Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11

unpleasant a journey. Perhaps we
can breakfast together in Paris and
forget it,"
l made no definite promise. My
movements must be regulated by
those of the Bohemian.
The storm sank into grumbling for
awhile, but as we approached Paris
1t broke out again. Some one sug-
gested that complaint should be made
to the railway authorities and the
bully was Immediately ferocious.
I'VE will go together all together.
and I will complain that I purchase a
ticket to travel like gentleman, and
poof!-l am obliged to travel with the
cattlc--canaille. Oh, yes, we will go
to them. 1t is a very good plan, and
I speak my mind. 1t will be very
much I shall have to say"
I'VE must keep out of this said
the Swede in a low tone. 1T would
mean delay. l have business which
must not be delayed. And you?"
II do not intend to be drawn into
the quarrel" l answered.
I'VE must protect each other then.
l have once before had an experience
of this sort, and ii was two hours be-
ney."
Still ] made no definite promise, but
! realized this man might help me il
necessary to shake off the Bohemian.
He was a greater menace to me than
my quarrelsome fellow passengers.
In the hustle of the terminus quickly
forgot the unpleasant night journey
My companion and were first out OF
the compartment. leaving an angry
Chattering behind us. The bully seemed
to be the center Of a gesticulating crowd
for an instant and then ! lost sight Of
him. My attention was concentrated on
the Bohemian. who was watching me.
There was nothing furtive about him;
he seemed anxious to compel my notice.
and to escape his attention | made use
of my companion.
I am going toward the bourse," l
said.
THAT is my way he answered.
Here is a taxi"
l smiled. If the Bohemian knew my
destination he must realize that all
chance of stopping me from reaching
the Rue Septembre had gone.
Outside the station there was a block
in the traffic, and our driver took a side
street to avoid it. Here, too, was con-
gestion. and the taxi was obliged to
stop.
1T is all right" said my companion
as I moved to put my head out to see
what was amiss. and the next moment
man on the pavement flung open the
door. and ] was jerked on to the floor
OF the vehicle. think l swore, know
I n hor >f
bag. and then l seemed TO fall asleep,
that kind Of slumber which comes some
times in the early morning, incomplete
Inconsistencies. Rambling sounds were
in my ears, and the sound OF laughter,
] thought, and then sense Of uneasi-
ness as l were turning over and over in
q vain endeavor to get into comfort
able position.
Whether complete consciousness re-
turned soon after this I cannot say I
had neglected to wind up my watch,
and it had stopped. 1t was daylight
gray, and there were rain splashes on
the dirty window which gave light to
the dirtiest garnet I have ever seen.
The floor was covered with dust, SO
was the furniture, consisting of a rough
table and two wooden chairs with
broken backs. l had apparently been
laid on the floor since my clothes were
covered with dust. Ny revolver had
gone. so had the sealed envelope.
tried the door, which was solid and
locked; then ! went to the window,
which l found was nailed up. ] was
at the top of high building, my out
look the blank walls Of factories, and
through a narrow gap could see water
the Seine, no doubt. thought of put
ting my fist through the window and
shouting, but reflected that a demon
stration of this kind would be more
likely to attract my enemies than bring
me friends. Not at first did ! quite
recollect what had happened, my brain
was fuddled as IL ] had dined far too
well. and it was some time before
could reconstruct my doings to the
moment when the taxi had come to a
standstill in the side street The
Swede had certainly pulled me back,
but this might have been to save me
from the assault of the man who had
suddenly opened the door of the cab.
Trying for solution of the problem.
] began to pace my garnet presently,
and this aroused the house. Almost
Immediately there were footsteps on
the stairs outside. the bolts of the