THE stranger bowed slightly in acceptance of the physician’s explanation. Doctor Lukens handed him the letter that lay at the side of the desk.
“I thought that I had heard from all who received a copy of the code,” said Doctor Lukens. “This is the last letter that I received. It is substantially the same as the others.
“None of the experts have had success. Yet I have been assured that the best minds have been at work upon the code.”
The stranger read the letter. He nodded his head slightly as he perused its contents. He placed the letter upon the desk and stared thoughtfully at Doctor Lukens.
“What is your opinion?” questioned the physician.
“The experts have stated the facts,” the strange man spoke.
“Why, then, have you come to see me?”
“Because I should like to see the original code. I have examined a photostatic copy only. I have formed my opinions. I do not believe that I shall change them. Nevertheless, I should like to see the original.”
Doctor Lukens handed over the required document. The stranger studied it for several minutes while the physician watched him in bewilderment. At last the man with the dark-tinted glasses replaced the code on the desk.
“The photostatic copy is identical,” he said. “That is all I needed to know.”