The Great Spy System | Page 3

anarchists; I refer to the spy systems?"
"I think so."
"Well, Mr. Carter, you are at liberty to employ any means you think so
long as the country itself is not held responsible---or, rather so long as
it does not appear that the country has to do with it."
"And Mr. President, do you realize what the best method would be for
accomplishing the very end you aim at?"
"Perhaps not."
"It will be to convince them that we ourselves have a spy system that is
so perfect, that they cannot hope to compete with it."
"I don't know but you are right, Mr. Carter."
"I know that I am right, sir. It is the only course that will convince them,
finally."
"Then, by all means, try it."
"I shall do so, sir; and I shall begin at once."
"Then I think I may consider it as accomplished, Mr. Carter," smiled
the President.
"I hope that you do not give me credit for too great talents, sir."

CHAPTER II
NICK CARTER INVITES ASSASSINATION.
"Will you need any help from Mr. Wilkie, or from the secret service,
Mr. Carter?" asked the President.
"I cannot answer that question now, sir; I do not know."
"Shall I give Mr. Wilkie my instructions about it?"
"No, sir; if you please, no. If I find that I require their assistance, I will
not hesitate to ask for it, and it will be accorded me personally without
a moment of hesitation."
"I have no doubt of it."
"I am on very pleasant relations with the men there, and I think it is
better if you keep your own personality out of the matter, entirely."
"So do I."
"I do not think you care to have me even report to you, do you, sir?"
"No; not unless you deem it necessary."
"That is not likely to be the case. However------"
"Well?"
"I should like to know that if I do wish to see you in private for a
moment, that I can get to you at any time."
"Good. I will arrange it. Let me see. Oh, I have it."
"Well, Mr. President?"
"We will use the word, 'gemis,' for a countersign. It is not a word that is
likely to be made use of by another. Do you understand?"

"Yes."
"You have only to send one of the attendants, or in any way you choose.
I will see you at once, no matter how I am engaged."
"Thank you."
"And when you have made use of it once we will change the word to
another."
"Very good, sir. Now, a few questions, if you please."
"Any that you care to ask, Mr. Carter."
"You have reason to believe that Mustushimi is now in Washington?
"Yes."
"Why do you think so?"
"I believe that I have seen him."
"And I suppose you are still spied upon?"
"Undoubtedly; all the time."
"For any specific reason?"
"No. That other one -- the one that existed when you caught
Mustushimi, and I permitted him to go, has been abandoned, for the
present at least. But there are other irons in their fire, although I have
no definite knowledge of what they are."
"Still, from your remarks, I take it that you have made a shrewd guess."
"I have made a guess. I don't know whether it is shrewd or not."
"Will you tell me what it is?"

"I had not intended to do so."
"I am sorry for that, Mr. President."
"You see, Mr. Carter, I may be entirely in the air about it. I may be all
wrong. It is a pure and simple guess; but all the same I have thought of
it as a possibility."
"I wish you would tell me exactly what you mean, sir."
"Do you remember that in that other case, the spies often picked up
information which was of no direct value to them, or to their employers,
and that when they did so, the news was given out so that it would be
made public?"
"Yes."
"That was done, in that case, for the purpose of mystifying us, and, if
possible, to frighten us."
"Yes."
"Well, it has occurred to me that they have thought of another outlet for
their superfluous information; one that is possibly remunerative."
"I don't think I understand you, quite."
"Just now the railroad legislation is creating considerable agitation, as
you know."
"Yes."
"And the big operators are more or less frightened by what may be
done to curb them. You understand all that, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Well, let us suppose a case, then."

"Yes, sir."
"Suppose that Mustushimi is working this affair, as I think he is;
suppose he has decided to shield his activities behind some local
employment-or the appearance of one."
"Great, Mr. President!"
"What is more natural