Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-04-23
coPnGHI. 1856. on d.R PUrNAI4's SONS

welcomed his guests, all Of whom wore
wraps that covered their costumes, thus
hiding the disguises which they meant
to use later on. Mr.. Barnes was ON hand
early and loitered about the hall in his
thief's garb, scanning the faces of all as
they passed in. After very brief period
of waiting he saw the Remsen party
alight from their carriage, escorted by
Mr.. Randolph. Soon after Mr.. Thauret
entered. He handed note to Mr.. Van
Rawlston, who upon reading it at once
shook him cordially by the hand. Then
almost as suddenly an expression Of sus-
picion passed across his face, and he
looked toward Mr. Barnes, who, how
ever, turned away, refusing to notice
his glance of inquiry. Evidently the
host, not knowing Mr. Thauret and re-
Wondering tho detectives words, had
begun to suspect that perhaps the noto
which he had just read was fraudulent.
Mr.. Barnes was fearful that he would
make some remark which would ruin
everything, when to his intense relief
Miss Remsen came into the hall with
her wraps still on and went directly up
to Mr.. 1hauret. .@
"How are you this evening, Mr..
Thauret? l am glad you decided to
come. Mr.. Van Rawlston, Mr. Thauret
is friend Of Mr.. Mitchel's."
That sufficed, and Mr., Van Rawlston
seemed much relieved.
Mr.. Thauret was not in costume, but
he had brought with him a satchel, and
now asked where he might find a place
to dress. He was turned over to one of
the liveried boys, who showed him to
one Of the rooms set aside for the gen.
tlemen. Mr.. Barnes did not enter, for
had he done so without removing his
mask it might have aroused suspicion.
He, however, kept watch near the door,
and soon saw man come ont dressed
as Ali Baba This was easily learned,
for the committee had prepared hand.
some badges, Upon each of which was
engraved the name Of the character as
sumed. These were of FURNISHED silver,
the lettering being done in blue enamel.
They were worn on the left breast and
were intended to serve as souvenirs of
the evening. Mr.. Barnes smiled behind
his mask as he looked down at his,
which, to his mind, reminded him of o
policeman shield.
The rooms were gorgeously decorated
in oriental splendor. The larger one
was designated the sultan's palace and
was truly regal, in its arrangement.
There were no chairs, but soft divans,
and many hued alluring cushions were
to be found everywhere around the
walls. The floors were covered with rugs
four deep. The walls were draped with
satin, drawn apart to reveal mirrors
which multiplied the beauty of every
thing. The ceiling was hung with gar
lands, in which were twined roses Of all
kinds, which made the atmosphere redo
lent with perfume. From among these
garlands hundreds of gilded cages held
singing birds, and electric lights made
the rooms SO brilliant that many times
during the evening they warbled in
chorus, thinking it morning.
The smaller room represented Alad-
din's cave. Stalactites, resplendent with
seeming jewels, hung pendent from the
ceiling. The walls were made to resem-
BILE rough stone, and every few inches
large precious stone was made fiery by
the tiny electric lamp hidden behind it.
The floor alone was unlike cave, being
waxed for dancing. In grotto, up ten
feet above the floor, the musicians play
cd soft, sensuous music.
The festival opened informally-that
is, while awaiting the arrival of others,
those already present amused themselves
waltzing chatting or chatting one anoth-
er. Mr.. Barnes sauntered about, keeping
Ali Baba in sight. Scheherezade came
in Oh the arm Of the sultan. These he
knew to be Miss Remsen and Mr.. Van
Rawlston. Ali Baba joined them almost
Immediately, and few minutes later
led Scheherezade into Aladdin's cave
for dance. Mr.. Barnes stood observing
them, when some one touched him on
the arm, and turning he saw man cos
tuned as himself.
"We must be careful or Ali Baba may
discover our password, Sesame, as he
did in the real story"
81 do not understand you," replied
Mr.. Barnes.
The other man looked at him intently
Q moment through his mask, and with
out a word moved away, >t.s;-j.;: s75| 5:.
Mr.. Barnes was mystifed. He regret
ted that he had not replicJ ip some less
candid fashion that he might haye'hesrd
The voice again. But taken by surprise
as he was, he had lost his self possession
for moment If he were not mistaken,
! the voice Was one which he had heard
before Herncked bis memory for some
minutes, and suddenly started as this
thought entered his mind:
"Were he not sick in Philadelphia
should say that was Mitchell" He fol-
lowed across the room after the person,
but he saw him go out into the hall, and
by the time that he himself reached
there, there were at least dozen similar
costumes in group. He looked them
over carefully, but there was nothing by
which he could pick out the special man
for whom he was searching. He went
up to one at haphazard and whispered
to him:
Sesame.
"Sesa-what!" came the reply in a
strange tone.
Don't you know our password"
asked the detective.
Password? Rats We are not real
thieves. p" And with laugh he turned
away. Mr.. Barnes felt himself power
less, and besides recalled the fact that
while he followed this will-o'- -the-wisp
he was not keeping an eye upon Ali
Baba. Hurrying back into the ballroom,
he soon found him, though he had part
ed from Scheherezade.
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