CHAPTER XXVIII
THE GERMAN SPY MERCHANT
ANTHONY TRENT rode into Kennebago by the corduroy road from Rangely. Ittook longer but it seemed a less likely way of being seen than if he hadtaken the train to Kennebago. It had been his intention before Kaufmannhad come across his horizon to make the call upon Mr. Westward his firstaction. As he stood at the window of the big dining room he could seethe genial angler, and John his guide, rowing over to the edge of afavorite pool. There he sat in the stern, rod in hand, no doubt thinkingof the chapter he was writing on the "Psychology of Trout."
For years Anthony Trent had looked forward to days like this in his newhome. But the thrill of it was gone. He had hoped to look over the laketo the purple hills beyond with a serenity of mind that might now neverbe his. How much did Kaufmann know? Would he lodge information with thepolice? Dare he? Probably he would not dare to call. But anonymousinformation of so important a character would speedily bring detectiveson his trail. Beyond a question he should have bought a camp on some farCanadian lake under another name, and reached it by devious ways.
He had betrayed much ingenuity in bringing himself, Mrs. Kinney andtheir baggage, to Kennebago as it was. Successions of taxis from hotelto station, and from station to hotel, crossing his own tracks a halfdozen times would make pursuit difficult. He had no way of estimatingKaufmann's skill at following a clue. But the man had impressed him,Anthony Trent, who had foiled so many.
Next morning he determined to fish and was attending to his rods withthe loving care of the conscientious angler when a knock came at thedoor. It opened on to the big screened piazza.
"Come in," he shouted, thinking Mrs. Kinney wished to consult him.
Instead there entered Mr. Westward who greeted him heartily. It wasindeed an honor, for the piscatorial expert called upon few.
"Glad to see you, my dear fellow," said Westward, shaking him by thehand. "I happened to meet a friend of yours who was coming to see youand lost his way so I've brought him along."
_Kaufmann also wrung his hand_. He seemed no less delighted to see Trentthan had been Mr. Westward.
"What a charming retreat you have here," he exclaimed cordially.
There followed a conversation concerning trout and salmon which undernormal conditions would have been delightful to Trent. Kaufmann wasaffable, genial, and talked of the finny spoils of his native lakes. Itwas only when Westward's erect form had disappeared down the path thathis manner became forbidding.
"Why did you leave New York?" he snapped.
"Because I chose to," said the other.
"What a fool! what a fool!" cried Kaufmann, "and how fortunate that I amgood tempered."
"Why?" Trent demanded.
"Because I might have had you investigated by the police. Instead Ifollowed you here--not without difficulty I admit--and renew my offer."He looked about the luxurious house that was miscalled a "camp." It wasnot the kind of home a man would lose willingly. "I ask very little. Ionly want a certain package of letters which a man who lands to-morrowin New York has in his possession. One so skilled as you can get iteasily. You have presence, education, ready wit. I confess it isdifficult for me to believe you have sunk so low."
Anthony Trent flushed angrily.
"There are lower depths yet," he exclaimed.
"Yes?" the other returned, "as for instance?"
"Your sort of work!" he cried. "Do you suppose I imagine you to be aSwiss silk merchant of Bahnhof street?"
Kaufmann threw back his head and laughed.
"My passport recently vised by your State Department is made out toAdolf Kaufmann of Zurich. I have Swiss friends in New York and Chicagowho will identify me."
"Naturally," said Trent, "simple precautions of that sort would have tobe taken. That's elementary."
"Let us get back to business," said the other, "I want those papers.Will you get them for me? Think it over well. You may say you will not.You may say you prefer to remain here in this delightful place and catchtrout. Let us suppose that you say you defy me. What happens? You loseall chance to look at trout for ten, fifteen, twenty years accordinglyas the judge regards your offenses. I have mentioned only two crimes toyou. Of these I have data and am certain. There are two others in whichI can interest myself if necessary. I do not wish to bother myself withyou after you do as I command. Get me the papers and you may remain heretill you have grand-children of marriageable age. Is it worth defyingme, Mr. Trent?"
The younger man groaned as he thought it over. The fabric he had made socarefully was ready to fall apart. Kaufmann went on talking.
"The man you must follow is called Commander Godfrey Heathcote, of theBritish Navy. On his breast he wears the ribbons of the VictoriaCross--a blue one for the Navy--and the red ribbon, edged with blue, ofthe Distinguished Service Order. He is a man much of your build but hasstraw colored hair and light blue eyes. He walks with a limp owing to awound received at the Zeebrugge affair. He is supposed to be over hereto stay with relatives who have a place on the James River. He leavesfor Washington soon where his business is with the Secretary of theNavy. The papers I want are in a pigskin cigarette case, old and worn.You'd better bring the case in its entirety."
Kaufmann rattled off his instructions in a sure and certain manner.Evidently he had no fear of being denied.
"Isn't it unusual for an English naval commander to carry trade secretsabout with him?" Trent demanded.
"Why keep up the farce?" Kaufmann exclaimed. "You, too, are a man ofthe world. You realize you are in my power and must do as you are bid."
"Must I?" Trent answered with a frown. "I am asked to play the traitorto my country and you expect me to accept without hesitation."
"Why not?" Kaufmann returned. "Would you be the first that fear ofexposure has led into such ways? If I were to tell you how we--" hepaused a moment and then smiled--"how we silk merchants of Switzerlandhave used our knowledge of the black pages of men's lives or theindiscretions of well known women, you would understand more readily howwe obtain what we want."
"I understand," said Anthony Trent gloomily. He was a case in point.
"And you will save yourself?"
"I don't know," said Trent hesitating. But he knew that Kaufmann hadmade such threats as these to others and had gained his desires. "What'sin those papers?"
"Dye formulae," smiled the elder man.
Anthony Trent looked at him angrily. His nerves were on edge. PlainlyKaufmann felt it unwise to stir the smouldering passion in him.
"England," he informed the other, "has recently reorganized the minefields outside Sheerness at the mouth of the Thames. CommanderHeathcote, who is here ostensibly to recuperate from wounds, is chosento carry the plans to the Navy Department. There you have all I know."
"But that's treachery!" Trent cried.
"What's England to you," Kaufmann answered, "or you to England? I'm notasking you to take American plans."
"It's the same thing now," Trent persisted. "We're allies and what'streachery to one is treachery to the other."
"Admirable!" Kaufmann sneered, "admirable! But I invite you to come downto mother earth. You are not concerned with the affairs of nations. Youare concerned only with your own safety which is the nearer task. Youget those plans or you go to prison. You realize my power. I need you.You may ask why I have gone to this trouble to take you, a stranger,more or less into my confidence. Very well. I shall tell you. My own menare working like slaves in your accursed internment camps and I am alonewho had so many to command."
"Alone," said Anthony Trent in an altered voice and looked at him oddly.
Kaufmann observed the look and laughed.
"I am a mind reader," he said cheerfully, "I will tell you what ispassing through your brain. You are wondering whether if those stronghands of yours get a grip of my throat your own troubles, too, would notbe at an end. No, my friend, I still have my Bayard with me. And why runthe risk, if you should overpower me, of being tried for murder? What Iask of y
ou is very little. Remember, also, that I have but to say theword and you land in prison."
"You'd go with me," Trent exclaimed.
"I think not," smiled Kaufmann. "Jerome Dangerfield and others wouldvouch for me whereas I fear you would be friendless. And even if I wereinterned how would that help you? Be sensible and get ready toaccompany me to New York on the five o'clock train. I have yourreservations."
It was not easy to explain things to Mrs. Kinney. Trent told her thathis suspicions of Kaufmann's German sympathies were wrong. He said hewas compelled to get the dye formulae and would return within a fewdays.
"I shall come too," Mrs. Kinney observed. "I left a lot of my things atthe flat and I shall need them."
It seemed to Trent that she was not deceived by his words; and while hewould have preferred to leave her in Maine he could think of no reasonfor keeping her there if she wished to leave. All the way he was gloomy.To Kaufmann's sallies he made morose answers. Presently the so-calledSwiss left him alone. But Trent could not escape the feeling that hisevery action was watched. He was to all intents and purposes bondservant to an enemy of his country.
"Just a final word," said Kaufmann as they neared the 125th streetstation.
"What else?" Trent said impatiently. He was filled with disgust withhimself and of hatred for the German.
"Remember that the cigarette case which holds my formulae is a long flatone holding twelve cigarettes. On it is stamped 'G.H.' He does notsecrete it as you think but exposes it carelessly to view. I advise youto go straight to your apartment and await my letter. It is necessaryfor me to find out particulars which it might be unwise for you to do. Idon't want you to fall under suspicion."
"You are very thoughtful," sneered Trent. He knew well enough that hehad a value in Kaufmann's eyes which would be destroyed were he to comeunder police supervision. That this was the only case where he was to beused was unlikely. Having used him once he would be at their commandagain. But would he? Anthony Trent sat back in his chair deep lines onhis drawn white face. This was the reward of the life he had led. Andthe way to break from Kaufmann's grip was to run the risk of the longprison term, or--the taking of a life. And even were he to come to thisKaufmann might be only one of a gang whose other members might commandhis services.
"I shall send you a message by telephone if it is still in your flat. Itis? Good. That simplifies matters. Wait until you receive it and thenact immediately."
Anthony Trent disregarded the outstretched hand and cordial smile, whena minute or so later, the train pulled into the Grand Central. He haileda taxi and drove to his rooms utterly obsessed with his bitter thoughts.It was not until he pulled up the shades and glanced about the placethat he remembered Mrs. Kinney. He had forgotten her. But he relied onher common sense. Sooner or later she would come. Meanwhile he must waitfor Kaufmann's telephone message.
The message arrived before the woman. "To-morrow," said Kaufmann, "yourfriend leaves for Washington. He is staying at the Carlton and goes tohis room after dinner. He will be pleased to see you. To-morrow night Ishall call upon you soon after dark."
The Carlton was the newest of the hotels, the most superbly decorated,the hotel that always disappointed the _nouveau riche_ because so littlegoldleaf had been used in the process. Anthony Trent had spent a nightor two in every big hotel the city boasted. In a little note book therewere certain salient features carefully put down, hints which might beuseful to him. Turning to the book he read it carefully. He was alreadyacquainted with the general lay-out of the hotel which had beengenerously explained in the architectural papers.
The hotel detectives were men of whom he liked to learn as much aspossible. The house detective, the head of them, was Francis XavierGlynn who felt himself kin to Gaboriau because of his subtle methods. Hewould often come to the hotel desk and register talking in a loud toneabout his Western business connections. He dressed in what he assumedwas the Western manner. To his associates this seemed the height ofcunning. As a matter of fact the high class crook who prefers the highclass hotel knew of it and was amused. Clarke was Trent's informant. Theold editor had pointed him out to the younger man one day when they hadmet near enough to the hotel's cafe entrance to go in and have a drink.
As a rule Trent made elaborate plans for the successful carrying out ofhis work. But here he was suddenly told to engage in a very difficultoperation. Disguises must be good indeed to stand the glare of hotelcorridors and dining rooms. He decided to go and trust to some plansuggesting itself when the moment arrived.
He registered as Conway Parker of York, Pennsylvania and the grip whichthe boy carried to his room had on it "C.P. York, Pa." Trent had given acouple of dollars for it at a second hand store. It dulled suspicionswhich might have been aroused where the bag and initials glaringly new.It was part of Francis Xavier Glynn's plan to have the hotel boys reporthourly on any unusual happening.
As Trent had waited to register he noted the name he was looking for,Commander Heathcote, had a room on the 17th floor. Parker was assignedto one on the seventh. Directly the boy had left Anthony Trent startedto work. He found just cause of offense so far as the location of hisroom went. It was an inside room and the heat of the day made itoppressive. Commander Heathcote, as he found by taking a trip to theseventeenth floor, had an outside room. A further investigation provedthat immediately over the Commander's room was an unoccupied suite. Toeffect the exchange was not easy. Trent could not very well dictate thelocation of the room or betray so exact a knowledge of hotel topographywithout incurring suspicion. But at last the thing was done. Thegentleman from York wanted a sitting room, bedroom and bath and obtainedit immediately over those of the naval officer.
He passed Heathcote in the dining room, and looked at him keenly. Thetwo men were of a height. Heathcote was broader. Trent instantly knewhim for that fighting type characterized by the short, straight nose,cleft chin and light blue eyes. It was a man to beware of in anencounter. He limped a little and walked with a cane. And while hewaited for his _hors d'oeuvres_ he took out a long pigskin cigarettecase. It was within ten feet of the man who had come to steal it. For awild moment he wondered whether it were possible to lunge for it andmake his escape. A moment later he was annoyed that such a puerilethought had visited him. It meant that his nerves were not under theirusual control.
After dinner two or three men spoke to the Commander as he limped towardthe elevator. One, a British colonel, shook hands heartily andcongratulated him on the V.C. Another, a stranger evidently, tried toget him into conversation. Trent noted that the Commander, althoughcourteous to a degree, was not minded to make hotel acquaintances. Hedeclined a drink and refused a cigar by taking out his cigarette case.The stranger looked at it curiously.
"Seen some service, hasn't it?" the affable stranger remarked and tookit from the owner's hand.
"A very old pal," said the naval man. Trent had observed the slighthesitation before he had permitted it to leave his hand. "I wouldn'tlose it for a lot."
Trent stood ready. It might be that this thick skinned stranger wasafter the same loot as he. But he handed it back and strolled off to thecafe where he joined a group of perfectly respectable business men fromColumbus, O.
As most travelers in first class hotels know, the eighteenth story ofthe Carlton looks across a block of fashionable private houses on itsnorth side. There is on that account no possibility of any pryingstranger gazing into its rooms from across the way. Towering above theselesser habitations the Carlton looms inaccessible, austere, remote.
In the grip which had once belonged to the unknown "C. P. of York, Pa."Anthony Trent had put the kit necessary for a short stay. There was alsocertain equipment without which certain nervous travelers rarely strayfrom home. For example there was a small axe. In a collision at sea manyare drowned who might escape did not the impact have the effect ofjamming the doors of their state rooms. The axe in the hands of thethoughtful voyager could be used to hack through thin planking tofreedom. There was also a small
coil of high grade rope, tested to threehundred pounds. In case of fire the careful traveler might slide toearth. Not, of course, from an eighteenth floor.
At half past one that night it was very dark and cloudy. A light raindropped on dusty streets and there was silence. Tying his line to thefirm anchorage of a pipe in the bath room Anthony Trent began his work.He was dressed in a dark blue suit. He wore no collar and on his handswere dark gray gloves. Below him was the green and white striped awningthat protected Commander Heathcote's windows. It was almost certain thatan Englishman would sleep with windows open.
It was not difficult for a gymnast to slide down the rope head foremost.When Trent could touch the top of the Heathcote awning he took a safetyrazor blade from his lips and cut a slit across it sufficiently wide toadmit his head and shoulders.
It was not a descent which caused much trouble. There was the chancethat the rope might break. He wondered through how many awnings he wouldplunge before consciousness left him.
Heathcote was asleep. By a table near the bed was an ash tray, matches,Conrad's "Youth" and the cigarette case. And lying near was the stoutcane which the man who was wounded in that splendid attack on Zeebruggeused to aid himself in his halting walk.
Trent, with the case in his pocket, walked to the door. It was not hisintention to make the more hazardous climb up to his room when so easy away of getting there presented itself. It was locked and barred.
In his room he sat and looked at what he had taken. It represented, soKaufmann said, his freedom from arrest. It contained plans of vitalimportance to the allies. They could only be used by the enemy to bringdestruction to those who fought for right. And what punishment would begiven the wounded hero for losing what was entrusted to him? For an hourTrent sat there looking at the pigskin case. And gradually what hadseemed an impossible sacrifice to make, came to be something desirableand splendid. Anthony Trent had never been able to regard his career asone justified by circumstances. There burned in his breast the spark ofpatriotism more strongly than he knew. He had fought his fight and won.His eyes were moist as he thought of his father, that old civil warsoldier who had been wounded on Gettysburg's bloody field and walkedalways with a limp like the English sailor beneath.
When he opened the door Heathcote was still slumbering. He replaced thecase as nearly in the position he found as he could. In that momentAnthony Trent felt he could look any man in the face.
He was still slumbering when Commander Heathcote awoke. Presently theofficer saw that the door was unbarred and as investigation proved,unlocked.
"I'd have sworn," muttered the Commander, "that I locked and barredit."