The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1912-10-03
CHAPTER m.-(continued.)

CHAPTER iI.-(continued.)
Soiano half-turned, and peered
through the twilight. Rude form, /
kaOW." he spoke, half-apologetically,
TO stare after a young lady. ! was
Just wondering. though, where ! had
zen her lately-several times, In fact.
A-hem. Harry-she has met a friend"
Half a block up the street, a little
man, his head scarcely up to the Ste
m~Ographer's shoulder, had emerged
from the shelter of a doorway. He
Hfled his hat with ceremonious pre-
sssion, and bowed over the young
wonfan's extended hand. Miss Law
o checked her onward walk for the
fraction OF an instant, and the young
ncn. Idly glancing towards the couple,
GaT a fash OF white passing from the
girls hand into that of her new-met
friend. The little nan bowed again;
nzigs Lawson walked on, and the lit
ssc man came down the street with a
rapid. jaunty stride. AS he passed
tho boys. his face was for an instant
IN the dying light OF the day. and the
strong. brown features, with a wide
scar across n cheek. were clearly
outlined.
He was a Japanese.
When Brockett presented himself
at Chief wilkins private Office in the
xaorning. 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
1aithfulness, and an attention to detail
which had won her repeated com
'snendAtions from the chief. AS
.BrDckett crossed the office and halted
at the chiefs particular door, the girl
Hooked up, threw the hoy a sunshiny
ssmiio. and resumed the polishing OF
some small factor OF her typewriter.
xfxockett returned the smile. knocked
nightly On the frosted glass. and heard
q loud Come in"
Chief wilkins sat at his desk.
Banked 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
erak Cole. commander OF the army.
The boy. thus p~recipitated into a dis
tinguished conclave, could only strug-
tgic against sudden dispersal OF his
thoughts and senses into the sem
hIance OF a cloud OF wandering bees,
amd. In default or a clear comprehen-
sion OF the situation. could only stare
ltnquiringly at the grim face OF the
chief.
mir. Brockett," came the incisive
tones Of TIE chief, cutting through the
lbOy's understanding like a spear.
point thrown from a 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
y demonstrate it,"
Suppose" explained the chief, I'VE
have General Cole dictate a sentence
20 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
ycsrself. After that-if you SO wish
explain the key Of the cipher"
Brockett had shaken himself to-
gcther. and the group Of d~ignitaries
mo longer over-awed him. Pad and
Dencil ready, he waited for the gem
ERALS words. and the soldier, slowly.
scntentiously. dictated.
Send Eighth cavalry. $50 men, to
laredo. Support with First infantry
ny Friday. No guns at present"
Brockett penciled briskly, and hand.
ed the general a sheet scrubbed be-
ssilderingly In this fashion:
Il SH II BIZ BOSTON r Pos 4 DOS
20 w WP COBB TO TIC Pc DOS w
SH BH TIC l. fin FA FLA TIC w TO
BB HR TO SBH CUBS FIR r. sB Pos
E TO w wP ABB WE SB w HR BIZ
pos WP UMP 2BH I'm f L pos TO FA
w SH l. SH Il TO.
The sheet OF paper went around the
Arcae. and then back to Brockett. who
promptly read or the generals orig
nal dictation. Silence followed for a
hn0ment, and 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
laaGhter followed. and Brockett felt
the last traces of embarrassment melt
rapidly away.
Mr.. Brockett." Intercepted the
chief. after the merrlment died down.
how old are your"
nineteen. sir"
What education. II / may ask?"
High schoo1, sir Then one year
n Columbia. Had TO lr-ye wasn my
died"
les. see-makins It essential for
vou TO support the family. l suppose 2
-Ycs. SIR"
Speak any laneuages bssides Eng