The Odd Ordeal Of Daniel Pearl

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In the absence of any solid leads, Pakistani officials, embarrassed by Pearl's disappearance and perhaps anticipating the usual farrago of catcalls from across the border in India, have suggested that India had a hand in the kidnapping. Pakistan's presidential spokesman, Major General Rashid Quereshi, spoke darkly of "an Indian linkage" to the kidnapping and suggested that Pearl's abduction might be a "totally stage-managed event to defame Pakistan." He was probably referring to a series of calls made after the kidnapping from a suspect's cell phone to Indian politicians--calls security experts speculate the kidnappers made to lead the investigation astray. Indian officials dismissed Quereshi's charge as "ridiculous."

As the kidnappers' initial deadlines passed late last week, Pearl's family and friends clung to the hope that his cool head, innate charm and intelligence would protect him from further harm. "Danny's incredibly resourceful," said Nick Noyes, a friend of Pearl's from his days at the Massachusetts paper North Adams Transcript. "If anyone can get himself out of a mess like this, he can." But Pearl had been caught up in a new wave of anti-American terror, one that doesn't seem to follow any script. His friends and colleagues could do little more than wait to see how it would turn out.