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TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION
by
ELMER SHERWOOD
Author of "Ted Marsh, the Boy Scout", "Buffalo Bill's Boyhood",
"Buffalo Bill and the Pony Express", etc., etc.
Illustrations by Alice Carsey
[Illustration: HE SPRANG AT TED AND BARKED HIS DELIGHT]
Whitman Publishing Co.
CONTENTS
I. Ted Decides to Accept 11
II. Plans Are Made to Meet Ted 24
III. Ted Arrives in Chicago 33
IV. Ted Meets Strong 39
V. Setting a Trap 47
VI. Strong Seems Checkmated 57
VII. The Dictaphone at Work 68
VIII. Winckel Calls a Halt 80
IX. At Ottawa 87
X. Ted Receives a Reward 94
XI. Ted Goes Back 101
XII. The Marshes Reunited 108
ILLUSTRATIONS
HE SPRANG AT TED AND BARKED HIS DELIGHT 4
CAUTIOUSLY HE PROWLED ABOUT 13
TED FREES THE PRISONERS 78
TED MARSH ON AN IMPORTANT MISSION
CHAPTER I
TED DECIDES TO ACCEPT
"Ted, oh Ted."
The speaker's hail was not altogether unexpected. The boy called Ted
turned about and met Captain Wilson half way.
The familiar figure of the boy proves to be Ted Marsh who had come out
to Western Canada with his friends, John Dean and Mrs. Dean. After a
number of months on the Double X Ranch, months which the boy had found
both exhilarating and tremendously to his liking, he had been sent to
Wayland Academy. To those of us who have read Ted Marsh the Boy Scout,
the following facts are familiar. A brief resume, however, is set
forth herewith for those readers who are new so that they can safely
gather the threads of our story.
Ted Marsh, a likeable newsboy, living in Chicago, makes the
acquaintance of John Dean, a Canadian rancher. Ted takes him to the
Settlement to which he belongs. Dean's interest in the boy grows. Then
as the boy begins to show the man the Chicago that he knows, there is
the startling clamor of fire engines and all the evidence of a nearby
fire. It is in the tenement in which Ted lives. The boy cannot be held
back. He rushes into the building to try to save his mother.
Fortunately, his mother has already left the burning building. The boy
is caught within and only makes his escape by jumping from the window
on high into the firemen's waiting net below.
After a stay in the hospital John Dean and his wife take the boy West
with the consent of his mother who unselfishly lets him go because
opportunity, so she feels, is there. Ted's father had left home just
before Ted was born.
[Illustration: CAUTIOUSLY HE PROWLED ABOUT]
Strong interest centers around the doings of Ted and his new-found
friends both at the ranch and at the academy. Adventures are many. The
boy is found to be cool in emergencies. He has qualities which bring
respect and liking. The end of the story finds him suggested for an
important mission to Chicago--and his youth is considered of great
advantage by the gentlemen who wish to send him. The opening of the
present story finds Captain Wilson hailing Ted, ready to broach the
subject and find out if the boy is willing or unwilling to undertake
the mission:
The boy saluted. He stood at attention while the captain studied him
for a few moments.
"Ted, boy, I come to you on very important business. Not as Scout to
Scout, but as man to man. For you can safely refuse to 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 see the truth not through any suspicion
they may have but by actual, obvious, undeniable evidence. If we can
furnish such proof the Government at Washington will find good reason
for watching these German-Americans.
"It is for us to get the proof. Once we get that we will not have to
worry as to trouble from the other side of the border.
"I suppose," the captain concluded as they entered the building and
made their way to the room in which Major Church was waiting, "you
know who some of the men at this conference are. Besides Mr. Dean and
myself, Major Smith, our chief, is an ex-army officer. Colonel Graham
is Syd Graham's father. Mr. Smythe comes from Toronto; he is in the
employ of the Government. Well, here we are."
They entered a small room. Major Church put aside some papers on
which he had been engaged.
Captain Wilson introduced Ted.
"I have heard of you, young man," was the major's greeting. "You are a
credit to the school, I find. And we have called you before us because
of qualities we find you possess.
"I don't know how much you do know, lad, but war with Germany is near.
Germans masquerading as German-Americans are planning an attempt
against Canada and they intend to carry out that attempt just before
the immediate declaration of war. We believe that the meetings of the
prime movers are held in Milwaukee, possibly in Chicago. It is
important for us to know their plans."
"We perhaps could decide on anyone of several men but it occurred to
us that to send one so young as you are would in itself lull any
suspicions they may have. They will not connect you with our work,
which is in itself half the battle. But, of course, it would not do to
send any one who, though young, is not also endowed with a fair amount
of good common sense and discretion."
Ted listened. Nothing that the Major said escaped him. He realized
the weight of the speaker's words.
"I understand that you have lived in Chicago. That is correct, is it
not?"
"Yes sir," Ted replied.
"Well, it will help in case the point to cover is Chicago. With your
knowledge of Chicago very little time would be lost."
"In the main," the Major continued, "it is mostly a question of being
alert--eyes, ears and mind."
"Captain Wilson," the Major turned. "Is Mr. Smythe obtaining the
necessary information, do you know?"
"Yes, we will soon know," was the reply, "who is the operative in that
district and whether Chicago or Milwaukee is the point to cover. Mr.
Smythe is waiting for the answer."
Major Church gave Ted an account of how their secret service men
worked and how information was obtained.
"Despite the fact that we have all these men, I feel sure that you
will be able to get the information we desire more readily than any of
our men. In a way, you will be a temporary secret service man."
He carefully outlined his reasons for believing that Ted might be
successful in getting information.
"My boy, Canada is not your country. There is no call for you to do
it. You may wish to remain neutral and we do not want you to go unless
you wish to, heart and soul. But should you go, successful or
unsuccessful, you will be rendering us a great service."
"I want to go," Ted answered very quietly. "Canada is second only to
my loyalty for my own country."
Major Church and Captain Wilson gave Ted a hand-clasp which showed
their feelings.
"You are true blue, my lad," said Major Church. "We will have
information as to location from Mr. Smythe very soon. You can
understand the need of secrecy when our wires are coded. By the way,
Wilson," he turned to the captain, "you have an instructor in German
here, have you not?"
"We have," was the reply.
"Better watch him a bit. My theory is that all of these Germans will
bear watching."
Three hours later Captain Wilson and Ted joined Mr. Smythe, Mr. Dean,
Colonel Graham and Major Church. Mr. Smythe presented the following
wire:
"Smythe,
"Wayland.
"Ekal stroper On. 2 ecalp Ees H."
"As you know, gentlemen, they have used the simplest code because the
information would only be information for us. It is the reversal of
the letters of a word. Let us see:
"Lake Reports No. 2 place. See H.
"H is Strong. No. 2 is Chicago. Strong is our chief operative there.
Ted will have to see him to get his information and also such help as
he may need. But one thing we know--their headquarters just now are at
Chicago."
"I am glad of it," said Ted. "Since Chicago is my home town, I can do
things there and may be successful."
"Suppose," said John Dean, "you start tomorrow, Ted. You see, speed is
the thing. That will give you a chance to see your mother and sister,
too."
"I need hardly say," said the major, "that even your mother had best
not know about this, unless it should be actually necessary. Secrecy
is imperative."
"I knew that, sir," Ted replied.
"One thing more," Major Church added, and he spoke to the men in the
room. "No matter who asks about Ted, he has gone home to see his
mother; someone is not well, let us say. The slightest hint or
suspicion as to the purpose of his trip would frustrate it. Will you,
Mr. Smythe, telegraph to Toronto, and tell the chief just what has
been done?"
Mr. Smythe nodded his head.
Ted went out first. As he closed the door, another door far down the
hall opened, a head came out, a very German head--the head of Mr.
Pfeffer, instructor in that language. Quietly and quickly it was
withdrawn. Ted did not observe this; if he had, it probably would not
have had any meaning for him. Mr. Pfeffer was a very curious
gentleman, he would have given much to know the purpose of the
meeting; even now, he was debating with himself whether he should do
some innocent questioning of Ted. He decided against it.
Just before retiring, Captain Wilson came into Ted's room.
"It seems silly to distrust Pfeffer, Lucky, still when you get to a
station, say Winnipeg, I would telegraph your mother that you are
coming. If any questions should be asked of her, she should say that
she knows you are coming. See? It is best to be safe and to guard
against everything."
Early morn saw Ted on the train. It was announced to those who made
inquiries that Ted had been called home. Mr. Pfeffer received the
information with private wonder and doubt.
He took occasion to stroll down to the telegraph office later that
same day.
"Hello, Peter," he said to the operator.
Peter turned around to see if anyone was about, then brought out a
copy of the coded telegram.
"Easy code, professor--what does it mean?" His copy already had
translated the words properly.
"It may mean nothing or it may mean everything. The boy is going to
Chicago--perhaps Chicago is No. 2--perhaps not. Peter, you had better
send a telegram. Better be sure, eh?"
"Why would they be sending a child and for what?" Peter was
incredulous.
"Did the boy send a telegram?" Mr. Pfeffer asked. "I had better see
them all."
But there was none that had been sent that morning to Chicago.
A long wire, also in code, went forward from Mr. Pfeffer to Chicago.
Then that worthy strolled back to the Academy.