The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-10-12
CHAPTER I.

aCbA pul ~ uliuutCS anu WhB uCSp Az
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 blue eyes and
shaggy eyebrows. He never wasted
words; yet these words when spoken
had more weight than OF most other
men in Washington.
There was the briefest Of good-morn-
ing CLEANS in his nod and glance, but
he only said:
Gordon, can you AXE the Pennsy1-
vania train for New York that leaves
the station In 80 minutes?"
The young man was used to abrupt
questions from his chief. but he caught
his breath. mentally surveying his day
as 1t had been planned:
why, sir. ! suppose I could-if 1t is
necessary" He hesitated.
1T Ia necessary" said the chief curt
ly, as II that settled the matter.
"But-half an hourl" calculated Cor
don in dismay. II could hardly get to
my rooms and back to the station. I
don't see now Isn't there q train a
little later?"
Later train won't do. Call 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
clothes. Can you depend on your man
to to get your things quickly without
There was that in the tone Of the
chief that caused Gordon to make no
further demur.
"Surel" 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~uriously,
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
l~eisure-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 graces. He rang the
telephone bell ~furtously and called UP
the number of his own apartments, CIV
ing his man orders in a breezy. decisive
o that caused a look of satisfaction
to settle about the fine wrinkles Of the
chiefs eyes.
Gordon's watch was out and he was
telling his nan on just what car he
must leave the apartments for the sta
ton. The chief noted 1t was two cars
ahead Of what would have been neces-
perceptible nod Of commentator, and
bis eyes showed that he was content
with his selection OF q man.
Now, sir" said Gordon, as he hung
up the receiver, I'm ready for orders"
well, you are to go to New York,
and take a cab for the Cosmopolis hotel
your room there Is already secured by
wire. Your name Is John Burnham. The
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 al expert
In code reading. Our men met him on
the train an hour age and arranged that
he should invite you. He didn't know
whom they represented, Of course. He
has already tried to phone o at the
kotel about coming to dinner tonight.
He knows you are expected there before
evening. Here Is a letter OF introduction
20 him from a man he knows. Our men
tot that also. It Is genuine, of course.
Last night a message of national i'm
~Dortance, written in cipher, was stolen
rom one OF our men before 1t had been
lead. This Is now in the hands Of Hol-
tlan, who Is hoping to have you de-
cipher it for him and a few guests who
will be present at dinner. They wish to
kse 1t for their own purposes. Your
commission Is to get hold of the mes
sage n bring 1t to US as soon as pos
Nble. Another message Of very different
import. written upon the same kind of
paper, Is in this envelope. with q trans
alton for you to use in case you have
20 substitute a message. You will have
70 use your W wits and judgment.
The main thing Is, get the paper, and
Set back with 1t, with as little delay as
possible. Undoubtedly your life will be
n danger should it be discovered that
Eou have made off with 1t. Spare no
sare to protect yourself and the mes
Va pa at all hazards PaponrphoN Z aotI
Ind the message, young man! 1t means
tnuch to the country.
In this envelope Is money-all you
will probably need. Telegraph or phone
10 this address If you are in trouble.
Draw on us for more, II necessary, also
through this same address. Here Is the
lode you can use in case you find II
necessary to telegraph. Your ticket is
already bought. I have sent Clarkson
to the station for It. and he will meet
you at the train. You can give him
instructions In case you find you
have forgotten anything. Take
your mail with you, and telegraph back
order to your s~tenographer. / think
that is all. oh, yes. tonight, while you
he phone by one Of our men. II you
are In trouble, this may give you op-
portunity to get away, and put US wise.
You will find a motor at the door now,
waiting to take you to the station. II
your man doesn't get there with your
things, take the train, anyway. and buy
some more when you get to New York.
Don't turn aside from your commission
for anything. Don't let anything him
der you! Make Il a matter Of life and
deathl Good morning and good lucki"
The chief held out a big, hairy hand
that was surprisingly warm and soft
considering the hardness Of his face
and voice. and the young man grasped
II, feeling as II he were suddenly being
plunged into ave Of an unknown
depth and he would fain hold to this
strong hand.
He went out Of the office quietly
enough, and the keen old eyes watched
him knowingly. understanding the
beatil = Of the. heart under Gordon's
well fitting business coat, the mingled
elation and dread over the commission.
But there had been no h~esitancy, no
question Of acceptance. when the ma
ture OF the commission was made
known. The young man was game"
He would do. Not even an eyelash had
flickered at the hint OF danger. The
chief felt he would be faithful even in
the facs Of possible death.
Gordcn's man came rushing into the