Then, in very weariness he and Larry sat staring at the paper which they felt sure contained a hidden message for them.
“Let’s give it up,” suggested Larry. “If they want to send us any word let them do it in the right way.”
“No, I’m not going to give up so easily,” said Mr. Newton. “I’ll have another try at it. Hand the cipher over.”
Larry, who had been scanning the mysterious paper, passed it across the table to Mr. Newton. To do so he had to move it in front of a drop gas lamp. As the paper came between Mr. Newton’s eyes and the light the reporter gave a sudden cry. He fairly grabbed the paper from Larry, and looked at it closely. He seemed somewhat disappointed. Then he held it up to the light again.
“Did you put those marks on this?” he asked of Larry.
“No, what marks?”
“These tiny dots on the back.”
“I haven’t touched the cipher,” said Larry, wondering what Mr. Newton meant.
“Then I think I have it solved!” exclaimed the reporter. “I wonder I didn’t think of this before. Come here!”
Larry came around to that side of the table. He looked through the half-transparent cipher, and saw below certain of the words a small, black dot. The dots were made on the back of the document, and only showed through when it was held to the light.