Amador ledger., 1904-07-08
THE MAN WITH
66e BROWN BEARD
rOriginal.l

nuSSlan Doruer man got into the
compartment, took seat directly op-
posite me, pulled out a newspaper and
began to read. 1. 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 the
window 1 resumed my reading. When
l looked up again his eyes were fixed
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. He looked more re-
spectacle than his clothes, which were
very shabby.
That evening while at supper at my
inn 1 suddenly felt an inclination to
look up. My eyes met those of the
man with the brown beard. This time
there was slight scowl on his face,
but he lowered his eyes to his plate
and went on with his supper.
In the morning 1 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 l was now fully convinced was
shadowing me. AS he passed me he
started, but whether his surprise was
real or feigned 1 could not make out.
He put down his belongings, except
morocco covered box. A servant who
gathered up the traps attempted to
take the box as well, but the man held
on to it nervously.
1 am something of a detective, and
the incident, though trifiing, 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 1 took a train for st.
Petersburg, not needing to stop over
night, for the distance was but hun
dred miles. On entering my compart-
ment l noticed that there was but
single person in it besides myself. TAX
ing my seat, let down a 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, 1 saw him tug
ging at something under his overcoat,
as though he were getting a revolver
into a position where he could use it
expeditiously. My conscience was so
clear of any intention that would call
his weapon into service that l simply
gave him contemptuous glance, then,
opening my book, began to read. After
awhile 1 dropped it on my lap and
sank into light slumber. But before
losing consciousness 1 saw my shadow
er nervously reaching under his seat
to feel for his box and casting suspi-
cious glances at me.
1 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 lurch of the coach. But what
was my surprise and 1 will admit, con-
sternation to see that he held a re-
volver within foot of my nose.
''Sit stillP' he cried in English. IF
you dare move I'll blow out your
brainsp'
Thunderstruck, especially at being
addressed in my native tongue, 1 made
no reply.
Your game is blocked" he said.
my gameT"
Eyes. 1 have you covered and at the
next station shall turn you over to the
police
Does the car employ English de-
tectivesT'
'You can't throw me off the track by
assuming to be nihilist. know your
Intentions"
well, 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 jewelsf'
Perhaps it was my unfeigned look Of
astonishment that threw a 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 1 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 chloroformed me,
seized my box and left the train at the
first stop?"
l had so recently awakened and the
adventure was SO surprising that l
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 1. 1 thought you were
shadowing me-"
"Shadowing your What for"
"The government"
The strained expression on his face
melted into an amused smile.
"Who are your he asked.
"a citizen of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia! So am l."
We pulled out cards and exchanged
them.
''Why, you are the gentleman" said
1, whose daughter recently married
Count Denizoff Of st. Petersburg"
"Yes, and am taking her the fam
lily jewels"
"And you mistook me for a robberY'
l said.
"And you mistook me for a member
Of the secret police"