Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-08-05
CHAPTER Ky.

What was not done at the frontier has
to be done at kachgar. Russians and
Chinese are one as bad as the other
when there are vexing formalities, papers
TO verify, passports to sign, etc. 1t is
the same sort of meddling, minute and
overfastidious, and we must put up with
1t. We must not forget the terrible
threat of the formula the functionary of
the Celestial Empire affixes to his acts
-"Tremble and obey" | nm disposed
TO obey, and | am prepared to appear
before the authorities of the frontier, l
remember the fears of Kinko, and it is
with regard to him that the trembling is
TO be done, if the examination of the
travellers extends to their packages and
luggage.
1t is 10 o'clock when a stroke of the
gong announces that the police formali-
ties are about to begin. We leave the
table and few minutes afterward are in
the waiting room.
All my numbers are present. with the
exception, of course, of Kinko who
would have done honor to our breakfast
if it had been possible for him to take
part in it. There was Doctor Joking
his "Cornaro" under his arm; Fulk Eph-
rinell and Miss Horotia Bluett, mingling
their teeah and hair, fguratively, be it
understood; Sir Francis Trevellyan, mo-
tionless and silent, intractable and stiff.
smoking his cigar on the threshold; Faru-
skair, accompanied by Changer; Russian,
Turkoman, Chinese travelers-in all
from sixty to eighty persons. Every one
had in his turn to present himself at the
table, which was occupied by two Celes-
tails In uniform. a functionary speaking
Russian fuently, an interpreter for Ger
man, French and English.
The Chinese was man about 80, with
a bald head, thick mustache, a Ions
pigtail, and spectacles on his nose Wrap
ped In a fowery robe, fat as if he be
longed to the most distinguished people
in the country, he had not a progresses
ing face. After all, it was only a verif
cation of our papers, and as ours were
in order, it did not much matter how re
pulsive he looked.
what an air he has," murmure,
Madame Caterna.
1.-THE air of n Chinaman," said he
husband, "and, frankly, do not like it.
| am one of the first to present M
passport, which bears the visas of tn
consul at Tiflis and the Russian authori
ties at Uzun Ada. The functionary look
at it attentively. When you are dealin
with mandarin. you should always b
on the lookout. Nevertheless, the exam
ination raises no difficulty, and the sea
of the green dragon declares me all i
order
The same result with regard to tn
actor and actress. Nevertheless, it wa
worth while looking at Caterna Will
his papers were being examined. II
assumed the attitude of criminal 81
deavoring to mollify a magistrate. h
made the sheepiest of eyes, and smil,
absolutely the most deprecating smile
and seemed TO implore a grace or rath,
favor, and yet the most obdurate {
the Cinnamon had not a word to say
Inn.
Correct" said the interpreter
Thank you, my prince" replied G.
tcrna, with the accent of a Paris sire
boy.
As to Ephrinell and Miss Biuett. tn,
went through like posted letter. If q
American commercial and an Engli,
ditto were not In order, who would b,
Uncle Sam and John Bull are one as 4
as that goes.