Brenham Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 11, 1907 Page: 3 of 8
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CHAPTER XI.—Continued.
An Immense man stood stiffly
Window awaiting us. His bearing
slovenly, as was his attire. The
tacles and the puffy face, unnaturally
pale, suggested the habits of the stu-
dent. But the eyes, small, crafty, and
very bright, Instantly corrected my
first impression, and left me baffled
and vaguely distrustful. It was the
man whose reflection I had seen in
the pier-glass.
"Ah, my cousin at last! Georges,
this Is Mr. Haddon, an American. He
comes to the chateau at Alterhoffen as
our guest."
It was impossible to doubt that he
had spied on me with Madame de
Varier's consent. But I was certain
that he heard of my consent to go to
Alterhoffen with positive annoyance.
I was not blind to the significant look
that passed between them: the eyes
of Madame de Varier dilating in tri-
umph and defiance; Dr. Starva equal-
ly defiant and sullen.
Evidently there was discord In the
camp. Dr. Starva did not welcome
the fly that, had consented to walk into
the web. Well, so much the better.
A little discord might prove useful.
"Madam is an admirable host," Dr.
Starva said slowly in French. "But if
the guest is to be quite happy he must
be content to amuse himself as
madam wishes."
The words were almost a threat. I
looked with repulsion at this pale,
flabby, shuffling giant. It would be
well to be on my guard against him.
He might be dangerous. But half the
battle was won in realizing that.
Madame de Varnier met his bold
■ally, insolently careless.
"A diner, messieurs," she cried gay-
ly, and took my arm, leaving the huge
Dr. Starva to follow.
I« UIO lljfo. Jj
at the walj'^g mi
j aj&e' The powder
CHAPTER XII.
Treachery.
Three hours later Dr. Starva and
myself were on the little steamboat en
route for Vitznau, a journey of an
hour. I had met him at the quay; he
was alone. Madame de Varnier, he
coolly informed me, had taken an
earlier boat. 1 was not to see her un-
til next morning.
Frankly, 1 scarcely liked that. I
eohld have wished for a more con-
genial companion. However, I was
embarked on an adventure; and must
take things as they came. It was to
be a game of give and take. I was de-
liberately permitting myself to b« their
tool for the moment; I was to serve
their purpose. My wages for the serv-
ice were to be the opportunity of find-
ing Sir Mortimer Brett. Until I had
penetrated the mystery of his disap-
pearance I would be as clay in their
bands. Perhaps It might be necessary
to be their partner for the nonce in
their intrigues. They might wonder
at my docility or gullelessness, but
they should not question It. That was
the delicate task I must bend myself
to for the present.
We had seated ourselves well for-
ward and were quite alone, for at this
late hour the boat carried few pas-
sengers. The wind coming from the
snow-clad peaks was piercing. I shiv-
ered, but rather from excitement than
from the chilly air. Already the lights
of Vitznau could be seen dimly through
the thick mists.
Dr. Starva, rolling a huge cigar In
the corner of his loose, sensual mouth,
regarded me fixedly under shaggy eye-
brows.
"It 13 cold. We must have some
cognac." Without asking for my as-
sent he summoned a waiter.
Even in so trivial a matter as the
appropriateness of refreshments his
tone was more a command than an in-
vitation. The cagnac would be wel-
come enough, but one less observing
than myself might have noticed the
alacrity with which he welcomed the
•excuse for the liquor.
"Do you know what it is to have a
headache?"' he asked, and, fumbling
clumsily in his waistcoat pocket, he
produced a tiny packet.
"No," I said, yawning, and watching
him idly.
"Ah, you are fortunate. This little
powder is a great benefactor to me.
We are close to Vitznau. Through
the trees there y»u can get a glimpse
of the hotel we are to stop at."
He pointed at a building a quarter
Of a mile distant from the landing
stage we were fast approaching, hold-
ing In mld-alr the packet of powder
preparatory to placing It on his
tongue.
I looked where he pointed; there
was not much to sie; the mist en-
veloped 'everything. The boy ap-
proached with the cognac.
My elbows on the table, I fingered
carelessly the little glass placed In
front of me, while that of Dr. Starva
was being filled. As I tlppped it to-
ward me I caught a glimpse of a white
powder in the bottom of my glass.
Dr. Starva's headache powder!
Here was treachery Indeed! But I
did not move a muscle. I lifted my
eyes slowly Dr. Starva's great head
was tipped back. The packet, empty
«f Its powder, of course, was placed at
his Hps. But his rat-like eyes were
&g me narrowly.
need to think and act quickly.
piJwder was a narcotic to deaden
my senses. That must be prevented
at any cost; and yet he must think
that I had taken the drug.
He had called my attention to the
hotel while he cleverly slipped the
powder into the glass. I ought not to
be less adroit.
As the waiter passed around the
table his decanter in hand, I thrust
out my leg and tripped him up neatly.
He fell against Dr. Starva, the decan-
ter still held carefully aloft
In that moment of confusion I temp-
tied the contents of my glass Into my
handkerchief. When Starva, furious
and perhaps suspicious, pushed the
■man fiercely from him and looked at
me, I was laughing heartily at hiB mis-
hap, the handkerchief in one hand, the
other holding out the glass for the
brandy, the fingers closing over it to
hide it from his view.
"Sante!" he cried boisterously, and
drained the contents of his glass at a
gulp. I followed his example, and in
spite of the powerful liquor, I tasted
(or fancied I tasted) the dregs of the
bitter drug.
"Pah!" I cried In disgust, and was
careful to hand the glass to the waiter
Instead of placing It on the table. "I
have tasted better brandy than that In
my life."
The expression of disgust promptly
assured him that I had really drunk
lute, and his antics so extraordinary,
When I left the carriage presently,
surely the driver must see the change
In my attire, and have his suspicions
—unless he were in Dr. Starva's confi-
dence!
And this fact did not escape me:
The hat did not ingulf me, as it
must have done bad It been Dr.
Starva's.
Then If It were not his own—
In an instant I had guessed some-
thing of his game.
CHAPTER XIII. ^
I Masquerade Unwillingly.
It must have been after midnight
when the carriage drew up under the
porte-cochere of the hotel. Dr. Starva
alighted and met the concierge at the
vestibule. I heard little of what was
said at first, but the surprise of the
concierge was evident. He tossed his
arms about, and burst into excited pro-
tests. Presently (and I could see that
Starva *was annoyed at the action) he
came to the door of the carriage and
peered within. I sat huddled up In
the corner, apparently asleep.
"He is vary ill—his' Excellency!"
cried the concierge in French.
"Listen to me," sternly replied
Starva in the same language. "That
Is not his Excellency, imbecile. That
is only a tourist, a Mr. Haddon. You
understand," he repeatedly Blowly,
shaking the concierge by the lapel of
his gorgeous coat, "that is only a
touHst."
The fellow looked at Dr. Starva, be-
wildered.
"Mais. mais. mais—" he stammered
in expostulation, pointing at me.
"Appearances are sometimes treach-
erous" said Starva grimly, and added
with marked carelessness, "Is Madame
de Varnier arrived?"
"An hour ago," muttered the man,
his round eyes still staring at me.
"Then do you think, fool, that his
Excellency would come to this hotel
at midnight, and at the hour that she
arrives? Are there no tongues to
talk? Are there no eyes to pry? If
Mr. Haddon"—he emphasized the
name—"prefers to be nursed by a
/
The Packet Was Lifted at His Lips.
the potion given me. But now that I
was supposed to have taken it, I won-
dered precisely what effect it should
have on me, and how soon-that effect
should be felt.
Fortunately, he concerned himself
with our luggage, for the boat was al-
most at the dock. When he returned
to my side I greeted him In sleepy in-
difference. He looked at me keenly.
I was not blind to his satisfaction. He
shook my shoulder.
"What is It! Are we arrived?" I
rose to my feet unsteadily.
"Yes, and it is necessary to hurry."
The handful of passengers had al-
ready left the boat. We descended
the gangway slowly, Dr. Starva's arm
grasping mine.
We entered the closed carriage that
awaited us. I lurched clumsily into
the vehicle, and sat crouched up In
the corner, my head sunk on my
breast. I assumed it safe and fitting
that I should appear passably Indiffer-
ent as to what passed now. Certainly
by this time the drug would have
taken some effect had I swallowed it.
But I need not say that I had my wits
with me.
My companion unfastened a valise
he had brought into the carriage with
him.« I confess I watched him out of
the corner of my eye In some trepida-
tion.
I was. thankful when he produced
nothing more formidable than a mili-
tary cloak and a felt hat To my
astonishment he deftly slipped from
my shoulders the light covert coat I
wore, and took my hat from my head,
substituting the garments he had
taken from his bag.
I could have laughed aloud, his con-
fidence in my condition was so abso-
beautiful woman, shall I, his physician,
refuse? But for his Excellency to be
nursed by a beautiful woman—at
least," he added meaningly, "for the
world to know It—now do you un-
derstand ?"
He towered over the little concierge,
staring down at him fiercely vindic-
tive. At the same time he slipped
into the servant's unresisting hand a
number of crisp notes. The hand of
the concierge closed over them loving-
ly; his broad, good:humored face slow-
ly expanded into a smile of perfect
comprehension.
"But yes, I see it all as clearly as
the nose on my face." The little
wretch placed his forefinger on that
organ and winked.
"Then you will see that there are
no Inquisitive servants to spy imperti-
nently. Take us up on the lift your-
self. The porter may leave the bag-
gage below, since Mr. Haddon goes
early to-morrow morning with his
nurse and his physician. He must
not be disturbed in his rest, To-night
he is very ill, as you see. There is a
long journey before us to-morrow. • I
shall arrange with you later concern-
ing the diligence. Lastly, you will dis-
creetly keep your eyes awa^. You
will certainly not see his Excellency."
Dr. Starva now placed one foot on
the carriage step, and leaning toward
me, gently aroused me. I opened my
eyes slowly and muttered something
to the effect that we had arrived.
Alighting, I griped his arm mechan-
ically, and we proceeded slowly into
the hotel, across the hall, to the eleva-
tor. The little concierge trotted sol-
emnly in front of us.
The elevator, as well as the hall and
corridors, was deserted at this late
hour. We met no one.
Arriving at the suite of rooms al-
loted to us the concierge was sum-
marily dismissed. But before he left
us the servant insHted on whispering
to Dr. Starva these words, which no
doubted startled him as much as they
did me:
"The sister of his Excellency is In
the hotel. Shall I tell her that—'"
Dr. Starva clutched the shoulder of
his Informant, and held him in a fierce,
vise-like grip.
"Thrice times stubborn fool!" he
growled, "what concern is it to Mr.
Haddon that the sister of Sir Morti-
mer Brett Is at this hotel? Certainly
you will not tell her."
He thrust his spectacled, pallid face
$lose to that of the trembling servant.
Then releasing him suddenly, he
pushed him without, the little con-
cierge rubbing his shoulder ruefully.
Immediately he regretted this un-
necessary violence. He stepped out
Into the corridor, and I guessed that
he had smoothed the injured vanity of
the gold-laced official with more of the
crisp notes.
He had scarcely entered the room
again before he admitted Madame de
Varnier, and again t,he key was turned.
They lost no time in vain talk or
congratulations on the success of their
trick, whatever its meaning might be.
Dr. Starva half led, half carried me
into a bedroom adjoining. There I
was put to bed with as lltt 1« cere-
mony as a helpless infant Is disposed
of for the night. For a moment Starva
looked down on me grimly. Then he
disappeared, closing thte door care-
fully behind him.
Now. indeed, I understood why
Helena Brett and her mother had been
so startled when first they had seen
me—why Madame de Varnier had
shown herself no less concerned—why
I had caught Dr. Htarva spying on me
why it was plotted that I should be
drugged and brought hither in this
melodramatic fashion.
in the world's history there have
bqen many Instances of men playing
the pretender, but certainly none
more Innocent than myself. I should
be dense indeed now did I fail to com-
prehend everything—from Madame de
Varnier's first greeting, to the episode
of the cloak and hat.
I recalled the woman's ghastly de-
spair when she had read the telegram
in the kursaal. "He is dead," she had
repeated over and over.
Sir Mortimer Brett, minister pleni-
potentiary at the court of Sofia, was
dead. The adventurers for some pur-
pose of their own, not yet to be
guessed, had deliberately planned that
I be mistaken for him at this hotel.
That the ambassador was dead was
a bitter disappointment to my hopes.
The opportunity to fulfill the task that
Helena had given me was not to be
mine after all. And now that I knew
that, what further excuse had I to be
as clay in the hands of these people?
I was tempted to burst into the room,
there, to prick the bubble of their in-
trigue.
But if I did that, though I might baf-
fle the execution of their plans. I
should be utterly Ignorant, as to the
nature of those plans. The danger to
myself In continuing to play the role
of accomplice was very great. The of-
ficers of the law would not be so touch-
ingly simple as to believe that I was
abetting the plans of this precious
couple only with a view of bringing
them to final justice.
But much more alarming than possb
ble danger to myself was the fact that
Helena Brett was in this hotel.
Before morning a cruel but just
chance might bring us face to face,
and in her eyes I should stand con-
victed of the grossest vlllaisy. With
diabolical cunning, Dr. Starva had in-
sisted that I was Mr. Haddon, and yet
he had deliberately planned that I be
mistaken for Sir Mortimer Brett. The
latent to deceive was obvious.
When that were proved, on my head
would fall the greatest censure. For
who would believe that I was an Inno-
cent victim? But I had gone too far
to retreat now. Or rather, I had not
gone far enough. Granted that Sir
Mortimer Brett, were dead, and that
my elaborate plans to rescue him from
the hands of these adventurers were a
failure, the fact remained that for
some dark purpose of their own the
conspirators were either concealing
the knowledge of his death, or were
using that knowledge for some base
purpose. They must be brought to
justice. That, justice could be obtained
surely and swiftly only at risk to my-
self.
How many minutes had passed now?
Dared I move, dared I even open my
eyes? For aught I knew they were
watching me, were even in the room
at this instant. I lay quite still, breath-
ing stertorously.
The handle of the door was turned
sharply. I heard the weight of Dr.
Starva thrown against it as It jammed
and for some moments resisted his
efforts.
The flare of an electric light fell on
my face. He stood at my bedside. I
muttered incoherently, tossing about,
and turning my face from the glare.
Then I was alone again.
I was in a room little larger than
an American hall bedroom. They
were cavalier enough of the dignity of
Sir Mortimer Bre^t'6 understudy. I
must be lying in the chamber of the
valet and not of the master.
I leaped lightly to the floor, I tip-
toed to the closed door. To my con-
sternation it was too tightly closed to
permit me to see anything in the room
beyond. It had creaked loudly In re-
sisting Dr. Starva's efforts; certainly
I was not so rasli as to attempt to
open it, however cautiously and
slightly.
(TO BE CONTINUED J
fun m public
TRICKS OF THE TRAVELING RE
TAIL GROCERY AGENTS.
GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
The Price May Be Small, But the
GooCs Are Expensive Even at
That and Net Big
Profits.
You may know something about the
modus operandi of the traveling gro-
cer, and how the house after paying
hiin 23 per cent, commission still
makes a princely profit. There may
be gom'p things, inside aifairs that it is
well that the people in teneral may
know. It w!l} be found on close Inves-
tigation that rhe average Mercantile
Supply company, Buyers' association
or whatever name is used to gull the
unsuspecting farmer, consists of one
or two Schemers, who have a small
office room In some large city, and a
back room in the near neighborhood
where the "stores" are stored and the
re-packing and the mixing done. The
repacking and the mixing are two
important parts of the work of the
"company." When the "representa-
tive" sells John .lones 100 pounds of
sugar for $4.00; five cases of. canned
goods at $2.40 a case; three boxes of
dried fruits al ten cents a pound, a
few gallons of extract at a bargain
and ten or 16 pounds of spices at a
profit, of 200 per cent., the order Is
sent to the "home office." There It is
recorded. The boy is sent down to the
wholesale grocery house which gen-
erally stands In with the concern,
brings tuck a lot of ordinary bulk
dried fruits, the cases of seconds or
thirds, In canned goods, and the ave-
rage run of poor spices. In the pack-
ing room the dried fruits are over-
hauled. washed up If possible as In
the case of prunes, and packed in
boxes, supposed to contain full 25
pounds, but only run from 18 to 22;
branded with some fictitious mark
and shipped out with the other sup-
plies. The spices are dumped out,
and again run through a mill with a
lot of ground nut-shells, bark or other
matter, and perhaps some brail or
other cheap material is added. The
extracts are of the cheapest class,
synthetic, and the pure fruit flavors
are products of coal-tar, doctored up
with coloring matter to look good.
The label Is the only pure thing about
It aside from the glass In the bottle
containing It.
In fact, the tricks of the boxcar
outfits are legion. The teas sold are
never up to the samples shown. In
one ease a schemer .traveled over the
country carrying with him samples of
Ceylon teas that were worth 45 cents
a pound wholesale, lie agreed to sup-
ply this tea at 50 cents. He received
large orders. Every order was filled
with teas that cost only 20 cents a
pound, anil the funny thing about It
was that there was no kicking, be-
cause the farmers knew nothing
about teas, and were satisfied as long
as they thought, that they had a fine
Ceylon article. The same way with
coffees. If there is anything that, even
coffee experts know little about it Is
coffee. It Is a wise merchant who
knows the classes of coffees he Is
handling. The box-car man generally
shows up a cheap big-berry, tells all
about It being a great mountain Mocha
and sells three poundB for a dollar,
and buys It at 1(1 or 17 cents a pound.
Should the local grocer try to sell the
same grade to Ills customers at such a
price, there would go up a roar that
would raise the roof of the store. Still
the farmer continues to bite at such
baits, and doesn't squeal.
Where the Money Is.
More than 40 per cent, of the popu-
lation of the United States proper lies
In less than a dozen eastern states.
These states are known as manufac-
turing states. In the banks of one,
New York state, is contained nearly
40 per cent, of the money of the coun-
try. New York city alone has In Its
banks 25 per cent, of the money In cir-
culation. This has been made possi-
ble by the conditions that enable the
large cities to draw trade from all sec-
tions of the country. In fact, great
cities must have support of a large
territory. But one of the great evils
and which injures (he masses who are
residents of agricultural district Is the
system of drawing support from local
towns and communities to the cities.
This system takes from the rural dis-
tricts the surplus wealth that should
be retained to build them up.
The Drinking Orchid.
One of the most remarkable plants
known to horticulturists Is the drink-
ing orchid, which is found In South
America This orchid takes a drink
whenever It feels thirsty, by means of
a tube which It lets down Into Ihe
water. The tube when not In use Is
coiled upon the top of the plant.
The formation of the orchid is dif-
ferent from others of its species, hav-
ing sharp leaves, Iancehead shaped,
gr.owing round the root and radiating
from it. From the center of the plant
hangs the tube, about one eighth of an
inch thick and one-fourth of an inch
wide. When touched it gradually
contracts and roil* itself op in a
spiral-like coil. As a rule these or-
chids are to bo found growing directly
over the water, or where water has
been, and In the latter case It Is al-
most pathetic to see how the tube will
work Its way over the ground to a
pool or river.
Where the. Fool Irritates.
The most irritating thing about a
fool is that he seems to be enjoying
himself so.
NOT A GOOD SYSTEM.
How the Mail Order Business Injures
the Agricultural Sections.
We must admit that the mall order
system is a legitimate business if it is
carried on legitimately. It is a great
American privilege to carry on trade
in this way. Yet the principle from
an American standpoint or any other
standpoint that is consistent with
equal rights for ail Is entirely wrong.
Through the mall order system the
merchants suffer a direct loss. To
them it Is an unfair competition. It
diverts trade from established chan-
nels. The loss of the merchants in the
local town means a loss to the town
itself, to every resident of the town
and the surrounding community. It
Is the business of the city or town
that makes It a live place or a dead
one. Dependent upon the activity of
a town is to a great extent the value
of all farm lands In Its trade territory.
Thus is the farmer affected by any
system that causes a deterioration In
his home town. Yet the farmers are
the ntaln supporters of the catalogue
houses. They assist in feeding the
snake that Is stealing their eggs and
they little realize it. They are as vi-
tally interested In the upbuilding of
their home town as the merchant. It
Is for their benefit as well as for all in
the community that the town is there.
There Is a more vital phase of the
question that few farmers realize.
That Is the evils resulting from the
vast capital that; is concentrated in
the large financial centers. It Is this
surplus of money that makes It easy
to build up trusts and combinations.
These trusts affect the affairs and the
prosperity of the farmer. He does not
stop to think that when he sends his
money to the distant concern that he
Is doing just so much to help along
the trusts.
HELPS FOR TOWN BUILDERS.
Some years ago on bill hoards and
street cars and In the pages of the
magazines were run a series of adver-
tising cards the prominent feature of
which was "Spotless Town." There
can be little doubt as to the whole-
some lessons taught by tills unique
advertisement. The town that is not
kept in good condition, Its walks In
good repair, Its streets well graded,
and all neat and clean, is a reflection
upon the residents of the place, and
Is evidence that the town Is already
dead or fast dying. Should you make
a good Impression upon strangers,
keep streets clean, business places at-
tractive, and don't, forget that the
front yards and the general conditions
of the residences indicate the charac-
ter of the people who reside in them.
* * »
Residents of agricultural sections
wht) a few years ago looked upon the
automobile as a nuisance, are begin-
ning to realize that It Is a great factor
In road Improvement, and has brought
about renewed Interest In country
roads and their betterment, with a cor-
responding benefit to the farmers.
It is as much to the interest of the ^
people of a town that there be good
roads leading to it, as It is to the
farmers who must use them in haul-
ing their goods to market.
» ♦ »
There is a vast difference In the
farmers of to-day and the farmers of
a quarter of a century ago. It is won-
derful how the improvements brought
into existence in a single generation
will change, conditions. Every inno-
vation that makes life In the towns
more desirable, also finds a way of
conferring a benefit upon the farmers.
No longer need for the resident of the
farm district to n<;t have all the up-
to-date things that can be found In the
finest city homes. The telephone and
the rural delivery has brought hliu
within a "stone throw" of the city.
Living for the Children.
Froebel's sentiment "Come, let us
live for our children" reals on a sound
philosophic basis. To live for them is
to call out the noblest Impulses of
parenthood. And we cannot live for
them in the truset sense until we be-
come familiar with their needs. It is
in the endeavor to meet those needs
in the largest way possible that wo
find our own characters richly recom-
pensed In strong and well-developed
parenthood. We practically become
what we are by what we have done or
left undone, what we are willing or
unwilling to do for our children. The
principle is universal, and should find
its extension and application among
children at all times and in all places.
Has not the church lost ground In
falling to recognize the primary and
fundamental place of the child In so-
ciety? If so, it is obvious how that
lost ground may be recovered.—Homl-
letic Review.
Anticipating Age.
Why do people allow themselves to
fret about getting old? There are
those who anticipate It and fear it as
if it. were the most melancholy fate
that could befall one, and many of
them have never been really young la
spirit.
And youth is moro a matter of
spirit, than It Is of body. Enthusiasm,
interest In everything, warmth of
heart and breadth of feeling, are tba
qualities that, stand for youth.
The Guile of the Greeks.
At first Ihe more thoughtful ones
regarded the gift suspiciously. Then,
taking further thought, they said, one
to the other:
"Aw, what's the dif? It's only a
near art horse, anyhow. Now. if It
was one of those chug-chug wagons
coming in here to break the speed
limit laws we wouldn't stand for It
for a minute,"
Thus it was, the victim of over-
confidence, that Troy fell.—Puck.
• 44, V)W*MUt«OU VMW "' "»-».v <► -
■omewhat sheepishly, *Td like to swap neatly. This makes a perfectly fiat,
■ in
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Rankin, John G. Brenham Banner. (Brenham, Tex.), Vol. 42, No. 28, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 11, 1907, newspaper, July 11, 1907; Brenham, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth482602/m1/3/: accessed July 3, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.