Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-05-12

my boy Wonderful Stuf, namnlame-
lis. Only for my having bottle along
I'd have been laid up for a week.
Jovc. Feel that muscle. Like steel!
l say this business of exploring the
wilds is no child's play, after all. Is
it,"
He rattlcs on, drawing two chairs
up, placing his feet on one, and bring
inc into view an enormous cigar,
which must have been made cspe'
cialy for a man of his size.
SO Joe has to describe how. on many
an occasion. he and his men have been
compelled to actually hew way
through Il dense network Of vines and
fallen trees that covered the stream
they were navigating.
Ry degrees they get him to khar-
toom, and as he had promised Tanner
the story of that doomed citys fall he
proceeds to give a graphic description
of what took place, from the time of
Gordon's arrival up TO the Inflated
! 26th of January, when the Christian
, hero fell a martyr to political hcsita-
ton at home betrayed by those in
whom he trusted.
Mynhcer Joe would speak as little
rs possible of his own share in these
! tragic events, but they draw him out,
and he is thus compelled to tel! what
happened.
While Molly sits there, her lovely
/ 4 g., of ha l.1r
deep admiration and even growing
love knding her fine features. the
! baron glarcs at the group from the
| other end of the piazza.
He realizes that the fatcs have dealt
! him terrible blow, and that his case
/ is indeed hopeless, unless fortune
throws in his way n means of over
turning circumstances.
The baron chances to be ono of those
/ men who imagine that the battle is
Won by the party who fights Cor vic
! tory, therefore he will not be apt to
sit around with his hands in his pock
| cts.
Already he has proven to what end
| but a desperate tiend would ever think
of getting dangerous rival out of the
way by such a plan as running his
! looks with acid. This same man is
fertile in resources and dangerous as n
foe. Mynheer Joe may learn TO his
cost that he was really safer among
the bowling, maddcned dervishes Of
the Mahdi than he is in Cairo to-day.
W hen the spectacle grows too bitter
for him to longer gaze up the baron
walks away, muttering TO himself.
Mr.. Grimes has from place of con.
cealment been watching this game,
and chuckles when he notes the diplo.
mats discontinue. Still keeping his
eye upon him he sees the baron signal
French eX-army officer, who has
some connection with the Khcdiyc's
palace, being in his employ.
These two talk long and earnestly,
during which the baron glanccs Il
number of times toward the trio on
the piazza, and even the Frenchman
looks earnestly that way.
Some deviltry afoot," mutters Mr..
Grimes. I'D give a little to be able
to hear what is said, but must find
out the truth in another way"
Watching the couple he finally sees
them shake hands heartily; the French
officer bows, places a hand on his
heart makes a gesture ana walks
away. Whatever has been the pur-
port Of their conversation the matter
has undoubtedly been arranged.
AS the baron passes Mr.. Grimes the
latter quietly follows him, making
sure to attract no attention. In this
way he sees the Russian diplomat
finally enter Il peculiar house, wnch
has something of the appearance of
gymnasium.
Lettering around Mr.. Grimes dlscoV-
crs an English gentleman, whom he
knows, about to enter. He stops him
to ask a question and learns that the
building is an athletic clubroom. His
friend asks him to enter, which he
willingly does, for this is exactly what
he wants.
a number Of men are within. Some
boz, others leap and swing dumb-bclls,
while not n few use the foils. MI.
Grimes discovers the baron. dressed il
n suit that is worn in the exercise,
about to enter into an engagement
with one Of the professors. The sight
somehow makes him jump at conelu'
SONS. Does the baron contemplate
duel? Since his villainous plan to de-
stroy Joe's looks has failed, Will he
endeavor to put the dashing explorer
out of the way by recourse to arms
and the code of honor?
Mr.. Grimes knows that this man has
been principal in many dueis-that
he is an expert swordsman and a dead
Shot. His size, instead of being against
him, really gives him an advantage.
Hence Mynhecr Joe's friend watches
the work of the baron closely. Mr.
Grimes is no swordsman himself, but
he can tell good wrist-play, lunGe ana
parry when he sees it.
Before five minutes pass by he real
ICES that the baron is immense. He
plays with the professor as a cat
might with o mouse, and whenever
he feels in the humor daZZles the
! mans eyes with II flashing wall OF
steel, plucks his foil out Of his grasp
| by wonderful wrench, and laughs in
4 cold-blooded, saruonic way that sets
! Grimes wild, ---.---- -.