“This is what I’ve written: ‘Document lost. Let nobody see him if possible. Wire who asks.’ I don’t like to make it plainer: most ciphers can be read, you know.”
“Not ours,” said I.
“Well, but will that do?” asked Rudolf, with an unconvinced smile.
“Yes, I think he’ll understand it.” And I wrote it again in the cipher; it was as much as I could do to hold the pen.
The bell was rung again, and James appeared in an instant.
“Send this,” said Rudolf.
“The offices will be shut, sir.”
“James, James!”
“Very good, sir; but it may take an hour to get one open.”
“I’ll give you half an hour. Have you money?”