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THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET

Very simple. In the last letter something is said about a Ferdinand Gregor, born in Loukov, November twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixteen. I found out yesterday, and at three o’clock this morning the Dean of Loukov led me with a candle to the birth records. Poor man, he had to go in his nightshirt. And there I found it.

Found what?

A birth record. This. [He takes out a note book and reads] “Nomen infantis Ferdinand Makropoulos dies nativitatis, November twentieth, eighteen hundred and sixteen, thorus illegitimate. Father left out. Mother, Ellina Makropoulos, born in Crete.”

You don’t know anything more?

Nothing. But that is enough.

Poor Gregor! You will keep Loukov now, won’t you?

At least, so long as Mr. Makropoulos doesn’t come to claim it.

And the sealed envelope?