Page:The web (1919).djvu/173

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of them." I said: "I have a friend who is very well connected." Well, I saw him again and I told him that I had met you, and that you were right close to the Government and were in touch with the Government offices and you got inside news. Of course, I didn't tell him that you were in the Secret Service of the Government. You don't want me to tell him that, do you?

Mr. L—: No, not at all. I'll decide what I want to tell him.

Mrs. U—: Do you think he could be a spy?

Mr. L—: Yes, he could be. He acts just like one. He acts like a perfect damn fool.

Mrs. U—: Well, how do they act?

Mr. L—: They act just this way. That's their game.

Mrs. U—: Oh, I get so excited about your work.

Mr. L—: Yes; you know, if you were to catch a spy like that, it would be worth $5,000 to you.

Mrs. U—: $5000! Would it really? Who would pay that?

Mr. L—: The Government.

Mrs. U—: Oh, it's so exciting! You must think me silly, but I can't help getting all excited about this Secret Service work! And you're the head of it, too, aren't you?

Mr. L—: I am not the head of it all. I am only the head of certain branches. You know there are different branches.

Mrs. U—: Which are you in?

Mr. L—: In the Treasury Department.

Mrs. U—: In the Treasury Department?

Mr. L—: Yes, I'm the head of the Treasury Department and three other Departments besides. Four of them altogether. There are seventeen different branches, you know; I have full charge of this one.

Mrs. U—: No wonder you're so busy! Well, have you caught any spies lately?

Mr. L—: Oh, yes. We get them right along. I got forty last week.

Mrs. U—: You know, we have known each other a long time now, haven't we? You know, it's funny how you meet people through advertisements. Nearly everybody that I met in a business way I met through advertisements. And everybody that I met that way turned out to be a factor in my life! I met a good friend of mine, a girl, through an ad. And then, I have got some very good positions through advertisements. And then, I met you through that ad in—let's see—was it the "Times"?

Mr. L—: No, the "Herald."

Mrs. U—: Tell me about that girl that you said you had that was so good. Is she still catching spies?