A sickening thought at the same instant came to Schmidt. "O'Reilly, we talked about the prisoners, how we had trapped them, where they were--and all the time someone was listening. That someone heard all we had to say and then, after we were all through, he went up to Winckel's house and rescued them."

Winckel said nothing for many minutes; he seemed lost in thought. The other men waited for him to speak. Finally he did.

"We are a lot of dunces. We were so sure of ourselves, we felt we were so wise. Pride goeth before a fall and we fell. We must give up our plans. It is up to both of you to get busy, we still have time to keep out of trouble. There is a ray of comfort in that, at least."

"I hate to think what Knabe and the others at the emba.s.sy will think,"

was the rueful comment of Schmidt.

"Don't let that bother you. This plan has failed, we must plan again--when again we match wits, let us hope we shall be more careful and consequently more successful. Come, enough of post mortems, let's get busy."

It was a busy night for all of them. There were many men who had to be seen and who in turn had to see others. It was, so they explained to the others, a matter of life and death that all preparations cease at once, as there would be close and careful watch kept. There was much telephoning and telegraphing to the friends who were in other cities.

There can be nothing but thorough admiration for the effective, capable way these men went about calling a halt to all activities.

Like a perfect, well oiled machine which slows down and then ceases its movements, until there is something tremendously impressive in its inaction and silence; like a well-drilled army which retreats magnificently and in its very retreat almost gains a victory, so much like all this, was the action and the work of these men at this time.

They were obeyed as only the Germans know how to obey. By morning, there was no sign, no clue to their plans and activities. One thing only remained to prove the danger to Canada that had been. a.r.s.enals and warehouses holding weapons and vehicles of war were found at the places shown on the list that Ted had copied.

At Ottawa and a little later in London and in Washington, the powers--the men at the helm--found out that what would in all probability have been a successful invasion of Canada had been checked. And they found out, too, just how and in what way it had been done.

CHAPTER IX

AT OTTAWA

"Come in, both of you," Strong called from the inside office. Ted had shown up at Strong's office early the next day. He found Strong at his desk and he found afterwards that he had been there for more than two hours. His secretary told Ted that he was telephoning long distance and that Ted should wait. When the operative was through talking, he came out and saw Ted.

"Sit down a few minutes, Ted, I shall be busy," he had said. He had returned to his office and proceeded to do some further telephoning.

Walker had come in a little later and the two were busy going over the evening's events when Strong called out as above.

"Well, Ted, I guess we are going to have war. At least we won the first victory, or rather you did."

Ted fidgeted at the praise and grinned sheepishly.

"I wonder," said Walker, "if they have, found the dictaphone as yet."

"You can safely figure on the fact that they did. They started a little investigation when they found that the birds had flown. But it does not matter how much they know we know, now. It's a fight in the open from now on. I'm thankful for that.

"I have already notified Ottawa, New York, and the different capitals of the provinces. Washington also knows, our emba.s.sy has already notified them as to the location of the a.r.s.enals. They are going to issue orders from Ottawa to confiscate those in our own country at once.

"Ottawa wanted all the facts and it got them. I expect to hear further from them in the course of the day."

"I wonder," said Walker, "if our friends will be polite enough to return my dictaphone. They should, it does not belong to them and they probably know to whom, it does belong."

"You might go over and claim it," answered Strong.

"I think I will, just to see old Winckel's face."

Strong turned to Ted.

"Dear lad," he said, "what you did isn't the kind of thing that can appear in the newspapers, but it is the kind about which history is made. It is a big job you have accomplished. The men who sent you down to us made no mistake in their judgment as to what you could do. Sir Robert Wingate wanted to know all about you, I must have talked to him for more than twenty minutes on the telephone.

"Walker and I go to Ottawa on a late train today. They want to see me, to go fever details.

"Well, let's get busy with the last threads of what happened last night--we have to put it down on black and white for future, reference. When do you want to return to Wayland, Ted?"

"I should like to go by Sat.u.r.day, if it can be arranged," answered Ted.

"Well, I think it can be done. I shall return tomorrow night or early the following morning. You will be free for these two days. Have a good time; remember, we pay all your expenses--nothing is too good for you. If you can, come down the day after tomorrow. I may have some news for you."

"I shall be glad to come down," answered Ted, as he wondered at the news to which Strong had reference.

They spent a half hour or more going over the events of the evening, Strong's secretary taking notes. Then Ted left and returned home.

That afternoon he took his mother to the ball game and saw the Cubs defeat the Giants. He tried to explain the game to his mother, who pretended an interest and tried hard to understand. But she found her truant fancy going elsewhere--it centered about this boy of hers, her daughter and also about the husband who could not endure the troubleous times, not because of the hardship to himself so much as the hardship to her and the child.

Ted's interest was not divided, however, except in rare moments when he would turn to his mother and accuse her of lack of interest. She would flush guiltily and pretend that she was interested. She would ask a question or two, but her very questions convicted her, showed her inability to understand, and Ted gave it up as a hopeless job and comforted himself in the belief that only men understood the game, it was too deep for women, excepting one or two, who knew something.

As they rode home the boy and the mother discussed the improvement in their condition.

"We will never have to worry any more, mother, not as long as I am able," the boy said, with all of youth's surety and confidence.

Mrs. Marsh wiped an unbidden tear from her eye.

"I am very happy, dear. And yet, I would give so much if your father was one of us. He was a fine man, but things were against him, too much so."

Ted did not answer, he felt that nothing he could say would help.

After a long period of quiet, the boy spoke a little more quietly: "Never mind, mother, you have Helen and me."

"I am happy in my riches," answered the mother proudly.

When they reached home, both of them began to get the supper ready so that Helen would not have to wait. A brilliant idea came to Ted as they prepared. "Mother," he said excitedly, "let's not eat at home tonight. We are going to the theater, so let us have supper out."

At first the mother demurred, but she gave way--there was great temptation in the unusual treat. When Helen came home and was told the plan she was even more excited than they; it was so unusual an adventure. You can readily believe that it was a happy party of three that repaired to one of the many nice restaurants in the loop and afterward to the theater. They did not reach home until late in the night. On the way home they discussed what the news could be that Strong would have for Ted.

The next day Ted spent at the Settlement, renewing old acquaintances.

Miss White, who had taken Mrs. Dean's place, was glad to see him and gave him a hearty welcome. She was greatly interested in his story of his year in the West and wanted to know all about Mrs. Dean. It was a great day for Ted and the pleasantest of his stay in Chicago.

On his way home that night Ted began to wish for Wayland. He had not realized how much the place meant to him until now, Syd Graham and the rest of the boys seemed very dear, very desirable.

"I hope," he said to himself, "that nothing will keep me from going on Sat.u.r.day."

CHAPTER X