asure of wine away from Paul, she ordered her husband to
build a fire and began to take off the rubber dress, in which she was
assisted by some of the men. When the tunic was off, steam arose from
the voyager's body as from a boiler, and when the pantaloons were
removed, the good hostess unceremoniously ordered the twelve apostles
into the street. She procured a chicken which was soon broiling, and
brewing some kind of tea, she compelled Paul to eat and drink, after
which he was escorted to a room and snugly covered up in a big,
canopied bed. He was no sooner stretched on the mattress than he was
sound asleep, not waking until the sun shone through the window next
day. He then heard the murmur of voices in the street. Jumping up, his
feet struck a cold tiled floor which sent a chill over him. Peering
through the curtain, he discovered a crowd of people looking up at his
room and a buzz of voices was heard all about the house. Not remembering
where he was, he pulled a bell cord and the summons was answered by the
landlady, who greeted him kindly and hoped he felt better. She also
informed him that two gentlemen were below who wished to see him.

"Let no one up but a doctor," answered Paul; but in a few moments three
men were ushered in. Boyton was unreasonably suspicious and testily
told the men that he only wanted a doctor. One of the gentlemen
explained in French that he was the mayor of Meletti; that one
of his companions was a doctor and they had come to take care of and
entertain him. Such gracious answers to rough and suspicious questions,
disarmed Paul and they were soon on friendly terms. The mayor informed
him that a carriage was at the door to convey him to his own house,
where better care could be had. It was explained that the patient had
nothing to wear except his underclothing, and the mayor immediately
procured him a suit of clothes and escorted him through a gaping crowd
to the carriage, nor would he permit Paul to settle the hotel bill.

After an hour's drive the voyager was comfortably installed in a
mansion, under the ministrations of a distinguished physician. No one
could have been better treated. He afterward learned that his host,
beside his official position, was a large landed proprietor, owning most
of the village, and was a member of the great family of Gattoni de
Meletti.

Reports that the man in the rubber dress had been attacked by the fever,
s