Los Angeles herald., 1906-10-14
zpAYINC a HOTEL BILL

| myself did not spend an altogether cheerful
afternoon. / walked aimlessly about the gardens
pondering upon our unpleasant predicament and
smoking expensive cigars-which, perhaps, may
have assisted my philosophy TO digest while they
failed utterly to provide any satisfactory eluci-
dation Of the difficulty Finally I made my way
to the Cafe de Paris, and sat down to a cup of
tea. had scarcely seated myself at the table
when | deserted Carberry walking rapdly-and
with an unmistakable frmness of step-towards
me. His manner was no longer gloomy his face
was wreathed in smiles, his whole attitude de
noted a cheerful and contented frame Of mind.
welcomed these signs Of light-heartedness with
unaffected pleasure, for they pointed emphaticaly
to the conclusion that Carberry had met with
some kind Of good fortune during his absence.
I've hit upon a plan,' he remarked, sitting
down beside me, (which I think will pull US
through, my boy. What an ass l was not to
think Of it before. to be surel"
"Oh," | said, in some disappointment, "only
a plan? You have not, then, succeeded in find
ing any money!"
Carberry leaned over the table confdentially.
"I'm going to commit suicide" he said
"The devil!" l exclaimed with start. what
do you mean"
For the moment I thought Carberry was drunk
or demented.
YES" he repeated, in sepulchral tone, ~
shall shoot myself"
0OuiOunu ~ CIleu, now VIII JndJ Help
you? how, at least, will it help me, man? More
over, | can't countenance the proposition for an
instant. Some heavy insurance, / supposed"
Carberry looked at me pityingly
Surely" he observed, you don't think Pm
such fool-and such disnterested fool-as to
kill myself merely to oblige you my dear fell
low?'
Il don't see how it can oblige YOURSELF"
replied. .
EsNJo. NOR do Thoraeoro ,.o,, ,noy he s,,ro
l don't intend to do it,"
"Then why did you say just now that you did
intend to-" retorted.
"The statement was perhaps little mislead-
ing," he agreed. fLet me explain. You are pos
sibly not that the authorities here have
great objection to people committing suicide
in their grounds. Well, they have. II reflects
kind of discredit on the place, you see and gives
rise to awkward differences inferences for
instance, as that the gambler has lost all his
money to the bank, and that the bank, there
fore, is directly responsible for the unfortunate
mans demise. 1t is the first aim of the authori-
ties to contradict an inference so damaging TO
their moral prestige. Accordingly, when it un-
happily chances that a shoots himself at
Monte Carlo the authorities at once set about
demonstrating that the mans act could not, ut
any rate, have been due to any pecuniary pres
sure attributable to losses at the tables They
are indeed, most careful to advertise this fact
at the inquiry, in order to exonerate themselves
from any possible implication in the unfortunate
gentleman's motives for self-destruction. This
reflection has led me to the decision | have al
ready referred to-" concluded Carberry "Wait
er, liqueur."
'fMy dear chap, what you driving at?"
demanded little testify.
''Fm driving at the means to pay my hotel
BILL" said Carberry. Fortunately, l have an
excellent little revolver in my travelling bag. I
always carry it about with me when 1 go
abroad"
$50" said, sarcastcaly, sit appears you do
intend, after all, to shoot yourself presumably
for the sole satisfaction of causing annoyance to
the authorities here? But L don't see how the
hotel proprietor is going to profit by The trans
action"
"Why, my good chap what possible kind Of
fool do you take for?" inquired Carberry,
draining his hqueur glass "Shoot myself? Not
if know i'll But shall fire eff my pistol"