“That's not so simple as it sounds, Kurt. The people here say that would throw their own workers out of jobs.”
“Maybe so; and again maybe it would let them find out how decent our people are — how orderly and how hard-working.”
The two strolled on, arguing. Lanny guessed that his friend was sounding him out; and presently Kurt said: “Suppose it became known to you that there were some Germans in Paris, working secretly to try to get this wicked blockade lifted — would that seem to you such a bad thing?”
“It would seem to me only natural.”
“But you understand that in the eyes of military men they would be spies, and if they were discovered they would be shot?”
“I realized that as soon as I saw you. But I don't see what you can possibly accomplish here.”
“Hasn't it occurred to you that you can accomplish something anywhere in the world if you have money?”
A light dawned on Lanny. So that was it! He had heard his father say many times that you could get anything you wanted in Paris if you had the price.
Kurt went on: “There are people here who won't let our babies have milk until they themselves have gold. And even then you can't trust them — for after they have got the gold they may betray you for more gold. You see, it's a complicated business; and if one happened to be in it, and to have a friend whom he loved, it would be an act of friendship to be silent. It might be extremely inconvenient to know about these matters.”
Lanny didn't hesitate over that. He declared with warmth: “If that was all that was being done, Kurt, I should think that any true friend would be willing to know and to take a chance at helping. Certainly I would!”
VIII
The walk prolonged itself to several miles. Lanny decided that his duties at the conference could wait. His friend was questioning him as to persons who might be interested in helping to get the blockade of Germany lifted. There were two kinds whom a secret agent might wish to know: journalists and politicians who might be bought, and idealists and humanitarians who might be trusted to expend money for printing or other such activities. Lanny told about Alston and others of the staff — but they were doing all they could anyhow. He told about Herron, who was being called a Red because he wanted a truce with the Bolsheviks, and a pro-German because he didn't want the French to keep the Rhineland. He told about Mrs. Emily, who was kind and charitable, also influential; too bad that a German officer couldn't come to her home and be properly introduced and invited to set forth his case! Kurt hinted that perhaps she might be useful as a distributor of funds. It was hard to give much money without having the French police make note of the sudden increase of spending power of some group. But if a wealthy American lady were willing to furnish funds to help make known the plight of the starving babies of Germany . . .?
Presently Lanny, racking his mind, mentioned another person who was an idealist and propagandist of a sort, however perverted. That was his uncle. “I never told you about him, because I've been taught to be ashamed of him. But it appears that he's a personage of a sort here in Paris.” Kurt was interested and asked many questions. Just what were Jesse Blackless's ideas? What group did he belong to? Was he an honest man — and so on.
Lanny answered: “Really, I hardly know him at all. Most of my impressions have come from my father's calling him names. Robbie thinks his ideas come from the devil, and the fact that he really believes them only makes it worse.”
“How much money has he?”
“He lives like a poor man, but he may give money away. I suppose he'd have to, believing as he does.”
“Do you suppose I could trust him with my secret?”
“Oh, gosh!” Lanny was staggered. “I wouldn't dare to say, Kurt.”
“Suppose I were to go to him and introduce myself as a musician from Switzerland, interested in his ideas: how do you suppose he'd receive me?”
“He'd probably guess that you were a police agent, and wouldn't trust you.”
They walked on, while Kurt pondered. Finally he said: “I have to take a chance. Can you do this for me? Go to your uncle and tell him that you have a friend who is interested in pushing the demand for the lifting of the blockade throughout Europe. Tell him that I have money, but there are reasons why I do not wish to be known. Tell him that you know me to be a sincere man — you can say that, can't you?”
“Yes, surely.”
“Tell him someone will come to his room at exactly midnight and tap on his door. When he opens it the person will say the word 'Jesse,' and he will answer the word 'Uncle,' and then a package will be put in his hands. He will be under pledge to spend the money in the quickest and best way, for leaflets, posters, meetings, all that sort of thing. I'll watch, and if I see signs of his activity, I'll bring more money from time to time. Would you be willing to do that?”
“Yes,” said Lanny, “I don't see why I shouldn't.”
“You understand, both you and your uncle have my word that never under any circumstances will I name you to anyone.”
“How much money will it be?”
“Ten thousand francs should be enough to start with. It will be in hundred-franc notes, so it can be spent without attracting attention. You will be able to see your uncle before midnight?”
“I don't know. I'll try.”
“You know the park of captured cannon in the Place in front of the Crillon?”
“I see them every day.”
“There is a big howitzer, directly at the corner as you enter the center lane of guns. It happens to be one that I had charge of; I know it by the marks where it was hit. It's directly across from the main entrance of the hotel, so you can't miss it.”
“I think I know it.”
“Can you be standing in front of it at exactly eleven tonight?”
“I guess so.”
“If you lean against the gun, it means that your uncle says all right. If you walk up and down, it means that he says no, and the deal is off. If you're not there, it means that you haven't been able to find him, or that he wants more time before he gives his answer. In that case I'll look for you at the same hour tomorrow evening. Is that all clear?”
“Quite so. Isn't there any way I can get hold of you again?”
“Your mail at the hotel comes without censorship?”
“Oh, surely.”
“I'll write you some time, a note in English, just saying, meet me at the same place. I'll sign an English name — shall we say Sam?”
“All right, Sam,” said Lanny, with a grin. It promised to be great fun. Lanny's mother would be dancing tonight in behalf of charity, and Lanny would be conspiring in the same cause!
IX
The conspirator paid another call on his Uncle Jesse. This time no one answered his knock, so he poked a note under the door, saying he would return at seven. He had pressing duties, and the only time he could get free was by skipping his dinner; he bought a couple of bananas and ate them in the taxi, donating the dinner to the German babies. On his second call the uncle was waiting; Lanny, explaining that he had to attend a night session of one of the commissions, got down to business at once. “Uncle Jesse, do you agree that the blockade of Central Europe should be lifted?”
“I am an internationalist,” replied the other. “I am opposed to every such interference with human liberty.”
“You know people who are working to have it lifted — I mean they are writing and publishing and speaking in support of that demand, aren't they?”
“Yes; but what-?”
“I have a friend, who for important reasons cannot be named. It's enough that I know him intimately, and trust him. He feels about this blockade as you do, and it happens that he has a great deal of money. He asked me to suggest some way that he could put money into the hands of someone who would spend it for that purpose. I took the liberty of naming you.”