The adventures of Heine

Heine is a modest‑paid secret‑service operative who turns his thin government stipend into a respectable lifestyle by cashing in on the reputation of being “well off.” His connections in New York and Chicago, a clever Chinese news bureau, and a handful of favoured tips on Wall Street let him enjoy a Riverside Drive flat, a stable of horses and occasional government‑funded trips. The narrator’s wry observations about the absurdity of peace‑time espionage set a light, witty tone.

When the assassination at Sarajevo ripples through the headlines, Heine is summoned to Washington and briefed by a solemn secretary about the imminent clash of empires. He learns that Britain will stay neutral while the great powers brace for a wider war, and the story pauses on his anticipation of how his modest spy‑craft will be tested. The stage is set for Heine’s next clandestine adventures as Europe teeters on the brink.