The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-10-04

there.
II was LOOKING for the police sta.
tion." said Franz, whereat Uncle vii.
helm stared harder and bis mouth
opened wider.
49," said he, so. What fort"
At this Franz narrated bis adven.
lures and his uncle seemed consider.
ably relieved. Meanwhile the man who
had guided Franz to this place entered
the back room and stood by the door.
glowcring. Presently tho red faced
man got up and spoke to him. They
seemed 10 know each other quito well,
but they had silent. surly manner and
reminded Franz Of two dogs that growl
softly. but will not nsht.
They spoke In English. and the boy,
who had become somewhat accustomed
to the sound Of that language. caught
a few words that meant very little to
him. lie made out. however. that the
red faced man wanted the other 10 60
away and that he refused some propo.
sition. the nature OF which was q com
pIete mystery. One meaningless phrase
from this conversation stuck In
Frans's mind. II was. mo Peter In
mine" The absurdity Of II was attrac-
tive, like a riddle. II was the red faced
man who spoke the words. and he
shook his head declsively. II Franz
had known that "Peter" Ia a mixture OF
deadly poisons used by thieves 10
stupefy their intended victims be
would have been even more deeply I'm.
pressed by that sentence Of jargon.
Tho red faced man returned to the
table, and the other went away angry.
At Uncle wiIheim's invitation Frans
ate a sandwich and drank q glass Of
beer, and then he leaned back In q
corner and fell into q light sleep. but
whenever either Of the two men stirred
he opened his eyes and always found
Uncle wilhelm looking at him.
BY and by bullet headed man with
stupid countenance Joined the party
and was introduced to Uncle Wilhelm
by the name Of Weber. II appeared
presently that Mr.. Weber was going to
Germany on a steamer that sailed
early on the following day. He did not
look like q German and spoke the Ian
guage very badly. 80 Franz was not
surprised to hear that he had been
born in America and had never been
across the water. II appeared that he
had made q little money In gold mine
and was going TO Germany 70 claim
a small inheritance.
He asked some stupid questions
about Germany which amused Franz.
and finally he spoke Of money. He
had Just come from the west. and all
his money was In American gold coin.
Some one had told him that he ought
to change II for German money.
II want TO have plenty with me-" he
said. German money is In marks.
How many do get for s2,0o0r'
1.-TWO thousand marks. OF course"
said the red faced man. gripping
Uncle wilheim's leg under the shelter
of the table. "A mark Ia q dollar"
"of course" said Mr.. Weber. a. II
bis intelligence had been insuited, but
don't you have to pay something to get
II changedT
"You do at the bank" said the red
faced man. but II you could and some
German Just over from the fatherland
he would be glad 10 change your
money and charge you nothing"
II have 1000 marks" said Uncle
Wilhelm In a tone Of suppressed eager.
ness. And. hearing this. Franz sat up
straight and opened his eyes wide.
He knew the relative value Of Amer.
lean and German money and was well
aware that dollar Is worth more than
4 marks, 80 that Mr.. Weber would lose
not less than $3.50 by the proposed
transaction.
"why, uncle be began. But at
this moment Mr.. Weber saw some one
whom he knew In the outer room aud
hurriedly went out. saying that ho
would come back directly.
Uncle wilhelm turned toward FRANK
In black rage.
"You keep still," he said. "This Is
none Of your business. In this country
they do these things, Everybody
cheats everybody else. That is why
they are 10 rich."
Franz was not In the least afraid. aud
certainly his view Of this affair was
not altered by his uncle's remark.
II won't let you do this" said be
stubbornly.
"The boy is rightr exclaimed the red
faced man. "It wouldn't be honest, ]
was only joking anyhow. I'll take
Weber to the bank and see that he gets
bis money changed all right You walt
for me In my room" And he pointed
toward the ceiling. 'I'll get the key for
you."
Franz was well satisfied to be alone
with bis uncle and have stralghtfor
ward talk. His mind was beginning to
b. very uneasy. He remembered that
Uncle wilhelm did not enjoy very
good reputation for honesty at home,
though he himself had never believed
any OF the stories. In view OF what
lad happened that mornlng-the mys.
terlous Disappearance of his uncle and