Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-11-22

; neighborhood
Follow me. gents, close, for its easy
enough to get into the water on nigh
. like this" said William, waving his lamp
on high.
"And precious difficult to get out again
should say added Mr.. Hook blandly.
The town was fast asleep, and not even
policeman or a cat was in sight to give
little life to the scene. But William
knew his ground; and the memories of the
night are agreeably diversified by the
recollection of handsome round of beef, a
colossal bottle of pickles, and genial host
and hostess to do the honors of the impro-
vised banquet. But nothing would induce
the italian to share in our meal. He
had no hunger, he said, and remained
planted In the passage, as if to keep his
eye upon US.
Said the Count
81 mistrust that fellow. Why should he
follow US into the town when ne wanted no
refreshment? Look out for your black bag,
my friend"
"Never mind my bag" said Mr.. Hook,
good humoredly; 'the most precious thing
it contains at this moment is what you
see" And unlocking his inseparable
bag he produced an unbroken pack of
cards.
The Counts eyes sparkled at the sight.
"Come, what is it to be?" he cried.
But here our host interposed. He could
not sit up any longer, and card playing was
thing held in horror by the licensing au-
thorities.
"Ahl it is your free Englandp cried the
Count with sheer.
But there was nothing for it except to
turn out, and We followed William once
more in single file along the harbor side,
as pitchy dark as ever. Just half way
across we heard cry from the Count, and
he dashed suddenly forward, clutching at
: something invisible to the rest William
caught him by the arm and swung him
round.
"Why, guvnor you'd have been in the
water if l hadn't caught hold Of you. What
could you have seen to make you jump
like that p
"What did 1 see?" repeated the Count,
who was white in the face, and all of
tremble. "Why, what was it but a black
dog; and he showed his teeth, and l was
going to kick him into the water"
When we got back to the lights and the
warmth of the big fire in the waiting-room
there was still an hour and half to put
away before the boat started. Before long
! the Count and Mr.. Hook had established
themselves in a corner of the room, with
the top of a portmanteau covered with
railway rug for card table, and were COM
pletely engrossed in their game, which
was, l think, poker Anyhow, they soon
got to high stakes, and that showed that
: h.
well what he had to start with. The
Italian watched the progress of the game
with keen interest, his face frightening
when the luck was on the side Of Mr..
Hook For that gentleman had been very
kind to him, he explained He had helped
him when everybody else laughed at and
derided his search. Yes, he was good
man that; but as for the other, the Italian
felt an instructive horror of him, for what
, reason he knew not. The repugnance
! seemed to be mutual, and the Count
WINGED and frowned every time the Italian
approached the card table. At last he
roughly babe him take himself off, for that
he hated to be watched. But while the
other meditated some reloinder William
appeared at the door with the welcome
notification;
"Now, gentlemen, all on board, if you
please. The boat will start in FIVE min
utes."
''Then we'll settle now," said Mr.. Hook
cheerfully to the Count; "what do you
make it-a hundred and fifty? That's
right. Why, dash it, my friend" as he
handed over to the Count little roll of
bank notes, "a performer like you ought
! % l. 10 cf
one"
"Ahr said the Count, little elated by
his opportune success perhaps l shall
now begin. But stay, you forget the little
loan; allow me to repay it with thanks"
And he handed note to the other, who
| took it without remark. But he silently
opened his black bag, and, taking out the
gold and enameled cross that the Count
had deposited in his hands, proffered it to
his companion. keep it," cried the Count
loftily, 7as a memorial of our meeting"
"Aiany thanks, had rather not" replied
Mr.. Hook, coldly. 81 have a notion that
it brings i'll luck"
sit might be so" said the Count, IN
easily; 81 never thought of that. Well, |
will sell it when get to Paris, and | will
not play till l have got rid of it"
There are different kinds of i'll luck"
replied the other, dryly.
"Well, Pm not afraid" said the Count,
wrapping up the cross in the bank-notes
he had just won at play, and placing the
little packet in an inner pocket.
"Signor," cried the Italian. coming for
ward, "of your goodness permit me to ex-
anime that trinket; it resembles closely a
cruciGx that was worn by my Anita, my
promised wife. All, if it should be the
same, and prove the means of clearing up
her unhappy faten'
"Impertinent fellow" cried the Count:
"what is your Anita and her fate to me
that ] should satisfy your vulgar curl
osity?"
'All the same, I should show it to him."
said Mr.. Hook, calmly. "You didn't seem
to set much store by it, anyhow"
"Well, l Decline" said the Count,
haughtily.
''To be sure you know your own bust
ness best" continued Mr.. Hook; and then,
sinking his voice to whisper Take my
advice, and chuck the thing overheard as
soon as we are clear of the harbor."
81 will chuck him overheard if he looks
at me in that insolent manner" said the
Count aloud, and evidently referring to
the Italian, who was certainly glaring at
him in very aggressive way.
Now, gents" cried William, appearing
once more with his lamp, and speaking in
aggrieved and peremptory tones. Don't
you hear the boat a-whistling for ycuW
There was nothing for it but to hasten
on board, making our way among the
black beams of the jetty, where William
stood with his lamp, throwing light upon
the "brow," which was like the side of a
house for steepness.
"You haven't put the young lady on
board, William" said one, jokingly.
board, sir" replied William, solemnly.
81 never knew such start, never"
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