I wanted to test the mechanism; to follow
out then and there the instructions given with such shortsighted
minuteness and mark the result. But a sense of decorum prevented.
It was clearly my duty to carry so important a discovery as this
to the major and subject myself to his commands before making the
experiment suggested by the scroll I had so carefully deciphered.
Besides, it would be difficult to carry out this experiment alone,
and with no other light ht than that afforded by my lantern.
Another man and more lights were needed.
Influenced by these considerations, I restored the picture to its
place, and left the building. As I did so, the first signs of
dawn became visible in the east. I had expended three hours in
picking out the meaning concealed in the wavy lines of the old
picture.
I was early at headquarters that morning, but not so early as to
find the superintendent alone. A group of men were already
congregated about him in his small office, and when, on being
admitted, I saw amongst them the district attorney, Durbin and
another famous detective, I instinctively knew what matter was
under discussion.
I was allowed to remain, possibly because I brought news in my
face, possibly because the major felt more kindly toward me than
I thought.
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