These two startling facts caused Watson and I to rapidly look at each other with colossal surprise. “Taking it to Vladivostok! Why in the devil is that infernal gadget leaving Germany and handed over to the Russians and why to the far East Coast in remote Primorsky Krai, Imperial Russia? And what is the Professor doing that we must track him?” I rapidly spewed forth my incredulous inquires. “The Tsar is not getting the device, he is only hosting his cousin the Kaiser’s pet project that is too secret and too dangerous to keep in Europe anymore. The Kaiser had a great rowel with the Professor and his development of the weapon. It had already cost several lives and now the massive explosion had not only killed several top scientists, it has destroyed an entire munitions plant. He was furious that the failure of the devise had caused such a catastrophe. The Professor convinced him that, although the apparatus had apparently somewhat over detonated in the controlled experiment to an extent not foreseen, the Professor was convinced he could control such a devastating weapon given another chance and under the proper constraints. The Kaiser said it was impossible to do such a thing in Prussia and keep it from being known by France, Great Britain or any of his European neighbors. It must leave Germany. A hasty conference convinced him that none of Germany’s colonies had the necessary capability to host such an experiment. The Professor was aware that the fishing industry on the Russian East Coast peninsula might have the capacity to support his project. He conspired with the Kaiser to seek help from the Tsar. The tantalizing prospect of sharing the fruits of this research might cajole the Tsar to partner with the Kaiser for great gains at minimal expenditure. The Kaiser met personally with the Ambassador from Imperial Russia and presented his proposal, playing up the grand weapon without describing it in detail. The Tsar was consulted and agreed to allowing the purchase of a facility near Vladivostok at an extravagant price and monthly charge for minimal local support, and for allowing the transporting of the experimental apparatus across Imperial Russian territories. The mode of transport was determined to be by Zeppelin. The Kaiser was quite proud of the new technology of the Air ship. His pride in this German technology master design was huge. Being able to flaunt it before his cousin was a serendipity secondary development to having to remove the equipment from Prussia. Because of the vast inter continental distance the Zeppelin would have to fly, refueling and re-supply would be costly and would need some prior pre-positioning of supplies at remote designated points reached only barely by rail or coach. This was also an opportunity for the Prussian Military to develop the capabilities of the Zeppelin. The hazards of such an extended cross-country flight would certainly try the Zeppelin as a grand military vehicle in itself. A success would benefit not only the Professor, but also the Military commanders who ruled the Zeppelin fleet. “Jack has determined to stop the weapon from arriving at Vladivostok. He said he dearly wanted to have it removed from Prussia, and this was an excellent opportunity, since he was in fact in charge of security and safety of the device as it was transported. The isolation of the device from proper armed backup, would make it quite vulnerable to a small band of saboteurs, with the lead security officer being the leader of that band.” “But what of the Professor?” I enquired, “Won’t he be overseeing his experiments and therefore must also go to Vladivostok?” “Yes, eventually, the Kaiser demanded this, but the Professor will give his team ample time to transport and set up the facilities before he joins them. He will travel by train later.” “So what is he doing in the mean time? Where is he now?” I asked. “We are not sure. That is what we are working at. All of Jacks’ German agents have been sent on this task.” “What chance do we have of determining his whereabouts before he leaves for Russia?” I asked. “Pretty good actually, he is keeping tight oversight with the Zeppelin commander and his team of scientists and Jack’s security team as they prepare to load all the apparatus. The Zeppelin will fly to the Krupp facilities where the loading will be done. It will fly south then cut east to intercept the Russian border and fly across to above Mongolia and China, and then down the Primorye Peninsula. “When we locate him, we will contact you. We will clear your way close to him, and allow you the honor to complete the assassination.” Apparently our status as professional hired guns was established by Jack. It was probably his way of including us on the hit, since we would be considered too much of a risk as amateurs to be allowed in on the hunt. He knew our mindset concerning Moriarty. I believe he was paying back his uncle for being the cause of his wife’s involvement and murder.