coming out I’m sorry to leave it. But at the start my feet are icy.” 

 “Then I take it you’re coming?” 

 “Rather,” he said. “You didn’t imagine I would go back on you?” 

 “And you, sir?” I addressed Blenkiron. 

 His game of Patience seemed to be coming out. He was completing eight little heaps of cards with a contented grunt. As I spoke, he raised his sleepy eyes and nodded. 

 “Why, yes,” he said. “You gentlemen mustn’t think that I haven’t been following your most engrossing conversation. I guess I haven’t missed a syllable. I find that a game of Patience stimulates the digestion after meals and conduces to quiet reflection. John S. Blenkiron is with you all the time.” 

 He shuffled the cards and dealt for a new game. 

 I don’t think I ever expected a refusal, but this ready assent cheered me wonderfully. I couldn’t have faced the thing alone. 

 “Well, that’s settled. Now for ways and means. We three have got to put ourselves in the way of finding out Germany’s secret, and we have to go where it is known. Somehow or other we have to reach Constantinople, and to beat the biggest area of country we must go by different roads. Sandy, my lad, you’ve got to get into Turkey. You’re the only one of us that knows that engaging people. You can’t get in by Europe very easily, so you must try Asia. What about the coast of Asia Minor?” 

 “It could be done,” he said. “You’d better leave that entirely to me. I’ll find out the best way. I suppose the Foreign Office will help me to get to the jumping-off place?” 

 “Remember,” I said, “it’s no good getting too far east. The secret, so far as concerns us, is still west of Constantinople.” 

 “I see that. I’ll blow in on the Bosporus by a short tack.” 

 “For you, Mr Blenkiron, I would suggest a straight journey. You’re an American, and can travel through Germany direct. But I wonder how far your activities in New York will allow you to pass as a neutral?” 

 “I have considered that, Sir,” he said. “I have given some thought to the pecooliar psychology of the great German nation. As I read them they’re as cunning as cats, and 

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