The Washington herald., 1912-01-12
CHAPTER v.


After the vanauished orientaIs had de-
parted. Brockett and solano proceeded
TO investigate the thick envelope which
Mike McRane had brought them. The
messenger sat by-a wise little owl and
loyal one-whiIe Mrs. Brockett and
Bertha fiuttered 10 and fro, still more
or less excited by the events Of the even
ing.
A packet OF yellow-backed bills was first
brought TO light, and then a letter. pen
ned IN the firm hand OF Chief wilkins.
Another sheet was next opened, revealing
the handwriting of Gen. Cole, which was
not unfamiliar TO young Brockett. Both
boys were relieved and pleased to find
that nothing typewriter had been sent
them.
No chance for any treachery there"
remarked Solano. as Chief wilkins letter
was placed upon the table. IF your
stenographer counted on getting a copy
OF this particular document, she loses
Brockett laughed light-heartedly. and
then whistled in surprise. Excepting a
few unimportant sentences at the be-
ginning and the close Of the letters,
both were in his own cipher, and even
the addresses upon two smaller envelopes
same hieroglyphic script. Harry rapidly
read through Chief wilkins letter. and
found Il to be as follows:
ITO TC A TC w W TC BIB A TC
W HR E 2BH wP TC Fin BIB HR
Po PO 2BH Tc ABB wP Pos L HR
W r Fin HR To TC Fin l. Pos W TC
Fin TO SH Pos L Pos ABB SH TO
W Pos sH Po SH BIZ BIB HR TO
3BH HR E Boston BH Pos wP l. TO
TC W Pos z r 3BH TC Tc 2BH
Pos PO BIB 3BH SH W SH wP TC
Fin BIB HR Po Po SB HR E BH 2BH
TC A SH so SH l. TO SH w Pos PO
2BH HR T SH 3BH HR A Po SH TO
To sH W PB r HR FA 3BH sH W
BA sH wP ABB W HR E 2BH w sH
FA PO wP."
Simple enough" remarked Brockett as
he finished the letter. Tomorrow morn
ing, you will go by as circuitous a route
as can be travelled within eight days TO
Rancho Nogal. where you will find Co
mez Esteral. Give him letter and cipher
key. Bring reply"
Easily understood" commented Solano.
''we can doubtless fnd Rancho Nogal on
the maps. and we are to go there by as
roundabout a road as possible-within a
limited space OF time. Reasons for the
circuitous journey are easily seen. Our
tropical friends the little brown men,
might be trailing us. What does the gen.
eral say7"
His letter Is short and to the point" I"
answered BrOCkelI. spreading Out tne
screed, worded in this fashion:
Pos TO sH PO FA Pos L TC 2BH
HR T SH PO SH TO TO SH w PB
BA SH wP TO TC r TC PO TC E
SH PO PO SH BIB SBH L Brooklyn
Pos pos PO W WP."
"'At FL Paso, give letter and key to
Col. Lewis, Sixth cavalry Simple enough,
but do we see the colonel on our way
there or coming backg'
Probably left TO our own judgment and
convenience" answered Solano. Now,
then, let's locate Rancho Nogal-"
81 think ! have found the place,
Harry" spoke up Bertha Broclett.
while you were reading the last mes
sage l glanced along the map OF the
Mexican border-good thing we have an
atIas-and located Rancho NogaL It
seems to be a small station, perhaps ten
miles south OF Preside del Norte. in
Chihuahua"
Some names. them" remarked Mike
McKane. "Howinell will / ever get the
hang NV 'emT'
You, Mickey" laughed Solano. For
get them before you sprain your tongue"
''Forgit nothin'." replied thee messen-
ger boy. 81 gotta learn 'em just the
same as youse two"
How do you flgIre that out, Mixer"
oueried the amused Brockett. The stub
by messenger grmned back at him.
Because I'm goin' along wit youse
two. See? got in on this thing 50