Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-06-23
THE MAN WITH
66e BROWN BEARD


began to read. l was reading too.
Presently, probably actuated by
thought transfcrcnce, probably by CO
incidence, we raised our eyes to each
other at the same moment. The man
turned quickly and looked out of the
window l resumed my reading. When
l looked up again his eyes were fixed
upon me.
| carefully noted the mans appear
ancc. lie wore brown beard, while
his hair was black and sprinkled with
gray. He was tail and slender, with
slight stoop lie looked more re-
spectacle than his clothes, which were
very shabby.
That evening While at supper at my
iln l suddenly felt an inclination TO
..u.> a.. Ny eyes met those Of the
I.5a with tus brown beard. This time
l.s~e was a af"u. scowl on his face,
H., he I..,rnd his eyes to his plate
and acat JI WA liS supper.
=. s.s m.t..u- / proceeded on my
journey, stopping again the next even
ing. While sitting In the Office smok-
ing who should come i'll but this man,
who | was now fully convinced was
shadowing me- AS he passed me he
started, but whether his surprise was
real or felgned l could not make out.
He put down his belongings, except a
morocco covered box. A servant who
gathered up the traps attempted TO
take the box as well, but the man held
on to it nervOusiy.
| am something Of a detective, and
the incident. though trining, interested
me- Was not the box an Internal ma
chine, and did not the man take me for
a high Russian official travelling incog?
The next day l took train for st.
Petersburg, not needing TO stop over
night, for the distance was but a hun
red miles. on entering my COmpart-
ment | noticed that there was but q
single person in 1t besides myself. TAX
Ing my seat, let down window for
better air. arranged my belongings,
then, while taking a book from my
satchel, glanced at my fellow passen-
ger
He was the man with the brown
beard
A moment later, though l was not
looking directly at him, saw him tug
ging at something under his overcOat,
as though he were getting a revolver
into u position where he could use 1t
eXpeditiously. My conscience was so
clear of any intention that would call
his weapon into service that | simply
gave him a contemptuous glance, then,
opening my book, began to read. After
awhile | dropped it on my lap and
sank into light slumber. But before
losing consciousness | saw my shadow
er nervously reaching under his seat
TO feel for his box and casting suspi-
cious glances at me.
| was awakened by something strik-
Ing heavily against me- Opening my
eyes, | saw the man with the brown
beard trying to regain his balance,
having evidently been thrown upon me
by a lurch Of the coach. But what
was my surprise and, / will admit, con-
sternation to see that he held a re-
volyer within foot Of my nose.
''Sit stillr' he cried in English. IF
you dare move I'll blow out your
brains"
Thunderstruck, especially at being
addressed in my native tongue, made
no reply.
Your game is blocked" he said.
my gameW
Yes. | have you covered and at the
next station shall turn you over to the
police"
Does the czar employ English de-
tectives?"
You can't throw me off the track by
assuming to be a nihilist l know your
intentions"
We'll I'll be obliged to you If you
will tell me what they are"
What they are? You know very
well what they are-the jewels"
what jewels?"
Perhaps it was my unfeigned look of
astonishment that threw shade of
doubt, of perpleXity, across his face.
do you mean to tell me" he said,
that you have not information con-
cerning me and my acts; that you have
not shadowed me ever since l crossed
the border; that you have not been
waiting an opportunity TO possess
yourself of the treasure; that before
we had been long in this compartment
you would have chlorofor1ned me,
seized my box and left the train at the
first stopY
l had 50 recently awakened and the
adventure was so surprising that
could not for some time quite gather
my faculties. This, however, gave me
time to see the absurdity of the matter.
You're a fool" blurted out at last,
"and so am |. | thought you were
shadOwing me"
"Shadowing you? What for?"
The government"
The strained expression on his face
melted into an amused smile.
'Who are you" he asked.
a citizen Of Philadelphia"
"Philadclphia So am l."
We pulled out cards and exchanged
them.
why, you are the gentleman" said
|, "whose daughter recently married
Count Dcnlzoff of st. Petersburg"
Yes, and l am taking her the fam
lily jewels"
And you mistook me for a robber2'
| said.
And you mistook me for member
Of the secret police"
Still trembling, he opened bag, took
out a flask and offered it to me
Thank You" | said, glad enough
myself to get a bracer. Here's to the
amateur detective service of America"
He smiled grimly, l returned the
flash, and he emptied It,
FRANK BARTHOLOW.
4 Cold In the Head.
A hydroputhic treatment of a cold
in the head is more reliable than any
other. 1t is as follows: In the morning
after rising and ut night before retir-
Ing wash the feet and legs as high up
MS the knees i'm cold water. then rub