The Washington herald., 1912-01-09

years, I'll have a rolltop desk and the
| right TO take two months on whenever
/ feel inclined that way"
But would-oh. we'll. We will talk no
more OF it. know you wouldn't accept
even a Shylock loan from me. Harry.
oh-excuse me-one OF the young ladies
at your Office, I believer
A slim. neatly dressed young woman.
whose white shirt waist showed trinity
through the gathering dusk, had smiled
\ recognition upon BroCKton as they ap-
preached. The boys co7-d their hats.
| and Brockett explained, as they stepped
by: Miss Lawson. the chiefs stenog-
rdpher. A wonder on a typewriter-fast-
est work I've ever SEEN
SOlano half-turned, and peered through
the twilight Rude form, know" he
spoke, half-apologetically, ITO stare after
young lady. I was Just wondering,
though, where l had seen her lately
several times, In fact. A-hem. Harry
she has met a friend"
Haif a block up the street, a little
man, his head scarcely up TO the Ste
nographer's shoulder. had emerged from
the shelter OF a doorway. He lifted his
hat with ceremonious precision, and
bowed over the young wOman's extended
hand. Miss lawson checked her onward
walk for the fraction OF an instant, and
the young men. idly glancing toward the
couple, saw "A flash Of white passing from
the girls hand into that OF her new
met friend. The little man bowed again;
Miss Lawson walked on, and the little
man came down the street with a rapid.
jaunty stride. As he passed the boys
his face was for an instant IN the dying
light Of the day. and the strong, brown
features. with a wide scar across one
cheek. were clearly outlined.
He was a Japanesp
When Brockett presented himself at
Chief wilkins private office In the morn
ing none of the other clerks had as yet
appeared. Miss Lawson, however. was
already at her desk-it had long been her
custom to come early and work late, with
an intelligence, a faithfulness, and an at
tentIon TO detail which had won her re-
peated Communications from the chief AS
Brockett crossed the ONCE and halted at
the chiefs particular door, the girl looked
up, threw the boy a sunshiny smile, and
resumed the polishing OF some small fac
tor Of her typewriter. Brockett returned
the smile knocked lightly on the frosted
glass, and heard a loud Come in
Chief wilkins sat at his desk. fianked
by the burly Mr.. Pinkwell. Three big
leather chairs nearby were occupied by
three stately gentlemen, whom Brockett
with natural surprise recognized as the
Secretary OF War, the Secretary OF the
Navy, and Gen. Cole, commander OF the
army. The boy, thus precipitated into
distinguished cOnclave. could only strug-
gle against sudden dispersal of his
thoughts and senses into the semblance of
a cloud of wandering bees. and, in default
Of clear comprehension Of the situation,
could only stare inquiringly at the grim
face OF the chief
Mr. Brockett" came the incisive tones
Of the chief cutting through the boys un-
derstandlng like a spear point thrown
from a long. long distance. will you give
these gentlemen another demonstration Of
your cipher?'
The spear point went clear through, and
Brockett woke up.
"why-yes-of course. How shall I
demonstrate it?'
Suppose" explained the chief, I'VE