The operator glanced about in astonishment. The room was still unfurnished, save for the telephone box on the wall.
"What do I do?" he asked The Thinking Machine.
"I'll tell you when the time comes," responded the scientist, as he glanced at his watch.
At three minutes of one o'clock he handed a sheet of blank paper to the operator, and gave him final instructions.
There was ludicrous mystification on the operator's face; but he obeyed orders, grinning cheerfully at Hatch as he tilted his cigar up to keep the smoke out of his eyes. The Thinking Machine stood impatiently looking on, watch in hand. Hatch didn't know what was happening, but he was interested.
At last the operator heard something. His face became suddenly alert. He continued to listen for a moment, and then came a smile of recognition.
Less than ten minutes after Miss Winthrop had handed over the typewritten letters of instruction to Grayson for signature, and while he still sat turning them over in his hands, the door opened and The Thinking Machine entered. He tossed a folded sheet of paper on the desk before Grayson, and went straight to Miss Winthrop.
"So you did know Mr. Ralph Matthews after all?" he inquired.
The girl rose from her desk, and a flash of some subtle emotion passed over her face. "What do you mean, sir?" she demanded.