The Cairo bulletin., 1904-09-20

| follow. but lliS ~ VI ~ iuiei'st ~
Won. Wait me here for only Il few mo
ments / shall return as soon ms have
arranged the preliminaries of your In
! PRODUCTION"
And with that the young man, way
ing his hand to his companions, turned
| into the court, entered doorway and
disappeared.
"Of all our follies," said Colonel Ger
aldine In low voice, this is the wild
est and most dangerous
II perfectly believe So" returned the
| prince.
| "We have still" pursued the colonel,
| "a moment to ourselves Let me be-
! seech your highness to profit by the
opportunity and retire. The conse-
quences of this step are so dark and
| may be so grave that 1 feel myself
| justified ia pushing little further
than usual the liberty which your high
ness is SO condescending as to allow
| NE in private"
"Am | to understand that Colonel
| Geraldine is nfraidi'' asked his high
| ness, taking his cheroot from his lips
and looking keenly into the others face.
MY fear Is certainly not personal
replied the other proudly. "Of that
your highness may well rest assured
II had supposed as much" returned
the prince. with undisturbed good hui
NOR, "but | was unwilling to remind
you of the difference In our stations.
No more-no more" he added, seeing
Geraldine about to apologize. "You
stand excused
And he smoked placidly, leaning
against a railing, until the young man
returned.
well" he asked, "has our reception
been arrangodT'
"FoIlow me-" was the reply 1.-THE
president will see you In the cabinet.
And let me warn you TO be frank in
your answers. have stood your guar
antee, but the club requires search
ing inquiry before admission, for the
indiscretion Of single member would
+ lead to the dispersion of the whole So
ciety forever
The prince and Geraldine put their
heads together for moment. Bear
me out In this" said the one; bear
me out in that" said the other. and,
by boldly taking up the characters of
men with whom both were acquainted,
| they had come TO an agreement In q
twinkling and were ready to follow
their guide into the presidents cab
| met.
There were no formidable obstacles
to pass The outer door stood open, the
| door of the cabinet was ajar, and there,
In a small but very high apartment,
the Young man left them once more.
HE will be here Immediately, he
said. with a nod, as he disappeared.
Voices were audible In the cabinet
through the folding doors which form
cd one end and now and then the noise
OF champagne cork, followed by a
burst of laughter, interviewed among
the sounds of conversation. 4 single
tall window looked out upon the river
and the embankment, and by the dis
position of the lights they judged them
selves not far from Charing Cross sta
ton. The furniture was scanty and the
coverings were worn to thread. and
there was nothing movable except n
hand bell in the center of round ia
BILE, and the hats and coats of a consid-
cradle party hung round the wall on
pegs.
"What sort of den is thisT said
Geraldine
"That is what | have come to see"
replied the prince. 'If they keep live
devils on the premises, the thing may
grow amusing"
Just then the folding door was open
ed no more than was necessary for the
passage of human body, and there
entered at the same momeat a louder
buzz of talk and the redoubtable presi-
dent of the Suicide club. The president
was man Of fifty or upward, large
and rambling In his gait. with shaggy
side WHISPERS a bald top to his head
and a yeilod gray eye. which now and
then emitted a twinkle. His mouth
embraced large cigar. which he kept
continually screwing round and round
and from side TO side as he looked
sagaciously and coldly at the strangers.
He was dressed i'm light tweeds. with
his neck very open i'm a striped shirt
collar. and carried a minute book under
one arm.
Good evening" said he after he
| had closed the door behind him. II
am told you wish To speak with me"
I'VE have a desire, sir, 10 join the
Suicide club" replied the colonel
3 The president rolled his cigar about
| In his mouth
"What is thatT he said abruptly.
pardon me-" returned the colonel
"but I believe you are the person best
qualified to give us information on that
| point"
az" cried the president "A Suicide
club? Come, come, This is frolic
for All Fools day. can make allow
ances for gentlemen who get merry In
their liquor, but let there he an end to
this"
call your club what you Will, said
the colonel you have some company
behind thtse doors, and we insist on
! joining Il"
/ st.s. - ..z...-1a A.. ,,roufIo~,t esfrflr