Dave Darrin on Mediterranean Service | Page 6

two young officers entered the admiral's quarters the curtains
were closed behind them by the marine orderly.
Admiral Timworth was seated at his desk. Beside him was Captain
Allen, commanding officer of the battleship "Hudson," flagship of the
Mediterranean Squadron.
Lieutenant Totten and Cushing were also present.
"Good evening, gentlemen," was Admiral Timworth's greeting, after
salutes had been exchanged. "Accidentally, you became spectators this
evening, at a little drama connected with both the diplomatic and the
secret service of your country."
The admiral paused, but both young officers remained respectfully at
attention, making no response, as none was needed.
"You are aware," continued the admiral, "that Mr. Cushing was
knocked down and robbed of an important government paper. Now, it
happens that this paper was the key to a code employed by the State
and Navy Departments in communicating with naval commanders

abroad."
This time Dave actually started. The loss of such a code would be
vitally important. The State and Navy Departments almost invariably
communicate with naval commanders by means of a secret code, which
can be read only by commanders possessing the key. Thus, when
cablegrams are sent from stations in foreign countries, their import can
be understood only by the officers to whom the communications are
addressed.
"That strikes you as a most serious loss, does it not?" asked Admiral
Timworth, smiling.
"Why, yes, sir; so it would seem," Dave answered, bowing.
"The code that was stolen to-night," laughed the admiral, "will be of
but little value to the government into whose hands it may fall. The
code in question was one that was used in the year 1880, and has not
been employed since. Nor is it likely ever to be employed again."
Captain Allen joined in the admiral's laugh.
"We had every reason," continued the admiral, "to believe that an
attempt would be made to steal that code ere Mr. Cushing delivered it
to me. In fact, our government allowed it to be rather widely known
that Mr. Cushing had left Washington to turn over to me a code. So, of
course, Mr. Cushing has been followed. As a matter of fact, the code
that we have been using for the last six months has not been changed. I
was delighted when I learned that Cushing had been assaulted and
robbed. Mr. Cushing himself took the loss seriously, for he did not
know, until he came aboard a few moments ago, that the United States
government had hoped he would be robbed. Lieutenant Totten was sent
ashore, ostensibly to look after the launch, but in reality, to learn, if
possible, whether Cushing's assailant put off in the launch of another
power, and if so, which power. Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, you noted,
did you not, the nationality of the launch in which Mr. Cushing's
assailant escaped?"

"I did not, sir," Dave replied. "It was not a naval launch, and therefore
did not belong to any ships belonging to the Entente Allies' naval
vessels in port here."
"Then, gentlemen," continued Admiral Timworth, his voice in tones of
formal command, "you will not at any time mention this matter to any
one unless so directed by me. I have had just one object in sending for
you and giving you this order. For some time our Government has
known that secret efforts are being made to discredit us with the allied
powers of Europe. I feel rather certain that this fleet, while in the
Mediterranean, will be closely watched by plotters serving one of the
Central European powers, or else acting on their own account in the
hope of being able to succeed and then claim reward from that
government. Keep your eyes open. You may meet other spies and have
reason to suspect them to be such. Do not be fooled by the apparent
nationality of any man's name. A spy uses many names in his course
around the world. Few international spies ever use their own names.
The man in the green hat, who assaulted Mr. Cushing to-night, is one of
the cleverest of his kind, and perhaps the most able with whom we shall
have to contend. The fellow's name is supposed to be Emil Gortchky.
At one time or another he has served as spy for nearly every
government in Europe. He is a daring, dangerous, and wholly
unscrupulous fellow. Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell, I sent for you in order
to tell you these things, and to add that if, during this cruise, you run
across the fellow at any point, you are to report the fact to me promptly.
Of course you will understand that the seal of official secrecy attaches
to all that I have said. That is all, gentlemen. Good evening."
Saluting, Ensigns Darrin and Dalzell promptly withdrew. They were
still a