And still nothing happened.
When the hour came for the lock to open, the representatives of the Galactic Museum demanded to be let in, but Captain Whitter was as adamant as cast tungsten. No one would be allowed near the capsule until Leland Hale had been captured.
At the final hour, the guards stood nervously around the big metallic cylinder. Within the ring of armed men, Captain Whitter, Lieutenant-Marshal Dilon, and Dr. Rudolf Mier stood, looking at the capsule and waiting.
Something inside the time capsule clicked softly. A door in its side slid neatly open.
Dr. Mier gasped and ran forward. "It's empty! It's empty!"
Whitter and Dilon were practically on his heels.
A look inside showed that the Director was not quite correct: the capsule wasn't absolutely empty. Inside there was a single sheet of paper; printed on one side was the following message:
Gentlemen:
I'm sure that the late R. Philipp Dachboden appreciates the trouble you have gone to. If it wasn't successful, don't blame yourselves; you tried.
As for the statue and various other objets d'art, I'm afraid they are now