do this--it
will not count against you as Scout. Did Mr. Dean see you?"

"Yes sir," the boy replied. "He told me that in all probability you
would wish to see me in reference to an important matter. And he told
me that when you did ask me, I was to be sure to decide with no other
thought than that of either wanting or not wanting to do it. He
doesn't want my friendship for him or for anyone else to influence
me."

"That's exactly it, Ted. What we are going to ask you to do, you must,
first, want to do, second, feel that you can do, third, be sure it is
in line with any convictions you may have. Now, I suppose you are even
more anxious to know what it is all about?"

The boy nodded his assent but waited for the other to continue.

"Whatever we are going to tell you or which you may gather you do
under pledge of secrecy. And now let us go to meet Major Church. While
we are on our way, bear with me for a few minutes while I go into all
this for you.

"Germany, we all feel, is getting ready to make war. Most people
cannot realize it, but we have fairly good proof gathered both in
London and in Ottawa that it is so. We also know that over in the
States a big army of so-called German Americans but who are Germans in
reality, men who have never severed their allegiance to the
Fatherland, are getting ready, preparing to invade Canada. They are
also to have the help of many Irishmen who hate England.

"The reason for this conference is to get Canada to also prepare. The
Germans are working quietly, secretly. We cannot get the evidence to
show what they are doing although we have tried. Here in Canada, they
simply will not believe, and cite the fact that Germany has repeatedly
declared its friendship as the best kind of proof of our being all
wrong.

"Is all this too complex for you, my boy?" Captain Wilson interrupted
his discourse with the sudden thought that he was not making it clear
to his listener.

"I understand you, Captain Wilson," the boy answered. So the captain
continued.

"We think we have found out one source through which we can get
information. We must, however, proceed with great caution. Nothing
would please the Germans more than to show us up and give surface
proof of their good will and good intentions. Incidently, they would
give a lot to make those of us who are watching, the laughing stock of
Canada and the United States. That is why we must be very careful. We
must try to get Washington to se