Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-26

dividual who planted himself directly in his
path.
What is your name2" the stranger de-
manded suddenly in English.
Mr.: Smith paused and regarded him
questioningly for a moment. Smith
John Smith" he replied at last, curiously.
"Why?"
"Where do you live?" The second ques-
ton came in the same curt, businesslke
tone.
"Passaic, New Jersey" replied Mr. Smith
whats the answer"
Without another word, with not even a
word of thanks, the stranger passed on and
was lost in the throng on the bridge. The
incident struck Mr.. Smith as curious, moth
ing more, and minute later, in thoughts
of more Importance, he had forgotten it.
Then began for him a systematic, weary
ing round. He didn't know, and it probably
wouldn't have disturbed him if he had
known, that M. Remi was trailing him tire
lessly, accurately, into and out of every no.
tel he entered. His questions at each place
took the same form: do you speak Eng
lish?" In the event of an answer in the af-
frmative, the conversation prospered, and
there came other questions: "Is w. Man
deville Clarke stopping here? Has he been
here? Do you expect him? Is there any
American or Englishman with a full gray
beard and white hair stopping here, anyone
about my size?" In the event of negative
answer to the first question, the converse
ton ended abruptly, and Mr.. Smith put the
hotel on his blacklist, to be probed later on
by an interpreter.
A T the Hotel Continental there came a
pleasant break in the weary monotony
of his search. He put the Usual questions
to the clerk. Yes, he spoke English, and he
spoke it with an intonation that made Mr..
Smiths heart 60 out to him. No, Mr.. w.
Vaudeville Clarke was not there; he had
not been there; they didn't expect him.
American or Englishman stopping in the
hotel, no one about Mr.. Smiths size. Mr..
Smith was turning away.
From the United States?" the clerk
queried affably.
"Passaic, New Jersey" Mr. Smith boast
Waterbury, Connecticut" said the clerk.
The kindred of country brought Passaic
and Waterbury hand to hand in long,
hearty clasp, and Mr.. Smith didn't under
stand why, but there seemed to be slight
lump in his throat.
Funny thing" the clerk went on after a
moment. There was a young woman in
here just moment ago inquiring for Mr..
Clarke. She was from the States too, /
imagine slender girl dressed in black,
rather tall"
Mr.. Smith studied the clerks face with
questioning, interested eyes. "You don't
happen to know what she wanted with him,
do your"
mo, she didn't say. She seemed to be
much distressed about something"
"She didn't leave her name, or her card,
did she?"
mo" There was moments pause. eff
you'll let me have your name and address,
and Clarke comes along. I'll let you know
the clerk went on obligingly.
"Bully!" Mr.. Smith exclaimed heartily.
MY name is John Smith. I'll write my ad-
dress, because 1 can't pronounce it,
So slip of paper passed, and with word
of thanks Mr. Smith went his way.
HE had hardly vanished through the court
yard into the Rue de Castiglione when
M. Remi appeared before the clerk with an
eager glitter in his beady black eyes.
"You will give me at once, Monsieur" he
commanded, the slip of paper which the
American handed to you just moment
ago."
The clerk needed no introduction to this
man. the fvne wac common He racced