I took the envelope from his hand and slowly arose.
"I don't suppose you will want my help to read it," he said, with an odd laugh, as I turned toward the lighted office to peruse my message.
I gave him a quick glance, and then said:
"Come in, Harris, there may be an answer wanted."
He followed me to the office desk, and I was conscious that he was watching my face as I perused its contents.
This is what I read by the office lamp.
4—. H, c, n, c, e, o, g, k, i, m, b—s, i, a—.
A cipher message. I turned, half smiling, to meet the eye of Harris and kept my own eyes upon his face while I said:
"I'm obliged to you, Harris, your writing is capital, and very easily read. No answer is required."
The shrewd twinkle of his eye assured me that he comprehended my meaning as well as my words.