Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-06-23

!
of lover.
The journey becomes a tritie weari.
some with such slow time. and all are
really glad when Alexandria l.:
reached. about three in the afternoon.
No steamer yet. She must be de.
aycd.
The tourists are taken to the Hctel
de l. Europe. on the grand square. If
the steamer arrives. they will have TO
make speedy transfer, as she will not
remain more than an hour or so.
Sandy becomes all business.
He asks none of them to Join in his
secrets, but disappears from view.
Perhaps he means to get the first in
formation concerning the coming of
the steamer and has his own way of
doing 1t.
At exactly five minutes TO four he
makes his appearance at the hotel.
Steamer is in sight" he says to
Mr. Grimes.
How do you know, Sandy asked
that worthy.
| l IIitl u sSooNl SihSS anu 'iiN l'h'''''' ~
caace afforded L.c = go 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 -
"Silcncc, 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 ana
smiles.
Il really suspect the sharp little fell
! low has been up 10 something or other.
! lie has good friends here in AleNan
| iria anon. the officers. who would do
a good deal for him. ! wonder what
his came is. and if lie will succeed in
giving the baron his second knock out
Perhaps it will be my turn to have II
! hand in the game after awhile"
Sandy canuot homo to keep the news
Of the approaching steamer from ali
others. nor docs he desire TO do 50. All
! that he wants is to get his friends in
| readiness. 81 there may be no delay
! on their part.
lie is Off again as though very i'm.
nollant business demands his AttHn,
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, ana shows
signals that demand haste on the part
of those coming aboard.
Then begins din that is only
eQualcd by the shouts of the donkey.
drivers i'll the public square. The boat
men of Alexandria can give even a
New York hacliman points about bull
doing a Traveller inIo accepting their
peculiar craft. The clamor is intense
and at times It actually looks as
! though some of the rascals might lay
violent la IDS upon the travellers aud
attempt 10 toss them into their boats
a proceeding that would result diSas
trouslv TO the buatmrn.
At length. however, they hire con
pie Of boats to take themselves ano
! luggage ont TO the steamer; anl Whrr
this point has been actually settled
hc mob uurts down like hive OF
bees after m eruption or else seeks
/ fresh victims.
! Mynheer Joe notices that another
! party is emharkin" near hy-the baron
He has secured lrat aud, with Ii:
Two followers, heads for the steamer
Then Sandy's plan has beer Il dcaC
failure. Mr.. Grimes turns look th@'
borders on the sarcastic upon the cor
| respondent. and Is immediately
knocked all in heap by the twinkle
he sees in Sandy's eyes. 1t seems tt
say to him: "Wnit, and you may YET
see some fun, my fine fellow
Surprised. Mr.. Grimes notices that
Sandy keeps one eye turned in the di
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
ndolent fashion of these lazy Alex
andria boatmen, paying no attention
10 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 a boat propelled by Il 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 1t bit. In the course of
two minutes, the boat containing the
soldiers is alongside the other, and
the officer lays his hand Oh the gun.
vale.
what does this mean?" demands
the baron, in loud. offensive voice.
Our friends motion to the men to
stop rowing, so that they may hear
what passes near by.
II beg your pardon, sir, but l am
looking for Baron Popotf," says the
officer.
THAT is my name, SIR replies the
other.
He does not look alarmed, only an.
noyed, as though some impecunious
creditor is about to make descent
upon him at the last moment