AS TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

About the time that Mr. Pike arrived in Vienna, and after Kalora had been in voluntary retirement for some forty-eight hours, the famous Koldo, head of the secret police, came into possession of a most important clue.

Having searched for two days, without finding the trail of the criminal with the black mustache and the German accent, he bethought himself of the wisdom of going to the garden where the intruder had engaged in a desperate struggle with the two guards.  Possibly he would discover incriminating footprints.  Instead, he found some scraps of paper, with printing of a foreign character.

By questioning the guards he learned that these tatters had come from a printed book which the mysterious stranger had carried, and which he never relinquished even while reducing his foes to insensibility.

Koldo put these pieces of paper into a strong envelope, which he sealed and marked “Exhibit A,” and delivered his precious find to the Governor-General.

While Mr. Pike sat in Ronacher’s at Vienna, watching a most entertaining vaudeville performance, Count Selim Malagaski was in his library, conferring with the wise Popova.

“How did he escape?” asked Count Malagaski again and again, shaking his head.  “The police have searched every corner of the town, and can find no one answering the description.”

“Have you questioned Kalora again?”

“Yes, and she now remembers that he had a very heavy scar over his right eye.  Her description and these few scraps of paper torn from the book he was carrying are all that we have to guide us in our search.”

The Governor-General held up the several remnants of a ten-cent magazine.

“It is in English; I read it badly.”

He gave the torn pages to the old tutor, and Popova, picking up the first, read as follows: 

What is the great danger that threatens the American woman?  It is obesity.  It is well known that ninety-nine per cent of all the women in the United States are striving to reduce their weight.  For all such we have a message of hope.  Write to Madam Clarissa and she——­

“The remainder is torn away,” said Popova.

The Governor-General had been leaning forward, listening intently.  “Do you mean to say that there is a country in which all the woman are fat?” he asked.

“It would seem so,” replied Popova.  “Let us read further.”  He picked up another of the torn pages and read aloud: 

  To the Oatena Company of Pine Creek, Michigan: 

When I began using your wonderful health-food I was a mere skeleton.  I have been living on it for three months and I have gained a pound a day.  Permit me to express the conviction that you are real benefactors to the human race.  Gratefully yours,

  OSCAR TILBURY,
  Oakdale, Arkansas.

“Stop!” exclaimed the Governor-General, striking the table.  “Is it possible that somewhere in this world there is a food which will add a pound a day?”