The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-08-02
CHAPTER Il.-(continued.)

CHAPTER Ii.-(Continued.)
Solano half-turned. and peered
Through the twilight. Rude form,
know" he spoke, half-apologetically.
ito stare after young lady. ! was
Just wondering. though. where ! had
lseen her lately-several times. In fact.
A-hem, Harry-she has met friend"
Half block up the street, 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-
icision, and bowed over the young
twoman'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
tile man came down the street with a
rapid, jaunty stride. AS he passed
the boys, his face was for an instant
I'm 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
lat Chief wilkins private Office In the
morning, none of the other clerks had
las yet appeared. Miss Lawson. how.
lever. was already at her desk-it had
bong 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
Rrockett crossed the office and halted
ut the chiefs particular door. the girl
looked up. threw the boy a sunshiny
smile. and resumed the polishing Of
lErue small factor OF her typewriter.
sBrockett returned the smile. knocked
lightly on the frosted glass, and heard
. 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.
abe secretary of the navy, and Gen.
jeraf Cole, commander of the army.
The boy. thus precipitated into dis
ltingnished conclave, could only strug-
lyle against sudden dispersal Of his
Thoughts and senses into the sem
lblance of a cloud of wandering bees,
and, in default of a clear comprehen-
sion of the situation. could only stare
iinquiringly at the grim face Of the
chief
+, -Mr. Brockett," came the incisive
tones of the chief. cutting through the
boys understanding like 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
d 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
yourself. After that---if you so wish
the key of the cipher"
Brockett had shaken himself to-
,Eether, and the group of dignitaries
mo- longer over-awed him. Pad and
penci5 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 penciled briskly. and hand.
ed the general sheet scrubbed be-
wilderingly In this fashion:
l. SH e BIZ BOSTON r Pos T pos
Pc w wP COBB TO TIC Pc pos w
SH BH TIC L fin FA FA TIC w TO
BIB HR TO 3BH CUBS HR e SB Pos
" TO w WP Alb WP SB w HR BH
pos wP UMP 2BH fin e l. pos TO Fla
w SH L SH e TO.
The sheet of paper went around the
circle. and then back to Brockett, who
promptly read or the generals orig.
fnal dictation. Silence followed for a
moment, 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
laughter followed. and Brockett felt
the last traces OF embarrassment melt
sapidly away.
Mr.. Brockett," Intercepted the
chief, after the merriment died down,
how old are your
Nineteen, sir"
What education. II may Ask"
High school, sir. Then one year
ut Columbia. Had to leave when my
father died"
Yes, see--making Il essential for
you to support the family. supposeT
Yes. sir"
Speak any languages besides Eng
lish?"