes, Jake Kasker talks too much,” he confessed, ”and much that he says is disloyal to our government and calculated to do much harm, especially if widely circulated. This is no time to criticise the men who are working hard to win the war; we should render them faithful support. The task before us is difficult and it will require a united country to defeat our enemies. I must talk to Jake Kasker.”

”Won't it be better to let the authorities deal with him?” suggested the girl. ”They're certain to get him, in time, if he goes on this way.

I believe I frightened him a bit this afternoon, but he's too dull to take warning. Anyhow, I shall relate the whole interview to Chief Farnum to-morrow morning.”

This she did, but the Chief gave her little satisfaction.

”No one pays any attention to Kasker,” he said.

”He's a German, and a traitor!” she insisted. ”A woman's intuition is seldom at fault, and I'm convinced he's responsible for this latest and most dreadful circular,” and she laid it before him.

”A girl's intuition is not as mature as a woman's intuition,” the Chief answered in an impatient tone. ”You force me to say, my dear young lady, that you are dabbling in affairs that do not concern you. I've plenty of those circulars on file and I'm attending to my duty and keeping an eye open for the rascal who wrote them. But there is no proof that Kasker is the man. The federal officers are also investigating the case, and I imagine they will not require your a.s.sistance.”

Mary Louise flushed but stood her ground.

”Isn't it the duty of every patriotic person to denounce a traitor?”

she inquired.

”Yes, if there is proof. I think you are wrong about Kasker, but if you are able to bring me proof, I'll arrest him and turn him over to the federal agents for prosecution. But, for heaven's sake, don't bother me with mere suspicions.”

Mary Louise did not accept this rebuke graciously. She went away with the feeling that Chief Farnum was, for some reason, condoning a crime, and she was firmly resolved to obtain the required proof if it could be secured without subjecting herself to the annoyance of such rebuffs as the one she had just endured.

”We ought not to permit such a snake in the gra.s.s to exist in dear old Dorfield,” she told her girl a.s.sociates. ”Let us all try to discover absolute proof of Kasker's treachery.”

The other Liberty Girls were as indignant as Mary Louise, but were too intent on their present duties to pay much attention to Jake Kasker.

For the Liberty Girls' Shop was now open to the public, and men, women and children crowded in to see what the girls had to offer. Sales were so brisk during the first week that the stock became depleted and once more they made a house to house canva.s.s to obtain a new supply of material.

This kept all six of the girls busily occupied. Irene each morning rode down to the shop in the Hathaway automobile--wheel-chair and all--and acted as cas.h.i.+er, so as to relieve the others of this duty. She could accomplish this work very nicely and became the Liberty Girls'

treasurer and financial adviser. Each day she deposited in the bank the money received, and the amounts were so liberal that enthusiasm was easily maintained.

”The soldier boys have reason to rejoice,” said Irene complacently, ”for we shall soon be able to provide them with numerous comforts and luxuries--all of which they are surely ent.i.tled to.”