It was to that he at once made his way. The Keeper of the Department was absent, but a man of Professor Griffins reputation has the run of the place; therefore after wishing good-day to one of the assistant-keepers he began searching the catalogue of manuscripts for the Hebrew ones which he wished to consult, writing their numbers upon a slip. This he handed to the assistant-keeper who, having glanced at the numbers and recognised to which they referred, regarded him with a glance of quick curiosity.
One of the earliest originals of the Book of Ezekiel eh, Professor? remarked the man. And the other is the Muratori Manuscript.
Exactly, was Griffins reply, and when the man had left the little room in which he was standing, he drew from his pocket a small book in which overnight he had made pencilled memoranda from the half-confused fragments which Frank had placed before him. Then he waited in undisguised anxiety.
Presently the assistant-keeper returned with two of the most important Biblical manuscripts the Museum possessed, and placed them before the man whose opinion upon Hebrew originals of Holy Writ was always decisive.
The first manuscript, one of the earliest originals of the Book of Ezekiel and one used by the revisers of the Bible a few years ago, was upon yellow and discoloured parchment of great age, bound in old calf of the early sixteenth century. The binding had practically perished, but the writing within was still plain and quite decipherable to an expert.
Originally written upon a long roll, it had in later times been cut into folios and bound, as being readier of access, and easier to consult. Of its early history from the time of being written until A.D. 1421, practically nothing was known. In the year in question it was brought to Constantinople from Palestine, and in 1627 was given by the Patriarch to Charles the First.
The Professor removed his hat and overcoat seated himself, and with reverent fingers turned the time-dimmed pages from which a portion of our Holy Bible had been translated.
To the person unacquainted with early Hebrew script the pages were covered by meaningless hieroglyphics; but to him they were as clear as any printed column in the Times newspaper.
He searched through until he discovered a certain passage. Then, eagerly consulting his notebook, he began translating it, word for word, writing down the English equivalent upon the paper that had been placed before him.
He did not hurry, but alone in the little room, he worked on, slowly and deliberately. For fully two hours he continued but the result was, judging from the expression upon his face, by no means gratifying.
The assistant-keeper came and went, for the Professor, being such a great authority, was always allowed to work in the keepers private room. Indeed only a man of Griffins rare attainments and knowledge would have been able to translate from the original Hebrew of that ancient character, so often indistinct and involved in meaning and in sense.
At times, with a rapid hand, he made an exact reproduction of the original, especially that of chapter xli, verse 23 to the end which, as will be recollected, was given in the dead mans manuscript as an illustration.
Heedless of the fact that he had had no luncheon, he continued copying the original very carefully and with a sure and expert touch until he had made a complete copy of the original of chapters xl, xli, xlii, xliv, and xlvii, a work which occupied him till nearly four oclock.
He took no count of time, so wholly engrossed was he in his work. The assistant-keeper entered prior to his departure at four oclock when the department closed, and began bustling about, hoping that the dry-as-dust old fellow, being disturbed, might abandon his work for that day.
But nothing interrupted him in making his rapid copying of those Hebrew characters that had been written before the birth of Christ.
Presently, in sheer despair, the assistant-keeper remarked:
Thats rather heavy work for you, Professor, isnt it?
No. Not exactly, was the old mans quick reply without looking up, I am about to make a most interesting investigation; therefore, I dare not employ any copyist. He might so easily make mistakes.
An investigation! echoed the younger man. Why, curiously enough for the past three days weve had a man here copying that same book for some mysterious purpose. He finished only yesterday afternoon. But he refused to tell me the reason he was making the copy other than that he, like yourself, was making some investigations. He used the same expression as yourself, curiously enough.
Another searcher! gasped the Professor, laying down his pen, and staring at the speaker. Another investigator of the original of the Book of Ezekiel! Who was he? What was he like? demanded the old man quickly, his face blanched in an instant.
I dont know who he was, for weve never seen him here before. He was an old gentleman, a foreigner evidently and a scholar, for he wrote the Hebrew characters almost as quickly and accurately as you yourself.
Professor Arminger Griffin sat back in his chair, his mouth open, staring into space.
Was it possible that some one else besides himself had obtained knowledge of the great secret, and was actively engaged upon investigations!
And the stranger who had copied that very manuscript which he was copying, was an unknown foreigner and a scholar into the bargain!
Was it possible that the secret was already out?
Chapter Nine
Concerns The Other Man.
What was the stranger like? asked the Professor eagerly, his thin hand resting upon the ancient parchment he had been so carefully copying.
A short, stout, elderly man with white pointed beard, was the assistant-keepers reply. Four days ago he came here, carrying with him a number of references which he turned up in various early Hebrew manuscripts. But it was the one you have there before you which attracted him most. He worked three days upon it, and made a complete and most accurate copy.
He didnt tell you whence he came, or for what purpose he was making the researches?
No, for, as you well know, Professor, students seldom do. They are not very communicative, unless they be young, laughed the official. But he was a foreigner.
Undoubtedly. From the north of Europe, I should say Norwegian or perhaps Russian, not German, I think. But he spoke most excellent English.
A scholar?
Without a doubt. He went about his work in that careful methodical manner that at once betrayed the specialist. He concluded his work only yesterday.
How was he dressed?
Fairly well. He wore a dark-grey suit and a black bow cravat.
His searches were confined to Ezekiel?
No, not exactly. He copied some references from our earliest manuscript of Deuteronomy you examined it a few months ago, I remember. The thirty-second chapter seemed to attract him, as he copied it in its entirety.
Ah, thats the Song of Moses, remarked the Professor. Give ear O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear O earth, the words of my mouth. I wonder what can be his object, he added thoughtfully.
He merely told me that he was making an investigation in order to put a remarkable theory to the test.
Griffin started. A remarkable theory was being put to the test by this stranger! Was it possible that another scholar was in possession of the dead mans secret, besides himself!
He held his breath. Then, when a few moments later he had recovered himself, he began to make many inquiries concerning the unknown foreigner. But it was already past four oclock, and the assistant-keeper had his train to catch to his home at Epping. Therefore he declared that he knew no more, and taking the precious manuscript, replaced it with the others and hastily bade the Professor Good afternoon.