ny use in Washington," said Captain Hardy, "but
you may be of a great deal of service here. You see New York is a
difficult place to guard. This is our principal port. It is so vast
that it is next to impossible to watch all of it, and there are
hundreds of thousands of Germans or people of German descent living
here. The Radio Chief needs sharp eyes and ears as well as trained
fingers just now, and he knows that you boys combine these
qualifications. He suggested that I send for four of you and see what
you could accomplish. I chose you four because you have shown the
greatest ability along the lines necessary."

A flush of pleasure glowed in each of the faces before him. For a
moment Willie Brown forgot where he was, forgot the crowd and the great
station and the strange sights and sounds about him, forgot even why he
was in New York, while his mind went back to that first summer at Camp
Brady, when he had been the most backward, self-distrustful, helpless
lad in camp. Now he was chosen to serve his government, to do work of
the greatest importance for his country; and he had been selected
because of his ability. No wonder Willie blessed the day he first saw
Camp Brady. No wonder his eyes were wet with a grateful mist as he
looked affectionately at his captain, who had made him what he was.

But Willie had little time for revery. Roy was speaking again, asking
another of those sharp questions that showed very well why he should
have been chosen as a spy hunter, or for anything else that required
keenness of mind.

"What about yourself?" Roy was saying. "Do you have to go back to your
medical duties? We can work ever so much better with you to lead us
than we could with a stranger."

Roy alone had grasped the possibility that Captain Hardy might not be
able to remain with them. Now every eye was fixed anxiously on Captain
Hardy's face.

"No," he said, "I do not have to return to Washington. It is of the
utmost importance to catch these spies and the government could well
afford to give up one ordinary doctor in order to get four skilled spy
hunters." He paused and smiled, then added: "So I have been detailed
to special duty in New York."

The boys could hardly repress a shout of joy.

"And my instructions," continued Captain Hardy, "were to get into touch
with the police and the secret service immediately. As I have told
you, we must get acquainted with both. But before we do, I suggest
that