Hutchinson gazette., 1902-02-20


liking, that he was an object OF con-
siderable curiosity to the trio.
Finally this aroused Paul's curiosity,
and he began to suspect that his fel-
low-travelers might be other than the
innocents they appeared upon the sur
face.
Perhaps one OF them was q govern
ment agent, bound at all hazards to
keep him under surveillance, since II
was believed In otiicial circles that the
American had entered into a conspir-
acy against the authorities,
Which one this might be gave him
some amusement for a while, though
he finally decided II must be the vet
eran soldier,
And the others-could they be par
ties In the secret pay OF the countess?
Such thing was possible, Of course,
though hardly probable; but Paul was
In just the mood to give his fancy full
rein, and he allowed It to go at that.
Although 1t raised quite question,
anu rendered his situation serious
enough, with three enemies shut up in
the car with him.
He had not been able to sleep before
and now he had not the least desire to
do so-in fact, he never felt more wide
awake in all his life.
Supposing this random guess Of his
hit the mark, did these men have any
intention of doing him bodily injury?
II they were in the employ Of the
countess 1t was not to be presumed
that they would seek his life, though
his personal liberty might be- in dan
ger
Anything to keep him from seeking
an interview with the German military
authorities at Berlin to whom he
might be tempted to unbosom himself.
Paul laughed softly to himself when
he found to what a serious point his
thoughts were carrying him,
Nevertheless, II was characteristic of
him to take all possible precautions
And even while he thus chuckled in
derlslon at his alarming suspicious, his
hand unconsclously strayed to the
pocket where he kept small but serv-
iceable repeater, as II to make sure
that this feathful friend was within
reach.
To the ordinary mind there Is con-
siderable satisfaction in the prospect of
being able to meet even a desperate
emergency, and the fact Of his being
armed made Paul reckless Of conse-
quences, even though the others were
three to one.
Since sleep refused to come, and his
limbs grew cramped, Crouched as he
was in corner of the compartment,
Paul decided to get out at the next sta
ton and have a little saunter up and
down.
No sooner did he make move than
his fellow tourists also aroused them
selves.
The old soldier yawned, the mer-
chant threw aside the travelling rug
which the cool night air had caused
him to pull around his body, while the
third traveller stretched his arms and
proceeded to once more smoke his big
pipe.
Paul could not but notice this fact,
It caused him to fully decide with
reference to stroll at the next sta
ton.
At the same time he meant to keep
close to the train so as to give them
no opportunity for foul work of any
sort.
Sure enough, when the guard opened
the door OF the compartment, stating
that they had had about five minutes
at the station, the whole Of them
trooped out after Paul.
This convinced him more than ever
that his surmise could hardly have
been such wild one after all.
And who could say that ere Berlin
was reached he might not be glad he
was armed?
ITO he continupd)