keep
track of German spies in New York, for, as you no doubt know, the
secret service is short handed."

"Short handed," sneered the lieutenant. "Yes, and short minded, too,
to be employin' a parcel of kids. But that's about as much sense as
the secret service has got. If they want any spies caught, why don't
they call in the cops? We'd catch 'em soon enough."

Captain Hardy choked down his resentment and went on. "We're not
making any boasts as to our abilities, Lieutenant Gavigan," he said,
"but we are doing all we can to help and the secret service thought
well enough of us to put us to work."

The police officer looked the captain over critically. "How do I know
you are what you say you are?" he asked. "Where are your credentials?"

A sudden fear smote Captain Hardy. Were all their efforts to come to
naught? Were the treacherous spies to get away, now, when it seemed
that they might yet be apprehended?

"We have never thought credentials would be necessary," he said, "and
we have overlooked the need of providing ourselves with them. But we
can satisfy you fully. Only hurry, Lieutenant, hurry."

"And where should I hurry?" the latter asked truculently. "You don't
think I'm goin' to risk my head takin' the likes of you on a joy ride
to Hell Gate, do you? Nothin' doin'. You come ashore and tell the
captain who you are and what you want, and if he says Hell Gate, why,
you'll get there, and if he don't, you won't. And that's all there is
to that."

Very evidently it was useless to argue with the stubborn lieutenant.
In despair Captain Hardy turned aside, desperately thinking how to meet
the situation. Argument, he saw, was of no avail with this type of
man. Force would have to be used. But what had he to offer that would
impress the man?

"Captain Hardy," said Roy, slipping up to his commander, "would our
police cards help any?"

"The very thing," said Captain Hardy. "I had forgotten that you boys
had them."

Captain Hardy hastened back to the commander of the Patrol.
"Lieutenant Gavigan," he said sharply, "there are more ways than one a
policeman can lose his head. One is by being a fool. Your
Commissioner is keenly interested in this work of ours and is giving us
all the assistance he can. Each one of my boys carries his personal
permission to go where he chooses. Roy, show this officer your pass."

Roy produced his police card, and the three other boys followed his
example.

"T