ul to suit us." This from
O'Reilly.

"He has been a nuisance, hasn't he?" answered Schmidt. "Hello,
friends," he said to some new-comers. "I have just been telling
O'Reilly about our little affair this afternoon."

There was the sound of a number of voices and of some laughing. Then
more men came into the room, there was the scraping of chairs as men
seated themselves.

Then there was quiet as two men entered. Greetings were exchanged and
Ted realized that the two were Winckel and Captain Knabe.

As Captain Knabe was introduced to some of the men, Ted wrote the
names down.

"Let us get down to business, friends," said one, who seemed to be the
chairman. "Captain Knabe has come here from Washington, his time just
now is important. Even more important is the need for immediate
action. Captain Knabe, gentlemen."

CHAPTER VII

THE DICTAPHONE AT WORK

"I understand," said Captain Knabe, "that some of the Irish gentlemen
present do not understand German, and so, while I can do so much
better in my native tongue, I shall talk in English."

"How lucky," thought Ted.

"Well, gentlemen, I have good news for you--war is to be declared the
day after tomorrow."

There was the sound of moving, falling chairs, of men getting to their
feet. Then a whispered toast--a whisper that was almost loud because
of the number of voices--"Der Tag."

"You, in America, who have never given up your allegiance to the
supreme nation, nor to the emperor, must do your share. Although war
is to be declared the day after tomorrow, it will be a matter of a
few more days before we are at war with England; possibly it will be
more than a week. I understand you are ready."

Another voice spoke. "We are prepared. We will announce picnics at
certain places; it is for you to tell us the locations."

"I am ready to tell you that now," replied the captain. "Concentrate
on your picnic grounds near Detroit for the taking of Windsor. Herr
Winckel has the plans. I have given him three sets--Windsor, Toronto,
Winnipeg. He also has the charts which show how to move and what
railroads to occupy. Our friends in Canada are to see that there are
available cars, engines and even motors. Of course, all of you will
know just what picnic grounds are to be selected, so we need waste no
time on that."

"How many men have you, Herr Winckel?" Captain Knabe wanted to know.

"Will you tell us, Schoen?" Herr Winckel asked.

"Approximately, armed and rea