The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-08-02


circle, and then back to Brockett. who
promptly read off the generals orig
inal dictation. Silence followed for
moment, and then the general. slap
ping his hand sharply on his knee, ex.
claimed: by blazesl Gentlemen, it's
too much for mel" A general burst OF
laughter followed. and Brockett felt
the last traces Of embarrassment melt
rapidly away.
'Mr. Brockett." Intercepted the
chief, after the merriment died down.
how old are your"
Nineteen, sir"
"what education, II I may ask2"
High school, sir. Then one year
at Columbia. Had to leave when my
father died"
yes. soe-making It essential for
you to support the family, supposef"
Yes, sir"
Speak any languages besides Eng.
lish?"
81 have picked up Spanish from a
friend, Cuban, Ramon Solano."
Him. HIM. That accounts for your
remark Of yesterday-that a Cuban
might understand this cipher. Have
you shown 1t to your friend. Solano?"
Eyes, sir. In fact. he suggested
some Of the points in the cipher, aud
can read It as well as myself"
Him, HIM Rather sorry about that
Is this Solano a good, square fellow?"
Best in the world. sir. He's 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.
al think know this young Solano."
he interposed, "and l know his father.
II am not mistaken, he might be the
very man we need in the affair now
under discussion"
I Chief wilkins resumed the lnterro-
cation.
''Mr. Brockett, would you be willing
to take chance for your country2 A
chance that might involve risking your
life dozen times, and which might
not yield you even taste Of glory as
your reward?"
Il am willing to do anything can
possibly accomplish. If you give me
the word, chief"
Good boy! sized you up that way
the first time ever saw you in the Of
flee, son. Could you say as much for
your friend Solano?"
Eyes sir. think Solano would go
to any lengths to prove his love for
the United States
Very we'll This afternoon, Mr.
Brockett,' kindly make duplicate
copies of your cipher for General Cole
the secretary of war, the secretary of
the navy, Mr.. Pinkwell, and myself
BY the way, we might as well have II
done now, and save the time Mr.
Brockett. will you call in Miss Law
SOM"
Brockett had half-opened the door
when he faced around, closed the door
again. and looked calmly into the eyes
of the puzzled chief.
Chief" he exclaimed, rapidly, 'I'll
make out the duplicate copies Of the
key myself. Anyone who was unused
to that sort Of work might confuse
the symbols. will have them done
early in the afternoon"
Very WELL" the chief assented
Bring me the copies. and then go tc
army headquarters. General Cole will
be awaiting you at three o'clock. II
possible, get your friend, Solano, and
take him with you. General Cole will
; explain to you both Just what he
wishes you to do"
Brockett bowed respectfully to the
. group Of notables, and walked out. Go
, ing to his desk, he attended to a few
matters Of routine duty, and then
: with hard pencil and carbon papers
began laboriously copying the key tc
r his bewildering cipher. His hands
became smutted with carbon and pen
Gil dust, and Brockett, who was metic
ulously neat about his work, went e
. the washroom. Returning after an alb
+ sence Of but a few minutes, he was
just in time to see the stenographer
Miss Lawson, moving away from his
desk, empty-handed and with the
most innocent Of demeanor. A glance
} at his cipher treasured him-none OF
: the sheets were disturbed, none of the
carbon papers missing. Brockett I'm
ished copying the key, and then wait
ed. apparently busy in other work, un
. til Miss Lawson was called away t.
take dictation. Then. rapidly slipping
the completed work and the used car
bons into his inner pocket, he tool
} five fresh sheets, four fresh carbons
and proceeded to carefully inscribC
! the top sheet with the words OF an ole
} Columbia college song. mangling ant
jumbling words, lines and rhythm
, VUhap Mfoo TouoOn