"Before my entering upon that, are you adverse to telling me if you
have made up your mind to enter the Service?"

It was a fair question, and I replied:

"Yes, provided nothing will be directly required of me that is against
all ethics."

I noticed a peculiar smile crossing his features. Then, looking me
straight between the eyes and using the sharp, incisive language of a
German official, he declared:

"We make use of the same weapons that are used against us. We cannot
afford to be squeamish. The interests at stake are too vast to let
personal ethical questions stand in the way. What would be required
of you in the first instance, is to gain for us information such as we
seek. The means by which you gain this information will be left
entirely to your own discretion. We expect results. We place our
previous knowledge on the subject required, at your disposal. You
will have our organization to assist you, but you must understand that
we cannot and will not be able to extricate you from any trouble in
which you may become involved. Be pleased to understand this clearly.
This service is dangerous, and no official assistance or help could be
given under any circumstances."

To my cost, I later found this to be the truth. So far, so good.
Captain von Tappken had neglected to mention financial inducements and
I put the question to him.