“More than ever,” said the girl firmly.

“The one disappointment is that we are getting no evidence whatever to involve or incriminate young Hoff.  To-morrow, while he and his uncle are away on their usual auto trip, I am going to have the apartment thoroughly searched.”

Jane’s face blanched.  She recalled what a strain it had been on her nerves the day she watched on the roof while Dean installed the dictograph.  She felt hardly equal to the task of ransacking desks and drawers.

“There will be no one at home but the old servant.  She can be easily disposed of.  It is imperative that the search be made at once.  There is evidence that what they are planning—­evidently some big coup—­is nearing the time for its execution.  We must find it out in order to thwart them.  I have got to know what old Hoff meant by the ‘wonder-worker!’ He said that it was nearly ready.  I suspect that it is some new engine of destruction.  We must prevent any disaster to transports or munition factories, if that’s what they have in mind.”

“You think it’s a bomb plot?” asked Jane.

“I don’t know what it is.  These empire-mad fools stop at nothing.  Nothing is sacred to them, women, children, property.  With fanatical energy and ability they commit murders, resort to arson, use poisons, foment strikes, wreck buildings, blow up ships, do anything, attempt anything to serve the Kaiser.  Karl Boy-ed spent three millions here in America in two months, and Von Papen a million more.  What for?  Ten thousand dollars to one man to start a bomb factory, twenty-five thousand dollars to another to blow up a tunnel.  Millions on millions for German propaganda was raised right here, and it is far from all spent yet.  We’ve got to find out what the wonder-worker is and destroy it before it destroys—­God knows what.”

“Very well,” said Jane with quiet determination, “I’ll search their apartment.”

“No, not that,” said the chief, “I’ll send some fake inspectors to test the electric wiring, and they’ll do the searching.  I do not know for sure that the Hoffs suspect you of watching them, but I’m taking no chances.  It will be just as well for you and Dean to be out of the way to-morrow all day, so that you will have an alibi.  Germany’s secret agents are suspicious of everybody.  They do not even trust their own people.  What I want you and Dean to do is to try to follow the Hoffs and see where they go.  I don’t want to use the same persons twice to trail them as they may get suspicious.”

“I can easily do that,” said Jane, feeling relieved.  “I’ll tell Mother I want our car for all day.”

“No, don’t use your own car.  They might recognize it.  I’ll provide another one.  They gave two of my men the slip last week somewhere the other side of Tarrytown.  Let’s hope they are not so successful this time.”

“But won’t they recognize me?”

“Not if you disguise yourself with goggles and a dust coat.  Dean can make up, too.  He had practice enough at college, eh, Dean?”