The Red Cloud chief., 1904-04-22
THE MAN WITH
she BROWN BEARD
tOriginai.1

posite me, pulled ou a newspaper ana
began to read. I was reading too.
Presently, probably actuated By
thought transference, probably by CO
incidence, we raised our eyes to each
other at the same moment The man
turned quickly and looked out Of tho
window. l resumed my reading. When
I looked up again his eyes were hxed
upon me.
carefully noted the mans appear
ance. He wore a brown beard, while
his hair was black and ~sprinkled with
gray. He was tall and slender. with
a slight stoop. lie looked moro 10
spectacle than his clothes, which were
very shabby.
That evening while at supper at my
Inn I suddenly felt an inclination to
look up. My eyes met those Of the
man with the brown beard. This time
there was a slight scowl on his face.
but he lowered his eyes to his plate
and went on with his supper.
In the morning l proceeded on my
journey. stopping again the next even
ing. While sitting In the office smok-
ing who should come In but this man,
who I was now fully convinced was
shadowing me. As he passed me he
started, but whether his surprise was
real or feigned I could not make out.
lie put down his belongings, except q
| morocco covered box. A servant who
gathered up the traps attempted to
take the box as well, but the man held
on to II n%ervously.
am something Of q detective. and
the incident, though trifing, interested
me. Was not the box IN Internal ma
| chine, and did not the man take me for
q high Russian Official travelling incogf
The next day I took q train for St
| Petersburg. not needing to stop over
| night, for the distance was but q hun
dred miles. On entering my compart-
ment I noticed that there was but q
single person in 1t besides myself. TAX
| Ing my seat, I let down q window for
better air. arranged my belongings.
then, while taking Q book from my
satchei. glanced at my fellow passsn-
ger.
He was the man with the brown
beard.
A moment later. though l was not
looking directly ut him, l saw him tug
ging at something under his Overcoat,
as though he were getting a revolver
into a position where he could use 1t
expeditiously. My conscience was so
clear Of any intention that would cal
his weapon into service that I simply
gave him n contemptuous glance. then.
opening my book, began to read. After
awhile l dropped 1t on my lap and
sank into a light slumber. But before
losing consciousness I saw my shadow
er ~nervously reaching under his seat
to feel for his box and casting suspi-
cious glances mt me.
l was awakened by something strik-
Ing heavily against me. Opening my
eyes, l saw the man with the brown
beard trying to regain his balance.
having evidently been thrown upon me
by q lurch Of the coach. But what
was my surprise and, I will admit, con.
%sternation to see that he held a re-
volver within q foot of my nose.
"Sit still!' he cried In English. I'll
you dare nov I'll blow out your
brains!'
Thunderstruck, especially at being
addressed In my native tongue, l made
nc reply.
"YOur game is blocked" he said.
"My gamer"
"Yes. l have you covered and at the
next station shall turn you over to the
police"
"Does the car employ English de
tectives"
"You can't throw me or the track BY
assuming to be a nihilist. I know you
intentions"
, "Well. I'll be obliged to you II YOU
, will tell me what they are"
"What they are? You know yer!
well what they are-the Jewels"
"What jewelsi'
Perhaps it was my unfeigned look o
3 establishment that threw a shade o
Y doubt, of perplexity, across his face.
( "Do you mean to tell me-" he said
Y "tnat you have not information con
a corning me and my acts; that you hav'
t not Swallowed me ever since l crosses
the border; that you have not beel
waiting an opportunity to posses
yourself Of the treasure; that befOr
we had been long In this compartment
z you would have chlOrofOrmed me
seized my box and left the train at tn
r first stOpT
l had so recently awakened and tn
o adventure was so surprising that
j. could not for some time quite gathe
my faculties. This, however, gave m
time to see the absurdity of the mattel
You're a fool" l blurted out at las
e "and so am l. ! thought you wer
shadowing me-"
8 "Shadowing your What fOr?"
@ "The government"
The strained expression on his fac
= melted into an amused smile.
"Who are your he asked.
e. "A citizen Of Philadelphia"
n philadelphia! So am l."
q We pulled out cards and exchange
8. them.
"Why, you are the gentleman" sa