this place a knock came on the outer door--a loud,
imperative knock.

"This will do," whispered Josie to Joe. "Go an let him in, but don't
let him suspect I'm here."

Joe was not quick-witted, but on the battlefields of France he had
learned prompt obedience to orders. Josie, as a government agent, was
now his commander, so he merely nodded to her as he walked over to
unlock the outer door.

Kauffman stepped in, satchel in hand.

"You're the watchman, I suppose," he said cheerfully. "Is Mr. Colton
here?"

"No," answered Joe.

"I was to meet him here at this time," said Kauffman.

"He said he'd be back this evening," returned Joe, just recalling that
fact, "but he isn't here yet."

"All right," said the man, "I'll wait."

He carefully placed the satchel on the table and sat down on a bench.
Joe regarded him suspiciously, remembering the girl's warning, but said
nothing more. Josie was watching Kauffman from her retreat, but as her
little office was dark and the German sat under a bright light it was
impossible for him to know that his every movement was under
observation.

The minutes dragged. A big clock on the wall ticked with an ominous
sound. Kauffman drew out his watch and compared it with the clock. He
appeared to grow restless.

Josie's quick ears caught the distant sound of a motor car coming down
the road. Perhaps Kauffman heard it also. He rose from his seat and
going to the table unlocked the black satchel, pressed the top open and
looked inside it. Still bending over the satchel he placed a cigarette
in his mouth, lighted a match and applied the flame to his cigarette.
His back was toward Josie but she comprehended instantly the action.

"He has lighted the fuse!" she murmured, triumphantly.

The motor car came to a sudden halt outside the door, which Joe had
left unlocked; but while the German turned expectantly toward the door
the maimed soldier, hearing Josie's whisper, approached her little room
and slightly opened her door.

"He has lighted the fuse of the bomb," she said to him excitedly. "The
bomb is in the satchel!"

Joe turned quickly to the table. He dived into the bag with his one
good hand, drew out the heavy ball of steel and rushed with it to the
door just as the manager, Mr. Colton, opened it and stepped in.

So swift were Joe's actions that Kauffman had no time to interfere.
Both he and the manager stared in amazement as Joe Langley rushed
outside and with all his might h