Читать книгу The Mystery of the Sea / Тайна моря онлайн
“What about those papers? Have you found anything yet?” It was only then I bethought me of the letter in my pocket. Without a word I took it out and handed it to her. There was a slight blush as well as a smile on her face as she took it. When she saw the date she said impulsively:
“Why did I not get it before?”
“Because I had not got your address, and did not know how to reach you.”
“I see!” she answered abstractedly as she began to read. When she had gone right through it she handed it to me and said:
“Now you read it out loud to me whilst I paint; and let me ask questions so that I may understand.” So I read; and now and again she asked me searching questions. Twice or three times I had to read over the memorandum; but each time she began to understand better and better, and at last said eagerly:
“Have you ever worked out such reductions?”
“Not yet, but I could do so. I have been so busy trying to decipher the secret writing that I have not had time to try any such writing myself.”
“Have you succeeded in any way?”
“No!” I answered. “I am sorry to say that as yet I have nothing definite; though I am bound to say I am satisfied that there is a cipher.”
“Have you tried both the numbers and the dots?”
“Both,” I answered; “but as yet I want a jumping-off place.”
“Do you really think from what you have studied that the cipher is a biliteral one, or on the basis of a biliteral cipher?”
“I do! I can't say exactly how I came to think so; but I certainly do.”
“Are there combinations of five?”
“Not that I can see.”
“Are there combinations of less than five?”
“There may be. There are certainly.”
“Then why on earth don't you begin by reducing the biliteral cipher to the lowest dimensions you can manage? You may light on something that way.”
A light began to dawn upon me, and I determined that my task-so soon as my friends had left Cruden-would be to reduce Bacon's biliteral. It was with genuine admiration for her suggestion that I answered Miss Anita:
“Your woman's intuition is quicker than my man's ratiocination. 'I shall in all my best obey you, Madam!'” She painted away steadily for some time. I was looking at her, covertly but steadily when an odd flash of memory came to me; without thinking I spoke: