"And he stole the code message you were carrying?"
"I don't know!" replied Bert. "I had it when he came into the cabin and began talking with me and I haven't thought of it since. Was it stolen?"
"You bet it was!" replied Frank. "But we've been to Cordova and got a duplicate of it!"
Cameron and Fenton scowled fiercely as they listened to the conversation.
"Have you got the code message with you now?" asked Will.
"Sure I have!" answered Frank.
"Suppose you read it, then."
Frank took an envelope from his pocket, tore off one end, and brought out an ordinary sheet of letter paper bearing the heading of the wireless company. The boys gathered about him eagerly.
"It isn't very much!" Frank said with a laugh. "Say, you two fellows," he added, waving the paper in the direction of Cameron and Fenton, "would, you like to hear this code despatch read?"
"You bet they would," cut in Sandy. "That's all they've been thinking about for the last two days!"