The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-09-21
THE FREEDOM CIPHER

4Ao NlSlidut bdL III ulS Ul8 IuNhhu
chair porting over a small slip Of pa
per on the desk before him. He had
been sitting there, just so, motionless,
to all appearances almost lifeless, all
through the long night hours. while
Kioto, the little brown Japanese serv-
ant, slept quietly on the mat before the
door.
Before him was crumpled heap Of
papers, Of even greater dimensions
than usual; on the table at his elbow
stood his breakfast cup of coffee and
q plate Of fruit-untouched. The pa
per which he was studying was a
cipher cut from the agony column Of
one Of the dailies. 1t ran as follows !:
8.7.a.2.5.9.d.s.h / m 2.47.9p.2q.7s.s.
1.ae.w.
To any one unacquainted with the
art Of cipher reading the above would
seem unintelligible To the Vigilant's
trained eye the method of 1t and it's
construction were chhd's play. But
there was one thing necessary for its
solution, and that was what had kept
the Vigilant to his chair all the long
night.
He stretched out long, sinewy hand
and drew toward him a thick, white
sheet Of paper carefully ruled into
small divisions and cut here and there
at irregular intervals with sharp
knife point 1t was a form of what 10
technically known as "gridiron"-an
instrument much used in cipher read
ing and making. He turned 1t over
thoughtfully, with puckered brow, and
applied 1t to an open page before him.
moving It carefully from position to
position, apparently without result; for
after while he desisted and relapsed
into his former brooding attitude.
There came the sharp whirr Of an
electric bell. Kioto rose noiselessly to
his feet and vanished, only to return
ushering In tall, bronzed, distinguish
cd looking man.
II am glad your highness has hon
ored me with visit" said the vigil
liant. you will pardon my not rising !;
] am, as you see. an invalid. was
about to write and beg you to grant
me an interview"
The tall man started slightly at be-
ing unexpectedly addressed by his title.
"You know me, then, Mr.. Third. In
that case you probably also know why
! am here"
II know, sir. that am addressing
Prince Rupert Of Malonia, who Is to
Be crowned In his capital Of Nervan In
ten days time. and that the city is a
positive nest Of anarchy"
The prince nodded and seated him
self.
'.That II perfectly true, and II 10 for
that reason I am here. was advised
10 come to you as the one man who
knew more Of anarchists than even
they do themselves l have received
warnings that am to be made an
example Of. As a rule, l should have
taken no notice; but on such an occa-
sion-well, the streets of Nervan are
narrow. especially those near the ca
thedral, which lies In the old city"
A silence Of a few moments ensued,
broken only by the crisp rustling Of
papers his visitor handed to him.
'4These are serious, sir" he said,
when he had finished. They are the
work Of man well known to me an
enthusiast II you will-but man
who would cheerfully sacrifice his own
life to insure the destruction OF yours.
And. as your highness says, the streets
Of Nervan are narrow and a desper.
ate man might do much, The fellow Is
an italian by birth. PasquaIi by name.
Your highness receives the reports Of
your project Of police; could you tell
me the name Of any anarchist publica-
tion which may be privately printed In
NervanT
There is a Socialist organ called
Freedom which is printed In secret
but though revolutionary, they don't
advocate the use Of the bomb and
the revolver. have copies forwarded
10 me each week by them"
Gould I have those copiesY
Certainly. They shall be sent around
at once"
Elm that case, your highness. I think
I need detain you no further. I have
been at work for some days on a Be-
ries Of ciphers which am certain are
the handlwork OF this Pasquali look
to the papers you viii send me for
the one clue l need. win communi-
cate with you further In three days