Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-26
CHAPTER w.
An Unsuccessful Search,


| Ing been stopped on the train and turned
| back because his ignorance of the Language
| of the country had made 1t impossible FOL
him to understand the questions of the pas
senger inspector, he had proceeded on foot
along the road, OF across the meadow lano
| skirting the wall OF the capital. At times
| he advanced to the edge of the moat and
paused looking across TO where, beyond the
long grass and bright flowers browning
rampant and bastion. arose the neighbor.
| ing house tops. mockingly near.
But such open reconnaissance was not
without It's danger; a pun of smoke issued
from the parapet, and quietly the mar
moved back; at a more respectful distance
continued on his way, but ever with his
| eyes bent on the cold. gray outlines of the
stone barrier. Now he was tramping a
neglected garden patch. when suddenly
he stopped; an. opening through the solid
masonry rewarded his gaze.
Save for q single sentinel, the imme-
date vicinity was deserted, but as the
man drew near the balf-nodding soldier
Of the people Strengthened and in a
drowsy voice commanded him to halt.
The other obeyed; looked around him
again. noting the solitary aspect of the
place at that early hour
An obstinate light came into the mans
eyes; If he did not advance. neither did
he retreat and the guard raised his
weapon menacingly. Another moment and
the stranger would have answered for
his contempt of military authority when
quickly he lifted his hand to his breast,
drawing forth bit of paper. Grumbling.
the sentinel allowed him to approach.
But even as the former stared first with
surprise and then with suspicion at the
paper, striving to decipher it, the silence
was broken by a loud hollow reverberation
the report of a gun from the heights
of the city.
At the sound the guard involuntarily
glanced over his shoulder, a lapse OF
alertness that was but momentary, yet
sufficient for the stranger Quick as a
flash he sprang upon the sentinel; his
arm Strengthened, and the guard fell
Imply to the earth, his gun Gathering
beside him. The man stopped, grasped the
bit of paper and ran through the gate.
Turning into narrow highway. he soon
lost himself in network of thorough
fares.
For some time he continued walking at
a sharp pace, apparently with no more
definite purpose than to escape pursuit,
but at length his gait began to relax ana
finally he stopped short altogether. Seat
ing himself on the edge of a mutlated
monument - the browning figure OF when
was Glory with its wings blown OF = he
opened clenched hand and smoothed out
the crumpled bit of paper:
Am Ill. Elinor helpless and IN great
danger. Can you come? Edwin Rossiter-
I'm great DANGER" He had not hesitat-
ed; he had not thought of hesitating upon
receiving it.
And now-If Mr. Rossiter only had not
failed to send an address, Rising. Richard
Strong moved on, up the height where once
the temple of Mars is said to have STOOD.
Near the summit he paused.
Below lay comprehensive view OF Paris.
and keenly he searched that maze, noting
where the tangle of streets huddled be-
tween the straight lines Of the broader
thoroughfares, and how, amid the ma re.
like a silver ribbon. shone the placid
river. In fancy he traced his way
toward it. and then. descending by a
different and more precipitous route, reso-
lutely set his face toward the actual accom-
plishment.
AS he proceeded. the city began to show
signs of awakening life: an animation as
feverish as unnatural. People seemed 10
spring mysteriously from the very pave
ments, and of one accord to wend their way
to a neighboring church. as If there existed
among them strange unanimity of pur-
pose-surely no devotional sentiment-dra'"-
Ing them to the sacred edihce for mo
ment Richard Strong watched them. then.
moved by a special object of his own, De
came part and parcel of that variegated
and chaotic inflow.
The interior was filled with TOBACCO
smoke and in the font was tobacco from
which the elect were at liberty to help
themselves. Glasses and wine bottles COW
cred the altar and in the pulpit a woman
was speaking. her topic, the rights OF the
sex; the right not to marry; the right to
live with any man: the right to leave him
at pleasure; the right to do anything!
Without comprehending, Richard Strong
listened He had thought that perhaps in
that throng might be discerned an English
or an American face, but the visages he
encountered were nondescript. inhuman.
AN save one
What would monsieur like to drink7'
A grisette had drawn near. smiling.
They are going to burn up the city to-
night. monsieur. so we might as well be
merry"
a
slowly TO the door. Was this PARISH A few
words beat persistently upon him. "Elinor
in danger And thinking of the time
that had elapsed since the sending of the
message and his arrival In the city, keener
misglvings assailed him.
That afternoon he went to all the hotels
centrally located. Many were closed; few
remained open, accommodating. however,
but Scanty number of guests, stranded in
Paris.
He drove where he could. urging the driv-
ers to mako haste; when he walked, 1t was
with a quick, nervous step. Often the SEN
tinels stopped him, and In spite Of his
tenacity, he was obliged to turn back. The
coming of night found him still unsuccess-
fully pursuing his search and with but one
more name on the list Of hotels he had
managed to procure.
AT this place, near the Seine. a man with
a pair of boots in his hands seemed to
be the most important parsonage
We have only one guest" he explained
full gesture-''he went out and hasn't come
back. These are his boots"
"The gentleman and lady I am looking
for were in Paris about a fortnight ago. l
have been to all the principal hotels
Perhaps they went to one of the small
hotels for French people,
Richard Strong caught at the suggestion.
He knew that Mr.. Rosslter had lived in
Paris before and during the empire, and
that he understood thoroughly the Ian
guage Of the country.
Where are these places?" he asked.
Everywhere"
Take me to them"
A curt refusal was the response. Paris!
at nlght-away from the main streets-to
go hunting about everywhere! I prefer it
here-.ndoors."
Richard Strong laid his hand on the
mans arm. Look here" he said almost
roughly. you've got to take me. Name
your own price-two hundred francs-flve
hundred-but you must co.
The man dropped q shoe; looked down
thoughtfully.
Whether I am successful or notr'
yes"
at is dangerous-but for 500 francs-I'H
go!' he said with sudden decision. THAT
is. alone-it will be safer. You can stay
here-and I will return-as soon as 1 can"
II tell you we've got to go together
The mans face took on sullen express
sion, and apparently Richard Strong saw