The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-18

glanced across this time at sleeping
ter his threatening his lips mutterng
But just the point Of the sleeper with
cry Of ALARM he laid the down again and turned
more.
Then he slowly unwound from his neck silk hand
kerchief, and, gathering energies great
fort, he gripped the seat and to-
wards unsteady staggering and lurching and roll
ing the train jerked in it's rapid
He holding kerchief in hand, noticed,
to surprise intense relief that he had left the
revolver in the corner When he reached stood,
holding the and leering like dazed
in the sisters face for moment Apparently satisfied
with his scrutiny of her, he turned and looked down
1 kept my eyes all but shut, but he to know
was awake; and thought now that his face wore a
different expression.
For heavens sakes!" whispered His voice
very ndstnct between his breathing but vet
had of entreaty. Then, "The
good sister sleeps? and he laid the white
her and For heavens sake read" said putting
the paper on my lap Read" he urged again, when
hesitated
I it then, limos too frightened to UNDER
stand it, and while he stood there holding to the
luggage-rack swaying staggering breathing
heavily, read follows:
Help me, for heavens sake! Ihave been drugged
poisoned. Ambrose Goreau % Rue dEpiciennes,
Paris; have twenty thousand pounds diamonds
in my bag and concealed about either dying
help 1t will ruin suspect the sister dis
gulsed revolver is on seat Get it before am in
him in heap to the ground
pulled himself to his seat and olled there in
ert and helpless, and fast growing unconscious
What did it mean? What should I do?
The tables turned with a vengeance.
Frenchman right, the pretended Sister
Marie? What position mine!
With san effort the Frenchman held up the revolver
to show
I moved if uneasly and then, looking stealthly
at the apparently sleeping got change seat
fanced that the head sleeper slightly
If to follow my movement, and this decided
went to the other the compartment and,
standing that action could seen took the
revolver and put the bag me.
AS did SO, he fell back with low utterly
scious
of suspense that followed were the most
trying of life. waiting the nun to move,
trying do.
sat with fixed the still figure
other end of the carriage and
it panied my lips hot and dry my tongue
glued to the roof of mouth, while breath
BILE coward, and knew should faint if this
tinued.
It was thus distinct relief when at length the sleeper
showed signs of awakening. She gave a deep sigh,
stretched yawning then took
the Frenchman's kerchief face, and sat up,
stretched again, and cast subtle swift glance
making it instantly with a smile.
The crisis evidently hand and should soon
know the worst still quite incapable
ing what to do Ny mind seemed parayzed
ing the revolver which concealed in fold of my
dress was afraid of it. had never handled a
thing before and dreaded lest it should explode
hurt and held it gingerly in fingers
violently.
The sister did not speak and for time showed no in
tendon even to leave her seat. AS
found myself wondering fearsomely was the
face of a man or woman but it was mnossb1e to do
ternine. The light in the carriage was but DIM the
broad white hlet across the brow the
chin the quaint voluminous headgfear my efforts
to guess the riddle But the fact see
condition Of the Frenchan and question
him, heightened suspicious; then noticed
something which seemed to confirm all my fears.
detected teathy movements beneath ample
black cloak and instinctively jumped conclusion
that the dress Disguise indeed
a man, and that he was making ready throw the
cloak to execute his sinister purpose.
This thought seemed rouse my numbed wits If
was to do anything, I must do it now glance
at the huddledup form of the unconscious Frenchnan
I fate he his
suspicious correct.
At that instant thought of stopping train by
means OF the communication cord, and blamed my slug
gsh wits that the simple expedient had
me before Taking tighter grip of the pistol hand
grasped the window strap with to carry out
the purpose.
'sit STILL Move finger, and I'll lodge a bullet in
your BRAIN"
The sisters" voice out clear and stern,
and wondered how could have found it synpa