The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-09-23

Criminal Intelligence Department
Of India threw open the door or
his first-class compartment ana
strolled indolently through the
throng OF shouting natives toward
the station restaurant. Shrili-
voiced pawnee- allahS lusGcd
their skins of water from wtndo"
TO window OF the third-ClasS ca
rlages and sweetmeat vendors
cried the virtues Of their Coufe2-
lions as they held their trays aioft.
1t was an old story to Smith.
aud one might have thought that
ne paid no attention whatever TO
his Surroundings. He gave no sign
NJ interest. but IN reality he was
keenly interested. Three times
during the last ten days had his
life been attempted. 1t was we'll
for him to be on the alert.
After light tif1in Smith saun-
tered up and down the platform
for a few minutes before the tram
was due to resume its long journey
70 Calcutta. He was the only
white man among the crowds OF
natives. Indeed there were only
two first-class compartments on
the entire train. One OF these
directly in rear OF Smiths COM
partment-wasr reserved for ladies'.
An unusually old syah scuttled
backwards and forwards between
this compartment and the resteu-
rant. She was busy with refresh
ments for her mistress. who pre-
terred not TO leave the train and
who kept her blinds drawn against
tho curious gaze Of the natives.
Sharp toots OF warming from the
engine caused Smith 10 turn
abruptly and enter his compart-
mert. As he closed the door be-
hind him he heard 1t opened again
ard he turned like a fash to ascer-
tain the cause. Unexpected occur
rences had come 70 have omtnous
significance for him OF late.
What Smith saw upon turning
however. did not seem very dan
ee-ous. He was a dapper, little
man who entered. smooth sharen
and far from strong in physical
annearance. He threw his topee
into the rack for small parcels and
sat down upon the seat opposite TO
the one upon which Smiths KIT
was living. No word was spoken.
White men who live in India do
not talk much without formal in
PRODUCTION.
Smith paid as little outward at
tention TO his new travelling COM
panion az he had paid 10 the
throngs OF natives upon the station
nlatform. As the train gathered
wav he stretched himself full
length upon his seat and lighted a
cigarette. Notwithstanding his ap-
parent indifference. however
Smith had noted several Things
which the ordinary observer might
have failed to perceive. Instinct
fvelv he felt that the little man had
attempted TO display an easy man
ner that he did not feel when he
threw the topee into the rack.
Smith felt that the act was an
ettempt at nonchalenCe and was
not genuine. He noted, too. that
the man had no native servant.
which is unusual for the hrst-ciaSS
traveller % the East. In addition 10
This tho eyes OF the little man had
a story to tell. They were not
straight ewes. They were shtfty.
and il was Smiths profession 10
read ewes. He closed his own as
no tossed his cigarette ont OF the
window. hut opened them again at
once. The man on the opposite
seat was looking at Smith and ne
was looking at Smiths eyes.
Smith stretched wearily and set
tied a pillow more comfortably as
If preparing for snooze. the
shiftv ewes had darted away and
the little man busted himself IN
examining the rush screen in the
center window upon his side,
which is constructed so that water
may drip downward and COOL the
air by evaporation.
Smith observed the sudden inter
est in something other than hlm-
self. and read the action once more
ms not being genuine. Again ne
closed his eyes and il waS lmpos-
sihls to see that they nuttered open
lust far enough FOR observation.
II was hot and sultrv. and sleep
comes easily and unexpectedly I'M
der these conditions. Smith kne"
,his and he knew that his ne
might depend upon his remaining
awake. He might b" wrong. hd'
his life Of adventure had Taught
hin the value Of deduction con-
hinaa with intuition. PreviouSi!
the man he was hunting had sent
natives to kill him. Now he ha /
sent another white m%n. II SnltH
could last out long enough the man
himself would come. and th"n ~"
battle would he decided once ana
for alone VA or tho other.
The man on the seat npposi'"
.oon lost interest in the autOmSf!r
cooler. He drew small book fr0r,
his pocket and settled back as II
n read. As the train ratified on
along the Madras coast tn" read
e-'s ewes glanced over the top OF
his book NJ the tall man stretched
silently upon the seat. GRADUALLY
Smiths hreathinr became deeper
and more uniform. Once the little
man dropped his book, hut the
breathing did not alt"r. a minnt"
Sor two afterwards 70 rose from
his seat and took a pace tow;srd
smith. only to sit down again yer?
suddenly as tho door Of tho tiny
servants corn partmort opened.
LanCa Doouh's spotl"Ss whit"
r;yerv and towering turbau were
~ immaculate on board tram Is
+ho- were when standing hehlnH