Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-10-11
P 1.

GyElt GoEdOn mad been seated at his
desk but 10 minutes n was deep in
the mornings mail when there came
en argent message from his chief. sum-
plnAtng him to an immediate audience
IN the inner office.
The chief had keen blue ayes and
shaggy eyebrows. He never wasted
words: yet these words when spoken
mad more weight than of most other
men In Washington.
There was theb~ riefest OF good-morn-
ing CLEANS in his nod and glance, but
he only said:
Gordon, can You take the Pennsyl-
vanta train for New York that leaves
the station in 30 minutes?"
n young man vas used to abrupt
questions from his chief. but he caught
his breath, mentally surveying his day
AS 1t had been planned:
Why. sir. l suppose I could-Iif it is
ne &c, ia He h hest t',s a,;
ly. as If that settled the matter.
"But-half an hour" calculated Cor
o In disinay. Il could hardly get to
Msy rooms and back to the station.
don't see how Isn't there a train a
Attle later"!'
man or the phone. Tell him to pack
your bag and meet you at the station
in 20 minutes. You'll need evening
clothes. Can You depend on your man
to get your things quickly without
1ail2''
There was that in the tone of the
chief that caused Gordon to make no
further demur.
"Suse!" he responded with his usual
business like tone. as he strobe to the
phone. His daze was passing off. Eve
ming clothes?" he questioned curiously,
as il he might not have. heard Alright.
YES, evening Clothes was the curt
answer. land everything you'll need for
daytime for a respectable gentleman Of
leisure--a tourist, you understand"
Gordon perceived that he was being
given IL mission of trust and import
ance. not unmiNed with mystery per
haps. He was new in the secret service,
and tt had been his ambition to rise in
his chiefs good graces. He rang the
telephone bell f%uriously and called up
the number of his own apartments, Civ
ing his man orders in a breezy, decisive
tone that caused Il look of satisfaction
to settle about the fine wrinkies of the
chiefs eyes.
Gordon's watch was out and he was
telling his man on just what car he
must cave the apartments for the sta-
ton. The chief noted it was two cars
ahead of what would have been neces-
sary. His gray head gave an almost inn
perceptible nod of communication, and
his eyes showed that he was content
with his selection of a man.
Nov. sir" said Gordon, as he hung
up the receiver. I'm ready for orders
Wei. you are to go to New York,
and take a cab for the Cosmopolis hote
your room there is already secured by
wire. Your name is Joh Burnham. The
name Of the hotel and the number OF
your room are ON this memorandum
You will find awaiting you an invita-
ttoR to dine this evening with a Mr.
Holman. who knows OF you as an expert
IN code reading 01Y man mot him or
the train an hour & II arranged tina:
he should invite you He didn't know
whom they represented. of course. He
has already triea to phone you at the
hotel about coming to- dinner tonight
He knows you are expected there before
evening. Here ia u letter of introduction
to him from 81 MAJ he knows. Dur mer
got that also. 1t is genuine, of course.
Last night n message of national i'm.
portance, written in cipher, was stoler
from one of our men before it had beef
read. This is now in the hands Of Hol.
man, who is hoping to have you de.
cipher ii for him and a few guests who
will be present at dinner. They wish Il
use II for their w purposes. Your
commission is to get hold of the mes.
sage n bring it to us as soon as pos.
sihle. Another message of very differen'
import, written upOn the same kind O.
p Is in this envelope, with q trans
lation for you to use in case you hav'
TO substitute a message. You will hav,
to use your own wits and judgment
The main thing is. get the paper, ant
get back with ii. with as little delay a.
possible. Undoubtedly your life will b.
In danger should it be discovered tina
you have made off with it. Spare NJ
case to protect yourself and the mes
e at all hazards. Remember, I said
n the message. young man! 1t mean:
much to the country.
TN. this onVaIopo lie O1Opov-on Nm,
will probably need. Telegraph or 'phon,
to this address If you are in trouble
Draw on us for more. il necessary, ais,
through this same address. Here is tn,
code you can use in case you find j
necessary to telegraph. Your ticket il
already bought. I have sent Clarksor
to the station for 1t. n he will NEE
you at the train. You can give hin
instructions in case you find yo,
have forgotten anything. TAX,
your mail with you. and telegraph bacl
order to your stenographer. thinl
that Is all. Oh, yes. tonight, while va,
are at dinner. you will be called 4
he phone by n OF our men. II 70,
are In trouble. this may give you op
poHtunity to get away, and put US wise
You will find a motor at the door now
waiting to take you to the station. l
your man doesn't get there with you
things. take the train. anyway. and blu,
some more When YOU get to New York
Don't turn aside from your commission
f0f ,anythinR. Don't let; anything hin
der yOu! Make it a matter Of life an,
aeathi Good morning and good luck!
The chief held out a big, hairy han,
that vas surprisingly warm and sof
considering the hardness Of his fac
n voice. and the young man graspe'
1t. feeling az II he were suddenly beini
plunged into waves Of an unknown
depth and he would fain hold to thi
strong hand.