"Wernberg?" exclaimed Karl. "Does his father live down on the corner here?" "Yes." "I don't like that man," said Karl soberly. "I hope he's not a friend of yours." "He is not," exclaimed Bob warmly. "What do you know about him, Karl?" "Nothing much; I just don't trust him." "No one seems to like him," laughed Bob. "I guess he won't bother us for some time to come though now." "Why not?" demanded Karl quickly. "He's sick." "What's the matter with him?" "I don't know," said Bob evasively. He suddenly remembered that probably he had no right to talk about what they had done that day. "All I know is that he's in the hospital." "Serves him right," exclaimed Karl. "That's a good place for him and for all of his same kind." If Hugh had had any lingering doubts as to whether or not Karl was loyal they were now dissipated. If Mr. Wernberg was implicated in German plots against the United States, certainly no man who sympathized with him would hate him as Karl Hoffmann plainly did. "We may come down and help you guard the factory to-night, Karl," said Bob. "You'll be there, won't you?" "Yes, I'll be there," said Karl. "I wish you wouldn't come though." "Why not!" "Suppose something should happen and you got hurt?" "I thought you said there was no danger." "I don't think there is, but I know your father doesn't agree with me, and if something should happen to you, just think how badly he'd feel." "We want to help though," insisted Bob. "Let the men who are paid for it do the guarding." "But it's my father's plant," said Bob. "You don't think I want anything to happen to it if I can help it, do you?" "If he wants you to come, all right," said Karl. "Still you take my advice and stay home." He said good-by to the boys and went off toward his house. He had to be at the factory early and wanted his supper before he went on duty. "Well, Hugh?" demanded Bob after Karl had gone. "What do you think of him?" "Oh, he's all right," said Hugh. "Do you think he would be disloyal?" "No, I guess any man who hates Mr. Wernberg as much as he does can't be pro-German. Still he was funny about not wanting us at the factory to-night." "I know why that was," exclaimed Bob. "He thinks we're just a couple of kids and would only be in everybody's way." "I guess so," Hugh agreed. "He seemed like a nice fellow all right." "He is, but Heinie doesn't think so. Let's go ask him about Karl now, and I'll guarantee you'll see some fun. Heinie gets mad the minute you mention his name." "He's jealous of him, isn't he?" "He surely is. Lena likes Karl better than she does him, I think, and I guess Heinie knows it. That's why he doesn't like Karl." "Still I don't blame Lena," observed Hugh. "Karl is certainly better looking." They found Heinrich seated on a chair in the garage busily counting over a large pile of bills. When the boys appeared he showed the same embarrassment he had when Bob had surprised him at the same work before.