4 = _r_
_g_ + 2 = _i_
_e_ + 3 = _h_
_n_ + 4 = _r_
_i_ + 2 = _k_
_o_ + 3 = _r_
_u_ + 4 = _y_
_s_ + 2 = _u_ and so on.

"If, on account of the value of the ciphers which compose the number
I come to the end of the alphabet without having enough complementary
letters to deduct, I begin again at the beginning. That is what happens
at the end of my name when the _z_ is replaced by the 3. As after _z_
the alphabet has no more letters, I commence to count from _a,_ and
so get the _c_. That done, when I get to the end of this cryptographic
system, made up of the 234--which was arbitrarily selected, do not
forget!--the phrase which you recognize above is replaced by

_lxhihncuvktygclveplrihrkryupmpg._

"And now, young man, just look at it, and do you not think it is very
much like what is in the document? Well, what is the consequence? Why,
that the signification of the letters depends on a cipher which chance
puts beneath them, and the cryptographic letter which answers to a
true one is not always the same. So in this phrase the first _j_ is
represented by an _l,_ the second by an _n;_ the first _e_ by an _h,_
the second b a _g,_ the third by an _h;_ the first _d_ is represented by
an _h,_ the last by a _g;_ the first _u_ by an _x,_ the last by a _y;_
the first and second _a's_ by a _c,_ the last by an _e;_ and in my own
name one _r_ is represented by a _u,_ the other by a _v._ and so on. Now
do you see that if you do not know the cipher 234 you will never be able
to read the lines, and consequently if we do not know the number of the
document it remains undecipherable."

On hearing the magistrate reason with such careful logic, Manoel was at
first overwhelmed, but, raising his head, he exclaimed:

"No, sir, I will not renounce the hope of finding the number!"

"We might have done so," answered Judge Jarriquez, "if the lines of the
document had been divided into words."

"And why?"

"For this reason, young man. I think we can assume that in the last
paragraph all that is written in these earlier paragraphs is summed up.
Now I am convinced that in it will be found the name of Joam Dacosta.
Well, if the lines had been divided into words, in trying the words one
after the other--I mean the words