in the capacity of a guide.... How you make it will be left entirely
to yourself ... _but we expect results_.... Every resource will be
placed at your disposal, but if YOU get into _trouble_ you'll have to
get yourself out without calling on us for help.... We _must not_ be
known in the matter. And understand this--the assignment is dangerous
from start to finish; no official help can be given you under ANY
circumstances.'... To get a line on things I asked, casually, what my
compensation would be.... He replied: 'You will be allowed a
regular retainer fee, an allowance for daily expenses and a _bonus_
sufficiently attractive to make the undertaking worth while, as _you_
should know.' I thought a little while before asking, 'When do I
start?'... 'There's another thing,' he said. 'I suppose you know we
_retain_ one-third of your fee for the benefit of your family in the
event of any trouble.'... I merely nodded and said, 'All right.'"

In a moment a clerk brought in a check for 400, which Colonel Z----
S---- gave me, saying: 'This is your first month's allowance for
expenses; your retainer will be paid quarterly.'... 'How do you KNOW I
won't swindle you?' I asked, being a perfect _stranger_ to him. 'I am
taking my ORDERS from above,' he answered.... '_Who?_' I asked. 'Young
man!' he thundered, 'learn this QUICK--don't ask questions; keep your
ears and eyes open and your mouth SHUT.... _Be here_ at 10 tomorrow.'

5. The next entry of interest read as follows:

"I met Colonel Z---- S---- at 10 today. My head was not clear. Guess I
had too much at Kempinsky's last night.... A saturnalia of spending on
the theory that the Allies will pay.... Even the ride in the Grunewald
this morning didn't clear the cobwebs away. I was constantly thinking
of that girl at the Métropole with her long eyelashes and dimpling