The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-11-02

a compatriot. If he is still in the hoasa
perhaps be will join us at our meal"
Herr Wakefield! No, mein Herr. hs
has not yet returned"
$50, be has gone outY'
The innkeeper hesitated, glancing IN
easily at his Questioner. He was evil
IDENTITY in some uncertainty of mind.
HE is a strange man, the Herr Wake
field; though, perhaps, for an English
man."
He Is not more mad than usual, eh.
Mr.. LandlordY' laughed Graden.
"Mein Herr, it was not my intention
to speak thus of your great people," apol-
ogized tho man. IF he has surprised us,
It is doubtless because we, being ignorant
countryfolk, do not understand his Gus
TOMS"
"Why, what has he been about?"
"Well, mein Herr, it is this way. After
you had started for your drive to the
house of the Prof. Mechersky, Herr
Wakefield came running down from his
room with many questions concerning
you. He seemed sorry that you had gone
without seeing him. He then paid his
bill with the liberality Of the English,
who are indeed a great and generous ma
ton, and commanded that his luggage
should be carried to the station for the
midday train. At II he himself set out
for the station upon foot. We were
sorry to lose so good a guest. What.
then, mein Herr, was our surprise when
a little after II he reappeared, having
ridden back upon the sleigh that had
taken his baggage to the station! The
man who drove it told me that Herr
Wakefield had left his baggage upon the
platform unregistered, and that he had
seen 4 stranger standing by it as if in
charge"
Graden glanced at Mossel, who grin
ned luminously.
Proceed, Mr.. Landlord" he said.
He had. only peeped into the station
and left at once, the man said. tie
demanded Of me a sleigh Anu vvod
horses, but the best l had were with
you, and it was necessary to send for
others from a neighbor. He was very
impatient of delay, using angry words.
At last he drove away, and he has not
returned"
"Who went with him."
Ivan, my eldest son."
did he say where he was goingY'
mo, mein Herr; only heard him CRY
to Ivan to follow the eastern road which
is towards the Russian frontier"
"And while he waited for the horses.
what did he dor.
roundly for the delay. Indeed, mein
Herr, was surprised at his knowledge
of German, for before he had spoken
it very badly. For the rest, he sat by
himself, reading, In the best ROOM"
"Please to show us there"
We tramped in single file after tho
landlord through the ill-lit passages to
the "best room," q parlor set aside for
important guests. 1t seemed peculiarly
inartistic apartment, with green wall
paper and angular chairs covered with
purple antimacassars. On the central
table stood a lamp. and beside it lay a
number Of those dingy books that seem
common to inns of all nations. Graden
made for them at once, and as he sorted
through the pile Of time tables, cata-
logues. and trade papers, we stood watch
ing him in surprise. Suddenly he stopped
AA LIE oSoASA " I'LL q AAlIIc kEuul VI 0dllS-
faction, and drawing a chair to the table,
sat down. l looked over his shoulder.
He was actually reading a German
Baedeker!
Doubtless you are planning a picnic
party? l suggested, with as mucI sar-
casm as l could put into the question.
II know you are tired and hungry, my
good Robert" he answered: "but please
keep quiet"
He had reached "Lemsdorf''-I could
see the name at the top of the page
and now was turning the leaves very
slowly. Suddenly he held up the Bae-
deker to me.
"Do you see that?" he asked sharply.
A jagged line of paper ran along the
inner crease of the guide book. The
map of the district had been torn away!
Mossel. thrust me gently aside and,
bending over, examined the under page
thus left exposed. He took the book
from Graden's hands and, carrying it
to the lamp, continued his scrutiny.
"You are quite right, Mossel," said
my cousin. His pencil had sharp
point"
You have a keen eye, Herr Graden,"
grinned the policeman. I'm our bust
ness you would have made some reputa-
ton"
This is a new edition. How long
have you had it,"
'But a few days, mein Herr"
"And have you been visited by any
tourists in that time?"
mo, mein Herr"
"Then this should make it certainty,
for | have a Baedeker of my own up
stairs. One moment, while l fetch it,
Go ne continued.)
Too Much Darkness.
The advance agent rolled up to the
LII Ia