In the meantime, if you'll keep me
advised of what happens, we may be able to piece your and my information
together and make a word."
"I'll do it!" Harleston replied and started toward the door. Half-way
across the room he suddenly whirled around. "Lord, Carpenter. what an
imbecile I am!" he exclaimed. "I fancy I've had the key-word all the
while and never realized it."
"There are too many petticoats in this case," Carpenter shrugged.
"Never mind the petticoats!" Harleston laughed. "Get out the letter and
try this phrase on it: _a l'aube du jour_."
Without a word of comment, Carpenter set down the cipher message, letter
by letter, and wrote over it _a l'aube du jour_. Then he took up a
printed Blocked-Out Square and with incredible swiftness began to write
the translation.
"Where did you get this 'at the break of day,' Harleston?" he asked as
he wrote.
"Found it in Crenshaw's pocket-book when he returned to hold me up,"
Harleston replied.
"Only this isolated phrase?"
"Yes--and signed with the single initial 'M.'"
"Hump!" Carpenter commented. "Mrs. Spencer's name, I believe you said,
is Madeline. I tell you there are too many women in this affair."
Suddenly he threw down the pen. "What's the use in going on with it.
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