The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1913-11-14


fancy now seized ~
me 10 wear them ~
just as the whim
should dictate And SO. did. On
Monday / would stroll out attired as O
Russian. on Tuesday as Turk. on
Wednesday as Swiss. and so on
There was one of my costumes that
was rather a favorite with me-a
showy Spanish dress, richly braided
with a large mantle and somhrero tc
match. believe | had appeared In
public with this much oftener than
with any of the other costumes. a
few nights after my interview with
the prefect was returning to my
lodgings in this dress. There had been
a great exhibition OF fireworks In the
Place Vendome. which had continued
until II. and as | walked on slowly
enjoying my cigar, It was half an
hour later before / turned into the
narrow street on which was my place
Of abode The street was unlighted
and quite dark and deserted.
Presently three men came rapidly
behind me. talking and laughing II
a way that at first led me to think
they had been taking too much wine
One of them quickened his pace. over
took me and addressed me in Span
ish | knew a little OF the language
and I understood that he was asking
me for a light
held out my cigar, and at the in
slant my arms were seized from be
sad and pinioned with a sllp-knot
my tMoat vas compressed by pail
OF boy hands. and a thick, padded
hood was wrapped closely about my
face and head The thing was done
so suddenly and so secretly that | was
taken entirely by surprise. tried te
cry out but found | could not utter .
sound. was lifted OF my feet; J
heard a shrill whistle. a carriage was
driven up. was thrust into it, some
of my captors following. others mount
ed the box, and the vehicle was driven
away at a rattiing pace.
gave myself up for lost, and was
whispering a prayer. when the most
astonishing phase OF my adventure oc
Cured The three men simultaneous
ly uttered a Spanish oath. and, drop
ping the points of their weapons
thrust their faces close to mine and
peered into IL. A torrent of Span
ish oaths succeeded the inspection
the hood was thrown over my head
again. and my arms and legs were
again tied I was then carried bach
TO the vehicle. and actually returned
to Paris as swiftly. as secretly, and as
rapidly as I had been taken out Of It
Ny bonds and muller we're once more
removed. and l was put down at The
very spot where I had been kidnapped
not at all injured in body because O
my adventure. but much bewildered II
mind. The carriage and its conductor
were instantly gone.
After q very sleepless night re
paired to the prefect of police an,
told him my story He was mucl
interested by it, and asked me man.
questions.
What under heaven does it al
mean?' at length asked.
"Oh. it's very easily understood
Monsieur Masquerader. II may be tina
you. in your Spanish dress. and witt
your brown face and well-trimme'
beard and mustache. must bear re
markabIe resemblance to some rea
Castilian In Paris. The real Castiliai
has his enemies: he has eloped witt
somebody's wife. OF shot somebody
brother. His enemies conspire to as
sassinate him: how. you had nearl
found out in a practical way las
night They make a very natura
mistake, under the circumstances. an
lay hold of Monsieur Masuueradinl
American, instead of Monsieur Cas-
lillian. They find out their mistak
at the last moment, much 20 their cns
grin. and. instead of cutting you t
pieces In the old chateau. they brin
you back again. to learn little wis
dom from the adventure All. mus
look after these Spaniards--I think
have clew to them"
The project smiled and bowed m
out: and my first care was to go t
the tailor and order a suit OF Parisla
garments.