The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-01-09

should dictate. And so did. On
Monday would stroll out attired as a
Russian, on Tuesday as Turk, on
Wednesday as Swiss, and so on.
There was one of my costumes tn
was rather a favorite with me-
snowy Spanish dress, richly braided,
with large mantle and sombrero to
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 project, l was returning to my
lodgings in this dress. There had been
great exhibition Of fireworks in the
Place Vendome, which had continued
until IL, and as / walked on slowly,
enjoying my cigar, it was half an
hour later before / turned into the
of abode. The street was unlighted
and quite dark and deserted.
Presently three men came rapidly
behind me, talking and laughing in
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. l knew little of the language,
and | understood that he was asking
me for light.
| held out my cigar, and at the in
slant my arms were seized from be.
hind and pinioned with a slip-knot,
my throat was compressed by pair
Of bony hands. and 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. l tried to
cry out, but found | could not utter a
sound. | was lifted off my feet; J
heard 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 rafting 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 70 mine and
peered into it. A torrent Of Span.
ish oaths succeeded the inspection;
the hood was thrown oyer my head
again, and my arms and legs we're
again tied. ! was then carried back
to the vehicle, and actually returned
to Paris as swiftly, as secretly, and as
rapidly as / had been taken out of 1t.
My bonds and muller were once more
removed, and l was put down at the
very spot where l had been kidnapped,
not at all injured in body because of
my adventure, but much bewildered in
mind. The carriage and its conductors
were instantly gone.
After a very sleepless night ] re-
paired to the project of police and
told him my story. He was much
interested by 1t, and asked me many
questions.
What under heaven does it all
mean?" at length asked.
"Oh, it's very easily understood,
Monsieur Masquerader. It may be that
you, in your Spanish dress, and with
your brown face and well-trimmed
beard and mustache, must bear re-
markable resemblance to some real
Castilian in Paris. The real Castilian
has his enemies; he has eloped with
somebody's wife, or shot somebody's
brother. His enemies conspire to as
sassinate him; how, you had nearly
found out in practical way last
night! They make a very natural
mistake, under the circumstances, and
lay hold Of Monsieur Masquerading
American, instead of Monsieur Cas-
lillian. They And out their mistake
at the last moment, much to their cha
grin, and, instead of cutting you to
pieces in the old chateau, they bring
you back again, to learn little wis
dom from the adventure. All. must
look after these Spaniards--I think I
have a clew to them"
The project smiled and bowed me
out; and my first care was to go to
the tailor and order suit of Partisan
garments.