Year: 1873

could tight guat ]"


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


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


He was certainly a very handsome
man, although his conceted air was blot
upon his good looks.


He moved lauguidly hithcr and thither,
turning his brown eyes adniriUgly upon
the pretty lady passengers, while strok
ing his whiskers with one white hand
upon the middle finger of which was a
superb diamond ring.


| am rather OF suspicious nature,
which, combined with lively imagina-
tion, had often led me into singular er
rors.


Now, a strange impulse moved me to
advance and hold out my hand to the
man whom L had involuntarily disliked
from the first, in order that might have
a chance to glance at his ring. Some
how the idea possessed me that should
discover a chariot W heel device upon the
glittering bauble.


The stranger did not at first recognize
me. He soon did, however, and frankly
extended his left hand, W hich was not the
one containing the ring.


My brain fairly replied the mans be-
havior was confirmation of my suspi-
cions.


The other hand, if you please" 1 said,
in low, stern voice.


"Monseur, will you please excuse me ;
my other hand is lame with the rehuma-
tism."


He beheld me glance toward the half.
hidden ring, and | was sure | saw him
start and turn pale. at the same time look
ing much surprised. He, however, open
ed his right hand, as if perfectly willing
for me to shake it if ] chose to.
Then had a good look at the ring,
and felt ashamed of my suspicious The
device was common heart, which GER
tainly bore no resemblance to chariot
wheel.


After general conversation to recover
my self possession, turned away, resolv-
ing ia the future to have a better opinion
of my fellow creatures.


The strangers good looks seemed to at
tract the attention of good many of the
ladies. One especially, modest looking g
little thing, attired in black kept direct
ing furtive glances at the handsome pas
senger. Finally she gliGed so close to
him that 10 turning he brushed against
her.


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


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


ave may, but do not be alarmed, mad
ame."


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


"How many cigars do you smoke a
day 2" inquired the lady. evidently anus
ed at the sight Of two cases.


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


Soon the storm came pouncing down
upon us. We were midway in the chan
mel, so that we caught the full force Of
the sea and gale Both were terrific.


The sea swept the boat, which lay so
damaged so that it would not work. The
wind, screaming like demon, threw her
over still further.


Suddenly we observed the sailors en-
deavoring to loosen long boat on the
davits at the stern Meanwhile, there
was an ominous grinding, smashing noise
under the counter The truth could not
be concealed we were sinking.


The ladies screamed, the handsome pas
seuger lost his self possession, ane ran
higher aud thither.


The cool beheavior Of the little lady in
black contrasted strangely with the agi.
tated demeanor of those around her.


There she stood calm and immOvable,
her bright steel.blue eyes fixed upon the
handsome stranger. OF whom she did not
lose sight for moment.


"Keep quiet ladies and gentlemen y
rang out the Captain-"KeeP quiet, aud
don't crowd around the boat so There
will be room 10 it for you all, and besides
there is schooner coming 10 our assist
ance," pointing to vessel bowling to.
wards us before the wind
There was. however, panic among
those addressed. The moment the boat
was lowered, into it they all bundled
among them the handsome passenger