Just ahead of Episode Sixteen of The Quest of the Sacred Slipper, let me thank you for your many insightful comments on this latest Tale for Our Time. Florida Steyn Clubber Kelly Harbeson writes:
I grew up on pulps and have been enjoying this yarn more than I would have expected. The episode where the protagonist is in a nightmare of yellow silk and hashish smoke evoked memories of when I dropped out of HS to attend Community College.
Indeed, Kelly. In the Occidental world, one no longer requires the arrival of Oriental assassins to become acquainted with hashish.
In tonight's episode, however, the focus is not only on Hassan of Aleppo, but on Cavanagh and Bristol's other opponent, the legendary cracksman Earl Dexter. Inspector Bristol is not much impressed by the American's present condition:
"You've cut off a pretty hefty chew nevertheless. They used to call you the Stetson Man, you used to dress like a fashion plate and stop at the big hotels. Those days are past, Dexter, I'm sorry to note. You're down to the skulking game now and you're nearer an advert for Clarkson than Stein-Bloch!"
"Yep," said Dexter sadly, "I plead guilty."
As to an advert for Stein-Bloch, see above.
Members of The Mark Steyn Club can hear me read Part Sixteen of our tale simply by clicking here and logging-in. Earlier episodes can be found here.
If you'd like to join The Mark Steyn Club, you'll find more details here - and don't forget our special Gift Membership. Please join me tomorrow evening for Part Seventeen of The Quest of the Sacred Slipper.
