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such attentions and as you know, I really don't care for them, but the things I unearthed in China ^[[last year]] and some of those recently secured have got known in Legation circles and they think me either a saint or a fool and I fancy they are trying to learn which.

The Calhoun's started the ball, the Einsteins gave it a swift kick and since then I have kept bounding.

In the meantime my work has filled all other hours excepting the few of sleep.  Tomorrow P.M. I return by train to Peking, and on Tuesday next ^[[Octo 18th]] I start on my little expedition to the ancient interior capitals, now called Kai Feng-fu - Honan-fu and Sian-fu.  The road to the latter city from Honan-fu is considered by all authorities the hardest in China and ^[[it]] is now badly flooded.  My friend Marcel Bing, the Parisian expert, came over it [[strikethrough]] last [[/strikethrough]] recently and required 24 days for a journey which usually takes 12.  In addition his expedition was held up by bandits and every cent of his money was taken.  A mandarin near, lent him enough cash to get back to Honan fu, where he sold two of his horses to reach Peking.  The Chinese Government will refund his lost money.  His collection of art objects were not taken by the bandits.  His experience clears the route for me as the Government has arrested the bandits and is now guarding the road.  My visits at Kai feng-fu and Honan-fu will give time for the floods to recede, and the road to dry.  The Chinese Government has given me a passport and will provide a military guard.  I am taking with me a cook, ^[[a photographer,]] a servant and Nan my interpreter.  Several natives and a half dozen foreigners have volunteered to accompany me, but I prefer being alone.  There are great things to see and study, and I can do such work better without company, and if the trip should be interrupted, I alone, will be the grumbler.  I am anticipating my greatest experience in [[strikethrough]]my[[/strikethrough]] searching for artistic information and am quite ready to