THE MISSING MAN

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 112, 17 November 1928, Page 15

THE MISSING MAN

One of the new travel books has an interesting story, of some English travellers making: their way', over the mountains of Spain a hundred years ago. They., were riding on donkeys . into Prance,'and had occasion to call on an English Consul to ask his advice about a guide. . '' ■'■•'. ■ Thoy were received by a.capable woman, who informed them that her father, tho Consul, was ill, but that she would convey the message, and would take him a paper which thoy wished him to sign. The party heard tho daughter, conversing, and tho gruff voice of. tho father was plainly heard from the inner room. A guide was recommended, the signature given, and the travellers departed. Later on their journey they met a Spanish . gentleman, and happened to mention the sick Consul and to hope he was better. '(Ho will never bo better," was tho mysterious reply, .heard with much sadness by the travellers. "No no.t at all," they wore told. "Ho died years .ago, and liis daughter did not see why. she should inform headquarters. • She would have had to clear out. So. she has'left it to the Government to find out for itself about her father's death, and has carried on." "But the gruff voice '-we heard in the other reom's" ._ "Oh, she does that to 'keep up the illusion," was the guy answer. We wonder how long, the .illusion was kept up. It all really happened.,