Page:The web (1919).djvu/174

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Mr. L—: Yes; she got fourteen last week.

Mrs. U—: Gee! She must have worked overtime. . . . Did she have to do what you wanted me to do?

Mr. L—: Oh, yes, you see she was crazy about the work.

Mrs. U—: Gosh, you know that is very interesting to me. How many girls did you get from that advertisement? I guess you think I am a fool, but I get so interested, and I like to have you tell me all these things.

Mr. L—: Oh, I don't remember. You know, I think the spies would take to you and I don't blame them. I know I would.

Mrs. U—: Do you think they would like a red-head? Is there any demand at all for them?

Mr. L—: Oh, I couldn't see all of them.

Mrs. U—: I guess you're busy now with all these German submarines around, aren't you?

Mr. L—: Oh, yes, indeed; very busy. They are very dangerous people.

Mrs. U—: Do you always have to teach those girls that you have in the Secret Service? You know I have been reading all about this spy work and this Secret Service thing since I saw you. I am so much interested. They go by numbers, don't they, instead of names? Well, if I was in the service, would you look up all about where I was born, and who my people were, and everything like that? Would you do that to see if I had any German blood? I'll tell you why I ask it, because the Y. M. C. A. people told me that they would have to look me up very carefully and that they would have to find out if any of my people were born in Germany. . . . How long have you been in the Government Secret Service?

Mr. L—: Twenty-five years.

Mrs. U—: Twenty-five years! Oh, dear, and no one would ever know that you were in it.

Mr. L—: Come here—oh, you're just a little kiddie.

Mrs. U—: Oh, now, wait a minute, just wait a minute!


The operatives who were listening to this partially reported conversation in the janitor's room did not wait even a minute. They broke down the door and arrested Mr. L——. He was turned over to the United States Secret Service and arraigned before the Assistant District Attorney. His activities as an employer of espionage agents thereupon ceased abruptly. He was a cheap and dirty imposter.

It was found in hundreds of cases—and the knowledge