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Nevertheless the girl moved silently, for she did not know what servants might be in the house. The door opened without a sound. Gladys advanced into the darkness. From time to time she stopped as she moved along, but she was so afraid that General Rentzel might arrive before she could warn Hal and McKenzie that she wasted little time. She came to a door, which opened noiselessly.
General Rentzel sat up and wiped his face with a handkerchief. "Shoot them!" he cried. From the rear of the crowd there was a flash of fire and a report. A bullet sped over Hal's head. McKenzie's revolver flashed and a German fell to rise no more. At this moment McKenzie took command. "Up the steps!" he cried. Hal realized that to hesitate meant instant death.
To reach them it was necessary for the Germans to stand directly in front of the steps, and there was no man below who felt called upon to face this certain death, in spite of the hoarse commands of General Rentzel. But in a situation like this could not last long. Other officers and soldiers, aroused by the explosion appeared on the scene. Hal realized that their predicament was desperate.
"I will tell you something," said his hostess. "The list which you seek is no longer in the hands of the prime minister. It is now in possession of General Rentzel, chief of the secret service; and the son of the general comes frequently to see my daughter, Gladys. But we shall talk more later. I will leave you now and see that sufficient wardrobes are procured for you and your friends."
"Why, I can show you the names of men whom you would not think of suspecting, and yet who are acting for the German government in America." "Is that so, sir?" "It is indeed. Wait." General Rentzel arose, approached the big safe in the rear of the room, unlocked it and took there from a small paper-bound book. He returned to his seat at the table.
He, as you know, is the chief of the secret service. As such, he has charge of the agents abroad. I thought he might make you a proposition." "There will be no harm if I am unable to accept, will there?" asked Hal. "Not a bit," replied the German heartily. "Then I'll go." The next hour was spent in general conversation, after which Captain Rentzel arose to take his leave.
The latter asked no questions. At the home of Mrs. Schweiring Hal ordered McKenzie to remain in the car while the lad hurried into the house. He returned a moment later, carrying a small grip. This he threw into the car and climbed in after it. "We have important business with General Rentzel," he told the chauffeur. "You will drive us there and then return to the ball for your mistress."
Twice now the general had attempted to move on, but Mrs. Schweiring had prevented it. He tried again, and she asked: "What time have you, your excellency?" General Rentzel glanced at his watch. "Half-past eleven," he said. "Surely, it is not that late," said Mrs. Schweiring. "Why, we have only been here a short time." "Madame," said General Rentzel at this juncture, "I must ask you to excuse me.
Suddenly the room burst into light as someone pressed an electric, light button. General Rentzel strode into the room. His eyes fell upon Hal and McKenzie immediately. He said nothing, but gazed about. Then he saw the shattered safe. He dashed forward with a cry and examined the interior, carefully. Then his face turned white as he faced Hal. "The list," he said in a hoarse voice, "where is it?"
Chester kept his eyes on all three. Chester was plainly nervous. Had he been in the danger himself his nerves would have been as hard as steel, but the inaction while someone else was doing the work made him impatient and fanciful. Finally General Rentzel approached the Swiss minister and paid his adieus. Then he moved toward the cloakroom. Halfway there he was intercepted by Mrs.
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