The Washington times., 1911-06-30

hotel which is situated not very far
from the garden of the Tuilertes. MOT
gan had put up there before and pre-
ferred 1t to the larger and more noisy
places Upon our request for rooms the
clerk studied small entry-book.
Nos. and are now vacant, and at
messieurs' disposal" he announced gra-
cjously.
And they face the court?" inquired
Morgan.
"Ah, no, monsieur" the clerk replied.
! ITO provide such rooms is quite tmpos-
sible-tonight. TOmorrow..perhaps But
Nos. 3 and 8 are on the first floor, and
"And noisy" retorted Morgan shortly.
Then, turning to me: But 1t Is
fSE % you ynat to decide fSst this so%se
built in the form of a hollow square;
the open interior is a pretty little
court, and the choicest rooms naturally
face upon it. 1t seems some one has
been ahead of u.s."
had no desire to waste time hunting
up aonther hotel, and told MIN so.
Then let it be Nos. 3 and s, and. II
you can change us, do So" said he, ad-
monishing the clerk Leaving NC
lowed the guide who preceded US to
our quarters. AS the clerk had said,
the rooms were on the first floor, In
dimly lighted corridor, but convenient
to the office and the entrance.
l remember we dined that night at a
famous restaurant not a great distance
from the hotel, and afterward dropped
into the Cafe du Quatz Arts, Tor We
were in the mood to be amused. 1t was
close on midnight when We returned to
our quarters.
customary with the smaller hostelries
OF Paris, the outer gate OF the hotel
was shut. The man bade us sleepy
good night and retired into his little
office near the entrance, while we
passed through a dim reception room
and into the corridor in which our
apartments were situated
We found it plunged in darkness.
Whether the wind had blown out the
feeble gas Jet, or the thrift of our host
had led him to eXtinguish the lllumina-
ton is of little moment. Yet the fact
that the hall was in darkness had an
important bearing on what was to fol-
low during the succeeding days. Had
there been more light l had scarcely
committed the error which was begin
ming Of a series of startling and unex-
pected adventures.
My companion uttered an impatient
exclamation and began to tumble in his
pocket
the meanwhile I will try and throw
some light upon the subject" he sug-
gested.
/ heard him strike a match and a
ulSIldl SlO" hAAS o-AS4AS wa
ridor.
The room numbers began at the far
ther end of the hall, and hurried for
ward, intent on reaching No. before
the burning out of the match plunged
us again in darkness. In fact, Nor
gan struck another. holding 1t above
his head, before l saw the faint out
lines of the figure 3 before me. Lay
ing one hand upon the knob, I was
about to insert the key when, unexpect-
edly, the door swung open to my touch.
And at that instant the second match
went out.
My companion's sharp exclamation
and the rattle Of the match safe on
the floor told me he had scorched his
fingers. ! pushed the door farther open
and produced my own match safe.
wait a moment, and I'll light the
gas" I laughed. for he was feeling
blindly about on the floor with a burst
of language which fitted the situation.
The flame lighted up the room indif-
ferently, but sufficient for me to dis
tinguish the gas fixture a few feet
away. I turned the cock and the yell
low blaze dispelled the gloom With
my face half turned toward the door
way, remarked:
You did not fasten the door. or else
the lock is out of order. 1 trust these
people are honest, or"