Year: 1874

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A week later was aboard q steamer,
bound from Calais to Dover.


Among the passengers I beheld one
whose face looked familiar to me. I
was not long in recognizing this per-
son as the same I had seen in front of
the Hotel Windsor, and who had first
informed me of the murder Of the
Countess.


He Was certainly very handsome
man, although his conceited air was a
blot on his good looks.


He moved languidly hither and thith-
er, turning his brown eyes admiringly
upon the pretty lady passengers, while
stroking his whiskers with one white
hand, upon the middle of which was
superb diamond ring.


lam rather of suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively imagina-
ton, had often led me into errors.


Now, a strange impulse moved me
to hold out my hand to the man whom
I had involuntarily disliked from the
first, in order that I night have q chance
to glance at his ring. Somehow the
idea possessed me that I should discov-
er chariot-wheel device upon the gilt
tering bauble.


The stranger did not at first recog-
nize me. He soon did, and frankly ex-
tended his left hand, which was not
the one containing the ring.


My brain fairly reeled; the mans be-
haviour was confirmation of my sus-
picions.


"The other hand, if you please" I
said in low, stern voice.


Monsieur will please excuse me;
my other arm is lame with rheumatism. i"


He beheld me glance towards the
half-hidden ring, and I was sure I saw
him start and turn pale, at the same
time looking much surprised. He,
however, opened his right hand, as if
perfectly willing for me to shake it if !
chose to.


Then I had good look at the ring
and felt ashamed of my suspicious. The
device was common heart, which cer-
tainly bore no resemblance to char
iot-wheel.


After general conversation to re-
cover my self-possession, I turned
away, resolved in the future to have a
better opinion of my fellow creatures.


The strangers good looks seemed to
attract the attention of good many Of
the ladies. One especially, a modest
looking little thing, attired in black,
kept directing furtive glances at the
handsome passenger. Finally she glid-
ed SO close to him that, in turning, he
brushed against her.


An apology, smilingly received by
the little lady, remark about the
weather on the part of the gentleman,
and the two were soon conversing with
animation. Meanwhile the blushing
cheek and bright eyes of the fair one
seemed to betoken that she was we'll
pleased with her companion, whose air
was more conceited than ever.


"I am afraid we shall have storm, u
she remarked, pointing towards a dark
cloud upon which the captain of the
boat was gazing anxiously.


"We may, but do not be alarmed,
madame" -.


With an air of nonchalance he pulled
red cigar-case from his pocket and
asked his companion if she objected
to a smoke. Then he started, and
quickly returning the red one to his
pocket, pulled forth another of a blue
color.


How many cigars do you smoke a
day?' inquired the lady, evidently
amused at the sight of the two cases.


The other colored, and it struck me
that his voice slightly faltered, and his
hand trembled, as he made some laugh.
ing reply.


Soon the storm came pouncing down
upon us. We were midway in the
channel, SO that we caught the full
force of the sea and gale. Both were
terrific.


The sea swept the boat, which lay SO
far over that her machinery was soon
damaged SO that it would not work.
The wind screaming like a demon,
threw her over still farther.


Suddenly we observed the sailors en-
deavoring to loosen long boat on the
davits at the stern. Meanwhile, there
was an ominious grinding, smashing