After a hearty meal, the three resumed their previous evening's occupation, attempting to decipher the strangely coded message.
"Here's a theory to try out," said Bruce. "A message is usually composed of nearly an equal number of words of one to three letters and of those having more than three. These are likely to be used alternately. If then, you find two or three words of four or more letters, it's likely to be a name. The man, whoever he is, has signed only a code name, but there may be more names in the body of the message. Look it over."
"Yes, here are two words together of five letters each," exclaimed
Barney.
"Think of names you know that are spelled with five letters," said Bruce excitedly.
Instantly there came into Barney's mind the name of his former pal.
"There's Dave Tower," he said. "He'd sign it David, of course."
"Just fits," exclaimed Bruce, more excited than ever. "And by all that's Canadian, the first and last letters of the first name are the same, just as they are here. I believe we're on the right track."
"But what would his pal have to do with it?" asked the astonished Major.
"He went North about the time we started." Barney danced over the floor in his excitement.
While the boys were too excited to do further deciphering, the Major's cooler brain was busy. Soon he rose and began pacing rapidly back and forth across the room. His face wore anything but a pleased expression, and his limp was greatly increased by his irritation.