Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-02-09

book
hungry" he said vociferously.
want to eat! Coffee.'
The man appeared to understand.
but in case there should have been any
mistake Guy followed him into the
kitchen. The driver, who had lost no
time, was already there. with long
glass of beer before him. Guy produc'
ed mark, laid it on the table. touched
himself, the innkeeper and the driver
and pointed to the beer. Tile innkeep-
er understood, and the beer was good.
The driver, who had been Of course
ludicrously overpaid, settled down in
his corner and announced his intention
of seeing through to the end this most
extraordinary and heaven directed oc-
| currence. The innkeeper and his wife
busted themselves with the breakfast,
and Guy made remarks every now and
then from his phrase book, which were
| usually incomprehensible, except when
| they concerned a further supply of
| beer. With a brave acceptance Of the
| courtesies of the country, he had ac-
cepted a cigar from the driver and
| was already contemplating the awful
moment when lie would have to light
it. Just then an interruption came.
1t was something very official. but
whether military or of the police Guy
could not tell 1t strobe into the room
with clanking of spurs, and the driver
| and innkeeper alike stood up in re-
spect 1t saluted Guy. Guy took off
his hat Then there came words. but
| Guy was busy with his phrase book.
81 cannot a word of German speak,"
he announced at last
| A deadlock ensued. The innkeeper
and the driver rushed into the breach.
| Conversation became furious. Guy
took advantage of the moment to slip
the cigar into his pocket and to light n
cigarette. Finally the officer swung
himself round and departed abruptly.
"Dolmetscher," the driver announc-
ed to him triumphantly.
l. "Dolmetscher," the innkeeper re-
peated.
Guy turned it up in his phrase book
and found that it meant interpreter.
He devoted himself then to stimulat-
L
The meal was ready at last. There
| were eggs and ham and veal, dark col
ored bread and coffee, sufficient for
about a dozen people. The driver con-
| stituted himself host, and Guy, with n
shout of laughter, sat down where he
was and ate. In the midst of the meal
| the officer reappeared. ushering in a
small, wien faced individual of I'M
mistakably English appearance. Guy
| turned round in his chair, and the
newcomer touched his forelock.
"Hullow Guy exclaimed. you're
Englishr'
Eyes, sir" the man answered. "Came
over to train polo ponies for the Prince
of Haepsburg. Not in any trouble, I
hope, sir?'
mot L." Guy answered cheerily.
Don't mind my going on with my
breakfast, do you? What's 1t all
about? Who's the gentleman with the
freman's helmet on, and what's he
worrying about?"
HE is an officer of the police. sir, on
special service" the man answered.
You have been reported for trespass-
ing OH the state railway this morn
ing"
''Trespassing be blowed!" Guy an
swered. i've got my ticket for the
frontier. We were blocked by signal
about half dozen miles off this place,
and L got down to stretch my legs.
understood them to say that we could
not go on for half an hour or so. They
L frin fr CT
and then off they went without any
warming and left me there
II will translate to the officer, SIR"
the man said
Right" Guy declared. Go ahead"
There was Il brisk colloquy between
the two. Then the little man began
again.
HE says that your train passed here
at midnight and that you did not ar
rive until past g."
"Quite right Guy admitted. 81
went to sleep. l didn't know how far
it was to the station, and / was dead
tired"
1.-The officer wishes to know whether
many trains passed you in the night
Cant say" Guy answered. II sleep
very soundly, and l never opened my
eyes after tile first few minutes"
1.-THE officer wishes to know whether
you saw anything unusual upon the
line" the little man asked.
Nothing at ALL" Guy answered cool.
". bit inquisitive. isn't he!"
The little man came a little closer to
the table.
HE wishes to see your passport.
sir" be announced,
Guy handed it to him: also a letter
of credit and several other documents.
/ He wants to know why you were
going to the frontier. SIR
| Sort of fancy to say that I'd been
In Russia; that's allr' Guy answered
You tell him I'm perfectly harmless
individual. Never been abroad before"
The officer listened and took notes In
his pocketbook Of the passport and let.
ter of credit. Then he departed. with