Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-01-14
By A. CONAN DOYLE

town..
"You haven't told us yet who you
are, where you come from, nor what
you have been" said Jim bluntly.
The stranger looked him up and
down with critical eye. my word !!
but you would make grenadier for a
flank company" said he. GAS to what
you ask, l might take offense at 1t
from other lips, but you have right
to know, since you have received me
with SO great courtesy. My name Is
Bonaventure de Lapp. ! am a soldier
and a wanderer by trPde, and ! have
come from Dunkirk, as you may. see
printed upon the boat"
II thought that you had been ship
wreckedT" said /.
But he looked at me with the
straight gaze Of an honest man.
"That is right" said he. But the
ship went from Dunkirk. and this is
one of her boats. The crew got away
In the long boat, and she went down
so quickly that l had no time to put
anything into her. That was on Mon
day."
"And todays Thursday. You have
been three days without bite or sup"
at is too long," said he. "Twice
before l have been for two days, but
never quite so long as this. Well,
shall leave my boat here, and see
whether l can get lodgings in any of
these little gray houses up on the
hfItcidno WIN, 10, hot fra blIrn
ing over yonder?'
ut Is one of our neighbors who has
served against the French. He is re-
j0iclng because peace has been de-
clared."
"Oh! you have neighbor who has
served, then? l am glad. for l, too,
have seen little soldering here and
there" He did not look glad. but he
drew his brows down over his keen
eyes.
"You are French, are you not?"
asked, as we all walked up the hill to-
gether, he with his black bag in his
hand, and his long blue cloak slung
over his shoulder.
swell, l am Of Alsace," said he.
"And you know they are more Ger
man than French. For myself, have
been In so many lands that I feel at
home in all. have been a great trav-
eler. And where do you think that
might find lodging?"
l can scarcely tell now, on looking
back with the great gap of five-and
thirty years between what impression
this singular man had made upon me
Jim Horscroft was fine man. and
Maj. Elliott was brave one, but they
both lacked something that this wan
derer had. 1t was the quick, alert
look, the flash of the eye, the name
less distinction which Is so hard to
fix. And then. we had saved him
when he lay gasping on the shingle
and ones heart always softens to
ward what one has once helped.
"If you will come with me-" said l
~ have little doubt that l can find
you a bed for night or two, and by
| that time you will be better able t.
make your own arrangements"
He pulled OFF his hat, and bowed
with all the grace imaginable. Bu
| Jim Horscroft pulled me by the sleev.
| and led me aside.
| /" You're mad. Jock" he whispered
1.-THE fellows common adyentnrer
| What do you want to get mixed vi
with him for?"
| But l was always as obstinate
man MS ever laced his boots, and |.
YOU jerked me back 1t was the fines
| way of sending me to the front.
"Hes stranger, and It's our par
to look after him." said l.
"Youll be sorry for It," said he.
| Maybe So"
IF you don't think Of yourself 70,
might think Of your cousin"
Eddie can take very good care O.
herself"
| "Well, then. the devil take you. ant
you may do what you like" he cried
/ In one of his sudden Pushes of anger
Without a word of farewell to eithe
of us he turned off upon the track tina
led up toward his fathers house.
Bonayenture de Lapp smiled at mi
as we walked on together.
II didn't thought he liked me yer.
MUCH" said he. II can see very wei
that he has made quarrel with yol
because you are taking me TO you
home. What does he think of M
then? Does he think, perhaps, that
have stole the gold in my bag, or wha
Is it that he fearsw
Tut! l neither know nor care,
said |. mo stranger shall pass on
door without crust and bed" Wit
my head cooked. and feeling as II
was doing something very fine, In
stead Of being the most egregious foe
soutl, of Edinburgh, | marched o.
down the path. with my new &C
quaintance at my elbow.