, 1896-12-15

witch. / believe-yes; Greenwich, I am
sure. Now for heavens sake, co.
well. if it's half past 4 at Green
witch. what time is it on the other side
of the world-in China? What time is
it in Pcking. Hal?"
Hang it, Tom,"I said, rising i'm
patiently.
"Teil me-, old boy. Iwant &c know"
about half past G." 1 haza,ded.
"That can't. be right, yor know.
There is q screw loose somewhere. It
can't be that.
concluded that arguing with the
poor fellow would be in vain. so I re-
turned to my chair.
HAL"
/ did not respond.
What time is it in Peking"
jumped up quickly and went to the
bed.
"Now, see here, Tom, this sort of
thing is utterly absurd. Your life is
hanging by the merest thread. All you
need is sleep. We have all done what
we could, md now you will have to
take a hand yourself. What the deuce
have you to do with time or Picking
now? Come, go to sleep. There's a good
fellow"
81 know I'm acting like an ass, old
boy, but I can't get the Internal thing
out Of my head. If l could figure it out,
I would be all right, for I do feel a bit
sleepy"
."Well, I'll see il the old lady knows"
l said indulgently. What am I to ask
herr"
1.-THE time in Pekin," he said feebly.
"All right" l replied. Then I ran
down stairs to the landlady.-
Mrs. Slemmer, Tom wants to know
what time it is in Pekin."
Lord bless me, Mr.. Carson, 'ow
should"-
Got a ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AL
most any old book will tell"
"Why, L amt got no books. Mebbe
the children
tumbling into the
Freddie, go for the Doctor" I said
desperately. "Nell, run over the way
and get a geography. Here, take this
from door to door until you get what it
calls for"
I wrote a brief note explaining the
circumstances and got the children off.
Then I went up stairs.
One glance at poor Tom gave me to
understand that the dreaded fever had
again asserted itself. His eyes were su-
p%ernaturally bright, and as I entered
the room his features u look of
unrestrained anxiety.
"Well," he asked irritably, didn't
you find out?"
"Not yet. but III have some books
here in q minute"
In two OF three, minutes I heard the
sound OF rapid footsteps on the stairs
and 6astened to the door. I met the
grocer's wife.
II hurried as fast as I could" she
gasped. 81 saw Nell, and-and here
IL the book. Poor boy! Shall I go in?"
1 seized the book and, perceiving that
it vas u ready reckoner, I. returned it
forthwith to its owner.
Other steps were now heard On the
stairs, and in q few minutes the narrow
hallway and even the room itself was
thronged with sympathetic neighbors,
who had placed themselves and their
meager libraries at my service. All,
however. failed to contribute any in
formation which would meet the exact.
ing demands Of the invalid. The floor
was strewn with all sorts of literature,
varying from toy picture books, CON-
tanning pictures Of Cinnamon, to tech
meal works on navigation and house,
hold economy, but still the feeble voice
which emanated from the bed inspired
me to clamor for more. I cursed the
inherent ignorance Of the Anglo-Saxon
race. I rallied, stormed, perspired and
trembled for the safety Of my friend.
But all was of no avail. Finally I heard
q murmur in the ball.
The doctor had come.
Leaping forward I seized him by the
lapel Of his coat.
"What is the time in Peking?" I cried
in his ear.
"What is the time in Peking2'' de-
manded Mrs Slemmer. barring his way
to the bed.
"How the devil should I knowr" ex-
claimed the astonished doctor, al he
made his way through the group that
surrounded his patient.
"Here it isl Here it isl" shouted a
voice in the hall. and an old, white
haired gentleman with a book in his
hand was pushed by . dozen eager
hands into the room.
The volume was opened. and the de-
sired information vas before my eyes,.
"At last!' / exclaimed. Here, doo-
tor, I have it. 1t isl
"Hushi" said a warning voice.
A moment later the hand Of the Eng.
lish physician was laid gently on my
shoulder.
HE knows. my boy. he knowa"-
Exchange.