CHAPTER TWENTY.
THE MAJOR'S PAPERS It was perfectly evident that the officer's purpose in sending for Tom, whatever that was, was considerably affected by the boy's own remarks, and he now, after pondering a few moments, handed Tom the two papers which he had been holding.
"Just glance that over and then I'll talk to you," he said.
Tom felt very important, indeed, and somewhat perturbed as well, for though he had carried many dispatches it had never been his lot to know their purport.
"If you know the importance and seriousness of what I am thinking of letting you do," the officer said, "perhaps it will help you to be very careful and thorough." "Yes, sir," said Tom, awkwardly.
"All right, just glance that over." The two papers were clipped together, and as Tom looked at the one on top he saw that it was soiled and creased and written in German.

The other was evidently a translation of it.

It seemed to be a letter the first part of which was missing, and this is what Tom read: "but, as you say, everything for the Fatherland.

If you receive this let them know that I'll have my arms crossed and to be careful before they shoot.

If you don't get this I'll just have to take my chance.