The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-07-12
CHAPTER ll-(contInued.)

Solano half-turned, and peered
through the twilight. Rude form,
know" he spoke. half-apologetically,
ito stare after a young lady. / was
just wondering, though, where ! had
seen her lately-several times, in fact.
A-hem, Harry-she has met a friend" "
Half block up the street, a little
man, his head scarcely up to the ste
nographer's 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 fash 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 lit
tie man came down the street with
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 a 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
long been her custom to come early
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 boy a 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
loud Come in"
Chief Wilkins sat at his desk,
hanked 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 a dis
conclave, could only strug-
gle against sudden dispersal of his
thoughts and senses into the sem
blance Of a cloud Of wandering bees, |
and, in default Of a clear comprehen- |
sion of the situation, could only stare
at the grim face Of the
chief
'Mr. Brockett," came the incisive |
tones of the chief, cutting through the
boys understanding like a spear
point thrown from a long, long dis
lance, 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
lave General Cole dictate a sentence
o you. Write out that sentence in
your cipher. Then read the sentence
,ack again to us-just to show that
he cipher is clearly intelligible to you
After that-if you so wish
explain the key Of the cipher"
Brockett had shaken himself to-
either. and the group of dignitaries
10 longer over-awed him. Pad and
encil ready, he waited for the gen.
rails words, and the soldier, slowly,
dictated. !
Send Eighth cavalry, 1856 men, to
.aredo Support with First infantry 1
y Friday. No guns at present"
Brockett penciled briskly, and hand !
d the general a sheet scribbled be- !
in this fashion: {
L SH E BH BOSTON r Pos T DOS [
o w WP COBB TO TIC PO DOS W |
H BH TIC l. fin FA FA TC w TO G
b HR to 3BH CUBS HR q SB Pos '
TO w WP ABB WP SB w HR BH e
os WP UMP 2BH fin e L pos TO FA t
SH L SH 3 TO. II
The sheet Of paper went around the t
rcle, and then back to Brockett, who n
-omptly read off the generals orig b
al dictation. Silence followed for a 0
oment, and then the general, slap n
ng his hand sharply on his knee, ex- "
aimed: by blazes! Gentlemen, it's r.
o much for mel" A general burst Of f
lighter followed, and Brockett felt
g last traces Of embarrassment melt e.
pidly away. 81
Mr.. Brockett," interrogated the CT
lief, after the merriment died down. 81
ow old are you?" Ii
Nineteen, sir -
What education. If may ask?" "
High school, sir. Then one year IL
Columbia. Had to leave when my
ther died" hi
Eyes, see-making it essential for ia
u to support the family, suppose?" 70
''Yes, sir"
Speak any languages besides Eng. W
h?" ell
Il have picked up Spanish from m
end. Cuban, Ramon Solano." tr
HIM, HIM. That accounts for your m
mark of yesterday-that Cuban ey
ght understand this cipher Have so
i shown it to your friend, Solano?" tn
Yes, sir. In fact, he suggested th
ne OF the points in the cipher, and ma
! read 1t as well as myself"
HIM, HIM. Rather sorry about that. We
this Solano a good. square fellow?" a
Best in the world, sir. He's a real RIG
lerican In everything but his birth du
ce, CHIEF IN youch for him every De
Ie." ca