The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1893-05-26

sion, the rest of my funds being in
draft on Delessert & Co., Paris"
"How unfortunate! What is to be
donef BY the bye, will you let me see
your draft my lorG"
produced it.
stay a minute till speak to the cap.
tain, he said, Il think | can arrange
it,"
de hurried away with the draft in his
hand. For the first time | felt little
suspicion OF some trick and awaited his
return with some anxiety. He came
back, however, in about 10 minutes and
asked me for my passport, saying he
thought he could get through without
any trouble. AS we had not yet reached
the pier, handed him that, but with
the resolve to have it back before going
ashore.
When some 10 minutes later he re.
turned with cheerful smile. and fold.
ing up my papers put them in my hand,
with the remark that all was right, | was
so ashamed Of my late suspicious that
felt myself blush,
The clerk. he said, "has changed my
note at a fair discount, giving me half
gold and the rest i'll bills on the Bank of
France. By the bye, my lord, suppose
you take few. You may want to use
them before you get your small draft
| Cashed."
| declined at first, but he insisted so
strongly on my taking and carrying
them, even though thought might not
want to use them, that at first, fearing
! longer refusal would hurt his feelings,
consented to put them in my pocketbook.
Under the management of my friend,
who spoke French as fuently as English,
everything got on smoothly, and soon
found myself transferred from the
steamer to fine hotel-without, as he
had said, having any trouble whatever.
Our passports meantime had been given
mp and sent on to Paris, and temporary
ones, as is the custom, had been fur.
nlshed us in place Of them.
will pass over the remainder of the
| journey with the simple remark that
every moment more and more endeared
me to my agreeable and aristocratic
friend, and the only regret had was in
the fact Of being in a false position,
which sooner or later he might discover,
to my grief and shame
On finally arriving at Paris our pass
ports were again demanded, and no
sooner was mine examined than the Off
Ger informed me that ! was under arrest
and must come with him. Ny French
was nome Of the best, but in my surprise
and CONSERVATION made the best use
OF it could and demanded what was
meant by such proceedings
"YOu will find that ont at your exam
nation, was his sharp reply.
Then we were whirled to the Office of
a magistrate, and was unceremoniouslv
| hurried into small, close room, half
filled with police officers, secret agents
and lawyers. On the bench sat a small,
withered specimen Of humanity, with a
wig ON his head and spectacles on his
! forehead.
well, he said, jerking down his spec
tacles and taking good stare at me, as
did all the others, what now?"
AS | could understand French much
better than could speak it, was able
to make out what was said. and to my
utter establishment ! now heard myself
accused of being a notorious swindler
and cOunterfeiter.
What is your name?" demanded the
commissary.
Ralph Hodge" said |.
An alias," said one Of the police off
GERS, ION his passport is Robert Beau
fort
"A mistake, them" cried |. THAT is
the name Of the gentleman that came
over from London with me. He took
my passport and must have changed it
/ by mistake"
The officers smiled incredulously and