‘I don’t think such a thing has happened before, Bates,’ Mr Carver answered with humility. ‘You see, this is an exceptional case, and I take great interest in the parties.’
‘Well, there is something in that,’ said Mr Bates severely, ‘so I suppose we must admit it on this occasion.—But don’t you think, sir, there is some way of getting to the bottom of this affair, without wasting valuable time on such stuff as that?’ and he pointed contemptuously at the book before him.
‘Perhaps so, Bates—perhaps so. I think the best thing we can do is to consult an expert. Not a man who is versed in writings, but one of those clever gentlemen who make a study of ciphers. For all we know, there may be a common form of cipher in this paper.’
‘That is my opinion, sir. Depend upon it, marbles have nothing to do with this mystery.’
‘Mr Seaton wishes to see you, sir,’ said a clerk at this moment.
‘Indeed! Ask him to come in.—Good-morning, my dear sir,’ as Seaton entered. ‘We have just been discussing your little affair, Bates and I; but we can make nothing of it—positively nothing.’
‘No; I suppose not,’ Edgar replied lightly. ‘I, for my part, cannot understand your making so much of a common scrap of paper. Depend upon it, the precious document is only an ordinary valedictory letter after all. Take my advice—throw it in the fire, and think no more about it.’
‘Certainly not, sir,’ Mr Carver replied indignantly. ‘I don’t for one moment believe it to be anything but an important cipher.—What are you smiling at?’
Edgar had caught sight of the yellow volume on the table, and could not repress a smile. ‘Have you read those tales?’ he said.
‘Yes, I have; and they are particularly interesting.’