e respects, but surely she was right in the
main.

"This man," said Mr. Colton, pointing to Kauffman, "is known to me as a
munition expert. He bears the endorsement of the Secretary of War and
is the inventor of the most effective shells we now manufacture. What
you have mistaken for a bomb is his latest design of projectile for an
eight-inch gun. He had arranged to bring it here and explain to me its
mechanism to-night, and also to submit a proposition giving our company
the control of its manufacture. If you are a government agent, you
surely understand that these arrangements must be conducted with great
secrecy. If we purchase the right to make this projectile, we must
first induce the government to use it, by demonstrating its
effectiveness, and then secure our contracts. So your interference, at
this time, is---ahem!--annoying."

Josie's face was a little more red than before. A second motor car drew
up at the door and to her astonishment Mrs. Charleworth entered and
greeted both the manager and Kauffman in her usual charming manner.
Then she looked inquiringly at the girl.

"Pardon me, madam," said Mr. Colton. "There has been a singular
misunderstanding, it seems, and our friend here has been accused of
being a German spy by this young lady, who is a government detective--
or--or claims to be such. The precious projectile, in which you are so
deeply interested, has just been tossed out upon the common, but Joe
Langley is searching for it."

Mrs. Charleworth's face wore an amused smile.

"We are so beset with spies, on every hand, that such an error is quite
likely to occur," said she. "I recognize this young lady as a friend of
the Hathaway family, and I have met her at the Liberty Girls' Shop, so
she is doubtless sincere--if misled. Let us hope we can convince her--
Miss O'Gorman, isn't it?--that we are wholly innocent of attempting to
promote the Kaiser's interests."

Joe came in with the steel ball, which he deposited upon the table.
Then, at a nod from the manager, the soldier took his searchlight and
departed through the door leading to the big room in the rear. It was
time to make his regular rounds of the works, and perhaps Mr. Colton
preferred no listeners to the conversation that might follow.

CHAPTER XXIII
THE FLASHLIGHT

"Perhaps," said Josie, her voice trembling a little, "I have assumed
too much, and accused this man," pointing to Kauffman, "unjustly. I was
trying to serve my country. B