CLEAR WATERS 



time I was disarmed or I would have unfastened the 

 case and displayed the ridiculously inoffensive nature 

 of the suspected thing. Then another official in the 

 uniform apparently of a field-marshal was called into 

 animated council, during which the two examined the 

 spear and felt its point. 



I ought perhaps to say in possible extenuation of 

 these strange proceedings that attempts on the life 

 of the emperor were just then much on the official 

 mind. I was then beckoned to follow the two gor- 

 geous ones, and as they had my precious rod, there 

 was no alternative. I was conducted the whole length 

 of the platform, after the manner, so it struck me, of 

 a conspirator caught in the very act, and then into 

 a room where a third field-marshal was writing at 

 a desk. Then a tremendous discussion took place, 

 during which I was again accosted, and of course to 

 no purpose whatever. I tried to get hold of the rod 

 to undo its wrappings and expose the absurdity of the 

 business, but this perhaps was regarded as the action 

 of a desperado, and I was so disconcerted that even the 

 elementary French that had survived from the gover- 

 ness period refused to come. At last, however, a 

 brilliant inspiration seized me, and I ejaculated very 

 loud * Mon pere et ma mere ici — dans la station.'' ' Ha 

 ha ! ' said the gorgeous ones taking me by the shoulder. 

 Another of the field-marshals bearing the deadly weapon 

 a-head, they marched me back along the platform, 

 where to my reUef I espied our party just arrived. 

 They were a good deal startled to see me apparently 

 under arrest, and when I explained to them the cause 

 the ladies went into such peals of laughter that my 



34 



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