Now it is too late to find out. From the moment when I
found that it was missing from my collection I have heard no more
about it than you have found out. It is all like a dream to me. I
cannot believe even yet that a mere bit of archaeological and
ethnological specimen could have played so important a part in the
practical events of real life."
"It does seem impossible," agreed Kennedy. "But it is even more
remarkable than that. It has disappeared without leaving a trace,
after having played its part."
"If it had been a mere robbery," considered Norton, "one might
look for its reappearance, I suppose, in the curio shops. For to-
day thieves have a keen appreciation of the value of such objects.
But, now that you have unearthed its use against Mendoza--and in
such a terrible way--it is not likely that that will be what will
happen to it. No, we must look elsewhere."
"I thought I would tell you," concluded Kennedy, rising to go.
"Perhaps after you have considered it over night some idea may
occur to you."
"Perhaps," said Norton doubtfully. "But I haven't your brilliant
faculty of scientific analysis, Kennedy. No, I shall have to lean
on you, in that, not you on me."
We left Norton, apparently now more at sea than ever.
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