“I should think we might,” said Zimmerlein, “when you stop to consider that no one in the United States or England is supposed to know, even now, that this Commission is in the country,--that is, no one outside a very restricted circle in Washington. I've never known anything to be kept so completely under cover. Some of the biggest men in France and England land on our shores, transact the most important business conceivable, and get out again without so much as a whiff of the news reaching the public. Somebody deserves the Iron Cross for this, Thorsensel. It is the cleverest, smartest piece of work that has been done up to date.” “I venture the opinion that the _Elston_ with its precious cargo will never see land again,” was Thorsensel's remark. “The Kitchener job all over again, eh?” said Riaz, admiringly. “Or the _Lusitania_, amended Elberon. “Don't speak of the _Lusitania_,” exclaimed Thorsensel, irritably. “You know how I feel about that piece of stupidity.” “You were against it all the time, I know,” began Elberon. “Of course I was. It was the gravest blunder in history. But this is no time to talk about it. Every one has reported on last night's business. There were no casualties and no one is missing.” “Good!” exclaimed the grey-whiskered plotter, his piggish eyes sparkling. “No one killed or injured or missing, eh? That seems all that could be expected of Providence.” “Every man has reported,” said Thorsensel succinctly. “Even Trott, from whom we had heard nothing for two whole days. It appears he was trapped and had to lie hidden in an empty bin. He got away just in time, and without being seen. Yes, luck and God were with us last night, gentlemen. Not a life lost, nor a man scratched.” “If we come out half as well next week, I will say that God is with us,” said Zimmerlein. “Where were you last night, Elberon?” demanded the gaunt leader abruptly. “I dined with some friends and went to the theatre afterwards, Thorsensel.” “Who were they?” “Mr. and Mrs. Heidel----” “You needn't finish the name,” broke in Thornsensel. “I want to warn you again not to take them into your confidence,--not even in the smallest of matters.” “His brother is a general in the Bavarian----” “It doesn't matter. I know all that. And one of her brothers is in the Reichstag. But you must not overlook the fact that a great many of these people are loyal to America. That is a point you don't seem able to get through your head, Elberon. The worst enemy, the direst peril we have to contend with is the American-German, if you grasp the distinction. No one seems to have used the hyphen in just that way, Elberon, but there is such a thing as the American-German, and we've got to steer clear of him. He's not as uncommon as you may think, either. This man you were with last night is one. He would turn you over to the authorities in a flash if he got a breath of the truth. A word to the wise, Elberon, means a word to you.”