The Washington herald., 1912-01-09

have Gen. Cole dictate a sentence TO you.
Write out that sentence in your cipher.
Then read the sentence back again 70
us-just to show that the cipher Is clearly
ineligible to you yourself. After that
IL you wish-explain the key Of the
cipher
Brockett had shaken himself together
and the group OF dignitaries no longer
overawed him. Pad and pencil ready, he
waited for the generals words, and the
soldier, slowly. sententiously, dictated:
Send Eighth Cavalry. 3S men, to La
redo. Support with First Infantry by
Friday. No guns at present"
Brockett penciled briskly. and handed
the general a sheet scribbled bewfider-
ingly in this fashion:
L .SH E BH BOSTON R Pos T pos
SH BH TC L fin FA FA TC W TO
BIB HR TO 3BH CUBS HR E SB Pos
E TO w WP ABB wP SB W HR BH
pos wP CMP 2BH fin E L pos TO FA
W SH L SH TO.
The sheet OF paper went around the
circle, and then back to Brockett who
promptly read of the generals original
dlctation. Silence followed for a moment,
and then the general. slapping his hand
sharply on his knee, exclaimed: by
blazes, Gentlemen, it's too much for
~ BGAAGIdA VI ldukltE lol-
lowed, and Brockett felt the last traces
OF embarrassment melt rapidly away.
Mr.. Brockett," interrogated the chief.
after the merriment died down, how old
are yOU2''
Nineteen, sir
What education. II / may ask
High school. sir. Then one year at
Columbia. Had to leave when my father
died"
syo, -. ,,,,t,t,,r, 4. ....,,,f,t ,,- ,.o,,
to support the family. / suppose?"
Yes. sir"
speak any languages besides Eng
lish?"
II have picked up Spanish from a
friend. a Cuban. Ramon Solano.''
''H-m. h-m. That accounts for your
remark Of yesterday-tlIat a Cuban might
understand this cipher. Have you shown
It to your friend Solano?"
Yes, sir. In fact. he suggested some
OF the points in the cipher. and can read
1t as well as myself
HIM, h-m. Rather sorry about that.
Is this Solano good. square fellow
Best in the world. sir. He's a real
American IN everything but his BIRTH
place, chief. I'll vouch for him every
time"
The Secretary of the Navy spoke up at
this juncture.
Il think 1 know this young Solano, .
he fnterposed, and / know his father.
IL / am not mistaken, he might be the
very man we need in the affair now
under discussion"
Chief wilkins resumed the interroga-
ton.
Mr.. Brockett. would you be willing
TO take chance for your country A
chance that might involve risking your
life a dozen times, and which might
not yield you even a taste OF glory as
your reward?"
Il am willing 10 do anything I can
possibly accomplish. II you give me the
word. chief"
Good boy, sized you up that way
the first time ever saw you in the Of
nee. son. Could you say as much for
your friend Solano?"
Yes. sir. think Solana would go
to any lengths 10 prove his love for the
United States.'
Very well This afternoon. Mr.. Brock
EFT. kindly make duplicate copies OF your
cipher for Gen Cole, the Secretary OF
War. the Secretary OF the Navy, Mr.. Pink
wen. and myself. BY the way, we might
as well have II done now. and save time.
Mr.. Brockett, win you call in Miss Law
song'
Brockett had half opened the door,
when he faced around closed the door
Of the puzzled chief
Chief he exclaimed. rapidly. 'I'il
make out the duplicate copies Of the key
myself ANY one VINO was unused TO that
sort Of work might confuse the symbols.