The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-26

makes his appearance at the hotel.
Steamer is in sight" he says to
Mr.. Grimes.
How do you know. Sandy?" asked
that worthy.
II had a good glass and the pasha's
palace afforded me fine situation for
observation. She will be in at five
and leave at six. See that you are
ready"
Look here: How about that little
engagement you made to keep"
"Silence, my dear fellow! Say moth
ing, but keep your eyes Open" And
Sandy marches to find the others and
communicate his news.
Mr.. Grimes looks after him and
smiles.
II really suspect the sharp little -fel-
low has been up to something or other.
He has good friends here in Alexan-
dria among the officers, who would do
q good deal for him. I wonder what
his game is, and if he will succeed in
giving the baron his second Knockout
Perhaps it will be my turn to have q
hand in the game after awhile,
Sandy cannot hope to keep the news
Of the approaching steamer from all
others, nor does he desire to do so. All
that he wants is to get his friends IN
readiness, so there may be no delay
on their part.
He is off again as though very i'm
portant business demands his atten-
ton; nor do the others see him until
it is time to leave.
Amid the hustle of departure from
the hotel Sandy again shows up and
secures his baggage. They are soon
landed at the quay. The steamer lies
some little distance out, and shows
signals that demand haste on the part
of those coming aboard.
Then begins a din that is only
equaled by the shouts Of the donkey
drivers in the public square. The boat
men of Alexandria can give even q
New York hackman points about bull
doing a traveller into accepting their
peculiar craft. The clamor is intense,
and at times it actually looks as
though some of the rascals might lay
violent hands upon the travellers and
attempt to toss them into ter boats
a proceeding that would result disas-
trously to the boatmen.
At length, however, they hire cou-
pie Of boats to take themselves and
luggage out to the steamer; and when
this point has been actually settled,
the mob quiets down like hive Of
bees after an eruption or else seeks
fresh victims.
Mynheer Joe notices that another
party is embarking near blythe baron.
He has secured q boat, and, with his
two followers, heads for the steamer.
Then Sandy's plan has been a dead
failure! Mr.. Grimes turns look that
borders on the sarcastic upon the cor
respondent, and is Immediately
knocked all in a heap by the twinkle
he sees in Sandy's eyes. 1t seems to
say to him: "Wait, and you may yet
see some fun, my fine fellow"
Surprised, Mr.. Grimes notices that
Sandy keeps one eye turned in the d.
rection Of the boat in which the baron
is seated, as though he finds deep in
terest there. He, too, turns his eyes
in that direction.
At first he sees nothing out Of the
way. The man rows along after the
indolent fashion of these lazy Alex
andria boatmen, paying no attention
to the signals from the steamer that
indicate lack Of time.
Looking beyond, Mr.. Grimes pricks
up his ears, so 10 speak; for glimmer
of the truth flashes into his brain when
he sees boat propelled by a couple Of
British soldiers and containing three
others, one of them an officer, follow
ing the baron's craft and not far be-
hind.
They come up rapidly.
The Russian turns in his seat In the
stern and takes one look at the other
boat, but does not seem to bother his
head over it a bit. In the course of
two minutes, the boat containing the
soldiers is alongside the other, and
the officer lays his hand on the gun.
vale.
What does this mean" demands
the baron, in a loud, offensive voice.
Our friends motion to the men to
stop rowing, so that they may hear
what passes near by.
Il beg your pardon, sir, but I am
looking for Baron Popoff," says the
officer.
That is my name, sir" replies the
other.
He does not look alarmed, only an
noSed, as though some impecunious
creditor is about to make a descent
upon him at the last moment.
II have just found you in time,
, baron" with a significant glance to-
ward the waiting steamer from
whose funnel the smoke potrs-she
, resembles some impatient animal eag-
; er to start in the race.
| Indeed, sir, what do you wish with
me? l have not kept my light hidden
under q bushel while in Alexandria" "
returns'the Russian.
Pardon me, baron, I know nothing
of the matter beyond the fact that
, have instructions to bring you before
the general"
"What?" and with q weird Russian
curse bubbling from his lips, the baron
, springs to his feet.
my language was plain, baron.
am. sorry to break into any of your
. plans. but my orders allow no lati-
. tude."