The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-11-22
CHAPTER Rii.-(contlnued)

CHAPTER .-(Contlnued.)
Solano half-turned, and peered
through the twilight. Rude form,
know" he spoke, half-apologetica
ito stare after a young lady. | was
Just wondering, though, where had
seen her iately-several times, in fact.
A-hem, Harry-she has met a friend" ."
Half block up the street. little
man, his head scarcely up to the ste
nographers shoulder. had emerged
from the shelter OF a doorway He
lifted his hat with ceremonious pre-
cision, and bowed over the young
womans extended hand. Miss Law
son checked her onward walk for the
fraction Of an instant, and the young
men. idly glancing towards 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 hit
tie 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 Japanese.
When Brockett presented himself
at Chief wilkins private office in the
morning, none OF the other clerks had
as yet appeared. Miss Lawson, how
ever, was already at her desk-it had
10 rt
and work late, with an intelligence. a
faithfulness, and an attention to detail
which had won her repeated COM
mendations from the chief. AS
Brockett crossed the Office and halted
at the chiefs particular door, the girl
looked up, threw the hoy sunshiny
smile, and resumed the polishing Of
some small factor 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.
fanked 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
eral Cole, commander of the army,
The boy, thus precipitated into n dis
tinguished conclave. could only strug.
gle against sudden dispersal Of his
thoughts and senses into the sem
blance OF cloud of wandering bees
and. in default OF a clear comprehen
sion 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 understanding like spear
point thrown from long, long dis
tance. 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
demonstrate it?"
Suppose" explained the chief, I'VE
have General Cole dictate a sentence
TO you. Write out that sentence In
your cipher. Then read the sentence
back again to us-just TO show that
the cipher is clearly ineligible to you
yourself. After that-if you so wish
explain the key of the cipher"
Brockett had shaken himself to-
gether. and the group of dignitaries
no longer over-awed him. Pad and
pencil ready, he waited for the gen
erals words, and the soldier, slowly.
sententiously, dictated.
Send Eighth cavalry. 3S5 men, to
Laredo. Support with First infantry
by Friday. No guns at present"
Brockett penciled briskly. and hand.
ed the general sheet scribbled be-
wilderingly in this fashion:
l. SH K BH BOSTON r Pos T DOS
PO w WP COBB TO TIC PO pos w
6H BH TIC l. fin FA FA TIC w TO
BIB HR TO 3BH CUBS HR E SB Pos
r TO w WP ABB WP SB w HR BH
POS wP UMP 2BH fin E l. pos TO FA
w SH L SH e TO.
The sheet of paper went around the
drcle, and then back to Brockett, who
oromptly read off the generals orig.
hal dictation. Silence followed for a
moment, end then the general, slap
ping his hand sharply on his knee. ex.
claimed: by blazes! 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. BrocSett." interrogated the
chief. after the merriment died down.
~how old are your"
Nineteen, SIR"
What education, II may ask"
High school. sir. Then one year
a Columbia. Had to leave when my
father died"
eyes. see-mAking II essential for
,ou 10 support the family. I supposc!"
"Yes, sir"
Ssneak any laAsuages besides Eng
hhfs