warned him.
**We know that, but we're ready to do anything
that comes along."
The two boys were much excited at the prospect
of the guard duty. It seemed to them that at
last they had been recognized as capable of aiding
in the defense of their country. Perhaps if they
had known what awaited them they would not have
been quite so enthusiastia
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OHAPTEE XX
AKOTHEB 8X7SPECT
HUGH was going home for dinner, and was
to retnm shortly afterward to accom-
pany Bob and his father to the factory.
He left the house and Bob started upstairs to pre-
pare himself for the evening meal. On the land-
ing of the stairs he heard some one talking over
the telephone and stopped to listen. Of late he
had become suspicious of every one and had fallen
into the habit of noticing every little thing that
happened.
It was the cook's voice and he was doubly in«
terested at once.
**Yes,'* he heard her say, "this is Lena.'*
Bob flattened himself against the waU and lis
tened intently.
** What's thatt" Lena demanded over the
'phone. **Li the hospital, you say!"
There was a pause while the other person talked
to her.
**I will try to be there," said Lena. **I also
have a message for you, but I don't know whethei
180
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ANOTHER SUSPECT 181
I should say it now or not; those blamed detec-
tives are on to ns.'^
There ensued another pause while Bob became
more and more excited. What was this plot any-
way that turned old and trusted servants against
their masters t Was no one to be relied upon?
Who could be trusted?
**Yes, I will tell Heinrich,'* said Lena speaking
again. **Good-by.''
She hung up the receiver and Bob continued up
the stairsy whistling and trying to act as if he
had heard nothing. He met Lena in the hall and
she eyed him narrowly.
* * HeUo, Lena, ' ' he exclaimed cheerfully. * * Fine
day, isn't itt^'
''Yes, Mr. Bob,'' she said, and passed on to-
ward the back stairs.
No sooner was she gone than Bob turned and
sped down stairs again to the library. He burst
into the room breathlessly, causing his father, who
was reading his evening paper to glance up in
surprise.
''Father,'* exclaimed Bob in a tense whisper,
^'Lena's in it too.**
"What's thatt'' demanded his father. "Sit
down, Bob."
Bob grasped a chair and sat down facing his
father. ' ' Lena 's in it too, ' ' he repeated.
"In whatf'
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182. -b6b cook a^ the gebman spy
**Ia the plof!^rtt!i Mr. Wernberg/'
Mjr. Cook laid down his paper. **Tell me what
you know," he said soberly.
Bob repeated the part of Lena's telephone con-
versation that he had heard. **Yon see/' he ex-
claimed, ^'she spoke about the hospital and that
^alust have meant Mr. Wemberg; tten she said
tiie det^tkives were on jto tiiem; finally she said
sn^.y:"lSl^Heimieh and also try to be there to-
night.'^ ,
**You don't know what she is to tell Heinrich
and where she is to be to-night t"
**No, sir," said Bob. "That's all I heard."
**Well," exclaimed Mr. Cook after a moment's
pause. **This is a nice state of affairs."
'*What are you going to do about itt" asked
Bob. **Are you still going to wait until to-mor-
row before you report Heinie to the police t"
Mr. Cook passed his hand across his brow as if
to wipe away the doubts that assailed him.
* * Heinrich and Lena both, ' ' he mutj;ered. * * What
a pity." .-^ 7 ^^
''I tell you what J^ do," hMxjdU«nea^ally.
"I'll take Heinrich along wi^Eme to-night just
as I planned, and I'll tell your mother under no
conditions to let Lena go out this evening. In
the morning we may know better what to do."
"I have a better scheme than that," said Bob
eagerly.
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ANOTHER SUSPECT 183
•'Tellmewhatitis/'
**Take Heinrich along with you and watch him
all the time; that part is all right But let Lena
go out if she wants to."
** What's the point of that!" demanded his
father. **For all we know Lena may be able to
do more harm than Heinrich; certainly she's
smarter.''
"Let her go out," said Bob, "and I'll go with
her."
"I don't see what you mean."
"Ill follow her."
"You'd have to be disguised."
"I know it; 111 attend to that though."
"It might lead you to some very dangerous
spot," saidjifr; Cook. "I hate to have you do
it."
"Look here, father," exclaimed Bob earnestly.
"We're at war with Germany, aren't wet Well,
just think of all those millions of men over in
Europe on the battlefields; all the English and
French, and Italians, and Belgians, and Bussians^
and all the others. If the United States is in the
war we ought to be willing to do our part Our
allies in Europe are fighting for us as much as
for themselvei^, and it seems to me that to dis-
guise myself and follow the cook is a small thing
for me to contribute to the common cause."
"I guess you're right, Bob," said his father.
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184 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
** Why look here,*' contintied Bob. ** Just think
of the way those men over there are every one of
them risking their lives a hundred times a day.
We just can't sit still and let them do all our
fighting for us. We can give them money and
food and I think we ought to expect to give our
lives too if it is necessary. I know I don't want
to hide behind somebody else and let him fight
for me.'*
** You're all right, my boy," exclaimed Mr. Cook,
rising to his feet. He grasped his son affection-
ately by the arm, and there were tears in his eye&r
as he did so. **You're all right," he repeai^^i
"and I'm proud of you. You've got the spirit
that every true American should have, uid which
I believe they do have. When Germany^m^ hear-
self facing a million American troops and see^^e
Stars and Stripes floating from the opposing
trenches she'll know she's beaten. I hope well
show them that we mean business and the sooner
we do, the quicker the war will be over."
"What kind of a disguise can I wear!" asked
Bob.
"I guess you won't need a very elaborate one.
Isn't there a false-face in the house with whiskers
or a mustache on itf "
"I think there is one I used last haDowe'en."
"Get that then," said his father. "We can rip
off the whiskers and glue them on your face. Put
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higBly excite4 over the prdspects of adventure (
that the evening held forth for him. f
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186 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
Finally dinner was over. Mr. Cook dispatched
Bob to the garage with a message to Heinrich to
have the car ready in half an hour. As Bob ran
across the lawn he met Lena returning from the
garage. ^^Aha/' he thought as he greeted her,
**you saw Heinridi all right, didn't youf He
was fully convinced now that their cook and chauf-
feur were agents of Mr. Wemberg, and partners
in crime. A moment later he reached the garage.
** Father wants you to bring the car around in
half an hour/' he announced to Heinriidiy who was
engaged in putting on a clean collar and necktie.
* * What I ' * exclaimed Heinrich angrily. Bob had
never before seen their chauffeur question any
order that his father had given. **I can't.*'
** Those are his orders/' said Bob, eyeing Hein-
rich closely.
**Does he want me to drive him out?"
*'He does."
"But I can't," cried Heinrich. "I can't, I tefl
you; I have an appointment"
"I guess you'll have to break it then," was
Bob's retort.
Heinrich wrung his hands in desperation.
"What shall I dot" he moaned. "What shall I
dot"
"Can't you change your appointment t"
"I do not think so," wailed Heinrich. "This
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ANOTHEE SUSPECT 187
iss terrible. Do yon think your father would
change his mind if I shonld speak to himt"
**I'm sure he wouldn't,*' said Bob. **I know
he wants the car and he wants you to drive it I
heard him say that positively.''
**This iss terrible," repeated Heinrich. **What
will they do mitout met"
**Whot"
"My friends."
"It's too bad," said Bob, more convinced every
moment that mischief was afoot that evening. * * I
don't know what you can do about it though."
"Of course I have to go mit your father," said
Heinrich finally, heaving a great sigh. "I won-
der if he will want the car for long."
"I think he will."
"Very well," said Heinrich, becoming resigned
to his fate, "I will be there but only because I do
not wish to lose my job. But I fear something
will happen."
"That's just what we want to prevent," thought
Bob grimly. "All right then, Heinie," he said
aloud. * * Father will expect you in half an hour. ' '
He hurried back to the house, warned his father
that he should keep Heinrich always within sight,
and related his conversation with the chauffeur
as an argument for this course. Then he went
upstairs, two steps at a time to make ready his
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188 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
disguise. While he was there Hugh arrived and
went np to Bob^s room.
*^What are you doing, Bob!** he demanded.
** Putting on a disguise.*'
"What fort''
Bob told him.
**I want to go with you," exclaimed Hugh eag-
erly. **Two would be better than one anyway."
* 'Where are you going to get a disguise?"
**I'll borrow part of yours. You can certainly
spare enough of those whiskers to make me a mus-
tacjie anyway."
**You ought to have another hat"
**You can lend me an old cap, can't yout I've
got on the oldest suit I own."
Bob brought out the glue pot and with Hugh's
assistance was soon adorned with a set of black
whiskers and a mustache. His hair did not match
at all, but as he expected to wear a hat pulled far
down over his eyes that fact did not make much
difference. He put on the hat, and wearing his
old clothes and a sweater looked at himself in the
mirror.
**Whew," he exclaimed, '*I'm certainly a hard
looking character."
**You certainly are," agreed Hugh, **and you
look about forty years old."
**A11 the better," said Bob. **Now let's get
you fixed up."
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ANOTHER SUSPECT 189
With what was left of Bob's whiskers a small
black mustache was twisted into shape and glued
to Hugh's upper lip. It was remarkable to see
what a great change in his appearance it made.
^^When we take these things off, all the skin on
our faces will come too/' said Hugh inspecting
himself in the mirror.
''Don't you care," exclaimed Bob. **What
we're interested in at present is to have them
stay on to-night. How about a hat for you now t ' '
He rummaged around on the closet shelf and pro-
duced an old cap and a derby.
*'Put the derby on, Hugh," he urged. "You 11
look just like Charlie Chaplin."
**That wouldn't do, I'm afraid," laughed Hugh.
**I'd have too big a crowd following me."
"Turn up the ends of your mustache and you 11
look like the kaiser."
"Not for me I" exclaimed Hugh hastily. "I
don't want to look like anything German. I'll
wear the cap, I guess. I think that's better than
the derby."
At that moment Mr. Cook appeared upon
the scene. He stood and looked at the two boys
approvingly. "Well," he said, "you certainly
look like a couple of tough customers all right.
I'm glad you're going along, Hugh; I think two
will be better than one."
"Is Lena still here!" asked Bob.
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190 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
''StiU here," said his father. ''She's getting
ready to leave though and 7011 two had hotter be
prepared.'*
**Where's HeinrichT'^
**He's due in about five minutes."
'* You'd better watch him, father," warned Bob.
''Don't worry about that," said Mr. Cook so-
berly. ' ' I suppose that you two ' things ' will come
to the factory later. I expect to be tiiere all
night."
"Well try to get there," said Bob. "Well
keep track of Lena as long as we can, and if it's
possible well report to you at the oflSce."
"Good," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "Don't forget
to be very careful, and don't get into trouble if
you can help it"
"Well do our best," Bob promised.
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CHAPTER XXI
ON T TTF. STREET
AS Mr. Cook left the room the two boys
heard the automobile come up the drive-
way and stop in front of the house.
Mrs. Cook and Louise were to spend the evening
with an aunt of Bob's a short distance down the
street, and Mr. Cook was to take them there in the
car. Bob and Hugh waited until they should all
leave for they did not want to be seen by any one
in their disguises.
Presently they heard the car start oflF and they
knew the coast was clear. Silently they slipped
down stairs and out the front door. By the side
of the house they paused for a consultation.
** These whiskers itch awfully,*' exclaimed Bob.
^^So does this mustache/' said Hugh. ^^I
guess we'll have to endure it though."
** Where shall we wait?"
** Won't Lena come out the back door?"
*'I guess so. At any rate she'll have to come
around and go down the front walk, there's no
other way for her to get out of the yard."
^^ Let's cross the street and wait there then."
191
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192 BOB COOK AND THE GEEMAN SPY
They followed that plan and presently were
standing side by side in the shadow of a tree on
the opposite side of the street Lena oonld be
expected to appear at any minnte and they kept
a sharp lookout for her.
"What do you suppose is ahead of us to-
night?" asked Hugh in a low tone.
**I wish I knew.*'
**I hope we aren't going off on a wild goose
chase.''
** YouVe been saying right along that we ought
to watch Lena/' Bob reminded his friend.
"I know that and I think it's a good plan. All
I say is that she may fool us in some way if we're
not careful."
"How do you suppose Mr. Wemberg's getting
along in the hospital?"
"I don't know," said Hugh. "I must say
though that I'm more interested in Lena."
"I'd like to see our old friend, the false de-
tective."
"So would I. "What do you suppose he is — "
"Ssh," hissed Bob suddenly.
Around the comer of the Cooks' house came a
woman. She walked briskly and a moment later
had reached the street. She gazed apprehensively
up and down while the two boys shrank farther
back into the shadow; then she started off in the
direction of the city's business district.
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ON THE STBEET 193
**That*s Lena,.'* whispered Bob. **Ooine on."
On the opposite side of the street and perhaps
a hundred paces in back of the hurrying woman
the two boys followed.
"WeTl have to Keep closer than this when she
gets down town," whispered Hugh.
**I know it," agreed Bob. ** She'd get sus-
picious now though."
Now and again Lena stopped and glanced be-
hind her. Every time she did so the boys stopped
too; evidently she was afraid of being followed.
They met few people and those who did pass them
apparently took them for a couple of tramps, for
they paid no particular attention to them.
A little distance down the street Lena turned
the comer to her right The two boys as a con-
sequence had to run in order not to lose sight of
her. They were fearful lest she should slip away
from them and therefore were greatly relieved
when they came to the turn and saw her still in
front of them.
A few moments later she turned again, and then
presently, turned still a third time.
** She's trying to lose us," whispered Bob.
**Maybe not," said Hugh. **This is Ehn
Street."
** Where's twelve eighty-two t"
''On the next block."
The white stucco house was on the same side
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194 BOB COOK AND THE GBEMAN SPY
of the street with the boys, and as Lena came op-
posite it she crossed over. Bob and Hugh stopped
short under a large maple tree whose tronk cast
a shadow affording ample protection from a
nearby ardight. From this vantage point they
watched the woman they were trailing.
*^ She's going in/' whispered Bob, dutching
Hugh's arm excitedly.
Lena turned in from the side walk and started
toward the steps of the white stucco house, num-
ber twelve eighty-two. Half-way up she paused
irresolutely. She acted as if she was puzzled as
to what she should do; finally she turned, de-
scended the steps rapidly and continued on down
the street.
"That was queer," whispered Bob.
"It looked as though she lost her nerve."
"Why should she be scared to go in where her
gang is t"
* * Don 't ask me. Come on. ' '
Once again they took up the chase. Lena
seemed to walk more swiftly than ever now, and
it was not an easy task to keep pace with her and
still not be seen. The night was dark with low-
hanging clouds, the street lamps affording the
only light available. Ahead they could see the re-
flection from the lights of the main street of the
<aty.
"Do you suppose she dropped a note or any-
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ON THE STREET 195
thing on that porch back there f demanded Hugh
suddenly.
'^I didn't see her do anything like that,'' said
Bob.
"Nor L At any rate I guess the best thing
we can do is to stick dose to her."
"Yes, and we'd better keep closer too, now that
we are coming to where the stores are. Well
lose track of her if we don't."
"Do you suppose any one will notice that we're
disguised!"
"I hope not There's usually a big crowd on
the streets Saturday night though."
"We'll hope for luck," said Hugh earnestly.
They quickened their paces until they were
scarcely more than seventy-five feet in back of
Lena. There were many people passing them in
both directions now, and apparently Lena was not
as suspicious as she had been; she glanced behind
her no more.
Presently they turned into the main street.
The sidewalks were thronged with people and
everything was lighted up brilliantly in the glare
of ardights and shop windows. Lena was just
ahead of the boys and it was not an easy task to
follow her in the crowd.
Music sounded down the street. A troop of
cavalry was approaching and every one lined the
curb to see them pass. Lena stopped and the
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196 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
boys took fheir places directly behind her. Every
trooper was mounted on a coal black horse^ and
they made a fine showing as they drew near; the
crowd began to cheer and many waved small
American flags that they were carrying. Women
waved their handkerchiefs as the horsemen
passed, and much to both Bob's and Hugh's sur-
prise Lena waved her handkerchief and clapped
her hands with the others.
*^What do you think of thatf whispered Bob.
"BluflF/' said Hugh. **She's clever.''
The crowd began to break up and presently was
moving up and down the street again. Lena
started on her way once more, and almost at her
heels followed Bob and Hugh. They were be-
ginning to wonder whether they were following a
false due. It might be that Lena had dropped a
message on the porch of the house on Elm Street,
and if so her work was probably done and there
could be no object in following her farther.
Suddenly Hugh seized Bob by the arm. "Look
at this man coming," he hissed.
Not thirty feet distant and walking directly to-
ward them was the false detective. There could
be no mistaking him. Bob and Hugh, forgetting
for the moment that they were disguised were
fearful lest he should recognize them as well. A
moment later, however, an interesting event hap-
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ON THE STEEET 197
pened right before their eyes, and ihey forgot
all else.
As the "detective/* the man with whom they
had f onght that morning, the man who had blown
np the deserted house, and whom they snspected
of having tried to blow np the railroad bridge in
the afternoon, passed Lena he held a slip of paper
in his left hand. As she went by she took it with
her left hand, thongh as far as the boys could see
the two conspirators had not even looked at each
other.
Lena continued on down the street as if noth-
ing had happened, while the detective also kept
on as though unconscious of having seen Lena at
all. He passed the two boys without even a
glance.
Bob and Hugh stopped short.
** What do you think of thatf demanded Hugh.
"What'llwedo?''
"Follow them,'' said Bob quickly. "You fol-
low him and I'll trail Lena."
Without another word the two boyfi separated
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CHAPTER XXn
BOB ACTS QUIOKLY
BOB had almost lost sight of Lena through
this temporary delay and he hnrried
ahead through the crowd, bumping into
several people, and drawing black looks from
many for his rudeness. He was in a hurry, how-
ever. He had to catdi up with Lena, and there
was no time to be polite.
Lena too was hurrying. She threaded her way
in and out among the throngs of people, and Bob
was hard put to it to keep pace with her. As he
rushed along he became more and more puzzled
and confused as to what was taking place. l%ere
was no doubt in his mind that Lena and Heinrich
were working in the interests of Mr. Wemberg
and therefore were to be watched closely. Ap-
parently Lena was in league with the fake detec-
tive too, else why should he stealthily* slip a com-
munication into her handt
But the detective had blown up the house when
Mr. Wemberg was within it and had nearly
caused his death. If they were all working to-
gether how was that fact to be reconciled with
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BOB ACTS QUICKLY 199
what had befallen himt Probably Mr. Wemberg
bad been injured accidently as Sergeant Biley
had explained. At all events Lena was hnrrying
along through the crowd and Bob's task was to
follow her. His father was watching Heinrich
and it would never do for Bob to let his quarry
escape him.
Lena followed the main street for several
squares. The crowd was still thick, but Bob kept
his eyes on her. Presently she turned down a side
street, where it was easier to follow her and Bob
heaved a sigh of relief. He was sure he could
keep track of her now, and his wmd was easier.
They x>as8ed fewer people all the time, and now
the only illuminations were the street lamps and
an occasional ardight
Bob dropped further behind. His one wish
was to avert suspicion on Lena's part, and the
sight of a tough-looking man with heavy black
whiskers, old clothes, and a dilapidated slouch hat
dogging her footsteps might well have made her
uneasy.
Every hundred feet or so Lena cast a quick
glance over her shoulder. Bob did not walk on
the stone pavement, but skulked along in the
shadow of the hedges and fences except when a
passerby came along. Consequently whenever
Lena looked behind her he stood stilL It was ex-
citing work.
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200 BOB COOK AND THE GERMAN SPY
A half-mile or so down the street Lena stopped.
She stood nnder one of the street lamps, and after
a sharp glance in all directions, stealthily drew a
piece of paper ont of the bag she carried. She
was plainly nervous, and Bob watched her in-
tently. She was about to read the note that the
fake detective had handed to her.
It took Bob only a second to make up his mind.
The occasion called for quick action and he acted
quickly. Bunning swiftly and silently on the
moist earth, he stole up behind Lena. She was
standing still, deeply engrossed in what she read
on the paper she held in her hand. Consequently
she was unaware of Bob bearing down upon her.
When he was about ten feet behind her. Bob
suddenly dashed forward, even more swiftly than
before, and before the startled cook knew what
was happening he had snatched the paper from
her hand and was speeding away with it He ran
only for a few steps, however. An exposed root
from one of the big maple trees that lined the side-
walk caught his foot ; he tripped, was thrown vio-
lently forward, and fell sprawling on his face. He
did not relax his hold on the paper, however. It
was crumpled, but he held it tightly clenched in
his hand.
The fall jarred him considerably. The knee of
his trousers was torn and his hand scraped. His
hat fell off, and as he slid along the ground on
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BOB ACTS QUICKLY 201
his face, half of hid false whiskers were ripped
off. He picked himself up as quickly as he could,
however, and tamed around to see what Lena was
doing.
She was nowhere to be seen.
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CHAPTER XXIII
TJNDEB THE LIGHT
HUGH tnmeq quickly and followed the
fake detective through the crowd. The
man sauntered along as if he was in no
hurry whatsoever, so that Hugh too had to walk
very slowly. The man stopped and looked in at
the windows of many of the stores, and dose be-
hind him every time stood Hugh ; he was at a loss
to account for this behavior on the part of the
man he was following, as his dilatory tactics were
in sharp contrast to the way in which Lena had
hurried.