The Leak Read online

true, the sound of thetypewriter--_the striking of the keys_--would go over the open wire towhoever was listening at the other end. Then, if the striking of thekeys typed out your letters and, by their frequency and pauses,simultaneously tapped out telegraphic code, an outside operator couldread your letters at the same moment they were being written. That isall. It required extreme concentration on Miss Winthrop's part to typeaccurately in Morse rhythms."

  "Oh, I see!" exclaimed Grayson.

  "When I knew that the leak in your office was not in the usual way,"continued The Thinking Machine, "I looked for the unusual. There isnothing very mysterious about it now--it was merely clever."

  "Clever!" repeated Grayson, and his jaws snapped. "It is more than that.Why, it's criminal! She should be prosecuted."

  "I shouldn't advise that, Mr. Grayson," returned the scientist coldly."If it is honest--merely business--to juggle stocks as you told me youdid, this is no more dishonest. And besides, remember that Miss Winthropis backed by the people who have made millions out of you, and--well, Iwouldn't prosecute. It is betrayal of trust, certainly; but--" He roseas if that were all, and started toward the door. "I would advise you,however, to discharge the person who operates your switchboard."

  "Was she in the scheme, too?" demanded Grayson. He rushed out of theprivate office into the main office. At the door he met a clerk comingin.

  "Where is Miss Mitchell?" demanded the financier hotly.

  "I was just coming to tell you that she went out with Miss Winthrop justnow without giving any explanation," replied the clerk.

  "Good day, Mr. Grayson," said The Thinking Machine.

  The financier nodded his thanks, then stalked back into his room.

  * * * * *

  In the course of time The Thinking Machine received a check for tenthousand dollars, signed, "J. Morgan Grayson." He glared at it for alittle while, then indorsed it in a crabbed hand, _Pay to the Trustees'Home for Crippled Children_, and sent Martha, his housekeeper, out tomail it.