Part 19 (1/2)

'That's what I half feared,' I said 'But on the other hand it is obvious that the thing must come east, and sooner rather than later I take it they can't afford to delay too long before they deliver the goods If we can stick it out here we ot another bit of evidence I have solved Harry Bullivant's third puzzle'

Sandy's eyes were very bright and I had an audience on wires

'Did you say that in the tale of Kasredin a woman is the ally of the prophet?'

'Yes,' said Sandy; 'what of that?'

'Only that the saive you her name'

I fetched a piece of paper and a pencil from Blenkiron's desk and handed it to Sandy

'Write down Harry Bullivant's third word'

He promptly wrote down 'v I'

Then I told them of the other name Stumm and Gaudian had spoken I told of e

'The ”I” is not the letter of the alphabet, but the numeral The name is Von Einem-Hilda von Einem'

'Good old Harry,' said Sandy softly 'He was a dashed clever chap Hilda von Einem? Who and where is she? for if we find her we have done the trick'

Then Blenkiron spoke 'I reckon I can put you wise on that, gentlemen,' he said 'I saw her no later than yesterday She is a lovely lady She happens also to be the owner of this house'

Both Sandy and I began to laugh It was too cohted on the very headquarters of the puzzle we had set out to unriddle

But Blenkiron did not laugh At the mention of Hilda von Eineht of his face pulled entlemen,' he said 'I would rather you hadin this city, but I have been long enough to size up the various political bosses They haven't ainst e could show them in the U-nited States But I have met the Frau von Einem, and that lady's a very different proposition The ish size in hats'

'Who is she?' I asked

'Why, that is just what I can't tell you She was a great excavator of Babylonish and Hittite ruins, and she lory three years back It isn't what she has been, but what she is, and that's a hty clever woman'

Blenkiron's respect did not depress ot our job narrowed to a decent co about in the dark I asked where she lived

'That I don't know,' said Blenkiron 'You won't find people unduly anxious to gratify your natural curiosity about Frau von Einem'

'I can find that out,' said Sandy 'That's the advantage of having a push like ot to clear, for o to bed at once' 'Why?' I asked in amazement Sandy spoke like a s you've got on now I'll take theain'

'You've a queer taste in souvenirs,' I said

'Say rather the Turkish police The current in the Bosporus is pretty strong, and these sad relics of two lio Point In this game you must drop the curtain neat and pat at the end of each Scene, if you don't want trouble later with theheir and the family lawyer'