one that were wrong. He had
no interest in the dispute between your country and your enemies except
to make whatever money he might from the matter."

"You speak in riddles. Please explain more fully."

"Well," Jimmie continued, "there was a man in the United States who
brought over a ship load of ammunition. He stole a lot of money
intended for the relief of the suffering people of Poland. He
kidnapped and shanghaied me and generally proved himself a bad sort.
When he got over to Riga he was forced to enlist in the Russian Cossack
regiment, the same as I was, and when the Russian Cossacks attacked the
German troop train he was wounded badly. I tried to assist him, and
did what I could. When he found he was dying he asked me to take this
packet, which I understand contains the keys to a safe deposit box in
New York City, and when I get back there he wanted me to see what I
could do toward setting right some of his wrongdoings."

"A very fine tale, indeed," was the comment of von Liebknecht, "but you
will scarcely expect us to believe that in the face of all the
circumstances. We don't mean to imply that you, necessarily, know
different, but the man's story as you have told it is improbable."

"I am telling the exact truth as I understand it!" declared Jimmie
earnestly. "If he was lying to me, I do not know it. I believe he
told the truth, for he understood that he could not live much longer."

"Nevertheless, we will be obliged to examine the contents of the
packet," stated von Liebknecht positively. "Is it not so?" he asked,
turning to the group of officers for confirmation of his decision.

Vigorous nods from the ones addressed indicated their approval.

Unwilling to submit to the proposed action, Jimmie took a step
backward. His action was misinterpreted by the soldier who had
captured the boy. With a quick motion the man again seized the
red-headed lad in the same manner as previously, and deftly slid his
hand to the pocket where the packet reposed. Before Jimmie could offer
any resistance the object sought was brought forth and tossed upon the
table.

"Please make a note of the fact," stated von Liebknecht, addressing an
orderly seated nearby with a memorandum book, "that the packet is to be
opened with the full consent of Herr McGraw."

Jimmie gasped. He began to understand that the records of his presence
in the German regiment of Uhlans would be made to show favorably for
the officer in co