The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-09-12

-
dignity, and patronizine manner about
him that disgusted me, the more as
could detect in his expression of features
a weak and shallow mind. This person
gave his undivided attention to the lady
passengers, was prodigal in compliments
to them, and was fast becoming a favorite.
He appeared a perfect stranger to me
until about the sixth day out, when see
ing him early one morning before his
toilet was made his face became invested
with an old familiarity. | became suspi-
ciouS ut once that he was playing a false
part. and | began watching him more
closely. On the first occasion that offered
| engaged him in conversation, and 1t re-
quired but little skill to bring ont his as
@ertlon that he, too, was travelling Tor
pleasure.
noticed also that he had a lively eye
upon I certain quiet and very handsome
lady. who was apparently without a pro-
tectot, and whose costly silks and album
dant Jewels indicated no lack Of funds.
He WAS free to tell me that his name was
Ross, and was particular to HINT on every
occasion how fortune had favored him
with wealth The lady spoken of had
attracted my attention, and ! confess to
feeling at the time little tender Partially
toward her. The reader will therefore
not be surprised that | was observant OF
Ross gallantries to her, and that | was
somewhat annoyed when | saw that She
seemed TO regard him with favor. Per
hars il was the stimulus of a rival, per
haps the woman'S charms alone, that
aroused me TO regard her; but at any
rate fell TO gazing upon and thinking of
her, and that, too, after only two or three
short and rather cool interviews. wherein
utterly failed to exchange u single ten
der look Meantime Ross. TO my utter
discontinue, was admitted by her TO the
most confidential tcte-a-tetes.
1t was about this time that began to
scrutinze Ross more closely, with the,
view OF detecting his completely in tile
crime was employed to discover Tie
more | reflected, the more [ became con-
WINGED ol the reasonablencss of my sus-
picions. He was, in my opinion. a per
son not likely to accumulate wealth. His
habits We're too tXtravagant for that, and
besides. the vulgar inclination he had Of
aIiuding To his abundant means denied
the probability Of his inheriling money
If such u person really had much monev,
it was quite likely to have been unlawhlly
obtained. 1t appeared a significant fact
10 me that this man evaded all my hints
10 discover his source of wealth. His
business, whatever il might have been.
was never once alluded to by him, ana
any method hy which could obtain Il clue
was TO he sought for. Did he understand
the art of photographing If he did, one
good point was made. | had failed in
every attempt to find his occupation, until
the following opportunity occurred il
avallng myself of which | claim some
saractV.
Ross came lmping TO me one evening.
hearing an expression of pain. | inquired
what the matter was, at which he dropped
into "A seat beside me, and in u coarse
manner began cursing his corns, which
appeared to be the cause Of his lamenesS.
While he was lamenting his misfortune
an idea had occurred to me. | had been
troubled with corns myself, and had cra,l-
Gated them with nitrate of silver, u chcmi-
cal much used in photographing. "Mr.
Ross" said |, ''yo'l can be ctfectualy re-
lieved by an article that you have probably
used. and quite likely you have with
You"
"What is if ?" inquired he anxiousy.
IT is a chemical that stains the skin
and hair black" said I.
''lndeed,' said Ross with forced sur
prise, and apparently very uneasy.
1t is an article quite indispensable in
the art OF taking pictures by the solar
light, said gazing directly into his eyes
'Yes,' replied Ross, with inquiry
Nitrate OF silver. Did you ever use
it ?" ! inquired
''No," said he curtly, and dropping his
eyes before my gaze, he arose and left
me, Enthusiastically embarrassed and an
moved.
This interview nearly settled the ques-
ton in my mind with regard to his crimi-
nalitv, and the prospect of bringing hm to
justice pleased me. observed him closer
than ever. He appeared less lame the
morning after had suggested the remedy,
and on the second day his lameness had
entirely disappeared | ventured to ask,
altercongratnlating him upon his isimprove-
mcnt, Whethcrhe had obtained the chemical
aboard, and although he denied it, had
but little doubt he had availed himself OF
my remedy. Fortunately, to discover
whether he had, was completely within
my power. IfRoss had applied the chem
ica to his corns, hackened, indelihe
stain remained, which important fact
was determined to find ont SLOUGH and
met frequently to compare notes, and
our interviews We're generally late at
night. He always came to me upon the
quarter deck, and as i'll luck would have
it, had been observed by To trespassing
upon the quarter forbidden to the occn-
pants of the steerage.
The extent of my perpleNity can be
imagined when. while waiting anXiously
to have An interview with my partner tor
the purpose of devising a method to have
n peep at Ross toe. Ross himself come to
me in a confidential way, and whispered
that he was keeping a close watch upon
that thievish looking fellow describing
my partner,) that his scarf pin had been
stolen, and that he was suspicious it had
been taken by SIouch. | managed with
some risk and difficulty to whisper a few
words to my partner shortly after, re-
questin@ him to keep away from me until
the next day. Meanwhile, | set my wits
to work to get II look ut Ross foot. We
were then sailing in a low latitude. he
nights We're sultry and warm, and all the
windows and doors that decency would
allow open during sleeping hours, We're
left so. Ross apartment being near mine,
arose late in the night, and, taking a
lamp, | held it concealed beneath my hat,
and stole noiseessIy within his chamber.
Nothing but a sheet covered him, and
gently raised its corner, and thus expos
ing his foot, set the rays of my lamp
upon it, A pretty large spot, Us black as
ink, disligured one Of his toes. His deep
and measured respiration embodened me
to remain longer, and gave a good look
ut his face in a state of repose, The con
viction again, and with more force, pre-
sented itself that had known him before.
returned to my berth puzzling my brain
to replace him in my recollections. but
without success.
Having proceeded thus far, contrived
on the following morning to see my part
ner, when | laid the whole matter before
him. | had no doubt of his approval
of my stratagem to mplicate Ross;
but he surprised and mortified me by
shaking his head in dubious way.
My nitrate of silver test evidently went
for nothing with him. The physiognomy
of Ross had already been submitted to his