“Mr. Hoffman,” said the man across the table, “you are expected to carry out whatever instructions may be given you, to the letter. Are you ready to do so?” Bob Hoffman hesitated for the fraction of a second, then nodded. “I am ready,” he replied. “What are the instructions?""You will communicate, at once, without the least delay, any military information of which you may become possessed, to the German secret service authorities.” The speaker bent upon the man before him a pair of intensely brilliant grey eyes. (Except) Frederic Arnold Kummer (1873–1943) was an American author, playwright and screen writer. He wrote in various genres including spy and international mysteries, detective novels, romances and non-fiction.