Kato and I had arrived at the converted synagogue a few minutes before two o'clock. Antiquarian's Delight is located on S. 6th Street between South and Bainbridge. No sign of Chucky.

"That's a fair price Crystal, but too rich for my blood."

Crystal Ball, yes, that's her real name, was selling a woven wool rug with a linear border design. It included squares, ovals and rectangles. The colors were dark blues and tans; this collection of shapes framing a large circle in the middle on a gray ground. 8' x 11'5", made about 1905, possibly by Otto Prutcher. My best guess, fifteen or sixteen thousand, high retail.

Hint: The secret to success in the antiques game is (a) buying at the right price and (b) having a list of buyers lined up. The second one takes time, however, once accomplished assures that you can always turn a quick profit.

She looked me up and down, glanced at my dog and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

I have to confess. This carpet was very cool. Part of the Wiener Werkstatte or in English, the Vienna Workshops. This was a byproduct of the Vienna Secession movement; which in turn was a cousin to both the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements. The studio was founded in 1903 by Josef Hoffmann and Koloman Moser. Their mission was to design one-of-a-kind high-quality pieces involving all aspects of the fine arts.

Wiener Werkstatte pieces are very desirable and bring big bucks. "I'm more comfortable at seven."

It was going on a quarter past and still no sign. "Kato, find Chuck." Do not ask me how he does it because I have no idea. Any time I give that command; doesn't matter whether he has met that person or not, Kato always brings them back.

"Seven-five and you've got yourself a deal."

She stood on her toes and pecked my cheek. Back in the day; BK, we used to see each other occasionally.

"TJ will pick it up in the morning. Thanks, Crystal."