The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1912-12-26

never failed to lock his door and
leave the key with the porter And
surely, only man with wings could
have gained entrance by the window.
Being thorough business man among
other accomplishments, he reported
his loss at once to the management;
and the management set about the
matter with celerity. At half after
seven every maid and servant in the
hotel had been questioned and exam
ined, without the least noticeable re-
suit. The rug was nowhere to be
found. George felt the loss keenly.
He was not so rich that he could af-
ford to lose both the rug and the thou.
sand pounds he had paid for 1t. His
first thought had been Of Ryanne; but
1t was proved that Ryanne had not
been in the hotel since morning; at
least, no one had seen him.
George gloomed about. A beastly
day, all told; everything had gone
wrong, and all because he had over.
slept. At dinner something was
wrong with the SOUP the fish was
greasy; the roast was dry and stringy;
the wine, full of pieces of cork. Out
into the lounging-room again; and
then the porter hurried over to him
with a note from Ryanne 1t stated
briefly that it was vitally important
for Mr.. Jones to meet him at nine
o'clock at the EnglishBar in the Quar-
ter Rosetti. Any driver would show
him the way. Mohamed-El-Gebel, the
guardian of the Holy Yhiordes, had
turned up, and the band was begin
ming to play. Would Mr. Jones like a
little fun by the wayside?"
I'm his man." said George But
how the devil did this Mahomed ever
get into my room?"
Had Fortune dined downstairs in
stead of alone in her room, events
might have turned out differently. Ry-
anne had really written to George, but
not to Fortune.
Mahomed fatalist that he was, had
thrown everything upon the whirling
scales of chance, and waited Later
he may have congratulated himself
upon his good luck. But it wasn't
luck; 1t was the will of Allah that he,
Mahomed, should contribute his slen-
der share in working out the des-
tinies Of two young people.
George was in the proper mood for
an adventure. He went so far as to
admit to himself that he would have
liked nothing better than a fisticuff.
The one mistake he made in his cal
culations was dress. Men didn't gen
orally go a-venturing in such tinical
attire. They wore boWlers and sack
coats and carried heavy walking
sticks. The only weapons George had
were his two hands. now adorned with
snug-fitting opera-gloves.
He saw Mrs. Chedsoye, spoke to her,
inquired about Fortune, and was in
formed that she had dined in her
room. A case of doldrums, Mrs. Ched-
soye believed.
I'm in a peck Of trouble" said
George, craving a little sympathy.
'In what way?"
THE rug l told you about is gone"
What? Stolen?"
Yes. Vanished into thin air."
That's too bad. OF course the po-
lice will eventually find it for you"
Pm afraid that's exactly the
trouble. l really daren't put the case
in the hands of the police"
"Oh, l see." Mrs. Chedsoye looked
profoundly sorry.
And here l am due for Port Said
tomorrow"
That's the kind that bowls you
over" said the Major. IF there is
anything l can do after you are
"Oh. ! shouldn't think of bothering
you. Thanks, though"
You must have lost your key" sug-
gested Mrs. Chedsoye.
mo. It's been hanging up in the
porter's bureau all day."
Wei, hope you find the rug" said
the Major, with sly glance at his
sister.
Thanks. must be of. The chap
bought 1t of says that the official