CHAPTER XXIV
AT THE FACTORY
"Well," exclaimed Bob in dismay, "I guess they got rid of us that time."
"Why have they?" demanded Hugh. "Why can't we hire a cab andfollow them?"
"Have you got any money?"
"Not a cent."
"Neither have I. I guess we're left."
"Aren't we fools?" cried Hugh angrily. "How could any one be so stupid?"
"There's no use in crying over spilt milk," said Bob. "The thing for usto do is to decide what we ought to do next."
"Let's go down to the factory; I don't see what else we can do."
"All right," said Bob disconsolately. "I do hate to have to go and tellfather that we've been tricked and beaten though."
"He can at least get the police to come down and help guard his factory,"said Hugh. "Probably no harm will come to it if they do that."
"But how do you know his factory is to be attacked? It may be they areplanning other damage to-night. We might have had a chance to stop it ifwe'd followed those two, and now they've got away from us."
"Your father ought to have reported Lena and Heinrich to thepolice anyway."
"He said he'd keep watch of Heinie, and no doubt he has. He expected we'ddo as well for Lena. We'd better go down and see him about it."
"Let me read this paper first," said Hugh. He once again started tounfold the crumpled sheet that Bob had stolen from Lena.
"You can't read it."
"Why not?"
"Try and see."
Hugh unfolded the paper and gave it one look. "Why it's written inGerman," he exclaimed in surprise.
"I know it is; that's why I said you couldn't read it."
"We must get it translated."
"Let's take it down to the factory. We can get Karl Hoffmann to tell uswhat it says."
Without further ado they set out. They walked swiftly and exchanged butfew words, for they were both occupied with their own thoughts; a feelingthat something was hanging over their heads oppressed the two boys. Thecountry was at war and plotters and spies were abroad in the land. Theevents of the last two days had convinced them that High Ridge had itsshare of mischief makers, and they felt sure that that very night a blowwould be struck.
A walk of twenty minutes brought them to the factory. The low, brickbuildings loomed ghostly in the darkness, with only here and there anelectric light burning inside as protection against thieves. The smallbrick office was situated in front of the other buildings and here alight was shining brightly.
A guard challenged them. Bob recognized the man as one of his father'semployees, and soon convinced him that he and Hugh were all right. Theypassed on and a moment later were in Mr. Cook's office. Mr. Cook wasseated at his desk and in a chair opposite him Sergeant Riley wasensconced.
"Well," exclaimed the sergeant as the boys entered, "if ever I saw twohard looking bums you two are it. 'Tis a wonder one of my men didn'trun yez in."
"We were sort of afraid of that," laughed Bob. "No one bothered usthough."
"Where's Heinrich?" inquired Hugh.
"In the next room," said Mr. Cook. "Where's Lena?"
"We lost her."
"What do you mean?"
Bob told his father what they had done.
"It looks serious," said Mr. Cook thoughtfully. "Sergeant Riley has justcome from the hospital and he brought me news of Mr. Wernberg."
"How is he?"
"He's better; he talked a little this evening."
"Did he?" cried Bob eagerly. "What did he say?"
"He didn't talk connectedly," said Mr. Cook. "He was only conscious for afew minutes, and wasn't well enough to hold a real conversation."
"But he must have said something."
"He did. He mumbled about bombs, and plans. He talked a lot about afactory, and kept saying, 'hurry,' over and over again."
"Didn't any one ask him what he meant?"
"I asked him myself," exclaimed Sergeant Riley, "but he was not wellenough to answer me or understand what I was saying."
"Do you think he referred to this factory?" inquired Hugh.
"The sergeant thinks so," said Mr. Cook. "There are only two others inHigh Ridge that they would try to destroy probably, so you see the chanceis one in three that he was speaking of this one."
"I can't imagine a man plotting such things," said Bob bitterly. "Hethinks he's helping Germany I suppose."
"Huh," snorted Bob. "A nice kind of man that will earn his living in acountry and then try to blow it up. Is he going to get well?"
"The doctors say he has an even chance," said Sergeant Riley.
"Well, all I hope is," said Bob, "that when he does get well they takehim and put him in jail for about fifteen years. Have you got plenty ofguards, father?"
"I think so," said Mr. Cook. "I've got all I can get anyway."
"Hugh and I are ready to help you know."
"I know it, and I may use you later to-night; we will need them morethen probably. In the meantime why don't you go and lie down for alittle while?"
"We've got a paper here to be translated first," said Bob.
"Give it to me," exclaimed Mr. Cook. "I'll call Heinrich in."
In response to his summons Heinrich soon appeared from the next room. Helooked pale and haggard as though he was tired and worn and worried. Heglanced from one to another of the people gathered around the desk, buteven his old pals, Bob and Hugh, gave him no more than a fleeting smile.
"We have a letter or something here written in German, Heinrich," saidMr. Cook. "I'd like to have you translate it for us, please."
Heinrich took the paper that was held out to him. Every one watched himnarrowly as he looked at it, and were amazed to see him suddenly turndeadly white. His hand shook violently and he had to lean against thedesk to keep from falling. He gazed at Mr. Cook pleadingly, a hunted lookin his eyes.
"What does it say?" asked his employer.
Heinrich gasped and almost choked once or twice. He swallowed hard andfinally found his voice again. "I don't know," he replied.
"You mean you can't read the German?"
That seemed to be as good an excuse as any, so Heinrich seized upon iteagerly. "Yes," he stammered. "That iss it."
"I don't believe you," said Mr. Cook calmly.
"Please, Mr. Cook," begged Heinrich. "Don't ask me to read it."
"But I want to know what it says."
"I can't read it."
"You don't mean that," said Mr. Cook. "You certainly can read it."
"I can't read it," Heinrich repeated. It was plain to be seen that he wassuffering great mental agony; he glanced about him fearfully as if heexpected to be attacked suddenly. He looked at the paper again and aninvoluntary groan escaped him. He appealed to Mr. Cook.
"Please let me go home," he pleaded.
"You won't even leave this room until you've read what that says,"exclaimed Mr. Cook, becoming angry and irritated at Heinrich's refusal todo as he said. Bob had seen their chauffeur stubborn before, however, andhe knew that if he made up his mind to a thing he was as obstinate asonly a German can be.
Heinrich merely looked at Mr. Cook sorrowfully.
"I'm a policeman you know," said Sergeant Riley sharply.
Heinrich ignored the implied threat completely.
"Come on, Heinie," urged Bob cajolingly. "Don't be foolish."
"I can't read it," said Heinrich again.
"You know," said Mr. Cook, "we're suspicious of some things you have donealready, Heinrich. Don't make it worse if you can help it."
"I can't read it," said Heinrich.
Bob knew the chauffeur well enough to know that there was no use inarguing with him further; it would only be a waste of breath and time.
"I don't want to turn you over to the police, Heinrich," said Mr. Cook."That is what I shall do, however, unless you do as I ask."
Heinrich turned paler than ever at this, but the words had noother effect on him. "I can't help it," he muttered doggedl
y. "Ican't read it."
"Let me see the paper," said Sergeant Riley. Heinrich handed it over.
"What's the little alligator doing on it?" queried the sergeantcuriously.
"Heinrich can tell you," said Mr. Cook. "What does it mean, Heinrich?"
The chauffeur made no reply. He looked at the floor dejectedly butoffered no remark. Now and again he glanced about him nervously.
Just at that moment the door of the office was opened and Karl Hoffmannentered. Heinrich looked at the newcomer, and there was hatred in hisvery glance. His fists were clenched tightly so that his knuckles showedwhite. He opened his mouth as if about to speak, and apparently withdifficulty checked himself.
Karl Hoffmann took in the scene with one glance and was plainly surprisedby the gathering. At first he did not recognize Bob and Hugh, who stillwore their disguises. Both boys greeted him, however, and laughed at hissurprise when he discovered who they were.
Karl himself looked pale as though he was working under a high tension;certainly the times were strenuous. He held something in his hand thatapparently he wished to give to Mr. Cook. Before he could speak, however,Mr. Cook anticipated him.
"Here is a paper, Karl," he said. "It has German written on it and I'dlike to have you translate it for us if you will."
As Karl took the paper Heinrich started forward as if he would protest.He was pale and his lips were shut tight; his face was the picture ofdesperation. He looked as if he had reached the limit of his enduranceand must speak. For a moment Bob thought he was going to spring at Karl.Heinrich finally got control of himself, however, and relapsed into asullen calm.
Karl took the paper and looked at it carelessly. Suddenly his jawdropped and he started back aghast. He turned almost as pale asHeinrich had done.
"Where did you get this?" he demanded.
"Tell us what it says," urged Mr. Cook.
"This is certainly remarkable," said Karl, though by this time he hadpartly regained control of himself.
"He won't read it, I bet," said Heinrich fiercely.
"Keep quiet, Heinrich!" exclaimed Mr. Cook sharply. "Karl is a goodAmerican; of course he'll read. Won't you, Karl?"
"Certainly I will," said Karl easily. He had entirely recovered hiscomposure now.
He had just opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted by avolley of shots outside. Instantly everything was in confusion. Everyone made a rush for the door and as it was yanked open a piercing shriekrent the air.
Bob Cook and the German Spy Page 24
