Part 30 (2/2)
”Yes, but we had made two stops in the night. Undoubtedly, they got off at one of them. Unless that code is found I'm a ruined and a disgraced man.”
At that moment Billy Raynor came hurrying up. But there was not much warmth in Jack's welcome to him. His mind was busy with other things.
”What's the matter?” said Billy in a low voice, for he too had noticed Captain Simms' dejection.
”Never mind now,” whispered Jack, ”I'll tell you later. If I may suggest it, sir,” he said, addressing the captain, who appeared completely broken by the loss of the code, ”hadn't we better get into a cab and drive to the Willard? You are not going to the department to-night?”
”No, I couldn't face them to-night,” said the captain. ”We'll do as you say.”
”There may be a way of catching the rascals,” said Jack as the taxicab b.u.mped off.
The captain shook his head.
”The code is in the hands of the amba.s.sador of the foreign power that wanted it as the price of a contract by this time,” he said. ”It is gone beyond recovery. I am disgraced.”
On their arrival at the hotel, the captain retired at once to his room.
The boys had dinner without much appet.i.te for the meal and then set out for a stroll to talk things over.
”This is a terrible off-set to my good news,” said Jack.
”Don't you think there's a chance of getting the code back?” asked Billy.
Jack shook his head.
”I think it is as Captain Simms said, the code is in the hands of that amba.s.sador by this time.”
”Jack Ready, by all that's good, and Billy too, shake!”
The cry came from up the street and a tall, good-looking lad of their own age came hurrying toward them. It was Ned Rivers, a youth who was interested in wireless and in that way had become acquainted with Jack and Billy on board the _Tropic Queen_ while he was accompanying his father on a cruise on that ill-fated s.h.i.+p.
”Ned!” cried Jack.
”You're a sight for sore eyes,” exclaimed Billy, and a general handshaking followed.
”What are you doing here, Ned?” asked Jack, after a few more words had been exchanged.
”Yes, I thought you lived in Nebraska,” said Billy.
”So we did, but we've moved here. Father's in the Senate now. I thought you knew.”
”Congratulations,” said Jack. ”I guess we'll have to call you Mr.
Senator, Jr., now and tip our hats to you.”
”Avast with that nonsense, as they don't say at sea,” laughed Ned.
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