"Say, Don!" the red-haired lieutenant commented. "If that's in code, it's a loo-loo! Sounds just like an ordinary business letter, or something!"
"You're right, so it does!" chuckled Michael Splendor. "But there's the catch. Ye note that the message is typed in five word lines. Very well, take this pencil and cross out all but the first word in the first line, the second word in the second line, and so on through the fifth. At the sixth line begin again with the first word. When ye've finished, read me what ye have left."
With a low whistle of comprehension, Don Winslow took the pencil and, stepping over to the cabin's desk, swiftly made the indicated changes. A few seconds later, he read off slowly the words which remained:
"'Proceed--October--first--San Francisco--Empire--contact--Operator--Cho-San--for--China Seas--orders.'"
"Well, I'll be keelhauled!" blurted Red Pennington. "That's a Scorpion message, all right. It sounds plain enough, too, except for the word 'Empire' and 'Cho-San.' Do they make any sense to you, Mr. Splendor?"
The man in the wheel chair did not reply. While Don had been decoding the message, the cripple had moved his rubber tired vehicle over to the porthole. He was now gazing out at the sunlit shore line, with an expression of grim thoughtfulness.
Following the man's look, Don gave a start of amazement.
"Why, the shore seems to be moving!" he exclaimed. "I didn't realize the ship was under way, did you, Red? We were both so interested in this code message. Where are we bound, Mr. Splendor?"
With a quick movement, the big man whirled his chair about, and faced the two young officers. His broad, lined face had the look of a person just waking from a heavy sleep.
"Excuse me, gentlemen!" he said apologetically. "I'm afraid me mind was far away when ye spoke. The name 'Cho-San' recalled things I'd like to forget, if this broken body of mine would let me. But this is no time to talk of me own troubles! Ye asked where we were bound, did ye not?"
At Don's silent nod, Michael Splendor's mood underwent another swift change. His strikingly blue eyes lighted with their irresistible smile.
"We're steerin' for Port-au-Prince," he stated. "'Tis meself persuaded Captain Riggs to put us ashore there for a few days, while we're waitin' fresh orders from Washington. I've a big, cool, country residence of me own near the city, where ye and Miss Colby will be more than welcome to stay and recover ye're full health. Don't refuse, now, and disappoint an old shut-in who has little to live for except his friends!"