Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1915-03-04

in India. Hetis suspicious OF CaisSS,
and the better to get evidence pro
poses. TO him that they go into bust
ness together.
pretty place, isn't 1t?" SAID Smltn
carelessly. 81 could not have this il
lived in the city. That is why pre-
fer to live outside. | am not married,
prince. My life is free. When bust
ness is over | come down here. am
never dull, | assure you. Everything
is to my taste here"
He pointed to row of windows
that were entirely enclosed by mat
ting.
1--WE will dine there presently in
true Indian STYLE" he said; "now we
must change our wet Clothes"
He took them to his private rooms,
which were handsomely furnished.
He opened a closet filled with Hindu
costumes.
Select which you like" he said;
"help yourselves to anything you
want"
They were in hurry to get out of
their wet clothes, so their host left
them. AS soon as they were alone
Jacques took the receipt out of his
waistcoat pocket.
"The roguew he said.
The water had commenced to eff
face the ink; if their receipt for ten
thousand francs had remained little
longer under water it would have
been nothing but piece of pulp.
Il wonder if his intention was to
drown u.s." said Paul thoughtfully.
81 don't think SO. He is too sharp
to do that. He has not yet got the
fifteen thousand francs from France"
Il am sure that his men were try
ing to pull US under" said Paul
gravely. apart from getting our
money, he may for some other reason
want TO get rid of us; but i don't see
why. Those men were trying to
drown u.s."
"He has no reason to do that yet"
insisted Jacques. But I'm going to
hang on to this receipt all the time"
1T is his dinner that | am afraid
Of" said Paul.
"We shall have to take pot luck"
replied Paul. "Be careful and only
eat after he bcginS"f
They left the dressing room. A
servant was waiting for them outside
the door. He led the way to the
dining room. On the walls were bril-
liant tapestries, the principal designs
of which stood out in arabesQues of
silk. .-...
In place of chairs there were low
divans and immense cushions. In the
middle of the room stood the table,
richly set Smith, clad in superb
costume of red silk, stood waiting for
them at the entrance
"Ah, here you are clothed and in
your right minds! he said, smiling.
Yes, we thought we would garb
ourselves in Oriental costumes like
you," replied Jacques.
Smith struck gong. Dinner was
served Immediately. During the first
courses nothing unusual happened
Now and again they lightly referred
to the accident.
AS the dinner drew to an end they
heard delightful music coming from
the garden. The mating on the WIN
dows was drawn aside and invisible
hands threw gorgeous flowers into
the room, strewing the carpet with
the fragrant blossoms.
"My compliments, Mr. Smith. You
are certainly a good stage setter"
said Merseins.
when one no longer lives in
Europe, if one wishes to enjoy life,
one must adopt the habits and the
customs of the country in which one
lives" he said.
Two young girls dressed in blue
gauze came into the room, carrying a
tray which held coffee service. A
young negress followed them, and
placed before each guest pipe that
was already filled.
"You will pardon me if / do not
follow your example in this ?" said
jacques.
He made sign to his friend not to
touch the pipe. He got up from his
seat. Smith wanted to stop him.
Excuse me. I'll be back in min
ute. I'll get my own cigarettes. / am
so accustomed to French tobacco that
| do not think could smoke anything
else"
He was already at the other end of
the room, and disappeared down the
passage by which he had entered.
Jacques found the dressing room
where they had changed their clothes.
The door was slightly ajar, and he
could see man whom Smith had
previously called Girodet, and who
had been in charge of the boat, turn
ing over his garments. The pockets
were inside out
"Sapristi! That scoundrel is giving
too much attention to our wet
clothes" said Jacques. Thinking that
it would be best TO pretend not to
have seen him, he knocked lightly on
the door before entering.
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