>>You can use strtofile() function to simplify your code
>
>Sergey,
>
>Thank you for your help. Your "aside comment" on using strtofile to simplify my code solved the problem.
>
>Apparently, using the ? operator to print a line of text converts the TAB characters to spaces.
>
>My text editor (EditPlus) is capable of properly showing the TAB character.
>
>-Chris

Right, I forgot that '?' command does that. Anyway I'm glad that it resolved your problem.