Can Google Verify 404 through a 301 Redirect?

[DavidBloom]

I'd like to know whether Google verification (html) files seeking Pages-not Found (404), works through a 301 redirect like so:

http://www.example.net/NoSuchFile.htm -> 301 Moved Permanently -> http://www.example.net/MyCustom404Message.htm (404).

That is, a 301-redirect that LEADS to a 404, or if the actual http://www.example.net/RandomFileName.htm actually has to be a 404 itself.

I know this is unorthodox, but I'm seeking a "yes" or "no" answer to this specific approach. Anyone, anyone?

[edited by: phranque at 9:56 pm (utc) on Sep. 29, 2008]
[edit reason] exemplified urls [/edit]

[phranque]

welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com], DavidBloom!

the simple answer is "no".
if the requested resource does not exist, the correct response is 404 Not Found.
the 301/404 series of responses tells google that the requested resource has Moved Permanently and it is Not Found at the new location.
otherwise you will have several distinct RandomFileName.htm's all permanently redirected to the same NoSuchFile.htm which is not good.