Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1919-07-31
The Adventure of Mr.. Dubois.

The Adventure of Mr. Dubois.
Mr.. Dubois, a retired Belgian pro.
fessor of mathematics, lived in the
country until the Germans burned his
house. He then went with his daugh-
ters to Brussels, says the Belgian Bull
letin, where he rented modest apart
ment
One morning one of his daughters
came TO tell him that two German Of
ficers were waiting to see him. he
found them inclined to be excessively
polite One of them studied him care
fully, and then asked if he was the
person known as Mr.. Dubois.
81 am, as a matter of fact, Mr.. Du-
bois, professor of mathematics, he
answered.
The officer smiled and stroked his
mustache "Have it your own way, y
he said. "Please get ready to leave
with us within ten minutes. Take
clothing sufficient for several days.
You may, if you like, take leave of
your family"
The officer took the prisoner to one
of the best hotels in Brussels, where
he turned him over to a barber. Mr..
Dubois found it hard to restrain HIM
self when the barber cut of first his
mouStache and then his cherished
beard. The officer, upon inspecting
him, seemed pleased, even triumphant,
and handed him a monocle. But
when Mr.. Dubois protested that he
had never worn one and was unable
to keep it in place, the officer said:
Admiral, do not keep up this farce.
We have, as you see, the greatest re-
spcct for your rank and your misfor-
tune"
The officer then informed him that
they had received orders to conduct
him to Zeebrugge.
When the party arrived at the canal
the officer, with apologies, bandaged
Mr.. Dubois's eyes, and when the band
age was removed he found himself in
the presence of several aged officers at
a table covered with maps and plans.
One of the officers came forward with
outStretched hand and said:
admiral, allow me to shake hands
with you as one does with an enemy
one respects"
Mr.. Dubois took his hand and re-
piled, 81 am Mr.. Dubois, professor of
mathematics
"You are so far from being Mr.. Du-
bois," the spokesman replied with great
politenesS, but firmly, ''that your right
thumb bears the scar Of wound you
received on board your ship six years
ago when a cannon exploded" He
pointed to Mr.. Dubois whose thumb
lacked a joint.
"That," said Mr. Dubois, "is the re-
suit of an accident met with while
driving twelve years ago; the flying
glass cut my hand, and"
"Do not insist, admiral" said the
chief officer in a stern voice.
At that moment young officer ven
tured to interrupt his superiors. Hold
ing up photograph, he cried out:
"Look, the admiral's left thumb is
injured, while this mans right thumb
lacks the tip"
The photograph was passed from
one TO another amid an ominouS 81
lence. The two officers who had
brought Mr.. Dubois shivered. Pres
emily the commanding officer crossed
his arms and addressed Mr.. Dubois:
$50 you are not Adm. Beresford ?"
81 am Mr.. Dubois, professor Of
mathematics, he answered once more.
with his eye on the door
The commanding officer raised his
arm and, pointing to the door, said,
"Clear-out"
Needless to say, Mr.. Dubois did moi
stop until he reached his own apart
ment, where he burst in upon his fam-
ly. They started in astonishment at
his beardless face.
"What is the meaning of this ?" de-
manded his father-in-law.
Mr.. Dubois drew himself up, put
the monocle in place and announced:
81 am Adm. Beresford."