Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER |.

the mornings mail when there came
an urgent message from his chief, sum
moning HIM to an immediate audience
in the inner office.
The chief had keen blu ives and
shaggy eyebrows. He never wasted
words; yet these words when spoke en-
had more weight than of most other
men in Washington.
There was the briefest Of sood-morn-
ing CLEANS in his nod and glance, but
he only said:
Gordon, can you take the Pennsyl-
Nania train for New York that leaves
the station in 81 minutes?'
The young man was used to abrupt
questions from his chief, but he caught
his breath, mentally surveying his day
as it had been planned:
Why, sir, l suppose l could--if it is
necesSary-' He hesitated.
1t is necessary said the chief curt
ly, as il that settled the matter.
"Bu;-haIf an hour!" calculated Cor
don in dismay. Il could hardly get to
my rooms II back to the station.
don't see how- Isn't there a train a
little later?"
Later train won't do. Cali up your
man on the phone. Tell him to pack
your bag and meet you at the station
in 20 minutes. You'll need evening
tl0e get your you" S shin sspS' quickly n S0 Without heaa
fail?"
There was that in the tone of the
chief that caused Gordon to make no
further demur.
"Sure!" he responded with his usual
business like tone, as he STROBE to the
phone. His daze WAS passing Off. Eve
ming clotheS?' he questioned c~ullouSly,
as if he might not nave heard Alright.
Yes, evening Clothes" was the curt
answer, and everything you'll need for
| IL ,tiy,on fn- - rncrarfnh1o rrpptlnyn, ,, -
lcisure-a tourist. you understand
Gordon perceived that he was being
given a mission of trust and import
ance, not unmixed with mystery per
haps. He was new in the secret service.
and it had been his ambition to rise in
his chiefs good sraces. He rang the
telephone bell furiously and called up
the number of his own apartments, Civ
ing his man orders in a breezy, decisive
tone that caused a look of satisfaction
to settle about the fine wrinkles of the
chiefs yes.
Gordon's watch WAS out and he was
telling his man on just what car he
must leave the apartments for the sta
ton. The chief noted it was two cars
ahead of hat would have been neces-
sary. His gray head gave an almost inn
perceptible nod of commentator, and
bis eyes showed that he was content
with his selection of a man.
Now. sir" said Gordon, as he hung
up the receiver, I'm ready for orders
We'll, You are to so to New Cork,
and take a cab for the CoSlnopolis hotel
your room there is already secured by
wire. Your name is John Burnhanl. Tho
name of the hotel and the number OF
your room are on this memorandum
You will find awaiting you an invita-
ton to dine this evening with a Mr.
Holman, who knows of you as an eXpert
In code reading. Our men met him or
the train an hour ago and arranged tina:
he should invite He didn't know
whom they represented, of course. He
has already tried to phone you at the
hotel about coming to dinner tonight
He knows you are expected there before
evening. Here is a letter of Introduction
10 him from a man he knows Our mer
tot that also. 1t is genuine, of course.
Last night "A message of national i'm
5ortance, written in cipher. was stoler
rom one of our men before it had beer
tcad. This is now in the hands Of Hol.
nan. who is hoping to have you de.
cipher it for him and a few guests who
will be present at dinner. They wish t.
pse it for their own purposes. You
commission is to get hold of the mes
sage and bring it to us as soon as pos.
sible. Another message Of very differen
import. written upon the same kind o.
naper, is in this envelope. with a trans
alton for you to use in case you have
10 substitute a message. You will have
10 use our own wits and Judgment
The main thing is, get the paper, ant
get back with it. with as little delay a!
possible. Undoubtedly your life will b,
n danger should it be discovered tina
iou have mad off with it. Spare NJ
care to protect yourself n the mes
sage, at all hazards. Remember, l said
Ind the message. young man! II means
much to the country.
In this envelope is money-all you
will probably need. Telegraph or 'phon,
10 this address if you are in trouble
Draw on us for more, if necessary, alst
through this same address. Here is TIL
code you can use in case you find i
necessary to telegraph. Your ticket i
already bought. l have sent Ciarksol
to the station for it. and he will NEE
instructions in case you find yol
have forgotten anything. TAX
your mail with you, n telegraph bac.
order to vol ~StenOgrapher. hin
that is all. Oh. yes. tonight, while yo,
are at dinner. you will be called t
he phone by n OF our men. If 70,
are in trouble, this MAJ give you op
p~ortunity to get away, and put us wise
You Will find a motor at the door now
waiting to take you to the station. ]
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 commissio
for anything. Don't let anything hin
dsr you! Make 1t a matter OF life an
death! food morning and good luck!
The chief held out a big, hairy han
that was surprisingly warm and sol
considering the hardness Of his fac
and voice. n the young nan graspe
it. feeling as il he were suddenly bein
plunged into waves OF an unknow
depth n he would fain hold to thi
strong hand.
He went out of the office ouietl
enough, and the keen old eyes watche
him knowingly. understanding tn
beating Of the heart under Gordon
well fitting business coat. the m1ngle
elation and dread over the commissio,
But there had beer no hesitancy, n
question Of acceptance, when the ma
ture Of the commission was mad
known. The young man was game.
He would do. Not wen an eyelash ha
flickered at the hint of danger. TIL
chief felt he would De faithful even i