The Washington herald., 1912-01-10
CHAPTER III.

brockett returned at / o'clock. accom-
panied by Ramon solano. He lifted the
sheets on which he had been last work
ing from the desk drawer and quickly
looked them over. All 1--WE OF the sheets
were in proper place. but the third car
bon from the top had been removed, and
a fresh carbon substituted
Gen. Cole, kindly and affabIe, had the
boys feeling thoroughly at home before
they had been in his ONCE for five min
utes. The old soldier was in CHEEKY spIr-
It's. and his genial mood communicated
itself to his young visitors. who-Iong
counted among the most ardent admirers
of the general-were at first inclined to
bashfulness when actually IN the pres
enee Of their ideal fighter. SoIano,
whose father had often spoken OF Gen.
Cole and his prowess. as shown in the
rush up San Juan Hill was almost In
raptures over the unexpected Interview,
while Brockett. wondering much over the
events OF the past four hours, was try
Ing to figure out what on earth would
happen next. He was not long left in sus-
pense, for the old warrior plunged into
bis reasons for requiring their attend
ance in his offiee
'Brockett, my boy said the general,
pleasantly enough. but with something
governing the tone OF the calm, even
Yoice-something that seemed to electrify
both young men like the current OF
mighty battery-"I believe that I can
make you-and your young friend-quite
useful In the immediate future"
Solano gasped, astounded, and fixed his
big black eyes upon the generals face
Brockett nodded. and leaned forward.
expectantly.
Il have had considerable experience
with government and military ciphers."
the soldier continued, "and I must saw
that yours is the most extraordinary
tumble and most welrdly mangled col
lection OF hlercgiyphics I ever looked
upon. For that very reason, my boy,
am forced 10 believe that YOU have
stumbled upon something OF real value
TO the army, the nation-and your own
personal future. / can't figure where any
expert in the world could read that cfph-
er without a key. and an untranslatabIe
cipher, right now. is imperauveIy need
ed. II. during the next thirty days.
the War Department-yes. and the navy
too-can transmit certain important mes
sages, without danger OF their being
by hostile influences a serv-
ice Of the most notable kind will have
been performed for the country. Do you
follow me?"
Brockett nodded eagerly. but solano
COuto not snitt his great black eyes
from the generals visage- The old war
rior resumed his speech.
Mr.. Brockett, a key OF your ctpher.
and message written in that cipher
must be carried by a messenger on whom
We can unhesitatingly rely. to a person
a person whose name can be revealed
only to the messenger and one companion
in the City Of Mexico. You are the in
ventor OF the cipher, and can instruct In
the use Of it's key more rapidly, more !
successfully than any other man. You |
are also, believe, horest. loyal, and |
fairly resourceful. Furthermore, you say |
that you have learned to speak a little !
Spanish. How would you like to carry |
a message OF importance. and -
your cipher. as far as the capital or I
MexiooT'
Brockett choked up. flushed and stam-
nered a vague sentence which he in /