The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-07-26
CHAPTER |.

mo use, Mr.. Pinkwell, no use at
all. am beginning to believe what
Won Schimmel. the German expert.
said In this room two weeks ago. He
maintained that there was never yet
a cipher formulated that the genius
of deductive energy could not solve,
nor cipher 80 guarded that it could
not fall into hostile hands"
The able head of the secret service
bureau almost snarled with vexation
as he spoke. while the gray-mustached
veteran in the huge leather chair
looked at him sympathetically, but
gave no sign OF bis emotions Pacing
up and down the border Of a Pueblo
rug, Chief Wilkins tore up few frag-
meats of note-paper, and resumed his
monologue.
II don't know where the leak is, but
] do know that there's a leak large
enough to let so per cent. of the war
departments pet secrets go trickling
through. That's why | am working
with every bit of energy and every
available man to help in the time Of
need-doing things that the secret
service hasn't concerned itself with
since 1865. That's why am asking
you to come into the hunt. you and the
best men Of your agency. don't mind
telling you that ] shall commander
the Barnes agency, too, Mr.. Pinkwell,
and l think that when 1t is problem
that concerns the policies and desti-
MES of the whole nation there will
h1t N
you"
"Emphatically none," growled old
Pinkwell, setting his square jaw
Bring Barnes right into this room,
and Camera-Eye Sheraton too, If you
can get him. I'll confer with them
like an older brother; I'll lend them
the best men on my payroll, and
know that they will do as much for
me If the good old U. S. A. can be
helped In any way"
Chief Wilkins angry face relaxed
its frown. He crossed to the big
chair and shook the old detectives
hand with cordial vigor. Spoken as
l thought you'd say It," he chuckled
Spoken as old Billy PinkweIl would
always speak when time and circum
stances called for real men to stitch
together. Barnes will be here tomor
row. He'll bring his bloodhound Sher
ration along with him. and we car
thrash things out during the morn
ing. This afternoon, Billy, I'll have g
little talk with you. We can ex
change secrets Of state without inter
ruption-there won't be any cipher
messages exchanged or stolen on the
way"
Pinkwell carefully distributed the
ash Of his short. thin, pale yellow CT
gar upon a red design of the Pueblo
rug.
Suppose you tell me about the CT
pher messages. chief2" he suggested
Inform me in full as to your troubles
Open confession is good for the soul
as | told the fellow who blew tn,
southwick bank"
did he agree with you, PinkT"
"Not exactly. He said open safel
were good for the wallet, and gave m,
the lightsome ha ha Tell you abou
him some day-he was the fellow wh'
opened safes with a surgeons stetho
scope. Some class to him."
Tell me at dinner Maybe he's tn,
boy who has been pilfering our CT
piers. When did he get out3"
Pinkwell laughed grimly.
Il imagine 1t would take as cleve
a performer to read a government CT
pher," he responded. but this lad ha
eight years. Ave months and ffteel
days still to go. allowing for good con
duct. But come on-come through
with the cipher story. Have th'
handwriting experts been turning
tricks with the war department mes
sagesf"
"Emphatically yes. Two-thirds o
the orders to the troops In the fell
along the Mexican border have beef
translated, either In transit or befor
leaving Washington. Telegraph. wire
less. sealed letter by trusted hands
some enc gets to the more importan
MESSAGES. The ciphers have beel
changed. reversed. reFamped. invente
brand new by the most scientific el
Derts-"