Evening star., 1931-05-31


corner and get me . wig. false nose. some
false whiskers and q good stout pair Of blus
spectacles"
Osberts plans-when after o cautious glance
up and down the street. he left the house an
hour later and directed taxicab to take him
to obscure hotel in the widest and least
known part of the Cromwell road-were of the
vaguest. 1t was only when he reached that
haven and had thoroughly wigged nosed, wtis-
kered and blue-spectacled himself that he be-
gan to formulate definite plan.
He spent the rest Of the day in his room and
shortly before lunch next morning set out for
the second hand clothing establishments Of the
brothers Cohen, near Covent Garden, to pur-
chase complete travellers outfit. It was his
intention to board the boat sailing the NOR
for India.
All the Co1ens seemed glad to see him when
he arrived at the shop. They clustered about
him in a body, as il guessing by instinct that
here came one of those big orders. At this
excellent emporium one may buy in addition
to secondhand clothing practically anything
that exists and the difficulty is to avoid do
ing so. At the end of five minutes Osbert was
surprised to find himself in possession of q
smoking cap, three boxes of poker chips, some
polo sticks, fishing rod, concertina, uku-
lele and bowl of goldfish. He annoyed.
These men appeared to him to have got quite
wrong angle on the situation. They seemed
to think that he proposed to make his travels
one long round of pleasure. AS clearly as he
able he tried to tell them that, In the few
broken years that remained to him before q
shark or jungle fever put end to his sorrow
he would have little heart for polo, for poker
or for playing the concertina while Watching
the gambols of goldfish. They might just
well offer him. he said querulously, cooked hat
a sewing machine.
Instant activity prevailed among the brothers.
Fetch the gentleman his sewing machine
Isidore."
And, while you're getting him the cooked
hat. Lou said Irving. ask the gentleman in
the shoe department If he'll be kind enough to
step this way. You're In luck" he assured Os-
bert. IF you're going travelling In foreign
parts he's the very gentleman to advise you.
You've heard of Mr. Bsaddock?"
Mr.. B-Braddock?"
That's right. MT BFaddock, the explorer"
"Air!' said Osbert. Give me airl"
He made rapidly for the door, and was about
to charge through when II opened TO admit q
tall distinguished looking man of military ap-
pearance.
"shopl- cried the newcomer i'm o clear.
patFician voice, and Osbert reeled back against
q pile of trousers
1t was Maj Gen. Sir Nssterman Petherick-
Soames.
A platoon Of Cohens advanced upon him.
The general waved them back
do you," he asked. keep horsewhips?"
"Yes, sir. Plenty Of hoEsewhps.''
Il want a nice strong one"
And at this moment Lou returned followed
BY Bashford Braddock.
'"Is this the gentleman" said Bashford Brad
dock genially. You're going abroad sir I un-
deTstand. Delighted If I can be OF any service"
Bless my soai," said Maj Gen. Sir Master
man Petherick- -Soames. "Bashford? It's 50
eonfounGody dark in here didn't recognize
yOu. This gentleman q friend of yours?"
~Oh. no. I'm just going to help him bay
Cutnt"
With the rapid de-isien Of an explorer who is
buying things for which somebody else going
to pay, he completed the selection Of Osberts
outfit 49, s..'
And Whist brings you here. Bashf0rf?" asked
the general '+'
Me? on I looked IN to buy pair Of spiked
boots. I want to tranple on . snake"
"An odd coincidence. came here to bUy-A
hOFsewhip to h0rsewhip Q snake" - .
"A bad week end for snakes" said BashfoFd
BFaddock. Lunch with me, general?'
Delighted, my dear fellow"
"Good-by, STR" said Bashford Braddock. CIV
ing Osbert friendly nod "Giad was able
to be Of some use. When do you saii?"
"GentlemanS sailing tomorrow morning On
the Rajputana," said Isidore.
WHAT" cried Maj. Gen. SIR Masterman
-.-.,4 :! "! ;Si Il .,,,z,,t f..st J;,icivia