Page:Ossendowski - The Fire of Desert Folk.djvu/107

Rh with my beautiful London cases for the rifles, carbines and ammunition taken without examination and placed in the car that was waiting to drive us to the hotel. Only then did we learn that the authorities in Ujda had received a telegram concerning our journey and, as a result of this, were so considerate and courteous to us. Once at the hotel, I thanked the younger police official for his kindly help and tried to explain that I should give him no further trouble; but this seemed to have no effect on his evident intention of remaining near me. Even when I was about to enter my room, he asked:

"Will you not go at once with me to the consul?"

"I should prefer to change before paying an official call."

"Oh, that is not necessary. It would be better to go at once, as the office will soon be closed."

Yielding, I went along, learning on the way that the newly appointed consul had not yet arrived and that his place was being temporarily filled by the head of the Figig district. Colonel Jean Pariel.

The Colonel received me at once and was both very courteous and interested, as he was acquainted with my books. To my great astonishment, the police official entered the room with me, and I noted that the consul seemed astonished also. During our long conversation, while we studied maps and books bearing upon my prospective journey, my police escort remained close by.

"You may go," the consul finally announced to him. But the official stood his ground, only looking with a knowing and suggestive glance at the consul, who was finally forced to ask bluntly for the cause of his