At that moment Billy Raynor came hurrying up. But there was not much warmth in Jack's welcome to him. His mind was busy with other things.
"What's the matter?" said Billy in a low voice, for he too had noticed Captain Simms' dejection.
"Never mind now," whispered Jack, "I'll tell you later. If I may suggest it, sir," he said, addressing the captain, who appeared completely broken by the loss of the code, "hadn't we better get into a cab and drive to the Willard? You are not going to the department to-night?"
"No, I couldn't face them to-night," said the captain. "We'll do as you say."
"There may be a way of catching the rascals," said Jack as the taxicab bumped off.
The captain shook his head.
"The code is in the hands of the ambassador of the foreign power that wanted it as the price of a contract by this time," he said. "It is gone beyond recovery. I am disgraced."
On their arrival at the hotel, the captain retired at once to his room. The boys had dinner without much appetite for the meal and then set out for a stroll to talk things over.
"This is a terrible off-set to my good news," said Jack.
"Don't you think there's a chance of getting the code back?" asked Billy.