Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-04-16
DAILY SHORT STORY
A Man With a Brown Beard.
fOriginal.I

compartment. TOOK seat directly OD
| posite me, pulled out newspaper and
| began To read. l was reading too.
Presently. probably actuated by
| thought transference, probably by CO.
| incidence. we raised our eyes to each
other Ut the same moment. The man
| turned quickly and looked out Of the
window. l resumed my reading. When
looked up again his eyes were fixed
upon me.
L carefully noted the mans appear
ance. He wore Il brown beard. while
his hair was black and Spriuklcd with
gray. He was tail and slender. with
Il slight stoop. He looked more re-
spectacle than his clothes. which we've
very shabby.
That evening while at supper at my
inn l suddenly felt an inclination TO
look up. My eyes met those of the
man with the brown beard. This time
there was u slight scowl on his face,
but ne lowered his eyes TO his plate
and went Oh 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 i'll but this man,
shadowins me. As he passed me he
started. but whether his surprise was
real or fcigned | could not make ont.
He put down his belongings. except Il
morocco covered box. y servant who
gathered up the traps attempted to
take the box as well, but the man held
on To ii ncrVousiy.
| am something of 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 | took Il train for st.
Petersburg. not needing to stop over
night for the distance was but a hun
dred miles. ON entering my cOmpart-
ment l noticed that there was but Il
single person in it besides myself. TAX
ing my seat, l let down Il window for
better air. arranged my belongings.
then, while taking Il book from my
satchel. glanced at my fellow pasSen-
ger.
He was the man with the brown
beard.
y moment later, though l was not
looking directly at him. l saw him tug
as though lie were getting revolver
into Il position where he could Use it
eXpeditiously. My conscience was so
clear of any intention that would call
his weapon into service that | simply
gave him Il contemptuous glance, then.
opening my book. began To read. After
awhile l dropped it on my lap and
sank into Il light slumber. But before
losing consciousness | saw my shadow
er nervously reaching under his seat
to feel for his box and casting suspi-
cious chances ut me.
| 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 Il lurch of the coach. Put what
was my surprise and. l Will admit, con
sternation to see that he held re
volver within foot of my nose.
sit stilIr' 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 game"
Yes. l 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 off the track by
assuming 10 be 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 il was my unfeigned look of
astonishment that threw Il shade of
doubt. of perpleXity. across his face.
do You mean to 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 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:'
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 u fool l blurted out at last.
and so am l. l 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"
philadelphia, So am l."
We pulled out cards and exchanged
them.
Why, you are the gentleman said
l. whose daughter recently married
Count DenizOff of st. Petersburg"
Yes. and l am taking her the fam
l..