Stowaway-de-Luxe

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

Stowaway-de-Luxe

Italian's Salon Trip BUILT AND FURNISHED OWN ' CABIN . Tha' stowaway-de-luxe has arrived in America. He showed • no sign of emaciation, and no evidence of having-led'a-'hunted life. He stowed away first dag's. ■ Signor, Basil- is an artist—an interior decorator. Employed, in that work on a new Italian ship, the Conte Grande, he conceived the idea, of altering a small passageway into a, cosy little alcove, hidden .behind a series of charming but innocent panels, says the special correspondent of the Melbourne “Herald.” V

- The alcove was electrically lighted. Through it ran. a ventilation pipe, which had been tapped to give Signor Bastijthe fresh Sea air. A bed,, well supplied , with blahtets and bed linen, was installed. The latest magazines reposed on a shelf.,,. ■’ , Signor Basti could hear the strains of .the ,ship’s orchestra, for. his alcove adjoined the saloon. He had a good supply of .food stored, and the wines of . Italy , were in a receptacle over the hold. ’ - :v ’

• Signor ;Basti ventured forth frequently, and - enjoyed -to the utmost the privileges of the first class, mingling with' the passengers,; The crev.’ whs a new one, and vnone knew him. :.v His one mistake was in joining the crew- at 'their mess, on the day the' vessel came into port. One sailor grew suspicious, and -notified an officer, who ; forced Signor Basti to dis-. close his retreat. ,r