Connecticut western news., 1911-03-23
A CIPHER
 TELEGRAM By F. A. MTTCHEL Copyright by American Press Asso-
 ciation, 1911.

Hornby was but twenty-two when he was made secretary of the Ameri- can legation at Berlin.
 Hornby was very popular in socie- ty, though, not having a fortune, he was rather sought by married women coveting attention than young girls angling for a husband. Among these wives who interested themselves in the young diplomat was Mime. Der thalow, the wife of Parisian finan- cier. At that time the world was stirred by the Morocco affair, and 1t was feared there would be a war be- tween France and Germany. M. Der thalow was in Berlin endeavoring to secure the first news in case the em- peror decided to go to war for specu lative purposes.
 One evening at a court ball Mime. Berthalow, seeing Hornby pass her, called him to her on some pretext and later, while hanging on his arm, said to him:
 "Mr. Hornby, do you think there will be warp
 "I don't think about such things"
 'T am sure if war is declared you will know 1t before it is made pub ic"
 "Why do you think thatT'
 Because have been told that be- fore going to war the emperor must know how the other powers will act, and your government is now one of the powers. The American minister will be able to judge if there is to be war and will inform his government. What he knows you know"
 Hornby smiled without making any reply. The lady spoke of other mat. ters and finally said:
 'T presume all important dispatches are in cipher"
 "They are"
 "What is the word for war in your cipher code?"
 "Oh. it wouldn't do for me to tell you that"
 ''Please tell me that one word. I'll not divulge it."
 "Well. on your promise, I'll tell you. It is woman"
 "Good gracious! Why was that word chosen"
 "I don't know. I didn't make the code"
 "And what is the. word for 'peace|"
 "'Man.'"
 "Upon my word! I should have sup posed those two words would have been reversed"
 "Perhaps that's the reason of their use as they are. They are not so easily deciphered."
 Mime. Berthalow looked up into the young mans face. 1t was as guile less as May morning. She continued her investigations.
 "Our family have an old claim against the United States. dating back a hundred years or more. for a vessel owned by my great,grandfather, de stroyed by an American privateer. ] should like you to advise me concern. ing it."
 "I shall be happy to do so. I am ai my office from II to every day, where 1t will be proper for you to call"
 This was not satisfactory to Mime Berthalow. She would have pre- ferred to have the young man call upon her where she could talk with him in secret, but on second thought she considered that there would be an advantage in going to his office. She might light on some information not intended for her. The next day at 12 o'clock she appeared at the legation.
 "Ah, madame" Hornby said, i've are very busy today, and fear I shall have to keep you waiting. If you will go into my private office for awhile shall be happy to advise you presently concerning your claim"
 He ushered her into a cozy room in the center of which stood n table with writing materials and papers scattered about. Mime. Berthalow, being alone in the room, made hurried examina. ton of the papers. One of them bore evidence of having just been written. It was marked to be sent by cable to the secretary of state at Washington The lady eagerly seized it and ran her eye over it. There was q tumble UI words the meaning of which was Un' inCelligible to her, but she noticed scat. tered throughout the dispatch the word "woman." It occurred five times. She had all the time she needed for the eX. amination-indeed, more than she wished, for she was anxious to get away that she might impart the infor- nation to her husband that there was to be war.
 Presently Hornby came in and in. formed her that he was ready to listen to the matter of her claim. She told him she had left home without hav- ing locked up the jewels she had worn the night before and must return at once. Hornby gave her one of his en- gazing smiles and saw her to her car rlage.
 When Hornby returned to his office he threw the cipher telegram into the wastebasket and wrote one to broker ;r thof nrOTnippDt