New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-14

would look out for and our luggage IN tihe 'o'
the Castlemere train.
..rbo waiter arriving Anne gave the order, which
was nromptlv filled. The waiter after serving US
left the room. After leisurely eating our meal
and 1t was "a very good one-we were surprised 10
find that the waiter did not return thnush we
rang several times. There were evidently people
in the house for we could hear rather loud laugh
ing and talking Anne being of an investigating
turn of mind walked down the corridor ana peeped
in a door which was slightly agar She was
startled to see of the toughest description
veritable cutthroats in appearance playing cards
and drinking. She came back to the room In great
haste and said Mildred, l suspicious of this
place Put on your coat quickly and we VIII leave
at once whether our bill is paid or not
The coast was clear. We left the room 81 tiptoe
and hurried downstairs and out withor' being
stopped and soon reached the station safey, hay
ing been gone little under hour. lnq'tning at
the ticket office. We were greatly astonsh ned To
learn that the train we wanted would start IN hVe
minutes though the polite guard. who was no
where in sight. had assured us it would not leave
Altogether. that was very strange affair
said l. when we dumped with our belongings
into the tram 4 wonder what those cafe people
thought of decampinG without paying Tor the
we were quite excited over our adventure. and
"a II b at was handsome tai
IAN who apparently was Immersed IN ms news
saed When ~ he to US and said IN French
Pardon. ladies' but will you kindly tell me
lust what happened when you reached the inn?'
idle curiosity. he was a respectable looking man.
so Anne proceeded to give him graphic account
of our adventure
ALLOW me now to tell you my interest in the
matter said our fellow traveller 1 am the chief
of the secret police service of Italy and the man
most noted criminals in IaIy-a thief. black
mailer and. pretty sure, a murderer. We
nave been shadowng him for some time, but could
not catch him in any definite act OF crime. He had
just been located in Naples when he seem in
the disguise of a railroad guard to approach you
ladies; whom he believed TO be rich Americans
tected by surveillance-that he would have
made the attempt to rob you when he took you to
that house, which is nothing than a den Of
thieves. His confederateS were there and his plans
Were well laid But he is a wary fellow, and, care
points No attempt was made to harm you He
dsannea red from the room but did not leave the
house, of that assured. We believe
there is an underground passage which he used
disgust. 1 boarded this train with you to learn
definite particulars from you, and now, with many
graduate you on SO harmless ending your
adventure and TO advise that you do not travel
the catching of your Neapolitan friend And with
had heard "''1'
We had any further information as to
venture. We hung on TO father when met him.
though, and he Mortified at the way we had
been approached. but seemed to get good deal of
quiet satisfaction. too. out of the fact that in
stead Of the thief doing US. had done the
thief out OF good square meal"
At the close of her narrative Mildred waited for
appIause,Which did not come. The club members
seemed chary of applause. One suggested that If
week they might at last reach a really amusing
incident of some Sort although she began TO think
sense OF humor was lacking in the club. How
ever she should attend once more in the hope that
something funny would be forthcoming After
iortifying themselves with Russian tea and col
Letting two quarters from members who forgot
themselves and referred to foreign topics outside
adjourned.