I need not say that I began to think this man was something more than a beggar.  But why this disguise?  And who was he?

CHAPTER III.

TheBEGGAR’S home

The house we entered was furnished with a degree of splendor of which the external appearance gave no prophecy.  We passed up the stairs and into a handsome room, hung around with pictures, and adorned with book-cases.  The beggar left me.

I sat for some time looking at my surroundings, and wondering over the strange course of events which had brought me there, and still more at the actions of my mysterious companion.  I felt assured now that his rags were simply a disguise, for he entered the house with all the air of a master; his language was well chosen and correctly spoken, and possessed those subtle tones and intonations which mark an educated mind.  I was thinking over these matters when the door opened and a handsome young gentleman, arrayed in the height of the fashion, entered the room.  I rose to my feet and began to apologize for my intrusion and to explain that I had been brought there by a beggar to whom I had rendered some trifling service in the street.  The young gentleman listened, with a smiling face, and then, extending his hand, said: 

“I am the beggar; and I do now what only the hurry and excitement prevented me from doing before—­I thank you for the life you have saved.  If you had not come to my rescue I should probably have been trampled to death under the feet of those vicious horses, or sadly beaten at least by that brutal driver.”

The expression of my face doubtless showed my extreme astonishment, for he proceeded: 

“I see you are surprised; but there are many strange things in this great city.  I was disguised for a particular purpose, which I cannot explain to you.  But may I not request the name of the gentleman to whom I am under so many obligations?  Of course, if you have any reasons for concealing it, consider the question as not asked.”

“No,” I replied, Smiling, “I have no concealments.  My name is Gabriel Weltstein; I live in the new state of Uganda, in the African confederation, in the mountains of Africa, near the town of Stanley; and I am engaged in sheep-raising, in the mountains.  I belong to a colony of Swiss, from the canton of Uri, who, led by my grandfather, settled there. seventy years ago.  I came to this city yesterday to see if I could not sell my wool directly to the manufacturers, and thus avoid the extortions of the great Wool Ring, which has not only our country but the whole world in its grasp; but I find the manufacturers are tied hand and foot, and afraid of that powerful combination; they do not dare to deal with me; and thus I shall have to dispose of my product at the old price.  It is a shameful state of affairs in a country which calls itself free.”

“Pardon me for a moment,” said the young gentleman, and left the room.  On his return I resumed: