CHAPTER XVIII.
THE MISSING SLIPPER There will always remain something to be said of woman as long as there is one on earth .-- _Bauflers_.
My new friend, I was glad to note, seemed not anxious to terminate our acquaintance, although in his amiable and childlike fashion he babbled of matters which to me seemed unimportant.

He was eager to propound his views on the connection of the American tribes with the peoples of the Orient, whereas I was all for talking of the connection of England and the United States with Oregon.

Thus we passed the luncheon hour at the hostelry of my friend Jacques Bertillon; after which I suggested a stroll about the town for a time, there being that upon my mind which left me ill disposed to remain idle.

He agreed to my suggestion, a fact for which I soon was to feel thankful for more reasons than one.
Before we started upon our stroll, I asked him to step to my own room, where I had left my pipe.

As we paused here for a moment, he noticed on the little commode a pair of pistols of American make, and, with a word of apology, took them up to examine them.
"You also are acquainted with these ?" he asked politely.
"It is said that I am," I answered.
"Sometimes you need to be ?" he said, smiling.