“We’ll begin at the beginning,� said the chief, glancing up at the ceiling and then into Fay’s eyes. “Take a seat, Chester, right here! I want to explain to you about the cipher and the dye business.�
Fay turned and gripped the ornate arms of a teakwood chair which had certainly come from India in one of the old hulks. He turned this chair so that the light from the overhead cluster would shine in the faces of the two detectives and leave his in shadow. It was an old trick!
He sat down, pulled up the knees of his tweed trousers and leaned slightly forward in an attitude of attention. Sir Richard had already drawn a small key from his pocket. This key was evidently the one to the three locks of the boxes.
“What do you know about German dyes?� snapped the chief as he held out the key. “Know anything at all, Fay?�
“I’ve heard of fast-black.�
“Is that all?�
“About all, Chief. I suppose the Germans have gone deeper into the subject than most men. I thought the States had made some new discoveries. You see I didn’t get much chance to read in the last place I was in. The subject of reading for occasional offenders should be called to the attention of the Home Secretary.�
“I’ll mention it,� said Sir Richard dryly. “I might add that the Home Secretary and I have spent three months on this damn cipher.�
Fay leveled his shaded eyes toward the boxes. He glanced at Sir Richard. There was a frown on the chief’s face and an angry pucker about his strong mouth.
“Three months, on a cipher! Let me see it, Chief.�