The National tribune., 1881-09-10

~
smile, land, I suppose like all handsome men
! you're a bit of lady killer-without mean
ing it, you know. A mods as good as a wink, you
know; and you're not a blind horse, whatever
you may be. Paris is lively place, you know,
for man of your make, with diamonds next his
heart worth thousands of pounds It isn't the
men I'm afraid of in your case; it's the women"
Every man likes that sort of chaff; and l was
really weak enough in those days to take an
especial pride in what I could not help knowing
to be my personal advantages So was in the
best temper as l answered, modestly:
"Well, sir, nobody knows everything about all
women; but do think / know enough about a
few to guess a good deal about what the rest may
| be up to. don't think I'm likely to be come over
that way. And should think this little fellow, "
] added, showing him a new revolver, "will be
enough for common odds, not in petticoats."
Don't put yourself in a position that1l oblige
you to use it," said my employer. "And you
won't, if you keep clear of the common odds-in
petticoats you know. l must be off now. Call
at my house for the parure in an hour"
Full of confidence in my own resources proud
of the trust that had been placed in me, and alto
gether in a weIl-satisfied and fearless frame of
mind, started with the Mouranov parure by the
very next train for Dover. The magnificent par
ure safely packed by my employer himself
before my own eyes, and I placed the packet Sc
curely in a case which fastened around my neck
and waist under my clothes with couple of light
but strong steel chains. In effect the parure was
absolutely safe from secret theft-efectually from
any violence short of downright murder. l had
hidden my mother and sisters a hurried gOOd-by,
without telling even them of the valuable charge
/ carried about me. And / arrived at one of the
first hotels in Paris without the smallest advent
ure of any sort or kind. To imagine that any of
the fraternity of diamond hunters, male or female
had been watching my journey could even be
aware Oft, was simply absurd. To all with whom
came into any slight contact en- route / must
have been an ordinary Englishman, making an
ordinary trip to Paris-nothing more. And, for
that matter, except with booking clerks and so
forth, 1 don't think had exchanged word with
a fellow-creature all the way. That I had never
once closed my eyes, / know.
| had Just ordered some refreshments after my
journey before proceeding to Les Bosquets,
when
Monsieur Alfred Morris, from London 2"
asked one of the walters.
"Yes" said I, though wondering how my name
could possibly be known to him, seeing that I
had but just arrived, and had not even written
my name in the list of persons staying at the
hotel. Was my ayes" piece of imprudence?
l hardly know to this hour.
"a young lady" he said in English, has been
waiting for one hour to see Monsieur
A young lady in Paris waiting to see me-
What could that mean9 My employers warm
ing came instinctively to my mind. But l could
not very well refuse to her; indeed, it might
prove important that I should see her; and GER
tainly no possible harm could come of my seeing
her in large and crowded hotel.
Mademoiselle waits in the salon. said the
waiter. So to the salon l went, more curious than
anxious about who the young lady might be who
expected me in Paris and who knew my name
so well.
She a stranger, a young Frenchwoman,
rather pretty and exceedingly well dressed and
yet with something about her that showed she
did not wholly belong to the beau monde if that
be the right term to use for | don't pretend to
be a French scholar
Monsieur Alfred Morris, from Lonlon?"
asked she, in precisely the same words as the
waiter, but with voice and accent which made
the words sound very different indeed, and the
girl herself looked really instead of only passably
pretty. Indeed hers was one of the very sweetest
voices | had ever heard.
"At your service, MademOiselle said with
bow.
She smiled; and her smile was very sweet in
deed. / am truly fortunate" she said Il was
beginning to fear you would never come"
"And may | ask, Mademoiselle, with whom"
"Assuredly, Monsieur. l am Mademoiselle
Lenoir, principal DemoiseHe de Cham5re of
Madame la Princesse de Mouranov-"
"Ah!" sighed l, a little disappointed. 1t was
no adventure, then-only the affair of the parure,
after all Still-well, considering everything, !
that was perhaps all the better. Adventures, till
the receipts are exchanged would certainly be |
mat prOpOs
Yes of Madame la Princesse de Mouranov,"
repeated she. i am in all the confidence of
Madame's toilet-you comprehend"
She was speaking in very good English, with
an accent that improved my native language it |
seemed to me. Madame received a telegram |
from London, from your firm, saying you would |
be here to-day. 1t was careful telegram, Mon
sieur-and that was well 1t is not prudent to let |
all the world know what you carry-without |
not reason-I? But Madame has changed her