The Secrets of the German War Office | Page 4

likely to meet one or two of the Service Chiefs out
at the track, this afternoon. If you like, I'll introduce you to them."
"Is there any likelihood of my being recognized?" I asked. "You know,
Count, it will be impossible for me to go under my true flag."
He assured me there was not the slightest chance.
"Your identity," he explained, "need be known to but one person."
Later I w as to know who this important personage was.
" Very well," I agreed; "we'll try it."
The Count always drove his own turn-out, and invited me to climb up
on the box. When his attention was not occupied with his reins and
returning the salutes of passers-by, for he was one of the most popular
men in Berlin, we discussed my private affairs. The Count showed a

keen interest and sympathy in them and his proposal began to take
favorable shape in my mind. As he predicted, we met some of the
Service Chiefs at the track. Indeed, almost the first persons who saluted
him in the saddle paddock were Captain Zur See von Tappken and a
gentleman who was introduced to me as Herr von Riechter. The Count
introduced me as Dr. von Graver, which I subsequently altered
whenever the occasion arose to the English Graves. After chatting a bit,
Captain von Tappken made an appointment with me at his bureau in
the Koenigergratzerstrasse 70, the headquarters of the Intelligence
Department of the Imperial Navy in Berlin, but macle no further
reference to the subject that afternoon. I noticed though that Herr von
Riechter put some pointed and leading questions to me, regarding my
travels, linguistic attainments, and general knowledge. He must have
been satisfied, for I saw some significant glances pass between him and
the Captain. The repeated exclamations of "Grossartig!" and
"Colossal!" seemed to express his entire satisfaction.
Following my usual bent, I did not call at Koenigergratzerstrasse 70 as
the Captain suggested. About three days passed and then I received a
very courteously worded letter requesting me to call at my earliest
convenience at his quarters as he had something of importance to tell
me. I called.
Koenigergratzerstrasse 70 is a typical Prussian building of
administration. Solid but unpretentious, it is the very embodiment of
Prussian efficiency, and like all official buildings in Germany is well
guarded. The doorkeeper and commissaire, a taciturn
non-commissioned officer, takes your name and whom you wish to see.
He enters these later in a book, then telephones to the person required
and you are either ushered up or denied admittance. When sent up, you
are invariably accompanied by an orderly--it does not matter how well
you are known--who does not leave you until the door has closed
behind you. When you leave, there is the same procedure and the very
duration of your visit is entered and checked in the doorkeeper's book.
I was admitted immediately. After passing through three anterooms
containing private secretaries not in uniform, I was shown into Captain
von Tappken's private office. He wore the undress ranking uniform of
the Imperial Navy. This is significant, for it is characteristic of all the
branches of the Prussian Service to find officers in charge. The

secretaries and men of all work, however, are civilians; this for a reason.
The heads of all departments are German officers, recruited from the
old feudal aristocracy, loyal to a degree to the throne. They find it
incompatible, notwithstanding their loyalty, to soil their hands with
some of the work connected with all government duties, especially
those of the Secret Service. Though planning the work, they never
execute it. To be sure, there are ex-officers connected with the Secret
Service, men like von Zenden, formerly an officer of the Zweiter Garde
Dragoner, but with some few exceptions they are usually men who
have gone to smash. No active or commissioned officer does Secret
Service work.
Von Tappken greeted me very tactfully. This is another typical asset of
a Prussian Service officer, especially a naval man, and is quite contrary
to the usual characteristics of English officials, whose brusqueness is
too well and unpleasantly known.
After offering me a chair and cigars, Captain von Tappken began
chatting.
"Well, Doctor," he said, "have you made up your mind to enter our
Service? For a man fond of traveling and adventure, I promise you will
find it tremendously interesting. I have carefully considered your
equipment and experience and find that they will be of mutual benefit."
I asked him to explain what would be required of me, but he replied:
"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