Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 March 1894 — Page 11

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING. MAKCIT 28. 1894 TWELVE PAGES

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THE MAN WITH THE COUGH.

I am a German by Mrth and descent, name Is Schmidt. But by education I am quite as much an Englishman 3 a "Deutscher." and by affection much more the former. My life has been spent pretty equally between the two countries, and I flatter myself I speak both languages without any foreign accent. I count England my headquarters Mow; it is "hoTne" to me. But a few years ago I was resident in Germany, only going over to London now and then on business. I will not mention the town where I lived. It Is unnecessary to do so, and in the peculiar experience I am about to rflcte I think real names pf people nd places are just as well or tetter, avoided. I was connected with a large and important firm of engineers. I had been bred up to the profession, and was credited with a certain amount. of talent: and I was considered and. with all modesty, I think I deserved the opinion steady and reliable, so that I had already attained a fair position in the house and was looked upon as a "rising man." But I was still young, and not Quite so wise as I thought myself. I came very near once to making a great mess of a certain affair. It is this etory which I am going to tell. Our house went in largely for patents rather too largely, some thought. But the head partner's son was a bit of a genius in his way, and his father was growing old. and let Herr "Wilhelm Moritz we will call the family name do pretty much as he chose. And on the whole Herr Wilhelm did well. He Was cautious, and he had th benefit of the still greater caution and larger experience of Herr Gerhardt, the second partner in the firm. Patents and th? laws which regulate them are queer things to have to dj with. N'o one who has nt h.'.d personal experience of the complications that arise could believe how far thfs-e spread r.d how entangled they beooiiic Ireat acutenefs as well as caution is calUd for if yu would guide your patent bark safely to port and. p-rhaps more thaa anything, a power of hnldinsr your tongue. I was no chatterbox, nor. when (n a mission of importance, did ( g' about looking as if I were bursting with teeret s. which is, in my opinion, almost as dangerous as revealing thorn. Xn one. to meet me on the journeys which It often foil to my lot to undertake, would have guessed that I had anything on my mind but an easy-going young fellow's natural interest in his surroundings, though many a time I have stayed awake through a whole right of railway travel if at all doubtful about my fellow passengers, or not dared to go to sleep in a hotel without a ready-loaded revolver by my pillow. For now and then though not through ne our secrets did ooze out. And if. as has happened, they were secrets connected with government orders or contracts, there was. or. but for the exertion of the greatest energy and tact-on the part of my superiors, there would have been, to put it plainly, the devil to pay. One morning it was nearing the end of November I was sent for to Herr "Wilhelm's private room. There I found him and Herr Gerhardt before a table ppread with pajers covered with figiires and calculations, and sheets -f beautifully executed diagrams. "Lutz." said Herr Wilhelm. He had known me from childhood, and often called me by the abbreviation of my Christian name, which is Ludwig or Louis. "Lutz, we are going to confide to you a matter of extreme importance. You must be prepared to start for London tomorrow." "All right, sir," I said. "I shall be ready." "You will take the express through to Calais on the whole it is the best route, especially at this season. By traveling all night you will catch the boat there and arrive in London so as to have a good night's rest and be clear-headed for work the next morning." I bowed agreement, but ventured to make a suggestion. "If, as I infer, the matter is one of great importance." I said, "would it not be well for me to start sooner? I can yes." throwing a rapid survey over the work I had before me for the next two days. "I can be ready tonight." Herr Wilhelm looked at Herr Gerhardt. Herr Oerhardt shook his head. "No." he replied, "tomorrow it must be," and then he proceeded to explain to me why. I need not attempt to give all the details of the matter with which I was Intrusted. Indeed, to "lay" readers It would be impossible. Suffice it to say the whole concerned a patent that of a Very remarkable and wonderful invention, which it was hoped and believed the governments of both countries would take up. But to secure this being done In a thoroughly satisfactory manner it was necessary that our firm should go about it In concert with an English house of first-rate standing. To this house the firm of Messrs. Bluestone & Fagg, I will call them I was to be eent with full explanations. And the next half-hour or more passed in my superiors going minutely into the details, bo as to satisfy themselves that I understood. The mastering of the whole was not difficult, for I was well grounded technically; and, like many of the best things, the idea was essentially pimple, and the diagrams were perfect. "When the explanations were over and my Instructions duly noted I began to gather together the various sheets, which were all numbered. But, to my eurprtoe Herr Gerhardt, looking over me. withdrew two of the most Important diagrams, without which the others were valueless, because inexplicable. "Stay," he said; "these two, Ludwig, must be kept separate. These we send today, by registered post, direct to Blueetone & Fagg. They will receive them a day before they see you, and with them a letter announcing your arrival." I looked up in some disappointment. I had known of precautions of the kind being taken, but usually when the employe sent was less reliable than I believed myself to be. Still, I scarcely dared to demur. "Do you think that necessary?" I said respectfully. "I can assrre. you that from the moment you intrust me with the papers they shall never quit me. day or night. And if there were any postal deiay you pay time is valuable in this case or if the papers were stolen in the transit such things have happened my whole mission would be worthless." "We do not doubt your zeal and discretion, my good Schmidt." said Herr Gerhardt. "But in this case we must lake even extra precautions. I had not meant to tell you. fearing to ?dd to the certain amount of nervousness and strain unavoidable Jn Fuch a ca.se. but still, perhaps. It Is best that you should knowthat we hae reason for some special anxiety. It has been hinted to us that tome breath of this" and he tapped the papers "has reached those who are always on the watch for juioh thing3. We cannot be too careful." "And yet." I persisted, "you would trust the pnstr "We do not trust the post." he replied. "Even If these diagrams were tampered with, they would be perfectly useless. And tampered -with they yri not be. But even supposing anything so wild the rogues in question knowing of your departure (and they are more likely to know of it than of our packet by post) were they in collusion with some traitor la the postofHce, are sharp enough to

guess the truth that we have made a masonic secret of it the two separate diagrams are valueless without your papers; your papers reveal nothing without Nos. 1 and 13." I bowed In submission. But I was. all the same, disappointed, as I said, and a trifle mortified. Herr Wilhelm saw it and cheered me up. "All right. Lutz, my boy." he said. "I feel just like you nothing I should enjy more than a rush over to London, carrying the whole documents, and preiwred for a fight with any one who tried to get hold of them. But Herr Gerhardt here is cooler-blooded than we are." The elder man smiled. "I don't doubt your readiness to fight, nor Ludwig's either. But it would be by no such honestly brutal means as open robbery that we should be outwitted. Make friends readily with one while traveling, Lutz, yet avoid the appearance of keeping yurself aloof. You understand ?" "Perfectly." I said. "I shall sleep well U night, so as to be prepared to keep awake throughout the journey." The papers were then carefully packed up. Thoe consigned to my care were to be carried in a certain light, black handbag with a very good lock, which had often before been my traveling companion. And the fallowing evening I started by the express train agreed upon. So, at least, I have always believed, but I have never been able to bring forward a witness to thfact of my4rain at the start being the right one, as no one came with me to see me off. For it was thought best that I should depart in as unobtrusive a manner as possible, as, even in a largt town such as ours, the members and employes of an old and important frouse like the Moritzes' were well known. I took my ticket then, registering no luggage, a3 I had none but what I easily carried in my hand, as well as the bag. It was already dusk, if not dark, and there was not much bustle in the station, nor apparently many passengers. I took my place in an empty second-class compartment, and sat there quietly till the (train should start. A few minute before it did so another m in got in. I was somewhat annoyed at this, as in my circumstances nothing w;i"s mere undesirable than traveling alone with one other. Had there bet-n a crowded compartment, or one with three or four passengers. I would have chosen it; but at the moment I got in the carriages were all either empty or with but one or two occupants. Now, 1 sail to myself. I should have done better to wait till nearr-r the time of departure, and then chosen my plnre. I turned to reconnoitre my companion, but I could not see his fate clearly, as lie was half leaning out of the window. Was he doing so on purpose? I said to myself. for naturally I was in a suspicious mood. And as the thought struck me I half started up. determined to choose another compartment. Suddenly a peculiar sound made itself heard. My companion was coughing. He drew his head in. covering his face with his hand, as he coughed again. You never heard stuh a curious cough. It was more like a hen clucking than anything I can think of. Once, twice, he coughed; then, as i he had been waiting for the slight spasm to pass, he sprang up. looked eagerly out of the window again, and. opening the Joor jumped out, with some txdamation. as if he had just caught sight of a friend. And in another moment or two he could barely have had time to get in elsewhere much to my satisfaction, the train moved off. "Now." thought I, "I can make myself comfortable for some hours. We do not stop tili M ; it will be I o'clock by then. If no one gets on there I am safe to go through till tomorrow alone; then there will only be junction and a clear run to Calais." I unstrapped my rug and lit a cigar of course. I had chosen a smoking-carriageand delighted at having got rid f my clucking companion, the time passed pleasantly till we pulled up at M . The delay there was not great, and. to my enormous satisfaction, no one molested my solitude. Kvidently the express to Calais was not in very great demand that night. I now felt so secure that, notwithstanding my intention of keeping awake all night, my innermost consciousness had not, I suppose, quite resigned itself to the necessity, for not more than an hour or so after leaving M , possibly sooner, I fell fast asleep. It seemed to me that I had slept heavily, for when I awoke I had great difllculty in remembering where I was. Only by slow degrees did I realize that I was not in my comfortable bed at home, but In a chilly, ill-lighted railway carriage. Chilly yes. that it was very chilly; but as my faculties returned I remembered my precious bag, and forgot all else in a momentary terror that it had been taken from me. No; there it was my elbowhad been pressed against it as I slept. But how was this? The train was not in motion. We were standing in a station; a dingy, deserted-looking place, with no cheerful noise or bustle; only one or two porters slowly moving about, with a sort of sleepy, "night duty." surly air. It could not be the junction? I looked at my watch. Barely midnight! Of course, not at the junction. We were not due there till 4 o'clock In the morning or so. What, then, were we doing here, and what was "here?" Had there been an accident some unforseen necessity for stopping? At that moment a curious sound, from some yards distance onlv it ne-emed to come, caught my ear. It was the croaking, cackling cough! the cough of my momentary fellowipassenger, toward whom I had felt an instinctive aversion. I looked out or the windowthere was a refreshment room just opposite, dimly lighted, like everything else, and in the doorway, as if just entering, was a figure which I felt pretty sure was that of the man with the cough "Bah!" I said to myself. "I must not be fanciful. I dare say the fellow's all right. He Is evidently in the same hole as myself. What, in heaven's name, are we waiting here for?" I sprang out of the carriage, nearly tumbling over a porter slowly passing along. "How- long are we to stay here?" I cried. "When do we start again for ?" and I named the junction. "For ?" he repeated in the queerest German I ever heard was it German, or did I di?coverhis meaning by seme preternatural cleverness of my own? "There is no train for for four or live hours, not til! ' and he named the time; and leaning forward lazily, he took out my larger bag and my rug, deiositing them on the platform. He did not seem the least surprised at finding me there I might have been there for a week, it seemed to me. "No train for five hours? Are you mad?" I said. He shook his head and mumbled something, and it seemed to me that he pointed to , the refreshment-room opposite. Gathering my things together I hurried thither, hoping to find some more reliable authority. But there was no one there excel- fat man with a white apron, who wa ylearing the counterand yes, in one corner was the figure I had mentally dubbed "the man with the cough." I addressed the cook or waiter, whichever he was. But he only shook his head denied all knowledge of the trains, but Informed me that in other words I must turn out; he was going to shut up. - , . "And where am I to spend the night, then?" I said angrily, though clarly It was not the aproned individual whowa responsible for the- position In which I found myself. There was a "restauration.". he informed me, near at hand, which I should find still open, straight before me on leaving the station, and then a few doors to the right I would see , the lights. Clearly there, was nothing else to', be done. 1 went out, and as I did. so the

silent figure In the corner rose also and followed me. The station was evidently going to bed. As I passed the porter I repeated the hour he had named, adding. "That is the first train for junction?" He nodded, again naming the exact time. But I cannot do so, as I have never been able to recollect it. I trudged along the road there were lamps, though very feeble ones; but by their light I saw that the man who had been in the lefreshment room was still a few steps behind me. It made me feel slightly nervous, and I looked round furtively once or twice; the las' tinvi I did so he was not to be seen, and 1 hoped he had gone sonic other way. The "restauration" was scarcely more inviting than the station refreshment room, it, too, was very dimly lighted, and the one or two attendants seemed half asleep and wer3 strangely silent. There was a fire, of a kind, and I seated myself at a small table near It and asked for some coffee, which would. I thought, serve the double purpose of warming inn and keeping me awake. It was brought me, in silence. I drank it, and felt the better for it. But there was something so gloomy and unsociable, so queer and almost v.'e'rd about the whole aspect and feeling of the place, that a sort of Irritable resignation took possession of me. If these surly folk won't sneak, neither will I, I said to myself childishly. And, incredible as it may sound, I did not speak. I think I paid for the coffee, but I am not quite sure. 1 know I never asked what I had meant to ak the name of the town a place of some importance, to judge oy the size of the station and the extent of twinkling lights I had observed as I

made my way to the "restauration." From that day to this I have never been able to identify it, and I am quite sure I never shall. What was there peculiar about that coffee? Or was it something peculiar about my own condition that caused Jt to have the unusual effect I now experienced? That question, too. I cannot answer. All I remember is feeling a sensation of irresistible drowsiness creeping over me mental, or moral I may say, as well as physical. For when one part of me feebly resisted the first onslaught of sleep, something teemed to reply, "Oh, nonsense! you have several hours before you. Your papers are all right No one can touch them without awaking you." And. dreamily conscious that my belongings were on the floor at my feet the (atj itself actually renting against my ankle my scruples silenced themselves in an extraordinary way. I remember nothing more, save a vague consciousness through all my clumber of confused and chaotic dreams, which I have never been able to recall. 1 awoke at last, and that with a start, almost a jerk. Something had awakened me a sound and as it was repeated to my now aroused ears I knew that 1 had heard it before, off and on. during my sleep. It was the extraordinary cough! I looked up. Yes, there he was! At some two or three yards" distance only, at the other side of the fireplace, which I have forgotten to mention as another peculiar item in that night's peculiar experiences, considering I have every reason to believe I was still in Germmy, was not a stove, but an open grate. And he had not been there when 1 first fell asleep; to that I was prepared to swear. "He must have come sneaking in after me," I thought, and in al! probability I should neither have noticed nor recognized him but for that traitorous cackle of his. Now. my misgivings aroused, my first thought, of course, was for my precious charge. I stooped. There were my rugs, my larger bag, but no, not the smaller one; and though the other two were there. I knew at oru-e that they were not quite in the sime position not so close to me. Horror seized me. Half wildly I gazen around, when my silent neighbor bent toward me. I could declare there was nothing in his hand when ha did so. and I could declare as positively that I had already looked under the small round table beside which I sat. and that the bag was not there. And yet when the man, with a slight cackle, caused, no doubt, by his stooping, raised himself, the thing Avas in his hand! Was he a conjurer, a pupil of Maskelyne and Cook? And how was it that, even as he held out my missing property, he managed, and that most cleverly and unobtrusively, to prevent my catching sight of his face? I did not see it then I never did see it! Something he murmured, to the effect that he supposed the bag was what I was looking for. In what language he spoke I know not; it was more by the action accompanying the mumbled sounds that I gathered his meaning than that I heard anything articulate. I thanked him, of course, mechanically, so to say, though I began to feel as if he were an evil spirit haunting me. I could only hope that the splendid lock to the bag had defied all curiosity, but I felt in a fever to be alone again, and able to satisfy myself that nothing had been tampered with. The thought recalled my wandering faculties. How long had I been asleep? I drew out my watch. Heavens! It was close upon the hour named for the first train in the morning. I sprang up. collected my things, and dashed out of the "restauration." If I had not paid for my coffee before. I certainly did not pay for it then. Beside my haste, there was another reason for this there was no one to pay to! Not a creature was to be seen in the room or at the door as I pa-ssed out always excepting the man with the cough. As I left the place and hurried along the road a bell began, not to ring, but to toll. It sounded most uncanny. What it meant, of course, I have never known. It may have been a summons to the workpeople of some manufactory, it may have been like all the other e-x-riences of that strange night. But no; tnis theory I will not at present enter uion. Dawn wai not yet breaking, but there was in one direction a faint suggestion of something of the kind not far off. Otherwise all was dark. I stumbled along the best I could, helped in reality, I suppose, by the ugly yellow glimmer of the woebegone street or road lamps. And it was not far to the station, though somehow it seemed farther than when I came, and somehow, too, it seemed to have grown steep, though I could not remember having noticed any slope the other way on my arrival. A nightmarelike sensation began to oppress me. I felt as If my luggage was growing momentarily heavier and heavier, as if I should .lever reach the station; and to this was joined the agonizing terror of missing the train. I made a desperate effort. Cold as it was. the beads of perspiration stood out upon my forehead as I forced myself along. And by degrees the nightmare feeling cleared off. I found myself entering the station at a run just as yes, a train was actually beginning to move! I dashed, baggage and all. into a compartment; It was empty, and it was a second-class one, precisely similar to the one I had occupied before; it might have been the very same one. The train gradually Increased its speed, but for the first few moments, while still in the station and passing through its immediate entourage, another strange thing struck me the extraordinary silence and lifelessness of all about. Not one human being did I see, no porter watching our departure with the faithful though stolid interest always to bo seen alone in the train it might have had a freight of the dead, and been itself propelled by some supernatural agency, so noiselessly, so gloomily did it proceed. You will scarcely credit that I actually and for the third time fell asleep. I could not help it. Some occult Influence was at work upon me throughout those dark hours, I am positively certain. And with the daylight It was dispelled. For when again I awoke I felt for the. first time sine leaving home completely and normally myself, fresh and vigorous, all my facult'es at their best. . But, nevertheless, my first pensation was a etart of amazement, almost of terror. The compartment was nearly full! There were . at least five or. alx travelers beside myself, very respectable, ordinary-looking folk, with nothing 1 In the least alarming about them. Yet

it was with a gasp of extraordinary relief that I found my precious bag in the corner beside me, where I had carefully placed it. It was concealed from view. No one. I felt assured, could have touched it without awakening me. It was broad and bright daylight. How long had I slept? i "Can you tell me," I inquired of my opposite neighbor, a cheery-faced compatriot "can you tell me how soon we get to junction by this train? I am most anxious to catch the night mail at Calais, and am quite out of my reckonings, owing to an extraordinary delay at . I have wasted half the rdght by getting into a stopping train instead of the express." He looked at me in astonishment. He must have thought me either mad or just awaking from a fit of intoxication only I flatter myself I did not look as if the latter were the case. "How soon wo get to junction?" he repeated. "Why, my good sir. you left it about three hours ago! It Is now 8 o'clock. We all got in at the junction. You were alone, if I mistake not?" He glanced at one or two of the others, who indorsed his statement. "And very fast asleep you were, and must have been, not to be disturbed by the bustle at the station. And as for catching the evening boat at Calais" he burst into a loud guffaw "why. it would be very hard lines to do no better than that! We all hop? to cross by the midday one." "Then what train is this?" I exclaimed, utterly expressed. "The express, of course. All of us excepting yourself, joined it at the junction." he replied.

"The express?" I repeated. "The express that leaves ," and I named my own town, "at C In the evening?" "Exactly. You have got into the right train after all." and here came another shout of amusement. "How did you think we had all got in if you had not yet passed the junction? You had not the pleasure of our company from M . I take it? M , which you passed at 9 o-clock last night, if my memory is correct." "Then," I persisted, "this Is the double-fast express, which does not stop between Mand your junction?" "Exactly," he repeated: and then, confirmed most probably in his belief that I was mad, or the other thing, he turned to his newspaper, and left me to my own ex t ra c rd i n a r y co gi t a t i o n s . Had I boon dreaming? Impossible! Every sensation, the very taste of the coffee, seemed still present with me the curious accent of the officials at the mysterious town I could perfectly recall. I still shivered at the remembrance of the chilly waking in the "restauration;" I heard again the cakling cough. But T felt I must collect myself, and be ready for thev important negotiation intrusted to me. And so to do this I must for the time banish the.-e fruitless efforts at sxdving the problem. We had a good run to Calais, found the boat in waiting, n( a fair passage brought us prosperously across the channel. I found myself in London punctual to the intended hour of my arrival. At once I drove to the lodgings in a small street off the Strand which I was accustomed to frequent in such circumstances. I felt nervous till I had an opportunity of thoroughly overhauling my documents. The bag had been opened by the custom house officials, but the words "private iapers" had sufficed to prevent any further examination; and to my unspeakable delight, they were intact. A glance satisfied me as to this the moment I got them out, for they were most carefully numbered. The next morning saw me early on my way to i09, we will say Blackf riarsst., where was the office of Messrs. Bluestone & Fagg. I had never been there before, but it was easy to find, and had I felt any doubt, their name stared me In the face at the side of the open doorway. "Second floor." I thought I read; hut when I reached the first landing I imagined I must have been mistaken. For there, at a door ajar, stood an eminently respectable-lo. .king - gentleman, who bowed as he saw me, with a discreet smile. "Herr Schmidt?" he said. "Ah, yes; I was on the lookout for you." I felt a little surprised, and mv glance involuntarily strayed to the doorway. There was no name upon it, and it appeared to have been freshly painted. My new friend saw my glance. "It is all right." he said, "we have the painters here. We are using these lower rooms temporarily I w.ls watching to prevent your having the trouble of mounting to the second floor." And as 1 followed him In I caught sight of a painter's ladder a small one on the stair above, and the smell was also unmistakable. The large outer office looked bare and empty, but under the circumstances that was natural. No one was, at the first g'.ance, to be seen; but behind a dulled glass partition screening off one corner I fancied I caught sight of a seated figure. And an Inner office, to which my conductor led the way, had a more comfortable and inhabited look. Here stood a younger man. He bowed politely "Mr. Fagg. my junior," said the first Individual airily. "And now, Herr Schmidt, to business at once, if you please. Time is everything. You have all the documents ready?" I answered by opening my bag and spreading out its contents. Both men were very grave, almost taciturn; but as I proceeded to explain things It was easy to see that they thoroughly understood all I said. "And now," I went on, when I had reached a certain point, '"if you will give me Nos. 7 and 13, which you have already received by registered post, I can put you in full possession of the whole. Without them, of course, all I have said is, so to say, preliminary only." The two men looked at each other. "Of coure," said the elder man, "I follow what you say. The key ot the whole is wanting But I was momentarily expecting you to bring it out. We hae not Fagg, I am right, am I not? we have received nothing by post." "Nothing whatever," replied his junior. And the answer seemed simplicity itself. Why did a strange thrill of misgiving go through me? Was it something in the look that had parsed between them? Perhaps so. In any case strange to say, the consistency between their having celved no papers and yet looking for arrival at the hour mentioned in m-re-tny the lelter accompanying the documents, and accosting me by name, did not strike me till some hours later. I threw off what I believed to be my ridiculous mistrust, and it was not difficult to do so in my extreme annoyance. "I cannot understand it," I said. "It is really too bad. Everything depends upon 7 and 13. I must telegraph at once for inquiries to be instituted at the iostoince." "But your people must have duplicates." said Fagg eagerly. "These can be forwarded at once." "I hoe so," I said, though feeling strangely confused and worried. "They must send them direct here," he went on. I did not at once answer. I was gathering my papers together. "And in the meantime." he proceeded, touching my bag. "you had better leave these here. We will lock them up in the safe at once. It is better than carrying them alout London." It certainly seemed so. I half laid down the bag on the table, but at that moment from the outer room a most peculiar sound caught my ears a faint cackling cough! I think I concealed my start. I turned away as if considering "Fagg's" suggestion, which, to confess the truth, I had been on the very point of agreeing to. For it would have been a great relief to me to know that the papers were In safe - custody. But now a flash of lurid light seemed .to have transformed everything. "I thank you," I replied. "I should be glad to be free from the responsibility of the "charge, but I dare not let these out of my own hands till the agreement is formally signed." ' The younger man' face darkened. He assumed a bullying tone. "I don't know how it atrikes you. Mr. r.luestoue," he said, "but It seems to me that thla young gentleman is going

rather too far. Do you think your employers will be pleased to hear of your Insulting us. sir?"' But the elder man smiled condescendingly, though with a touch of superciliousness. It was very well done. He waved his hand. " Stay, my dear Fagg; we can well afford to make allowance. You will telegraph at once, no doubt. Herr Schmidt, and let me see yes, we shall receive the duplicates of Nos. 7 and 13 by first post on Thursday morning." I bowed. "Exactly." I replied, as I lifted the now locked bag. "And you may expect me at the same hour on Thursday morning." Then I took my departure, accompanied to the door by the urbane individual who had received me. The telegram which I at one despatched was not couched precisely as he would have dictated, I allow. And he would have been considerably sur

prised at my sending off another. later in the day. to Bluestone & Fagg's telegraphic address, In these words: "Unavoidably detained till Thursday morning. SCHMIDT." This was after the arrival of a wire from home in answer to mir.e. But Thursday morning I had had time to receive a letter from Herr Wilhelm, and to secure the services of a certain noted detective, accompanied by whom I presented myself at the appointed hour at 90!). But my companion's services were not required. The birds had flown, warned by the same traitor in our camp through whom the first hints of the new patent bad leaked out. With him it was easy to deal, poor wretch! but the clever rogues who had employed him and personated the members of the honorable firm of Bluestone & Facg were never traced. The negotiation was successfully carried out. The experience I had gone through left me a wiser man. It Is to be hoped, too, that the owners of 3)9 Eiackfi iars-st. were more cautious in the future as to whom they let their premises to whe-n temporarily "vacant. The repainting of the doorway, etc.. at the tenant's own expense had already roused some slight suspicion. It is needless to add that Nos. 7 and IS had been duly received on the second floor. I have never known the true history of that extraordinary nbjht. Was it all a dream, or a prophetic vision of warning?" Or was it in any sense true? Had T. in some inexplicable way. left my own town earlier than I intended, and really traveled in a slow train? Or had the man with a cough, fur his own nefarious purpose, mesmerized or hypnotized me, and to some extent succeeded ? I cannot say. Sometimes, even, I ask myself '. I ma quite sure that there ever was such a person as "the man with the cough." Louisa Molesworth in Longmans.' An Auiplillilonn Kanaka. Among the natives who will go to the midwinter fair at San Francisco is James Apu, now in this city from Kauai, who is the champion surf-rider and diver of that island. Many stories of the remarkable feats performed by this man In the water are related. It is said that he is so expert at diving that he can etay under water for four minutes at a time, and meanwhile catch fish with a spear and net which he uses while on his submarine visit. He has no fear .of sharks, and will take to the water at any time nd under any circumstances. While on board one of the island steamers a little while ago off Diamond Head, Apu got fish hungry and jumped overboard, caught some and returned to the steamer in a few minutes. In 1S84, while at Molokal in a small schooner with three or four other natives, after discussing several bottles of gin, the others left Apu on shore for a joke and sailed for Maui. Apu threw off his clothes, tied them in a bundle on his head, ard swam after the schooner, which he soon caught up with. The others would not let him on so he struck out for himself and swam the entire distance, reaching Maui shore some time before the others. The distance is over eight miles and the current swift and dangerous. Apu will give surf-riding exhibitions on his arrival at San Francisco, apd the board which he will use has been made to order of redwood, which Apu says is preferable to kao. being so much lighter. It will be painted black, that color being most obnoxious to sharks. This surf board is tweleve feet long, and when performing Apu stands erect on it and goes through a variety of wonderful feats in balancing, etc. Hawaiian Star. m A Xevr Cnndlentick. A candlestick made of brass, solid or In one piece, is being brought out in England. It has a china socket, and for durability has great value. As the English, and. in fact, all Europeans, are predisposed to the candle and the candlestick, anything in this line Is of value in living economy, whereas In this country" It would only receive a passing notice. Hardware. THE BEST Your wife will WBB Anticipating the demand, special arrangements to supply

Uli

mm offers

We will furnish the Famous SENTINEL SEWING MACHINE (No. 4) and the STATE SENTINEL for one year lor

4J X -aV This Machine is fully warranted and money will be refunded 3. same as No. 4, except with two drawers instead of four, will SENTINEL one year tor 316.00.

POINTS OF SUPERIORITY. INDIANAPOLIS SENTINEL. SEEING MRCHINE Has the latest design of bent woodwork, with skeleton drawer eaees, made in both walnut and oak, highly finished and th moBt durable made. The Btand isriizid and etronjr, having brace from over each end of treadle rod to table, has large balance wheel with belt replace, a very easy motion of treadle. The head is free of plate tensions, the machine is bo set that without any ch.mpe of npner or lower tension you can ew irom No. 40 to No. 150 thread, and by a very slight change of disc tension on face plate, you can pew from "the coarsest to the finest thread. It has a self-setting needle and loose pulley device on hand wheel for winding bobbins without running the machine. " It is adjustable in all its bear intra and has less springs than any other sewing machine on the market. It is the quickest to thread, being eelf-threadinp, except tbe eye of oeedle, It la the easiest machine in cnanging length of stitch, and is very juiet and easy running.

Address all orders to THE SENTINEL, Indianapolis, Ind. P. S. This Machine is shipped direct from the manufactory to the purchaser, saving ail islddle men's profits.

OFFICIAL DATES.

Vint of County- Fair Received hy Secrctnry Kennedy. Secretary Kennedy of the state board of agriculture has received officially the dates selected for the county and district fairs to be held in Indiana this year. The Indiana state fair comes from Sept. 17 to 22 and there are four local fairs which conflict with it. This list as far as completed is as follows: J FLY 30 TO AUG. 4. Ripley ""ounty Agricultural Association Osgood; W. C Leslie, secretary. Putnam County Agricultural Association Rainbridge; 11. C. Foster, secretary. Wayne. Henry and Randolph County Fair Association Middletown ; F. A, Wisehart, secretary. AUG. 6 TO 11. Wayne County Fair Association Hagerstovvn; John Bowman, secretary. New Boss Trotting and Pacing AssociationNew Ross; O. O. Bran, secretary. .lenniugft County Agricultural Association North Vernon; Fred H. Nauer, secretary. AUG. 13 TO IS. Delaware County Agricultural and Mechanical Association Muncte; M. H. Claypool, secretary. Jefferson County Fair Association Madison; S. K. Haigh. secretary. AUG. 20 TO 23. Hancock County Agricultural Association Greenfield; W. P. Bldgood. secretary. Tipton County Fair Company Tipton; Lee Nash, secretary. N'ewton County Agricultural Association Monacco: A. E. Purkey, secretary. Spencer County Fair Association Rockport; C. M. Partridge, secretary. Warren County Joint Stock Agricultural Association West Lebanon; Frank J. Goodwin, secretary. AUG. 27 TO SEPT. 1. Johnson County Agricultural and Horticultural Association Franklin; W, S. Young, secretary. peeatur County Agricultural Association Greensburs; Ed Hessing, secretary. Clinton County Agricultural SocietyFrankfort; Joseph Heavllon. secretary. Harrison Countv Agricultural Society Corydnn; T. S. Getzendanner. secretary. Remington Fair Association Remington; Jasper Guy. secretary. Warrick County Agricultural Association Boonville; Rice Wilson, secretary. Oakland Agricultural and Industrial Society Oukland City: W. C. Miller, secretary. Scott County Fair Association Scottsburgh; Joseph H. Shea, secretary. SEPT. .1 TO 8. Grant County Agricultural Society Marion: H. G. Hamaker, secretary. Montgomery County Union Agricultural Society Crawfordsville; W. W. Morgan, secretary. Iienton and Warren Agricultural Association Hoswell: W. H. McXight. secretary. Slielbv Countv Joint Stock Association Shelbyvllle; il. E. Stroup. secretary. Washington County Fair Association Salem: K. W. llenaugh, secretary. Sullivan County Agricultural SocietySullivan; C. H. Crowder. secretary. Franclevtlle Agricultural Society Francisvllle; E. H. Applegate, secretory, SEPT. 10 TO 15. Monroe County Agricultural. Live Stock and Drivlny Ai-oodatlon BIoominKton ; C. R. Worrell, secrrtary. Kentland Agricultural Fair Association Kentland; W. T. Drake, secretary. Lake County Agricultural SocietyCrown Point; W. L. Allman, secretary. Glbsoti Countv Fair Association Prtncton; S. Vet Strain, secretary . Warren Trl-County Fair Warrenj Nathan Fisher Banauo. secretaryClark County Fair Association Charleston: L. C. Morrison, wcretary. SEPT. 17 TO r. Steuben County Agricultural Association Angola: H. L. Huston, secretary. Tri-State Fair Association Evansvillej R. L. Akin, secretary. Bedford Fair and Trotting AssociationBedford; Frank O. Stannard, Springfield, secretary. Marshall County Agricultural and Industrial Association Plymouth; C. Fisher, secretary. Vermillion County Fuir Association Cayuga; I. S. Grondyke, secretary. SEPT. 24 TO 29. Laporte County Agricultural Association Laporte; J. V. Dorians, secretary. North Manchester Tri-County Fair AssociationNorth Manchester; B. F. Clemens, secretary. Vermillion County Joint Stock Society Newport; John Richardson, secretary. Huntington County Agricultural SocietyHuntington: A. L. Reck, secretary. Eastern Indiana Agricultural Association Kendallvtlle; J. S. Conlogue. secretary. Jay County Agricultural and Horticultural Joint Stock Company Portland; George W. Bergman, secretary-. OCT. 1 TO 6. Green County Agricultural Society Linton: P. J. Terhune, secretary. Fulton County Mechanical SocietyRochester: G. P. Dawson, secretary. Poplar Grove District Fair Poplar Grove; A. D. Woods, secretary. Randolph County Union Agricultural SocietyWinchester; D. E. Hoffman, secretary. OCT. 8 TO 13. Northeastern Indiana Agricultural AssociationWaterloo; J. G. Johnson, secretary. Marion County Agricultural and Horticultural Society Indianapolis; Ida F. Richardson, 66 Virginla-ave. Bourbon Fair Association G. D. Ettinger, secretary. AGEiiTS Wanted. Utaral Satlairy Paid. At bueorlot-arU Taa faralaard free P. a V1CKKBT, laiwia, M MACHINE be in want of a THE SENTINEL has made your wants.

HViachii-e

One Rufller, with Shirrer Plate, One Set of 4 Flate Hemmers, One Binder, One Freeser Foot, One Hemmer and Feller,

One Braider Foot, One Tucker, One Quilter, One Plate Gauge, One Slide for Braider, One Oil Can (with Oil), One Thread Cutter,

La (S&ippe, Catarrh AND COLD Ui THE HEAD relieved Instantly by one application of Blrneyfs Caterrh Powder Sold Tcrj where by dra?isti or direct j n( HON. A.JLrosrJuloSijpren:eCoun.Nb.,TltPl ndiu ar-f Una!)- f. r m'ril sou, ail U t Im rm

lr.iniim. I with CA&ATThai A.?;eui- ff I

Bev. Fattier Clarke, Seo'y to the Rt. IUr. Eishop tf Columbus, Oalo, writes: Ctiiuur: I cr.n hjoi for your Towdar. t ba Cured n cf la MrAvttr4 ttrlt of eArta Bottu; c'.M CMild tp v.t. An (Ul.fhitd w.ih it. A,i ny fritnda t new 1 alrniaitefd tttnpi art qu.rr.hur.utiOT?rit. Th c.-d fc.vteia mot accrmr t'ly vt trtetr nmt It im tfc Bprlal cd Irr tba.r car. I wul c nrr"i1rn In ait g.nd wwid Jor tt.a rriurdjtahalpcliiers vbjar-flnac. lourswr.ti muf tiiai.ks. sr. Iiis Excellency ExTov. J. E, JJoTD,ef Nob-, wrltGmrrrmix: I he tiM 3ur la-jrrha l-ourr rr-rvjEaily tnd in t-ny fimi'Tf I''C tiraa, HH-1 It r f i .tut ral af I3 01IIS ID. tit hea ana . atari-.-I trouble. 1 a h-rrltilir fomaendtt i all f-i.eLt a:. J plea'ict reruy. rytru'r Yonra. 31. T. FiiWHo.Catoiliaa U.Ü Appraiser Stores, Ciilcapi, writes: Clan lata tt i,f a neiiUrr!y !ef for cnTtVerrf yar f:idrerm no riif from Hin o-tal'fd mri hi'h I nrd, w-vainaiiftf l hf a fii-cl f t.y lr, birsey a Ca-rrhai Fowderfarw. d-afn-aa. Ut.v rar'.vrrd by brarir en -tirelr, ,4 t.at lean iiuw hear a w.trh tick plainly, it faroc h!4 IS incheifrom year. 1 1 upi it n tk-iUv cut lur da.ln-aa aad tv teoueui-atiaad it tut Ii n.ai.y st n. j l:iaca acl tin say t fcaT ccTrr hf-rd of i raa whar it tailed to rehavr. Thankfully rmit Soli eierynlir re b f Ärargl.t or direct y WI f Jo yeu pay $j to $s for a catarrh t la re meJy, wtfn (at popular rr,c) !ii Birnev's Catarrh Powder is better than a! I others? Notrierzlnj I rzlnz CC ttlcoi"SG -;a Id la vest lAAKfct. or irritating ejects, i'trnfiir-j bottl rowdi-rana buner. crr.r:ta. IetNeat and compact cuiU cttiTl'J la vest AAtt. Birccy Catarrhal Powder Co. Mrdlrjd to aay Ad&jf J. 1258 Kernte Trr-p'-9a bold Trynnere tr ifU?Sit r Irct by ui GRATEFTTLr COMFORTTXQ. EPPS'S COCOA BREAKFAST SUPPER. "By a thorough koowledg ot th natural law which go rem the cperaUon ot digestion ana nutrlUon, cad by a careful application ot the fine properties ot wellselected Coooa, Mr. Eppe haa provided for our breakfast and Lpper a dehcaleiy flavored beverage which may eave us mar.y heavy doctors bUli. It Is by the Judicious use of euch articles of diet that & crnstifution may be gradually built up until etronjj enough to resist every tendency to disease. Hundreds of subtle majadiea are t loa Uns around us ready to attach: wherever there is a weak point, We may escape many a fatal Ehaft by keeping od-seives well fortlried with pure bloo-1 and a properly nourished frame." Civil 6?rvice Gazette. Made slrr.ply with boilny water cr rnllfc. Bold oniy In half-pound tins, by Grocers, labelled thus: JAXZS EFPd & CO., Ltd., HomTopaihlc CbemiaU, London, Enctavad. e ü y From P. fc'. Journal of iUdici-ie.) Prof. V. ILPcekcwho mskPt apeciuty of Epileper, his without doubt treated aiitl cared morec&.es than tnylivlrg Physician ; hiBsncee3tatuihiriif. We hare heard of caee of 'j yetra' flared cured by hfcn. lie publishes a v&lnabie work on this disease which he sends with a Iare bottle of his absolute cure, free to ny soffererwho may seed their P.O. and Express tdIresi. We advise anyone withing a core to add-ee. Prof. W. II. PÄEKE F. P.. 4 Cedar St. hew York. ADVICE TO DYSPEPTICS. COKTBJETS: Cyapept and Its cane. Experience of a suTcrer. Liyer complaint a (via disorder. Constipsttcn a retail of dyapepsls. Food to b taken- Fool to be awtrided. Mail-i free o any address. JOHN U. McALVI-V. Lowell, Maas., 14 years City Tress. ON EARTH ;;,r,..-....j;-' .'V ,i v.i.STviV- i : Vi I , No. 4. if it is not as advertised. No. bo furnished with the STATR

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7

1 SOPRI)

Kmm

ATTACHMENTS Accompanying Each lYIachino ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1 I Attachments In bracket are all interchangeable into hub on prcsser tan Fix Bobbins, Seven Needles, One Larre Screw Driver, One Small Screw Driver. One Wrench, One Instruction Book.

WARRANTY. ; Every Machine is folly warranted for five years. Any part proving defective will be replaced free of charge, excepting needles, bobbins and shuttles.