The boy took the paper and the elevator shot up to the fourth floor. After awhile he returned.
"He'll see you," he said.
"Is he unpacking?"
"After he read your note twice he told his valet to unpack," the boy replied.
"Ah, I thought so," said The Thinking Machine.
With Hatch, mystified and puzzled, following, The Thinking Machine entered the elevator to step out a second or so later on the fourth floor. As they left the car they saw the door of Cabell's apartment standing open; Cabell was in the door. Hatch traced a glimmer of anxiety in the eyes of the young man.
"Professor Van Dusen?" Cabell inquired.
"Yes," said the scientist. "It was of the utmost importance that I should see you, otherwise I should not have come at this time of night."
With a wave of his hand Cabell passed that detail. "I was anxious to get away at midnight," he explained, "but, of course, now I shan't go, in view of your note. I have ordered my valet to unpack my things, at least until to-morrow."
The reporter and the scientist passed into the luxuriously furnished apartments. Jean, the valet, was bending over a suit case as they entered, removing some things he had been carefully placing there. He didn't look back or pay the least attention to the visitors.