The record-union., 1897-04-25
and keeping as clear of it as you
could - obiacted

clared, looking angry and aStonlshed
i beg pardon for placing it on your
portmanteau. 1t wasn't steady on the
seat. | turned your face away from
it. You must have been dreaming.
Perhaps it was a dream that felt
you punching and joking all over me-
retorted. I'll swear you did,"
He looked very serious.
4 see you mean to quarrel with me
about something. l declare most SOL
EMMY 1 don't understand why. / did
nothing to you unless''-with a laugh
1t was in my sleep. / have had
misgiving about that last stuff I got;
fancied there was something unusual
mixed with it, opium or soothing stuff.
That would account for our dreams,
would it not? Well, here it goes" and
he flung the flask out of the window,
and then put the fumigator away in
his bag, with such an open, honest air,
that 1 began to mistrust my own
senses
1T is queer, certainly" 1 said, laugh
ing a little. He laughed, too, got up
and stretched himself again in his cor
ner.
The newcomer had paid no atten-
ton to either of us, but sat upright ana
dark-a silent presence. l felt hap
pier at having him there and began
to cast about for some thing to say TO
him. I'm naturally sociable and gen
orally get on with the people l brush
up against in the world; but whether
it was sleepiness or that inhaling stun,
not q word would come out, and we
all sat mute while the dark country
outside rushed past the steaming Win
dow with only now and then the lights
of some small station flashing by.
l felt l was growing queer and
nervous and jumpy, sitting bolt up
right before this dark stranger, watch
ing for movement, CLEAN OF MS
eyes. or even the stir of his breath IN
the long white mustache that fell over
his mouth-anything just show that 1t
was a man, and a living man sitting
opposite me.
My fellow traveller presently crossed
over and sat down at the other end
of the portmanteau.
Il owe you a supper for those bad
dreams" he said laughingly. Where
are you going when we reach town!
Anywhere in particular? No? Wen,
come with me to my club" and ne
named a very smart one, where L
should liked to have gone uncommonly.
I'm afraid 1 can't" l said re-
luctantly; i've had a long day and
don't feel like anything but going
home and going straight to bed
Then You'll dine with me to-mor-
row? Or will any other day suit you
BETTER" he persisted SO pleasantly that
refuse
I could come on Saturday. 1 shall
be at liberty then"
"Ah. you will be at liberty on Satur-
day" he repeated, still smiling. III
make a note of that" and he began
to tumble in the breast pocket of his
overcoat.
| don't know what made me get up
just then and change to the seat oppo-
site him. The train jerked and nearly
sent me lurching on the stranger, but
he took no notice.
My fellow-traveler still held his hand
in his breast Il wonder what the time
is? My watch has stopped We
ought to be getting in SOON"
l drew out my watch and looked at it.
AS l did so there was a sharp report
and a burning smart cut across the
side of my forehead and into my hair.
Another report and I had caught the
mans wrist and we were locked to-
gether in a desperate struggle for the
possession of the smoking revolver.
l kept him from using it, but he grip
ped me tight and was bearing me down.
He was a stronger man than / could
have guessed and heavier than l, but l
was younger and desperate. 1 felt that
if he once got the better of me 1 knew
what to expect.
The other man-what was he doing?
An accomplice?
My foot slipped and I fell sideways
on the seat, while my adversary
wrenched his hand free.
Help" 1 cried at last Help, Don't
see me murdered" / felt my oppo-
nent's grip relax, and with violent
effort flung him off. The revolver fell
with a thump between my feet. l
bounced upon it.
Now, then. what's the meaning of
this?" 1 demanded, but got no answer.
The man had dropped back on The seat,
his eyes were rolling and his jaw had
fallen. He was breathing hard and
jerkily.
Have I hurt you? 1t was his own
doing, you know" l said turning to
appeal to the stranger.
who is hep" gasped my adversary,
grabbing at my hand. Look there,
Where did he come from? What does it
mean?"
The stranger stood upright in the
middle of the carriage His cloak had
fallen back, and his long white beard
fioated over his great sunken chest.
From under his black, shaggy eyebrows
his fierce yellow eyes flashed from one
OF us to the other.
My masterl Sir Stretton,' he chok-
ed, and his head dropped forward A
great cold seemed to freeze me. and I
sank down beside him. weak as water.
This man was my enemy, but he was
| flesh and blood like myself while that
other
l loosened the mans scarf and collar
presently, keeping my head turned
! from the figure. He drew a long
/ breath. and his eyes opened, they turn
ed to my face in an agony of terror.
and he clutched my arm to prevent my
leaving his side l had no fear of him
now.
How long we sat there together l do
not know. but the train stopped at
last. the door opened, and the tall dark
shape passed out before us into the
night.
The collector stood at the door de-
manding our tickets
Did you see that gentleman? Where
did he go?" | asked