Hey all. I am about 100 pages into the book but have a question regarding something that happens on pages 47-48.

When the archeology fella is flying away in the place, he reaches into his jacket and touches the 'bolt of silk' which I'm guessing is the map.

Then he opens up the tube and finds out that it is filled with sand, and feels he has been duped?

My question is how was he duped if he already has the map in his jacket!?!?!!? yike:

Thanks.

the archeology guy (Hunt) leaves in the Fokker F.VIIb with the laqured wooden box in a satchel, its when he has been in the air for two hours that he opens the bronze tube to find sand in it.
His mongolian assistant, Tsendyn, that is left behind to lead the mule carts to Shijiazhuang has taken the bolt of silk early the previous night (previoust to Hunts departure).

that help clarify it a bit?

I agree with that. I don't have the book anymore, but the if I remember the paragragh before he opens the tune, it says he caresses the bolt of silk in his jacket, which doesn't make sense if it's already gone.

Anyway, not a big deal.