"There were guards everywhere when I called at K-70. Even the
doorkeeper was a non-com, who took my name, entered it in a book with
the precise time I called, took down his telephone, merely mentioned
my name, hung up the receiver, called an orderly who conducted me
through a corridor and three anterooms full of civilian clerks and
finally landed me in the private office of Colonel Z---- S----. He
wore the undress uniform of the Imperial Army, greeted me pleasantly,
offered me a cigar and tactfully asked: 'Have you _positively_ made up
your mind to continue in this service?'
"I wanted to know a little more fully what was required of me before
answering; but he did not say. He insisted, rather, on my answering
his question FIRST.... To be perfectly frank I was not anxious to
commit myself unreservedly without knowing ALL he expected of me, but
it sounded cowardly ... so with a mental _reservation_ I finally said:
'You don't look like a man who would ask another to commit suicide. Go
ahead! I've decided to take a chance.'... Colonel Z---- S---- looked
me straight in the eye and said: 'We expect you to use the same
tactics that are used against you. We can't be squeamish.... The
interests at stake are too _sacred_ to allow personal considerations
to affect your conduct.... You will be required to undertake a journey
in the capacity of a guide.... How you make it will be left entirely
to yourself ... _but we expect results_.... Every resource will be
placed at your disposal, but if YOU get into _trouble_ you'll have to
get yourself out without calling on us for help.... We _must not_ be
known in the matter. And understand this--the assignment is dangerous
from start to finish; no official help can be given you under ANY
circumstances.'... To get a line on things I asked, casually, what my
compensation would be.... He replied: 'You will be allowed a
regular retainer fee, an allowance for daily expenses and a _bonus_
sufficiently attractive to make the undertaking worth while, as _you_
should know.' I thought a little while before asking, 'When do I
start?'... 'There's another thing,' he said. 'I suppose you know we
_retain_ one-third of your fee for the benefit of your family in the
event of any trouble.'... I merely nodded and said, 'All right.'"
In a moment a clerk brought in a check for 400, which Colonel Z----
S---- gave me, saying: 'This is your first month's allowance for
expenses; your retainer will be paid quarterly.'... 'How do you KNOW I
won't swindle you?' I asked, being a perfect _stranger_ to him. 'I am
taking my ORDERS from above,' he answered.... '_Who?_' I asked. 'Young
man!' he thundered, 'learn this QUICK--don't ask questions; keep your
ears and eyes open and your mouth SHUT.... _Be here_ at 10 tomorrow.'