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

Solano halfturned, 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 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
woman's 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 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 a
rapid. Iaunty 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
a loud Come in"
Chief Wilkins sat at his desk.
thanked 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 dis
tinguished 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 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 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, 1--WE
have General Cole dictate a sentence
to you. Write out that sentence in
your cipher. Then read the sentence
back again to us-Iust 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, 1856 men, to
Laredo. Support with First infantry
by Friday. No guns at present"
Brockett Denciled briskiy, and hand.
cd the general a sheet scrubbed be-
Wilderingly in this fashion:
l. sH e BIZ BOSTON R Pos T pos
PO W Up COBB TO To Po pos w
BIZ BH TIC L I'm Fla IA TIC W TO