'All cyphers can be read by experts, if there is no hurry, except the mechanical ones that are written through holes in a square plate which you turn round till the sheet is full.

Hardly any one uses those now, because when the square is raised the letters don't form words, and the cable companies will only transmit real words in some known language, or groups of figures.
The diary is written hastily, too, not at all as if it were copied from the sheet on which the perforated plate would have had to be used, and besides, the plate itself would be amongst his things, for he could not read his own notes without it.' 'All that doesn't help us, as you have not the diary, but I should really be curious to know what he had to say about the accident, since some of the articles hint that Mr.Van Torp made it happen.' 'My doctor and I took the liberty of confiscating the papers, and we set a very good man to work on the cypher at once.

So your curiosity shall be satisfied.

I said it should, didn't I?
And you are not so dreadfully bored after all, are you?
Do say that I'm very nice!' 'I won't!' Margaret answered with a little laugh.

'I'll only admit that I'm not bored! But wasn't it rather a high-handed proceeding to carry off Mr.Feist like that, and to seize his papers ?' 'Do you call it high-handed to keep a man from cutting his throat ?' 'But the letters-- ?' 'I really don't know.