The searchlight., 1912-11-08

think of lsst summer at Paris, at
Rheims. at Frankfort; the Continental
air was full of fiying.machines. Bah!
It's pretty difficult to impress the av-
erage mind with something new. Why
shouldn't We cater to the poetic. the
romantic side Of man? We've con-
Germs for everything else. The fact
Is. mediocrity Is always standing be-
hind the corner with brickbats for
the Initiative. Believe me or not, Mr..
Jones. but this company exists. The
proof Is that you have the rug and
have the scars"
But in these prosaic times!" muir
INJURED George. still skeptical.
"Prosaic times!" shifted Ryanne.
There's one Of your brickbats. They
swung 1t at the head of the first print
er. Prosaic times! My friend, this
is the most romantic and bewildering
age humanity has yet seen. There's
more romance and adventure going
about on wheels and steel-bottoms
than ever there was In the days Of
Drake and the Spanish galleons
There's an adventure lurking round the
nearest corner-romance. too. What
this organization does Is to direct you;
after that you have to shift for your.
self. But, like first-rate physical in
structor, they never map out more
than . man can do. They gave me
the rug. Your bones. on such q quest,
would have been bleaching upon the
banks of the Tigris."
What the deuce is this company
called?" George was enjoying the con-
versation immensely.
The United Romance and Adven-
ture company. Ltd. Of London. Paris.
and New York"
Have you any Of the company's
paper with your" George repressed
his laughter because Ryanne's face
was serious enough.
Unfortunately. no. But II you will
give me your bankers address I'll be
pleased to forward you the prospec-
tus."
"Knauth. Nachod and Kuhne. I
am shortly leaving for home. Better
send It to New York. I say. suppose
a chap buys an adventure that is not
up to the mark; can be return II or
exchange 1t for another?"
mo. It's all chance. you know.
The rules of the game are steel.
bound. We find you an adventure;
It's up to you to make good"
But. once more suppose q chap gets
a little too rough game. and doesn't
turn up for his dividends; what them"
In that event." answered Ryanne
sadly. "the stock reverts to the gen.
eral fund"
George lay back In his chair and let
go his laughter. You are mighty
good company. Mr.. Ryanne."
well, well: well say nothing more
about II. But a moment gone you
spoke as II you were game for an ex-
ploit."
Il still am. But II l knew the ad-
venture was prearranged, as you say.
and I was up against a wall. there
would be the inclination to cable the
firm for more instructions"
Ryanne himself laughed this time.
That's a good idea. don't believe
the company ever thought Of such a
contingency. But I repeat. our busi-
ness Is to give you the KICKOFF. After
that you have to fight for your own
downs"
The stock isn't listed!" again
laughing.
scarcely. One man tells another.
as tell you. and 20 on"
You send me the prospectus. I'm
rather curious to have q look at It,"
Il certainly shall do so." replied
Ryanne. with gravity unassumed.
"Ah! Here come Mrs. Chedsoye and
her daughter. II you don't mind. I'll
make myself scarce. ! do not care
to see them Just now. after your hav.
Ing told them about the stolen
Yhiordes."
I'm sorry." said George. rising
eagerly.
Its all In the game" calamity.
George saw him gracefully ma
neuver his way round the crush to-
ward the stairs leading to the bar.
Really. he would like to know more
about this amiable free-lance. As the
old fellows used to say. he little
dreamed that destiny. one Of those |
things from Pandora's box. was pre-
pairing q deeper and more intimate
acquaintance.
"And what has been amusing you,
Mr.. Jones!" asked Mrs. Chedsoye. Il
saw you laughing"
Il was talking with the rug chap. |
He's . droll fellow. He said that be
had met you somewhere. but con-
cluded not 70 renew the acquaintance,
since I told him that his adventure In
part was known to you"
THAT 70 foolish. I rather enjoy
meeting men Of his stamp. Don't you,
Fortuner'
Sometimes" with . dry little
smile. II believe We have met him,
mother. There vas something H.
miliar about his head. OF course We
saw him only from . distance"
Il do not think there u any real