Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-05

| many tens aftor some time / struck a
| match and examined the dial of my watch.
| 1t was twenty minutes after ten. Some
| time later I rasorted to the same device.
| In the interim l must have nodded-dozed
| for forty winlts for It did not seem such a
| very long time Yet 1t was then littls
| past eleven; and still we progressed through
| the heart of London at a snall's pace. Hav-
| ing failed to attract the drivers attention
| by repeated knocks on the roof of the
coupe, thrust my head out of the door
and yelled at HIM
He had been aseep! He woke up yawn-
ing and ill-tempered.
THE Carleton?" l asked appealingly.
He started as II shot.
"Yesslr," he said again, with that amaz-
ing quality of voice, penetrating as the
rasping of a file. Brought yer right to
the door gunner"
| He picked up the reins and admonished
| the horse: "Giddap!" We moved again,
| delvlng into profoundites Of fog. I gave up
hope with sigh.
Yet, within one minute at the most, we
| paused again. looked out, incredulity in
my heart
We had stopped at curb the arch of
an Illuminated awning. extending down
across the sidewalk, confronted me. Beyond
there was glow of greater light, together
with hushed strains OF music.
We had arrived Personally, harbored
doubts as to the place being actually the
Carleton; but that mattered little; 1t was q
hotel-R place TO rest my confused head and
weary body. In a fever OF impatience
jumped out and paid the man what he
asked-two or three shillings-adding u
handsome but totally undeserved gratuity !;
and dismissed the memory of that intermin-
able journey from my mind-forever,
fondly anticipated.
As strode eagerly up the strip of carpet
1 was forced to step aside and give way
to party OF three who came down the
steps OF the building arm In arm. For an
instant something queer in their manner
puzzled me and then ! recognized that two
were acting the roles of Samartans to the
third, the fellow in the middle, who was
repulsively intoxicated
AS they passed, making their way with
some difficulty because of the dead weight
OF the central figure, I caught a glimpse of
his face-not an unhandsome face, OF a
foreign, Slavic type, ghastly pale, wholly
stupid, brutalized and made dlsgustingly
sensual by excesses. It was gone in an
instant; yet 1 felt myself shudder a bit
and am not squeamish.
moment later 1 was at the top OF the
stairs; and there a bitter disappointment
awaited me, in the person OF the most
magnihcently plus-upholstered lackey, with
the stodsiest British calves. radiant in white
stockings, that II has ever been my privilege
to view.
He stepped suddenly from behind the door
and barred the way with majestic arm.
"oom." he inquired precisely, do you
wish to seer"
paused. aghast, realizing the bitter
truth.
This is a private houseT"
Hit is" he returned without emotion
/ hesitated, stammering something about
a mistake. A gleam OF suspicion llghtened
the dull surface OF his eyes. He shook his
head, firmly compressing his lips / turned
and fed, conscious that his unfriendly glare
remained concentrated upon the small OF my
back.
AS l had suspected. the cab had not
stirred. l poked the cabby with my cane
and again succeeded In rousing him
The Carleton!" / told him desperately
do you think you can take me to the
Carleton?"
lie touched his hat stimy this time.
THE Carleton" he agreed with wistful
patience Climb in, gOy'ner."
What choice had II / climbed in. 1t
was either that or a nights wandering
about the streets OF an unknown city. ]
chose what / fancied the lesser evil.
l pulled open the door. and at the same
moment the horse started forward The
movement was slight enough, in all con-
science, and yet II was enough to make
me stumble and to tangle up my feet. BY
the time l got them Strengthened out the
vehicle was converging toward the middle
Of the street ! caught hold OF the side OF
the door and, with spring, threw myself
In.
Lunging in upon my knees, I thrust out
both hands to save myself a nasty fall
expecting 10 land upon the cushions OF the
seats. To the contrary, my fingers eneoun-
tered, on the one side, the warm desh Of 3
hand, on the other trousersd leg. and,
simultaneously, man s9ore with vigor
You damned fool 70 he cried. do you
desire 10 bring the police about our ears
Il beg pardon" / faltered. recovering
but pardonably amazed
Ny voice Apparently betrayed 70 ths
speaker his mistake ] heard hun shut his
teeth together with \ sharp. unpleasant
click, and before I could make another
move a binding glare OF light was Ia my
eyes.
y I saw nothing bayond the ballsoye of
that pookeE slze eleclrle hand lamp. Il wea