Cappy Ricks Retires

San Francisco the cable company was getting Mr. Skinner out of bed to dictat

sent him in care of the American consul, and in accordance with my instructions he is acknowledging its receipt. Hum-m-m! The first word is 'oriana.' Let me turn to 'oriana.' Hum-m! 'I have an order presumably emanating from blank.' Ah, yes, the next word is 'B

red that it meant "I am ordered to-" The n

ng from us, ordering him to Montevideo! Can it be possible that Mr. Ricks or Ma

von Staden and Ulrich-presumably German-were to be trusted; that he would remain in command at the company's request, although he considered such

s mischief afoot. However, there is nothing to be gained by cabling him again in care of the American consul, so I'll just assume that he has registered his cable address with the cable company; hence, if I cable him t

ere unknown to him, and to be very careful not to lose the ship. This message Mr. Skinner dictated over the telephone to the telegraph office and asked them to rush it. Evidently they did so, for just as Cappy Ricks arrived in

desk and lighted a cigar, "what's the news around

rusal. Cappy read it all twice, then slid out to the edge of his chair, placed

k him if Murphy received the cablegram we sent in care of the consulate. And, in the meantime, don't whisper a wo

aptain Murphy had appeared at the consulate greatly excited the night previous; that he had declared the cablegram awaiting him might mean life or death-certainly a

ent Murphy in care of the American consul," Cappy

trip back to his ship before he could decipher it? Why didn't you send him the message in regular code? He would then hav

tional complication, as it were, and in the event of unpleasant developments-Well, how did I know but

only trouble with you, Skinner, is that you're too danged efficient. You lo

ner began, but Cappy silenced

warn the Brazilian authorities and they would have been on watch and prevented the ship from leaving. As I view the situation, Mike went aboard, deciphered your message and got ripping mad. Von Staden and Ulrich were probably aboa

tain Peasley?" Mr

ter. I, Alden P. Ricks, whose great-grandfather died at Yorktown, whose grandfather was killed at Lundy's Lane, whose father won a medal of honor at Chapultepec-I, Alden P. Ricks, who had to belong to the Home Guard because I was such a little runt

ent twenty-five years under Cappy Ricks, and he lov