The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-10-10
SOLVED THE PUZZLE.
A Cipher Telegram and the Clever
Work of a Spy.
RISKED HIS LIFE FOR A BOOK

S"SS was Stolen py an Agent OF
Secretary WeIles In the Days Of the
War Between the States.
There was a good deal Of bitterness
between England and the northern
states at the time of the war between
the states, and the government at
Washington was deeply interested in
the dispatches forwarded by the Brit
ish minister to his home government.
1t was known that England was friend
ly to the Confederacy and willing to
aid it secretly, If not by open recog-
nftlon
Under such conditions 1t became
necessary TO know as much as pos
sible of what was passing to and fro
between Washington and London In
the form of cryptograms, and while
most of the matter went by message
or mail to New York, there were many
cipher kilograms sent at the last mo-
ment to catch the outgoing steamer,
there being no ocean cable at that
time. At the telegraph office all such
messages were subject to examination
and copies of them were made After
brief conversation with Secretary
Welles, the old gentleman brought one
Of these cipher copies and, placing II
in my hands, said:
Mr.. Osbon, you have a way of ind.
Ing ont secrets. Do you think you can
solve that? II you can, II will be
worth $1,000 to you"
did not know even the nature Of
the paper at the time, but saw that II
was cipher made up partly Of words
and partly of combination Of numer-
ais, usually in groups Of four figures.
Something about 1t suggested 10 me a
naval signal book, and the thought
occurred that perhaps IL we had a copy
of that used by the British service
we might unravel the mystery. l stud
led the paper for some time, and the
more considered the matter the more
certain became that the British nava'
signal book would furnish the key.
finally informed Mr.. Welles that
believed could work the matter out,
but that would need several days
leave from my paper and perfect copies
Of the ciphers. The former I obtained
without difficulty, and the latter were
promptly supplied. With them in an
inner pocket left that night for Bos
ton, where a British man-ofwar waa
lying. 1t was my purpose to secure her
signal book at whatever hazard and by
whatever means, for In such cases the
old adage Of 'All is fair in love and
war" holds true.
What l had undertaken to do was a
risky business. The two nations were
at peace, Outwardly at least, and II my
attempt was detected I could expect
neither mercy from one side nor sue
cor from the other. | think, however, !
gave this phase of the matter but
slight consideration. My chief thought
was OF the signal book and how to get
It.
Arriving at Boston, | promptly used
my naval acquaintance TO get introduce
tons TO the officers of her majesty's
service. and by a diplomatic course OF
winning and dining presently made my
self a welcome visitor on her majesty's
vessel. Indeed. | soon became a favor
ite with all on board. especially with
the signal office. 10 whom | told my
best yarns. often inviting him TO a din
ncr ashore to hear them OF course
this resulted IN return invitations and
sometimes II happened that when
wished TO brush my hair or otherwise
attend 70 @v toilet I was invited 70
make ne 4 LIS room for thar purpose
1t was but brief time before had
located the coveted signal book, tidi-
ly bound volume with leaden plates riv-
eted to the corners. so that In event Of
capture II could be handlly dropped
overheard ami lost. The whole was en-
cased In canvas bag suspended by
shoulder strap During the next visit
had sufficient opportunity to examine
the book for few minutes and found,
to my delight, that II did In reality fur
nish the key / wanted. had mem
orized a few Of the cryptographic
words, and with the book before me
and the signal offlce at muster on deck
verified my conclusions.
The next thing In order was to Sc
cure this priceless volume. reasoned
that as there was no other English YES
sell nearby, II might be weeks before
the book would be needed and that II
could remove the contents from the
covers, substituting them with leaves
Of the same bulk and appearance, there
would be a good chance not only 10 get
safely clear Of the vessel but for a
considerable period to elapse before the
loss was discovered, by which time ii
would be by no means certain when
the abstraction had occurred.
therefore took careful measure
ments, and the next time boarded the
ship my dummy book was with me-a
copy Of Rays arithmetic, II I remem-
Der correctly. picked up on q second
hand stall. That was a foggy night
and fingered late When u entioned
going ashore my friend. the signal on
Ger. protested and offered NC ne use
Of his room. had hardly d. ! hope
for this stroke OF fortune.