The Dolores star., 1918-08-30

tiently to what they had to say.
"Of course, you will have to return
to US the passport we gave you before
We can give you the real one said
Huyliger's brother.
Il haven't the slightest objection"
replied. ..if the new passport is all you
claim for 1t. Will you let me see it7''
There wns considerable hesitation ON
the part of Huyliger's brother and the
other chap Mt this.
"Why, don't think that's necessary
at all, Mr.. O'Brien." said the former.
"YOu give US the old passport and We
will be very glad to give you the new
one for 1t. Isn't that fair enOughr'
1T may be fair enough, my friends"
l retorted. seeing that 1t was useless to
conceal further the fact that I was
fully aware of their whole plan an
why had been brought to this house.
1T may be fair enough, my friends,"l
said, but you will get the passIort
that have here" batting my side and
indicating my inside breast pocketr1
"Only on my dead body!'
l suppose the three of them could
have made short work of me then and
- tuGy ANU " ~ tllC
limit, and NO one would ewes have
been tne wiser. but I had gone through
50 much and was feeling 81 mean to-
, wards the whole world jdst at that
moment that was determined to sell
my life as dearly us possible.
Il have that passport here" I re-
piled. 'and am going to keep 1t. II
| you gentlemen think you can take II
| from me you are welcome to tryr
To tell the truth, was spelling for
fight, and half wished they would
start something. The man who had
lived in the house had evidently been
q. collector of ancient pottery. for the
walls were lined with great pieces OF
earthenware which had every earmark
Of possessing great value. They car
tainly possessed great weight. I fig
ured that If the worst came to the
worst that pottery would come In
mighty handy. A single Blow with one
Of those big vases would put man
out as neatly as possible and as there
was lots of pottery and only three men
I believed had an excellert chance OF
holding my own In the couibat which
had invited.
I had already picked out in my mind
what was going to use. and got up,
stood with my back to the wall and
told them that If they ever figured on
getting the passport, then would be
their best chance.
| Apparently they realized that
meant business and they Immediately
began to expOstulate Mt the attitude
was taking.
| One Of the men spoke excellent
English. In fact. he told me that he
could SPEAK five languages. and II he
could lie in the others rs well as ]
not only an accomplished linguist. but
u most versatile linr into the bargain.
my dear fellow" snid the linguist,
ut Is not that we want to deprive you OF
the passport. Good heavens! il it will
aid you in getting out of the country.
I wish you could have six just like 1t
But for our own protection. you owe
1t to-us to proceed on your journey
rs best you can without 1t because as
long US you have 1t In your possession
you jeopardize our lives. too. Don't
You think it Is fairer that you should
risk your own safety rather than place
the lives of three innocent men In
dangerT'
THAT may be as 1t is. my friends"
I retorted. "and am glad you V
yoar danger. Keep 1t in 'mirSyA :
case any of you should hapIk.-G :
inclined to notify the German autlk
ties that I am in this part of the coun.
try. think it over before you do So
Remember always that If the Germans
get me. they get the passport. too, and
II they get the passport your lives
won't be worth damn! When i tell
the history of that clever little piece
of pasteboard. will implicate all three
Of you. and whoever is working with
you. and us am IN officer I rather
think my word will be taken before
yours. Good night" =
The bluff evidently worked. because
I was able to get out of the city with.
out molestation from the Germans.
I have never seen these men since
I hope I never shall. because I am
afraid might be tempted to do some
thing for which I might otherwise be
sorry.
I do not mean to imply that all Bel.
gians are like this. I had evidently
fallen into the hands of a gang who
were endeavoring to make capital out
of the misfortunes Of those who were
referred to them for help. In all coun-
tries there are bad as well as good.
and in q country which has suffered so
much as poor Belgium it is no wonder
If some Of the survivors have lost their
sense of moral perspective.
know that the average poor peas.
ant in Belgium would divide his scanty
rations with needy fugitive sooner
than a wealthy Belgian would dole
out morsel from his comparatively
well-stocked larder. Perhaps the Door