Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-11

turesque walled towns in Europe, and
of Roman antiquity The train drew
in. A dozen steps more, and one was
virtually in France. But there Ia gen.
orally a slight hitch before one takes
the aforesaid steps: the French Gus
toms. A facchino popped his head into
the window.
Eight minutes for examination OF
luggage." he cried. :
He held out his arms, and Hillard
piled the luggage upon him.
Come, Dan, lively, II we want
good seats when we come out We
change trains"
The two men followed the porter
to the ticket entrance, surrendered
their coupons, and passed into the
customs. After short skirmish they
located their belongings, which, unfor-
tunately were far down toward the
end Of the barrier. They would have
to be patient. Hil1ard held in his
hands his return coupons to Genoa.
Sometimes this helps at the frontier;
and If one has steamer ticket, bet
ter still. Inspectors then understand
that one is to be but a transient
guest.
Among the inspectors at Ventimig-
liza is small, wizened Frenchman,
with a face as cold and impassive as
the sand blown Sphinx. He possesses
among other accomplishments, nose,
peculiar less for it's shape than its
smell. He can Smell out" tobacco as
a witch doctor in zululand smells out
devil" Fate directed this individual
toward the Americans. Hillard knew
him of old; and he never forgets a
face. this wizened little man.
Monsieur has nothing to de-
clare?" he asked.
Hillard made a negative sign and
opened his cases. With scarce a
glance at their contents, and waving
aside his coupons, the inspector ap-
piled the chalk and turned to Merit
hew.
Monsieur mas nothing to de-.
he repeated.
Merrihew shook his head airily.
"Niente, niente!" he said in his best
italian. He did not understand what
the inspector said; he merely had
suspicious.
Look" suddenly exclaimed Hill
lard.
Passing out of the door which led to
liberty and to France, their luggage
guaranteed by cabalistic chalk marks,
were two women. One of them was
yelled, the other was not.
kitty Killigrew, as live!" shouted
MerrlheW, making a dash for the
door.
But the inspector blocked the way,
beckoned to a gendarme, who came
over, and calmly pointed to Merrihew's
unopened cases.
"Open!" said the inspector. all his
l1stlessness gone. He had seen peo-
pie In a hurry before.
But Merrihew struggled to pass.
For Heavens sake!" cried Hillard,
"be patient and open the cases at
once"
Merrihew handled his keys clumsi-
~ The first key on the ring should
have been the last, and the last first.
1t is ever thus when one is in a hurry
Finally he threw back the lids, feeling
that in another moment he must have
spouted Italian or French out of pure
magic, simply to tell this fool in
spector what he thought Of him.
"Oho! Monsieur-in-a-hurry!" mock
ed the inspector. Nothing, nothing."
He took out the two boxes of cigars.
why the devil didn't you tell me
you had them?" Hillard demanded
wrathfully. TO find the women by
this stroke of luck, and then to lose
them again for two boxes of cigars.
1t was maddeningi
AS matter Of fact, Merrihew had
forgotten all about them, so far as in
ternational wrong doing was concern
ed.
The inspector went through Merit
heWs possessions with premediated
leisure. Everything had to come out.
He even opened the shaving sets, the
collar box, the pin cases, and the tie
bag Other persons pushed by toward
the train, uttering their relief aloud.
Still the inspector doddered on.
will you hasten?' asked HilIard.
1--WE do not wish to miss this train
Others follow said the inspector
laconically.
Hillard produced a f1ve-franc piece
The inspector laughed without noise
and shook his head. This one inspector
is lmperVlous to money or smooth
speeches He Is the law personifled
memorable.
Tell him to keep the cigars. but let
US go!" Merrihew begged.
No, that would not do. Monsieur
had not declared the cigars. If he per-
sisted, the government would CON
fiscate the cigars. but in place of duty
there would be large fine. Mon
sieur had better be patient and pay
the duty only, retaining his valuable
cigars. 1t was very liberal on his (the
inspector part.
Hillard strained his eyes, but saw
neither Kitty, nor the yelled lady
again. Doubtless they we're already
on the train. Had Merrihew been an
old traveller he would have left him to
get to Monte Carlo the best way he
could; but Merrihew was as helpless
as child, and he hadn't the heart
to desert him., though he deserved to
be deserted.
Ding-ding! went the bell Toot-toot.
went the horn. Whee-whee! went the
whistle. The train for Monte Carlo
was drawing out, and thew were be-