never started
on them without wishing they were over. Once I'm in the show I get
easier, and by the time I'm 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 if you play the feline game they will
outwit you every time. Yes, Sir, they are no slouches at sleuth-work.
If I were to buy a pair of false whiskers and dye my hair and dress
like a Baptist parson and go into Germany on the peace rack