The N and the O yield B; the T and the M yield F; the H and the O yield
V, and so on, until the completed message is:
BBFVVZBJAHKL
The translator of the cipher message simply reverses this proceeding. He
knows the key-word, and he writes it above the cipher message:
INTHEINNINTH
BBFVVZBJAHKL
He traces the I column until B is reached; the _first_ letter in that
line, T, is the first letter of the message--and so on.
Simple! Yes, childishly simple with the key-word; and the key-word can
be carried in one's mind. Without the key-word, translation is
impossible.
Harleston put down the paper and leaned back.
Altogether it was a most interesting collection, these four articles on
the table. It was a pity that the cab and the sleeping horse were not
among the exhibits. Number one: a lady's lace handkerchief. Number two:
three American Beauty roses, somewhat the worse for wear and violent
usage. Number three: a cipher message. Number four: photograph of
Madame--or Mademoiselle--de Cuthbert, de Spencer, de Lotzen. There was a
pretty plot behind these exhibits; a pretty plot, or he missed his
guess. It might concern the United States--and it might not. It would be
his duty to find out. Meanwhile, the picture stirred memories that he
had thought long dead.
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