“You had no right to read it. The notebook was mine. I’ll have the law on you for reading it.”
“The law will be interested in that notebook, Hanleigh. You’re none too anxious to let the police see it, or Mr. Jefferson either.”
The shot told. Hanleigh’s lips curved in a snarl.
“What if Jefferson does see the notebook? What do I care if you turn it over to him or to the police? It won’t do any of you any good. The only important thing in the whole book is written in cipher, and I defy you to solve it!”
He sat back, triumphantly.
“We have solved it,” Joe told him.
“What?”
Hanleigh started forward, his eyes staring.
“We solved the cipher.”
Consternation was written on Hanleigh’s face. He groaned.