The advertisement was an answer to Paget’s request. Its identifying clews were that each sentence contained exactly seven words; and that there were five sentences.
Paget observed these facts; he also noted the address given in the advertisement. But he chose to ignore the stipulation that applicants should appear the next day. He left the club immediately, and in a short while arrived at the Tacoma Building.
He was the only person who left the elevator at the fifth floor. He found suite 590, and after a leisurely glance down the hallway, he entered the reception room. A stenographer was seated there. The girl looked inquiringly at the visitor.
“I came in answer to your advertisement,” said Paget.
“To-morrow,” replied the girl, turning back to her typewriter.
“I would like to have an interview this afternoon,” insisted Paget.
The girl stopped her work and pointed to a door at the right.
“Go in the waiting room, then,” she said. “I won’t take your name until I have notified Mister Bishop that an applicant is here. He’s busy now. You’ll have to wait a while.”
Paget entered the room. The door closed automatically behind him. He heard a click as though a latch had locked.
The room was small. It had no windows. There was simply a closed door opposite the entrance through which Paget had come.