The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-01-25

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intensely that / became little more
Vlgllant and attentive.
Among the male passengers was one
who especially engaged my observation
he was person of conspicuous appear.
ance, not unhandsome in face, faultless
IN figure, and rather foppishly attired
He wore dark imperial and moustache
a large brilliant upon his scarf, two OF
three diamond rings upon his fingers
and carried delicate rattan cane with 8
deal of grace. There was an assumed
air of dignity, and patronizing all
about him that disguised me, the more
as | could detect in bis expression of
features a weak and shallow mind.
This person gave his undivided atten-
ton to the lady passengers, was prodigal
in his compliments to them, and was
fast becoming a favorite. He appeared
a perfect stranger to me until about the
sixth day out, when seeing him early
one morning before his toilet was made,
his face became invested with an old
familiarity. | became suspicious at
once that he was playing false part,
and began watching him more closely.
On the first occasion that offered | en-
gagged him in conversation, and it re-
quired but little skill to bring out his
assertion that he too was travelling for
pleasure.
noticed also that he had lively eve
upon a certain quiet and very handsome
lady, who was apparently without a
protector, and whose costly silks and
abundant jewele indicated no lack of
funds. He was free to tell me that his
name was Ross, and particular to hint
on every occasion how fortune had
favored him with wealth. The ladv
spoken of had attracted my attention,
and L confess to feeling at the time a
little tender partiality toward her. The
reader, therefore, will not be surprised
! that was conversation Ross gallantries
to her, and that was somewhat ANNOYED
when | saw that she seemed to regard
him with favor. Perhaps it was the
stimulus of rival, perhaps the woman's
charms alone, that aroused me to regard
her; but at any rate L fell to gazing
upon and thinking of her, and that, too,
after only two or three short and rather
cool interviews, wherein | utter failed
to exchange single tender look. Mean
time, Ross, to my utter discontinue. was
admitted by her to the most confidential
Is te a-tetes.
1t was about this time that | began to
scrutinize Ross more closely, with the
view of detecting his completely in the
crime l was employed to discover. The
more | reflected the more | became con-
vlnced OF the reasonableness of my sus-
piclons. He was in my opinion, person
not likely to accumulate wealth. His
ha0lts were too extrayagant for that, and
besides, the vulgar inclination he had of
abiding to his abundant means denied
the probability of his inheriting money.
Ii such person had much money, it was
quite likely to have boon unlawfully OBJ
tanned. 1t appeared significant fact
TO me that this man evaded all nv hints
to discover his source of wealth. His
business, whatever it might have been.
was never once alluded to by him. and
any method by which / could obtain
clue was TO be sought for Did he I'm
derstand the art of photographing? If
he did one good poiut was made. | had
failed In every attempt to find his occu-
patton until the following opportunity
occurred, in availing myself of which I
claim some sagacity.
Ross came limping to me one evening.
bearing an expression of pain. inquir-
ed what the matter was, at which he
dropped into seat beside me, and in
coarse manner began cursing his corns,
which appeared to be the cause Of his
lameness. While be was lamenting his
misfortune an idea had occurred to me.
L had been troubled with cOrna myself.
and had eradicated them with nitrate of
silver, a chemical much used in photo
I" Mr.. Ross" said I, you can
be efectually relieved by an article YOU
have probably used, and quite likely YOU
have with you"
What is it?" inquired he, anxiously.
:" That is chemical that stains the skin
and hair black" saidI.
Indeed g." said Ross, with forced sur
prise, and apparently very uneasy.
at is an article quite indispensable in
the art of taking pictures by the solar
light" said |, gazing directly into his
eyes.
" Yes?" said Ross, with inquiry.
Nitrate of silver; did you ever use
lt?" | inquired.
MOI" he said, CURLY, and dropping
his eyes before my gaze, he arose and |
left me, Enthusiastically embarrassed and |
annoyed.
This interview nearly settled the aues- |
ton in my mind in regard to his crimi-
nallty, and the prospect of bringing him |
to Justice pleased me. | observed him |
closer than ever. Heappeared less lame
the morning after | had suggested the
remedy, and on the second day his lame
ness had entirely disappeared. | VEN
tured to ask, after cOngratulating him |
On his improvement, whether he had OBJ
tanned the chemical aboard, and although
he denied it, l had but little doubt he
had availed himself of my remedy. For
to discover whether he had,
was completed y within my power. If
Koss had applied thhe chemical to his
corns, blackened indelIible stain re-
manned, which important fact was de-
termlned to find out. SLOUGH and | met |
frequently to compare notes, and our in
serVleWs were generally late at night.
he always came to me upon the quarter
deck, and as ill-luck would have it, had
been observed by Ross trespsssing upon
,he quarter forbidden to the occupants of
.he steerage.
The extent of my perplexity can be
imagined when, while waiting anxiously
20 have an interview with my partner
or the purpose of divising method to
lave peep at Ross toe, Ross himself
anne to me to me in a confidential way.
md whispered that he was keeping a
lose watch upon that thievish- looking
elbow describing my partner, that his
carf-pin had been stolen, and that he
vas suspicious it had been taken by