Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-03-05

An advertisement in the newspapers, ad-
dressed to persons skilled in the interpreta-
ton of Ciphers, now represented Mrs West
eriield's only chance of discovering where
the diamonds were hidden. The first answer
that she received made some amends for
previous disappointment 1t offered refer
ences to gentlemen whose names were in
themselves a sufficient guarantee. She veri-
fled the references, nevertheless, and paid a
visit to her correspondent on the same day.
His personal appearance was not IN his IA
vor-he was old and dirty, intirm and poor.
His mean room was Uttered with shabby
books. None of the ordinary courteses of
life seemed to he known to him; ho neither
wished Mrs. Wcsterlicld good-morning nor
asked her TO take a seat When she attempt
ed 10 enter into explanations relating to heI
errand lie rudcly interrupted her. SHOW
me your cipher" he said; Il don't promise
to study it unless | find it worth my while. t"
Mrs WeSteriield was alarmed. DO you
mean that you want large sum of mOneyw
she asked.
II mean that | don't waste my time on
easy ciphCrs invented by fools"
She laid the slip of paper on his desk
'Waste your time on that" she said, sar-
lie examined it-first with his bleared red
trimmed eyes; then with magnifying glass
The only expression of opinion that escaped
him was indicated by his actions. He shut
III his book and gloated over the signs and
characters before him. On sudden he look
ed at Mrs. Wcstcrfeld. How did you come
by thiSr" he asked.
That's no business of yours"
"ln other words, you have reasons OF your
own for not answering my question:
"Ycs."
Drawing his own differences from that re-
ply he showed his three laSt-left yellow teeth
in horrid grin. Al understands he said,
speaking to himself. lie looked at the CT
pher once more, and put another question:
"liave you got copy of thiS?"
1t had not occurred to her to take q copy.
He rose and pointed to his empty chair. His
opinion of the cipher was, to all appearance,
forced TO express itself by the discovery Tat
there was no copy.
"Do you know what might happen?' he
asked. The only cipher that has puzzled
me for the last ten years might be loSt-Or
stolen-Or burnt if there was fire in the
house. You deserve to be punished for your
careleSSnGSs. Make the copy yourself"
This desirable suggestion (uncivilly as it
was exprcSScdl had its effect upon Mrs.
WeSterfeld. Her marriage depended on that
precious slip of paper. She was confirmed
in her opinion that this very diSagreeable
man might nevertheless be a man TO be trust
ed
shall you be long in finding out what it
meanSIf she asked, when her task was COM
pleted.
He carefully compared the copy with the
original, and then he replied:
Days may pass before can find clew.
l won't attempt it unless you give me q
week"
She pleaded for shorter interval He
coolly handed back her papers-the original
and the copy.
Try somebody else" he suggested-and
opened his book again. Mrs. Westerfield
yielded with the worst possible grace. In
granting him the week of delay she ap-
preached the subject of his fee for the second
time. How much will il cost meY' she in
CURED
I'm tell you when Eve done"
THAT won't dol must know the amount
first"
He handed her back her papers for the sec
ond time. Mrs. WeSterheld'S experience of
poverty had never been the experience of
SuCn independence rs llllS. IN nCT UCWllueT-
ment she yielded again. He took back the
original cipher and locked it up in his desk.
Call here this day week, he said-and re-
turned 10 his book.
You are not very polite, " she told him, on
leaving the room.
AT any rate" he answered, II don't In
terrupt people when they are reading"
The week passed.
Repeating her visit Mrs. WeSterteld found
him still seated al his desk, still surrounded
by his books, still careless of the polite atten-
tons that he owed 10 a lady.
We'll" she asked, have you earned your
money!
Il have found the clew."
What is it?' she burst out Tell me the
substance. l can't wait tn read.''
He went on impenetrably with what he
had to say. But there are some minor com
binations which have still to discover to my
own satisfaction. want few days more y
She positively refused to comply with thi.
request ''Write down the substance of il, y
she repeated, land tell me what owe you. >
He handed her back her cipher for The
third time.
The woman who could have kept her tenn
| per under such proyocation as this, may b
| found when the mathematician is found whs
| can square the circle or the inventor who car
| discover perpetual motion. With furiou:
look Mrs. WeSterfeld expressed her opinion