The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-03-26

and that all-pervading odor was sapping his
senses with an overwhelming lethargy; noises
reared in his ears. he felt slipping down to
unknown depths, dazzling lights flashed be-
fore his eyes, the very oppression of death
seemed Weighing him down.
With a ConvulsiVe shudder he gave up the
useless struggle and sank into black
consciousness.
He awoke to a sense of chill and unutter-
able nausea.
What were they doing to him? Why
earth could they not let him die in peace?
Where was he?
Someone was shaking him roughly, some
one else looking down him with ex
preston of disgust
Come, come, sic cannot have this in
our railway CARRIAGES said q sharp voice;
and another added
There, you see inspector, just as I told
you-he is SpeechlesSly drunk
Douglas lifted a heavy head, and stared at
the speakers.
He was sitting en- bench in of the
Underground stations, uniformed inspector
on one side, fussy-ooking old gentleman on
the other.
when I got in at Portland Road 1 found
him in this disgraceful state" the latter was
saying. L cannot think how he allowed
to pass the barrier
Where am II" asked Douglas drowsily,
trying with aching brain to take in the sense
of what they were saying.
Baker Street. SIR said the inspector.
Come, now, pull yourself together like a
man.
DO you not think it is your duty to give
him in charge as drunk and incapable?' said
the officiouS old man.
The inspector hesitated.
He knew it was more profitable not to give
gentlemen in charge if possible.
And, while he hesitated, Douglas began to
gather the bearings of the and to under
stand it was of him they were speaking.
DO you imagine 1 am drunk?' he asked
Indignantly. L am no more drunk than you,
sir, but l should be very glad if you would
fetch a policeman, L have been assaulted
and drugged in the train by Hindoo.
The other two exchanged glances.
Have you been robbed of anything sir?"
asked the official.
Douglas began to search his pockets, his
brain still Whirling from the shock, while they
watched him obviously
N-no, l cannot find that there is any
thing missing" he said, at last. looking at
handful of loose change he had drawn from
his pockets and feeling that his watch was
still on the chain.
mo, I thought not said the old man
sarcastically.
You mean that you think I am telling a
cock and-bull tale? Well, it is absolutely
nothing to me what YOU think" said Doug
las. contemptuously. IF you had any sense,
you would still smell that beasty stuff the
scoundrel drugged me with. Have you never
smelt chloroform in your life before?'
The sickness of it still wrapped his senses
as in a veil of mist between him and the
outer world.
We'll, I do notice queer smell, now, you
HeHllOIl IL, SIT, dSSenleQ the Off1Clal, shifting
glngerly. Shall I send for policeman"
Yes, please-but no, no, stop" said Doug
las. with sudden thought of Cora and their
wedding day.
If he put this matter into the hands of the
police now, who knew what vexatious delays
it might involve him in? and Cora would be
dreadfully alarmed.
He took speedy resolve to hush the mat
ter up-at least, for the present.
mo; you need not trouble" he said
quickly. Il will go to the station myself
And, if they do their duty, they will de-
tain you there said the old man, testify.
But here another train came in and anx-
lous not to lose it, he had to get in. and
Douglas was left al one until it's departure
brought the inspector back to him.
Meanwhile, he had felt in his pockets. and
held out now half a sovereign to the man
Look here; now that interfering old fool
has gone, [ will tell you that 1 am. most
anxious this matter should not get into
the papers, said he, speaking in tone of
quiet authority. But, later on, 1 may want
you as a witness in the affair. [ will give Won
my card, and if you want to earn SOW
ereign, you might make cautious INQUIRIES IN
as far Harrington Street of the men at the
barriers as to whether a Hindoo, dressed as
an Englishman apparently about twenty-five
years old, passed through this evening
Very good, sir, said the man., now quite
respectful at the tip and Douglas tone at
often say there is no good will come of letting
all these foreigners into the country-nastv
deceitful, treacherous beggars they are Won
never know what they will be up to next"
well, just keep your mouth shut for a
time that's ALL said Douglas. getting nm
and walking away.
His legs still felt rather as if thew did NOT
belong to him, and his brain was q little
dizzy; he not much surprised that the
old man should have concluded he was drunk
The hustle and glare of the Marylebone
Road seemed almost too much for him
He made his way to the nearest chemists
q drained