Remember
this was a German reserve ship.
The chance came after the _Kaiser Wilhelm II_ had steamed past Sandy
Hook and was moving up the Lower Bay of New York. With his
destination in sight, with no signs in any way suspicious during the
trip over, Herr Schmidt had become very easy in mind. With many of
the other passengers be went forward and from the deck watched the
looming horizon of New York's skyscrapers. A most interesting sight
the skyline, something to engross your attention. I was interested in
something else.
I was interested in the luggage that was being prepared for the
customs officers. On a lower deck the kiste of Carl Schmidt had been
conveniently set apart from the other trunks and boxes and the German
agent himself was waiting for the customs man to pass upon it. This
done, Schmidt was guilty of an unwarrantable piece of carelessness.
He tipped the baggage master and left him to lock up the kiste while
he went up on the promenade deck to enjoy the view. This did not
surprise me, for I had been expecting some such blunder to make my way
easier. I had conjectured as nothing had occurred during the entire
voyage to excite Schmidt's suspicions that he would be careless as his
destination was neared.
Accordingly, when I saw him leave his luggage to the mercies of the
baggage man, I stepped forward. Quite unconcernedly in view of the
other passengers who were still standing waiting their turn, acting
entirely as if it were my own, I opened the unlocked kiste and
rummaging among its contents soon brought to light a plain, large
envelope sealed with wax.
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