"I sent it in our secret cipher," Mr. Skinner faltered. "It was
delicate business--quite--er--an international complication, as it
were, and in the event of unpleasant developments--Well, how did I
know but that some German might be on the key at the cable office when
the message arrived there for Murphy--"

"Quite right, Skinner, my boy, quite right," Cappy interrupted sadly.
"The only trouble with you, Skinner, is that you're too danged
efficient. You look so far into the future you're always gumming up
the present." He sighed.

"Why, what do you think--" Skinner began, but Cappy silenced him with
an autocratic finger.

"I do not think, Skinner, I know. Had it not been for your damnable
cipher message, Murphy would have got your warning ashore instead of
being forced to go back to the ship for it. Having got it ashore he
would have taken care to 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 aboard, and hot-headed Mike
probably undertook to throw them overboard single-handed--and failed.
His body is doubtless feeding the fishes in Pernambuco harbor this
minute, and our lovely--big--_Narcissus_--the pride of--the Blue Star
fleet--"

"Shall I tell Captain Peasley?" Mr. Skinner faltered.

"Yes, tell him. He's bound to find out sooner or later. Skinner, I