River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-03-22

ters that at about II o'clock he found
| himself strolling with Sir Brian Malpas
toward the latter's chambers in Picca-
dilly.
TIC the tactful diplomacy of NJ. Gas
ton Max the task of securing from Sir
Brian an invitation to step up into
bis chambers in order to smoke final
cigar was no heavy one. He seated
himself in a deep armchair at the bar
onet's invitation and accepted very
fine cigar contentedy. shifting at the
old cognac with the appreciation Of a
connoisseur ere holding it under the
siphon.
He glanced around the room, noting
the character of the ornaments, and
looked up at the big bookshelf which
was near to him. These rapid inquir-
les dictated the following remark:
You have lived in China. Sir Brian? p
Sir Brian surveyed him with mild
surprise.
"Yes," he replied Il was for some
time at the embassy in Peking."
His guest nodded. blowing ring Of
smoke from his lips and tracing its
hazy outline with the lighted end of
his cigar.
Il, too. have been in China" he said
slowly.
"What, really! | had no idea"
Eyes, have been in China. r.
Nj. CASTOR grew suddenly deathly
pale. and his fingers began to twitcb
alarmingly He stared before him
with wide opened eyes and began to
cough and to choke as if suffocating-
dying.
Sir Brian Malpas leaped to his feet
with an exclamation Of concern. His
visitor weakly waved him away. gasp
ing: 1T is nothing! 1t will-pass off,
Oh, mon Dieu!'
Sir Brian ran and opened one Of the
windows to admit more air to the
apartment. He turned and looked
back anxiously at the man in the arm
chair. NJ. CASTOR. twitching in pitt
full manner and still frightfully pale.
was cIutching the chair arms and glar
ing straight in front Of him. Sir Bri-
an started slightly and advanced again
to his visitors side.
The burning cigar lay upon the car
pet beside the chair. and Sir Brian
took it up and tossed it into the crate.
AS he did so he looked searchingly
into the eyes Of NJ. CASTOR. The pu-
pills were extraordinarily dilated.
do you feel better?" asked Sir
Brian.
Much BETTER" muttered M. Castor.
his face twitching nervously: much
better"
Are you subject to these attacks|
Since was in China. yes. unfortu-
nately"
Sir Brian tugged at his fair mus
tache and seemed about to speak. then
turned aside and. walking to the ia
BILE, poured out a peg Of brandy and
offered it to his guest. "
Thanks" said M. CASTOR. many
thanks indeed, but already ! recover.
There is only one thing that would
hasten my recovery, and that fear
is not available"
"What is that?'
He looked again at NJ. Gaston's eyes,
with their very dilated pupils.
"Opium!' whispered nj. Castor.
What! You-you"-
II acquired the custom in China" re-
piled the Frenchman. his voice grad
ually growing stronger, land for many
years now ! have regarded opium as
essential to my we'll being. Unfortu-
nately business has detained me in
London, and | have been forced to fast
for an unusually long time. My out
ragged constitution is protesting-tha is
ALL
He shrugged his shoulders and
glanced UP at his host with an odd
smile
you have my sympathy" said Sir
Brian.
I'm Paris" continued the visitor. Il
am a member Of select and coy lit
tie club near the Boulevard Beaumar-
chais"
Il have heard Of it." interjected Nal
pas-"on the Rue st. Claude!"
THAT indeed is it's situation" replied
the other. with surprise. "YOu know
some one who is member"
Sir Brian Nfalpas hesitated for ten
seconds or more; then, crossing the
room and recosing the window, he
turned. facing his visitor across the
large room.
Il was member myself during the
time that | lived in Paris he said in
a hurried manner. which did not en-
tirely serve to cover his confusion.
My dear Sir Brian! We have at
least one taste in common"
Sir Brian Malpas passed his hand
across his brow with weary gesture
we'll known to fellow members of par
| lament. for it often presaged the
abrupt termination Of promising
| speech.
Il curse the day that was appoint
ed to Peking." he said. for it was in
Picking that | acquired the opium hab-
| If I thnupIIt tO make il nv servant: