Ted Marsh on an Important Mission.

by Elmer Sherwood.

CHAPTER I

TED DECIDES TO ACCEPT

"Ted, oh Ted."

The speaker's hail was not altogether unexpected. The boy called Ted turned about and met Captain Wilson half way.

The familiar figure of the boy proves to be Ted Marsh who had come out to Western Canada with his friends, John Dean and Mrs. Dean. After a number of months on the Double X Ranch, months which the boy had found both exhilarating and tremendously to his liking, he had been sent to Wayland Academy. To those of us who have read Ted Marsh the Boy Scout, the following facts are familiar. A brief resume, however, is set forth herewith for those readers who are new so that they can safely gather the threads of our story.

Ted Marsh, a likeable newsboy, living in Chicago, makes the acquaintance of John Dean, a Canadian rancher. Ted takes him to the Settlement to which he belongs. Dean's interest in the boy grows. Then as the boy begins to show the man the Chicago that he knows, there is the startling clamor of fire engines and all the evidence of a nearby fire. It is in the tenement in which Ted lives. The boy cannot be held back. He rushes into the building to try to save his mother.

Fortunately, his mother has already left the burning building. The boy is caught within and only makes his escape by jumping from the window on high into the firemen's waiting net below.

After a stay in the hospital John Dean and his wife take the boy West with the consent of his mother who unselfishly lets him go because opportunity, so she feels, is there. Ted's father had left home just before Ted was born.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CAUTIOUSLY HE PROWLED ABOUT]

Strong interest centers around the doings of Ted and his new-found friends both at the ranch and at the academy. Adventures are many. The boy is found to be cool in emergencies. He has qualities which bring respect and liking. The end of the story finds him suggested for an important mission to Chicago--and his youth is considered of great advantage by the gentlemen who wish to send him. The opening of the present story finds Captain Wilson hailing Ted, ready to broach the subject and find out if the boy is willing or unwilling to undertake the mission:

The boy saluted. He stood at attention while the captain studied him for a few moments.

"Ted, boy, I come to you on very important business. Not as Scout to Scout, but as man to man. For you can safely refuse to do this--it will not count against you as Scout. Did Mr. Dean see you?"

"Yes sir," the boy replied. "He told me that in all probability you would wish to see me in reference to an important matter. And he told me that when you did ask me, I was to be sure to decide with no other thought than that of either wanting or not wanting to do it. He doesn't want my friendship for him or for anyone else to influence me."

"That's exactly it, Ted. What we are going to ask you to do, you must, first, want to do, second, feel that you can do, third, be sure it is in line with any convictions you may have. Now, I suppose you are even more anxious to know what it is all about?"

The boy nodded his a.s.sent but waited for the other to continue.

"Whatever we are going to tell you or which you may gather you do under pledge of secrecy. And now let us go to meet Major Church. While we are on our way, bear with me for a few minutes while I go into all this for you.

"Germany, we all feel, is getting ready to make war. Most people cannot realize it, but we have fairly good proof gathered both in London and in Ottawa that it is so. We also know that over in the States a big army of so-called German Americans but who are Germans in reality, men who have never severed their allegiance to the Fatherland, are getting ready, preparing to invade Canada. They are also to have the help of many Irishmen who hate England.

"The reason for this conference is to get Canada to also prepare. The Germans are working quietly, secretly. We cannot get the evidence to show what they are doing although we have tried. Here in Canada, they simply will not believe, and cite the fact that Germany has repeatedly declared its friendship as the best kind of proof of our being all wrong.

"Is all this too complex for you, my boy?" Captain Wilson interrupted his discourse with the sudden thought that he was not making it clear to his listener.

"I understand you, Captain Wilson," the boy answered. So the captain continued.

"We think we have found out one source through which we can get information. We must, however, proceed with great caution. Nothing would please the Germans more than to show us up and give surface proof of their good will and good intentions. Incidently, they would give a lot to make those of us who are watching, the laughing stock of Canada and the United States. That is why we must be very careful. We must try to get Washington to see the truth not through any suspicion they may have but by actual, obvious, undeniable evidence. If we can furnish such proof the Government at Washington will find good reason for watching these German-Americans.

"It is for us to get the proof. Once we get that we will not have to worry as to trouble from the other side of the border.

"I suppose," the captain concluded as they entered the building and made their way to the room in which Major Church was waiting, "you know who some of the men at this conference are. Besides Mr. Dean and myself, Major Smith, our chief, is an ex-army officer. Colonel Graham is Syd Graham's father. Mr. Smythe comes from Toronto; he is in the employ of the Government. Well, here we are."

They entered a small room. Major Church put aside some papers on which he had been engaged.

Captain Wilson introduced Ted.

"I have heard of you, young man," was the major's greeting. "You are a credit to the school, I find. And we have called you before us because of qualities we find you possess.

"I don't know how much you do know, lad, but war with Germany is near.

Germans masquerading as German-Americans are planning an attempt against Canada and they intend to carry out that attempt just before the immediate declaration of war. We believe that the meetings of the prime movers are held in Milwaukee, possibly in Chicago. It is important for us to know their plans."

"We perhaps could decide on anyone of several men but it occurred to us that to send one so young as you are would in itself lull any suspicions they may have. They will not connect you with our work, which is in itself half the battle. But, of course, it would not do to send any one who, though young, is not also endowed with a fair amount of good common sense and discretion."

Ted listened. Nothing that the Major said escaped him. He realized the weight of the speaker's words.

"I understand that you have lived in Chicago. That is correct, is it not?"

"Yes sir," Ted replied.

"Well, it will help in case the point to cover is Chicago. With your knowledge of Chicago very little time would be lost."

"In the main," the Major continued, "it is mostly a question of being alert--eyes, ears and mind."

"Captain Wilson," the Major turned. "Is Mr. Smythe obtaining the necessary information, do you know?"

"Yes, we will soon know," was the reply, "who is the operative in that district and whether Chicago or Milwaukee is the point to cover. Mr.

Smythe is waiting for the answer."

Major Church gave Ted an account of how their secret service men worked and how information was obtained.

"Despite the fact that we have all these men, I feel sure that you will be able to get the information we desire more readily than any of our men. In a way, you will be a temporary secret service man."

He carefully outlined his reasons for believing that Ted might be successful in getting information.

"My boy, Canada is not your country. There is no call for you to do it. You may wish to remain neutral and we do not want you to go unless you wish to, heart and soul. But should you go, successful or unsuccessful, you will be rendering us a great service."

"I want to go," Ted answered very quietly. "Canada is second only to my loyalty for my own country."

Major Church and Captain Wilson gave Ted a hand-clasp which showed their feelings.

"You are true blue, my lad," said Major Church. "We will have information as to location from Mr. Smythe very soon. You can understand the need of secrecy when our wires are coded. By the way, Wilson," he turned to the captain, "you have an instructor in German here, have you not?"

"We have," was the reply.

"Better watch him a bit. My theory is that all of these Germans will bear watching."

Three hours later Captain Wilson and Ted joined Mr. Smythe, Mr. Dean, Colonel Graham and Major Church. Mr. Smythe presented the following wire:

"Smythe, "Wayland.

"Ekal stroper On. 2 ecalp Ees H."