Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1904-07-06
THE MAN WITH
Ole BROWN BEARD


began to read. was reading TOO.
Presently, probably actuated by
thought transference. probably by CO
incidence. we raised our eyes to each
other ut the same monsenf. The man
turned quickly aud looked out OF the
window. ! resumed my reading. When
l looked up again bis eyes were fixed
upon me.
carefully noted the mans appear
ancc. 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 | suddenly felt an inclination to
look up. My eyes met those of the
man with the brown beard. This time
there was slight scowi on his face
but he lowered his eyes TO his plate
and went on with his supper.
In the morning / 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 | was now fully convinced was
shadowing me. AS he passed the he
started. but whether his surprise Was
real or feiCned could not make out
He nut 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 IL nervousiy.
am something Of detective, and
the incident. though tritiing. interested
me. Was not the bex IN Internal ma
chine, and did not the man take me for
a high Russian official travelling incog
The next day | took train for St
Petersburg. not nesdIu-g t. stop over
night, for the distance was but hun
dred miles. on entering my compari-
ment noticed tlslt there was but
single person In 1t besides myself. TAX
ing my, scat, let down a window for
better air. arranged my belongings.
then. while taking a book from my
satchel. glanced at my fellow p2ssen-
ger.
He was the man with the brown
beard.
\ moment later. though | was not
looking directly at him, saw him tug
ging At something under his overcoat.
as though he were getting revolver
into a position where he could use IL
expeditiously. Ny conscience was SO
clear Of any intention THAI would call
his weapon into service that simply
gave him contemptuous glance, then.
opening M taaak. eeSaa 70 read After
swhIle I creFy~a II en- my s39 End
sank into = hght sSoszfs~. hut before
losing consciousness l enw my shadow
err nervousiy reaching under his seat
10 feel for his box and casting suspi-
cious slances at me.
was awakened by something strik-
ing heavily against me. Opening my
eyes. saw the man with the brown
beard trying 10 regain his balance.
having evidently been thrown upon me
by a lurch of the coach. But what
was my surprise and, 7 will admit. con
sternation TO see that he held a re
yolyer within foot Of my nose.
sit still"' he cried in English IF
you dare move I'll blow out your
brains
Thunderstorm. especially at being
addressed in my native tongue, / made
no reply.
Your game is blocked" he said.
My gamer
Yes. have you covered and at the
next station snail turn you over to the
police"
Does the car employ English de
tectives?"
You can't throw me of the track by
assuming TO be nihilist know your
intentions"
Well. IN 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 jewelsY'
Perhaps il was my unfeigned look OF
establishment that threw a shade Of
doubt. OF perplexity. across his face.
DO you mean 10 tell me-" he said.
mat you have not information con-
corning me and my acts; that you have
not Swallowed me ever since / crossed
the border; that you have not been
waiting an opportunity 10 possess
yourself OF the treasure; that before
we had been long in this compartment
you would have chloroformed me.
seized my box and loft the train at the
first stop?'
/ had so 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 absuFdfty OF the matter.
You're fool" blurted out at last.
and SO am /. ] thought you were
shadowing. me-
"Shadowing you? What forY'
THE government"
The strained expression on his face
melted into an amused sgnie.
who are your he asked.
"A citizen OF Philadelphia"
philadelphia. SO am l."
We pulled out cards and exchanged