A dark flush of anger appeared on Rich’s face, but he controlled himself and took another tack.
“See here,” he said; “I understand about these confidential messages. You are making an unnecessary fuss over nothing. The Secretary wants me to keep things going through the regular channels as far as possible, and cut out some of the irregularities that are apt to appear if we get too slack about the regulations, that’s all. However, to set your mind at rest I’ll get him on the telephone and let him reassure you himself. Come into my room while I call him.”
Tompkins followed Rich into his private office where Rich sat down at his desk and took up the telephone receiver.
“Give me Secretary Mortimer,” he said. Then in a few seconds, “Mr. Secretary? Good-morning. Do you recall speaking to me about stiffening up the regulations and seeing that all communications went through the proper channels?... Well, Mr. Tompkins, one of our expert radio aides, has a message for you that he wants to deliver in person. He has scruples about entrusting it to me; I thought you might like to reassure him yourself. He’s right here.”
Rich then handed the telephone to Tompkins who was answered by a voice that he recognized clearly as Mortimer’s, saying, “That’s all right, Tompkins; give Commander Rich the message. I think it’s a better way; it will excite less notice if you don’t keep coming to my office.”
There seemed now to be no doubt that he must do as he was told; so he drew from his pocket the sealed envelope containing the message and handed it to Commander Rich, who received it graciously, saying, “You see the Secretary and I are in perfect understanding about all this; you need have no fears.”
His manner was both authoritative and reassuring, yet as Tompkins left the room he felt a qualm of uneasiness at leaving the message behind him. He contemplated talking the affair over with Rand, but their duties kept them in the midst of other people during the day, and no good opportunity to do so appeared.
Half an hour after Tompkins left his message with Rich, a messenger from the Bureau of Engineering called at Mortimer’s office and asked to see the Secretary, saying he had an urgent message. He was shown in, handed a sealed envelope to Mortimer and withdrew. Mortimer opened the envelope and read with amazement the words:
Recall Fraser to Washington at once. Urgent. E.
He examined the handwriting carefully; surely it was that of Tompkins. But why had not Tompkins delivered it in person? He reached for his telephone and asked for the Bureau of Engineering. Getting the Bureau, he asked for Tompkins, but his call was answered by Commander Rich.