, but as Morgan had stated, the
matter which the book contained conveyed nothing to them.

"That looks as if Merton had something to conceal, Marsh."

"On the face of it--yes," returned Marsh. "But just glance at this
sheet which covered the notebook. From its subject matter I should
be inclined to believe that it represented Merton's handwriting."

Morgan nodded and Marsh went on.

"Now, when you come to look at this notebook, even a hasty glance
shows a difference in the handwriting. In. fact, now that my
attention has been drawn to it, there is really a marked
difference."

"Well?" queried Morgan.

"Offhand," returned Marsh, "I would say, that somebody has been
keeping a secret record. That person sat at this desk making
additional notes. In a moment of forgetfulness, or perhaps the
necessity of hasty concealment, the notebook was placed under this
sheet and later overlooked. There is a possibility that this
notebook was left by the person who preceded us at this desk."

Morgan took the notebook and examined it carefully for a few
minutes. "In my work," he said, "I have several times run up against
ciphers of various kinds. This is unlike anything I ever saw before,
and looks as if it would be mighty hard to unravel."

Marsh again took the book and after carefully examining it, said, "I
don't pretend to be a cipher expert. In fact, I never waste time on
it. We have men both here and at Washington who can read this sort
of stuff backward. I'll send this book to them and we'll soon get a
key to the cipher."

At this moment, both men became silent and alert. Someone was
slipping a key into the lock of the door. Marsh quickly dropped the
notebook into the side pocket of his coat. A moment later the door
swung open and Gilbert Hunt entered.

He stopped with a start of surprise, but quickly recovered himself.

"You gentlemen gave me a shock!" he exclaimed. "I didn't expect to
find anyone here. Already on the job, Mr. Marsh?" he added.

"Yes," returned Marsh, easily. "I never lose any time, and this room
naturally should be looked over."

"And this gentleman with you?" questioned Hunt.

"Detective Sergeant Morgan--Mr. Hunt," introduced Marsh. "Morgan is
conducting the police investigation." Then he added, with a wink at
Hunt. "We met downstairs and I thought we might as well look things
over at the same time."

"I see," said Hunt, smiling. "Have you discovered anything?"

"Nothing to which I can attach