“Only of tradition—the Old Testament tradition that the treasures are still hidden in the temple mount. Yet, in opposition to this, we have another tradition to the effect that the vessels of Solomon’s temple were used in Persia four hundred years after the captivity. Mention is made of this in a Persian manuscript preserved in your British Museum in London. I forget the number, but it can easily be looked up in the catalogue of Oriental manuscripts.”
“You believe that statement authentic?”
“As authentic as any statement in the ancient records,” was his reply. “But I would suggest that you consult Haupt. He knows more of Hebrew cryptograms and ciphers than any one else on the Continent of Europe. What does Professor Griffin think?”
“He’s inclined to treat the whole theory with levity.”
Professor Anderson smiled.
“Of course,” he said. “Supposed ciphers in certain books of the Old Testament are many. And as you know quite well, a cipher may be invented to fit any message or record desired. Your Baconian theory in regard to Shakespeare was sufficient proof of that.”
“Then in your opinion no real cipher exists in the Book of Ezekiel?” asked the Englishman.
“The Bible was inspired,” was his reply. “If so, there is no cipher in it except what cryptographers invent.”
Frank Farquhar was silent. His inquiries in the Danish capital had nearly carried him into a cul-de-sac.
The dead man was, according to his own story, a Dane. But what more natural than that he had received the extraordinary manuscript from Germany, or from Sweden?