Part 17 (2/2)

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three,

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Now, eliminating all lines not crossed there remains

the one,

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the two,

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the three,

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And here is the entire series:

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and the zero--”

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A sudden excitement stirred Harren; he leaned over the paper, gazing earnestly at the cipher; the Tracer rose and glanced around the room as though in search of something.

”Is there a telephone here?” he asked.

”For Heaven's sake, don't give this up just yet,” exclaimed Harren.

”These things mean numbers; don't you see? Look at that!” pointing to a linked pair of seals,

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”That means the number nineteen! You can form it by using only the crossed lines of the seal.

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Don't you see, Mr. Keen?”

”Yes, Captain Harren, the cipher is, as you say, very plain; quite as easy to read as so much handwriting. That is why I wish to use your telephone--at once, if you please.”

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