oint 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."

"As you know, gentlemen, they have used the simplest code because the
information would only be information for us. It is the reversal of
the letters of a word. Let us see:

"Lake Reports No. 2 place. See H.

"H is Strong. No. 2 is Chicago. Strong is our chief operative there.
Ted will have to see him to get his information and also such help as
he may need. But one thing we know--their headquarters just now are at
Chicago."

"I am glad of it," said Ted. "Since Chicago is my home town, I can do
things there and may be successful."

"Suppose," said John Dean, "you start tomorrow, Ted. You see, speed is
the thing. That will give you a chance to see your mother and sister,
too."

"I need hardly say," said the major, "that even your mother had best
not know about this, unless it should be actually necessary. Secrecy
is imperative."

"I knew that, sir," Ted replied.

"One thing more," Major Church