The Columbus journal., 1911-02-08
n.y. Y Y = Y
.BANNICIER MFRWN
III
RAYwAITERI
coerRrot1r 1909 ~ DoD0 r1sAD g eor1SAarS-


without an undernote of earneStneSS.
You have seen me much abused
by your press, Mr.. Orme." he said.
That is natural. have the interests
of my own country to protect, and
those interests are of necessity some
times opposed to the interests of 9th
er countries. But IL your people
would be even more patient with us
all We need is time. There is reason
for our persistent tomorrow: for We
are young. and it is slow process to
realize on our resources. That is why
We do not pay our debts more
promptly"
Orme said nothing. but thought Of
looted South American treasures. of
eXiled presidents squandering their
official stealing at Paris and Monte
Carlo. of concessions sold and sold
again to rival foreign companies.
They had now reached the park en-
trance. There is a cab" said Al
catrante. You will ride with me as
far as your hotel?"
Thank you, no." said Orme. Il
rather need the walk"
Alcartrante smiled persuasively.
Permit me to urge you. If you
should be robbed. my little friend
might lose his precious secret. Poor
boy" he added. His father was
my friend, and 1 cannot refuse him a
service"
The cab had swung around to the
of robbery on the lighted drive, but
since Alcatrante was SO insistent he
felt inclined to yield. He might as
well ride; SO he permitted the min
lister to bow him into the cab. and
presently they were whirling along
southwark. There was a period of
silence. Then Alcatrante spoke medi-
tativeiy.
You see how it happened. sup
pose." he said. Those japanese were
waiting outside your hotel. When
Poritol and l came out. one Of them
followed us. while the other remained
on guard. Then you started on your
stroll, and the man who remained on
guard set out after you"
YES" said Orme, but I don't see
how the fellow could have known who
was"
Alcatrante laughed. "Oh, he could
have placed you in a number of differ
ent ways He may have got your de-
scription from one of the servants
or from the clerk. But it Is enough
that he did know you"
Well" said Orme. this is beyond
me. That five-dollar bill seems to be
very much desired by different groups
of persons"
Alcatrante nodded. Il am not
sure" he said slowly. but that it
would ease young Poritols mind if
you would place the bill in my hands
for safekeeping. Not that he mis-
trusts you, Mr.. Orme. but he imagines
that you may not realize how inn
portant it is to him. and you might
not guard it carefully"
Il agreed to keep it until tomor-
row." said Orme. quietly. "As for
floor. pretty well out of their reach.
The only danger of robbery lies be-
tween the cab and the hotel Office"
Il know. l know" chuckled Alca-
trante. 1T is, of course, as you will.
I was merely thinking of my young
friends peace of mind. l am his fell
low countryman. you see. and his con-
fidence in me" he stopped, with an
other chuckle. singular. Is it not,
how impressionable are the young?"
Orme said nothing. He did not en-
Joy this fencing.
Look at the lake." Alcatrante sud-
denly exclaimed. How beautiful an
expanse of water. It has so much
more color than the sea. But you
should see our wonderful harbor of
Rio, Mr.. Orme. Perhaps some day
l shall be permitted to show you its
magnificences."
Who knows?" said Orme. 1T
would be very pleasant"
las to the BILL" continued Alca-
trante quickly, do you care to give
it to me-"
Orme felt himself frowning. Il will
keep it till the morning" he said.
"Oh, well, it Is of no consequence"
Alcatrante laughed shortly. See,
here is your hotel. Your company has
been a pleasure to me. Mr.. Orme You
arrived most OPPORTUNITY in the park"
Orme jumped to the curb and, turn
ing. shook the hand that was extended
to him. Thank you for the lift, Sc
nor Alcatrante," he said. Il shall
look for you in the morning."
In the morning-yes. And pray.
my dear sir. do not wander in the
streets any more this evening. Our
experience in the park has made me
arprehensive." The minister lifted
his hat. and the cab ratified away.
The entrance to the Pere Marquette
was massive gateway. which opened
upon a wide tunnel. leading to an in