You will find that the senora is an accomplished antiquarian and scholar.  Like many others down here just now, she has a high regard for the Japanese.  As you know, there exists a natural sympathy between some Mexicans and Japanese, owing to what is believed to be a common origin of the two races.

In spite of the assertions of many to the contrary, there is little doubt left in the minds of students that the Indian races which have peopled Mexico were of Mongolian stock.  Many words in some dialects are easily understood by Chinese immigrants.  A secretary of the Japanese legation here was able recently to decipher old Mixtec inscriptions found in the ruins of Mitla.

Senora Herreria has been much interested in establishing the relationship and, I understand, is acquainted with a Japanese curio dealer in New York who recently visited Mexico for the same purpose.  I believe that she wishes to collaborate with him on a monograph on the subject, which is expected to have a powerful effect on the public opinion both here and at Tokyo.

In regard to the inscription which Northrop has taken with him, I rely on you to keep me informed.  There seems to be a great deal of mystery connected with it, and I am simply hazarding a guess as to its nature.  If it should prove to be something which might interest either the Japanese or ourselves, you can see how important it may be, especially in view of the forthcoming mission of General Francisco to Tokyo.

Very sincerely yours,

Dr. Emilio Sanchez, Director.

“Bernardo is a Mexican,” I exclaimed, as Kennedy finished reading, “and there can be no doubt that the woman he mentioned was this Senora Herreria.”

Kennedy said nothing, but seemed to be weighing the various paragraphs in the letter.

“Still,” I observed, “so far, the only one against whom we have any direct suspicion in the case is the shaggy Russian, whoever he is.”

“A man whom Bernardo says looked like a Russian,” corrected Craig.

He was pacing the laboratory restlessly.

“This is becoming quite an international affair,” he remarked finally, pausing before me, his hat on.  “Would you like to relax your mind by a little excursion among the curio shops of the city?  I know something about Japanese curios—­more, perhaps, than I do of Mexican.  It may amuse us, even if it doesn’t help in solving the mystery.  Meanwhile, I shall make arrangements for shadowing Bernardo.  I want to know just how he acts after he reads that letter.”

He paused long enough to telephone his instructions to an uptown detective agency which could be depended on for such mere routine work, then joined me with the significant remark:  “Blood is thicker than water, anyhow, Walter.  Still, even if the Mexicans are influenced by sentiment, I hardly think that would account for the interest of our friends from across the water in the matter.”