The Secretary paused, as if to give the young man a chance, but the latter said nothing. He merely waited courteously until the Secretary resumed.
“Have you any special preference as to your route to Japan?” he asked.
Topham shook his head. “Very little,” he answered. “I have scarcely had time. I supposed vaguely that I should go by San Francisco, because that was the most direct route, but it makes no difference to me.”
“I should like you to go by Europe and the Suez Canal. Have you any personal reason for desiring to go by Berlin?”
“Berlin? I don’t know! Er—Isn’t Mr. Rutile secretary of embassy there?”
The secretary’s eyebrows went up a trifle. “Yes!” he answered. To Topham his voice sounded a little sharp.
“He was at Annapolis with me, but resigned shortly after being graduated. We were always chums and I should be very glad to see him again.”
“Very well! That will serve as an excellent excuse for your choice of route. Kindly indicate to Admiral Brownson of the Bureau of Navigation your desire to proceed by way of Berlin, and he will issue the necessary orders. You will find that these will direct you to proceed with due diligence via Berlin to Brindisi, where you will join the U. S. S. Nevada as watch officer, relieving Lieutenant Shoreham, who is to be invalided home. You will proceed on the Nevada to Manila, where you will be detached, and will proceed at once to Tokio.”
The Secretary paused and picked a long official document before him. “You might mention your plans to any officer or others whom you chance to meet. I wish your choice of route to appear as natural as possible. You understand?”
Topham bowed. “I understand, sir,” he replied.