Mr. King at once ordered an inspection of the list of goods imported from the Near East. The records showed nothing to confirm Willie’s suspicions. The name of Habib Mahaleb appeared relatively few times on the record of shipments from Turkey. Willie was as much puzzled as he was mortified. For he hadn’t the least doubt in his own mind that he was right about the matter. Yet for a time he was completely baffled. He saw no way to get any farther with his investigation. But one day a secret agent of the department came in, who seemed to know a great deal about goods from the Near East. Willie overheard the man explaining to Mr. King about some shipments from Constantinople. As soon as the agent was done talking to Mr. King, Willie put some questions to him. “Mr. Easterly,” he said, “is there any way in which the shipment of goods from the Near East can be covered up?” “What do you mean?” asked the agent. “Why, suppose you have reason to believe that certain goods came into this country from Turkey, and yet you cannot find any record of such shipments from Turkey. How could that be?” “That’s simple enough. They might have been transshipped at some intermediate point, and your record would perhaps show only that they came from that intermediate point.” “Ah!” cried Willie. “That must be it. I never thought of that. What would be a likely port at which to transship goods from Armenia?” “Oh! They might go to almost any Mediterranean port—Genoa, Naples, or almost any place. It’s hard to say. It would depend upon circumstances.” “Thank you,” said Willie. “You have given me exactly the clue I want.” At his first opportunity Willie once more spoke to Mr. King about the matter. “I believe I know why we couldn’t find any trace of Habib Mahaleb’s shipments,” said Willie. “They were likely transshipped at some intermediate port. May I make an examination of the records?” “You’re nothing if not persistent,” laughed Mr. King. “I don’t believe we can afford to put any more time on the matter. The clerks are already overloaded, and I don’t like to ask them to go over those records again. Besides, I don’t believe that this smuggling, if smuggling there be, amounts to very much.” “I didn’t ask to have the clerks examine the records,” explained Willie. “I asked if I might examine them myself. I’ll be glad to do it after hours, if you’ll let me.” Mr. King studied the lad before him keenly. “Why are you so determined to go on with this case?” he asked. “Have you a bone to pick with your friend Habib?” “No, sir,” replied Willie. “I have no reason whatever except that I want to get ahead in Secret Service work. I am absolutely certain I am right in my suspicions. If I could run this matter down, it would help both you and me. The government would get some revenues due it and I would get some experience I need. I am more than willing to do the work.”