The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-03-09
There is your course" and he handed
the captain a chart.

mere 10 Try a 0IIie experiment on his
own account" explained Schmidt. HE
has telegraph apparatus here, and n
friend on shore will try to send him
message. They have agreed upon the
route, and we shall intercept that mes
sage nicely if you follow the course 1
have marked and bring us to anchor
there" and he pointed to the place
marked on the chart.
Within two hours from the time we
left the pier the Gladiola came 10 an
chor at the spot marked on Schmidt's
chart.
1t was a damp, misty sort of morn
ing; not at all like the glorious weather
predicted by Schmidt. l shivered IN
my light summer clothing, and inward
ly mathematical the whole concern.
The captain brought me rug and
some hollands. Gradually my frame
of mind grew more sociable and be-
nignant. l turned to the electrician,
who stood near me.
This is all very wonderful" said 1,
apropos of the new telegraphy.
'The wonder is that it was not dis
covered ages ago." he replied. Think
of the marvels of science that have yet
to be graspedl Their name is legion"
The man was an enthusiast and be-
gan to talk of his ideas.
rs that all your apparatus?" !
asked, pointing to the indicator.
80, no." the operator said, pointing
to the top of the mainmast. There
/ te ,a1
der"
'Umphl" said Schmidt; "this is get
ting a bit too highfalutin' for me.
How goes the time, Carey?"
Ten minutes to 12," said, remem-
bering, with start, what mission we
were bound on.
Everything is quite ready, Mr..
Barr?"
Perfectly in ORDER" replied the op-
orator.
"The time is pretty near now, so
keep sharp lookout"
We stood little apart, watching him
anxiously A little curious as to the
matter in hand, some of the crew
looked on from distance.
1t wanted one minute to the timel
"Hist!" said the operator, warningly,
as Schmidt turned to speak to him.
There was faint, ripping sound, just
distinguishable from the apparatus,
then the indicator began TO work.
We scarcely dared to breathe as the
operator took down the message anx.
iously and carefully. Schmidt could
not restrain his excitement.
SCOT it, Barr; got it?" he exclaimed.
"Yes," said the operator. wait q
minute"
where is the key to the cipher?
gave it to you, Carey" said Schmidt, in
tense whisper.
l fumbled nervously in my breast
pocket. If l had lost It'll But mol
held it up triumphantly.
Barr came away from his apparatus.
Here it is; but it is not in cypher,
after all. 1t is very plain English"
"What?" from Schmidt.
The operator read from the slip OF
paper in his hands: ITO Mrs. Dunlop,
Hotel Marie, Ostend-Return at once.
Bobbie very i'll with measles"
l looked at Schmidt. Schmidt looked
at me. He recovered the power OF
speech first, and l shall never forget
the ebuilition that followed. Sailors
are supposed to be pretty well seasoned
that way; but even the captain looked
| aghast.
In the middle of his roaring and riot
ing, the operator put mp his hand
warningly.
"Harkl What Ia that?'
Schmidt subsided little.
There goes anotherl" exclaimed
Barr. THE coherer sympathized
again.
Catch i'll catch It'll" cried Schmidt,
frantically waving his arms melodra-
matically in the air as if he would "hold
up all the sensitive particles of ether
and restrain them from passing on the
message.
TOO late, siri What pity you did
not tell me TO be on the lookout for
two messagesi"
"Pity!" roared Schmidt, stamping on
the deck in an impotent fury. "How
should | know that that donkey of an
operator at Dover had a child down
with measles? How should know that
he would send a message to his wife al
0stend just at the time he ought to be
beeping the coast clear for the foreign
office? By Georgel what business hao
he to be tampering with the govern
ment wires?"
But it is best to draw veil over the
proceedings of the next few hours.
With regard to myself the whole bust
ness had turned out so quantity that ]
was chuckling inwardly. / will not say
that was not chagrined at the result
of our enterprise, hut as had not been
so sanguine as Schmidt my disappoint-
ment was proportionately smaller. Be.
sides, he had been so beautifully sold.
1t was a mean advantage, perhaps
but could not resist chatting him as to
the accuracy of his chart.
'sYou said we were placed exactly in
a position to intercept message be-
tween Dover and Antwerp. How could
one to Ostend reach us?"
Don't you know geography" he
I growled. Look ON your map, and you
will see that Ostend and Bruges too are
in the line of communication with Ber.
lin. That is why they are obliged to
change the cipher so often"
'All right" said, severely; "you
need not lose your temper again. II