The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-15

morrow the city would be enter
tanning and honoring A foreign
monarch. Bunting was displayed IN
profusion, and men were busy board
ing up windows for protection. These
preparations were made an excuse by
thousands of people for lettering. and
in places where the decorations were
conspicuous the crowd was dense and
the traffic congested 1t was SO out
side vthe gates of Charing Cross sta
ton, and the yard was fl'll Of motors
and taxis awaiting the arrival of the
afternoon continental train.
A stolid looking chauffeur. leaning
over his steering wheel. watched the
exits OF the station as people began to
pour out. and his interest was present.
" attracted by a man who detached
himself from the crowd and came to a
standstill at the edge of the curb. He
was foreigner. quick snd alert in his
movements, and he carried an old suit
case stuck all over with foreign hotel
labels. For a moment he seemed ap
paIled at the sudden roar of London,
then he put down the case carefully,
took off his black slouch hat and tuck
ed It under his arm while he mopped
his face and head witt, an enormous
colored handkerchief. He was evident
~ suffering from the heat and dirt of
a long journey.
He glanced at the stblfd chauffeur
who almost Immediately had to back
his car a little to make room for a
closed motor which slid silently up to
the curb.
"Ah, it Is you then!" the man cx-
claimed in broken English. You wait.
that Is good"
He put on his hat. picked up the
suitcase. and quickly got into the
motor which imediately moved toward
the gates. The stolid chauffeur watch
ed 1t thread its way through the crowd
outside, toward ST Martins church.
and then became interested in the
people issuing from the station exits.
The ear went along the top Of Ira
falgar Square and by Pail Mall; to-
morrows procession was not coming
this way and the roads were fairly
clear. The occupant leaned back in
the corner. his luggage on the seat be-
side him. and seemed oblivious to the
fact that he looked wholly out Of place
in such a luxuriously appointed car
and indeed took little interest in his
surroundings. His mind appeared alb
sorbed by other matters.
Th4 car stopped in Hill street before
the red door of a large white house
with window-box perhaps the mos
attractive house IN the street. The
occupant of the car did not move unti
the chauffeur got down and opened the
door.
rs this It? did not know. 1t Il
my first VISIT he said. but he was i'm
mediately alert. and gripping his suit
case, ran up the dozen steps to Ehs
/ door and rang the bell.
He had to ring again before the doo1
hV ri
IDENTIFY not servant. although the for
eigner did not seem to appreciate the
fact. The door was open and he at.
tempted to enter.
| mot so fast, my friend" said tbs
man, laying a powerful hand on hi.
shoulder.
| Us it mistae I maker"
| THAT depends-whom do you want ?
Il do not know who I want"
Whats your name?''
THAT is easy. 1t is Number Thir
teen"
The man showed no surprise but le
him enter and closed the door.
You can leave your luggage in tn,
hall here and come with me-
I think not, take it with me.
never leave it anywhere"
AS you please
Number Thirteen glanced arount
the hall and up the wide stairs as b
followed his guide. This was a HON
Of luxury and Immense wealth. but tn
foreigner was not in the least over
awed by it. He looked even more GU
Of place here than he had done in tn
car. but was not conscious of his de
fciencies.
The room into which he was take
was a library. Handsomely boun
books lined the walls, thick pile car
pet deadened the football, easy chair
invited reverie. and there was doubl
door to keep out all disturbing sounds
The four men in the room. however
were very wide awake and alert, an
they turned sharply to stare at tn
visitor.
His guide closed the door. sea.e
himself at an inlaid writing-table wit
silver appointments. and pointed out
chair to the visitor. He was Jew, pro
nounced in type. yet handsome an
, masterfu. He was evidently chief s
this gathering, and the visitor, an
preciating the fact. shifted his seat
I little SO that he might directly fac
him He placed the suitcase on til
floor between his feet. and was ne
disconnected by the keen looks hxe
on him He did not attempt to MAX
AA1SS4 moro pFeSenIdDi9 py Hlckln
Off obvious dust or by smoothing dow
his ruff1ed hair.
IT make no mistake, EN-? You Al
4 waiting for me?"
. The man at the writing table lean.
forward.
You have come from Milan?'
You may say so. and 1t Is 90 IA
j true. but I seldom come direct fro
anywhere" was the careful answer.
you are not Milanese."
Does II matter? I am sent to 20
I am Number Thirteen. that is ALL
hare lived in Naples, think W,
born there. but It Is Of no conns,
Quence. I am here
DO you know for what purpose?"
l, Il can guess. should not be SCI
e across Europe for nothing ha,