the old saddle paddock when a man saluted us in a very _knowing_
manner.... It was Colonel Z---- S----, who put some pointed
questions to me about my recent travels and my knowledge of Oriental
languages.... Before returning to the hotel tonight the Colonel asked
me to call on him tomorrow.... I feel that his request amounts to a
positive command.... I shall call early in the morning...."

4. On the same page the following entry was made:

"There were guards everywhere when I called at K-70. Even the
doorkeeper was a non-com, who took my name, entered it in a book with
the precise time I called, took down his telephone, merely mentioned
my name, hung up the receiver, called an orderly who conducted me
through a corridor and three anterooms full of civilian clerks and
finally landed me in the private office of Colonel Z---- S----. He
wore the undress uniform of the Imperial Army, greeted me pleasantly,
offered me a cigar and tactfully asked: 'Have you _positively_ made up
your mind to continue in this service?'

"I wanted to know a little more fully what was required of me before
answering; but he did not say. He insisted, rather, on my answering
his question FIRST.... To be perfectly frank I was not anxious to
commit myself unreservedly without knowing ALL he expected of me, but
it sounded cowardly ... so with a mental _reservation_ I finally said:
'You don't look like a man who would ask another to commit suicide. Go
ahead! I've decided to take a chance.'... Colonel Z---- S---- looked
me straight in the eye and said: 'We expect you to use the same
tactics that are used against you. We can't be squeamish.... The
interests at stake are too _sacred_ to allow personal considerations
to affect your conduct.... You will be required to undertake a journey