Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-02-09
Copyright, by w. G. Chapman.)


streets would be as safe as any cab
Tor me and, as there would be time
Tor me to walk to my lodgings and
still catch the night boat, 1 set off at a
| brisk pace. l had reached the National
gallery before I was satisfied that T was
! not being folloWed-at any rate, close
~. MY route now lay through a maze
OF narrow streets of unsavory reputa-
ton. Should 1 attempt their passage?
1t seemed to me that all places were
| equally precarious just now. I had
halted at the entrance to one of those
little old-fashioned hotels, still fire.
quented by travellers, though their en-
croaching slum neighbors are gradual
~ driving out the better class of visit
ors. While was debating, suddenly
mufHed, but Enthusiastically feminine
voice, crying for help, reached my ears.
Immediately a hanson wheeled round
the corner and drew in near the hotel
entrance. A second later l perceived
two men half leading, half dragging a
yelled lady toward the doors. She
seemed suddenly to have awakened to
a realization of her destination, for she
| began to struggle violently and to
scream. One of the men clapped his
hand over her lips and unceremonious-
ly they bundled her into the hanson.
Should I intervene? Or was this but
some trick to lure me out of the broad
thoroughfare into that maze of secret
streets and there to rob me? AS
waited one last cry came to me, so
piercing in It's agony that almost re-
GREETED my prudence; but before I
could finally run to the girls aid
| heard men running in answer to her
call, and suddenly the cabman dashed
his horse and the vehicle disappeared
into the gathering murk and fog.
Certainly matters were becoming
| lively! And I had been gone but
short half hour already!
[ retraced my steps homeward, not
penetrating the narrow maze of alleys
that lay nearest, and arrived in time to
discover Talbot, my servant soldier,
laying the table for my dinner. I babe
him pack my grip instantly and get
me ready for the Paris boat.
won't you tyke me with you, sir?"
| he pleaded. Them froggies is narsty
devils, sir. I'd like to go, sir. Two
| leads is better than one, sir, and 'ooI
look after you when you're asleep,
Them frog-eaters will trap you into a
| dooel, SIR
Talbot and I had gone through many
strange adventures together, and there
was no man whose company would
| have preferred. But in this case had
| to dispense with him, for my mission
was a brief one and I could not be
| troubled with a companion, especially
as French was the one'language Talbot
would not or could not learn.
When he found that was obdurate,
Talbot set about packing my grip.
Then, at my instructions, he sewed the
precious document within the lining of
! my coat. And so, grasping the now
empty wallet, I set off for Charlng
Cross station, which I reached without
mishap. At nine o'clock I was en-
route for Dover; at midnight l was
aboard the night boat for Calais. can
hardly express the thankfulness felt
at having at least performed the first
part of the journey in safety. BY the
morrow noon, my task fulfilled,
should be on my way homeward.
I did not sleep, but lay down to rest
in my berth. am not the best of sail
ors and the action of the waves pro-
duced in me that sensation from which
even those of the blood royal are not
exempt. The lights were low in the
cabin. I saw no one approach me. In
spite of my resolution 1 must have
dozed off slightly-for | started up
suddenly, to hear the steward announ-
cling that the lights of Calais harbor
were visible and that we were near the
end of our journey.
So lightly had my eyes closed. so
firmly had I held the wallet, none could
have approached to rob me of it, felt
sure. without instant detection. And
yet-was that my wallet? My wallet
had had silver lock, and this, though
otherwise a creditable resemblance,
had one of untinned brass. Thorough
" alarmed, I sprang to my feet and
felt at my coat. Thank heaven, the
treaty still reposed within the lining.
But now for the first time realized
how crafty. how implacable, were the
enemies that pursued me. The wal
let must have been substituted Wnlle
I dozed. 1 flung it away across the
cabin. I must watch myself the more
carefully, for undoubtedly they would
attempt their coup during the night
Journey between Calais and Paris.
Strangely enough, there was not q
sleeping compartment to be had, and
7 was forced to content myself with an
ordinary carriage / did, however. sue
coed in obtaining one for myself, saw
the door closed. and, as the train
steamed out of the station, congratu-
lated myself upon successful journey.
I had no further desire to sleep. Inc
dawn would find me in Paris ana
ready to perform my mission.
AS the train sped on and | museo IN
this way / heard fists beating against
a. xho+ Generated mine from the