The Argosy — page 48: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Night Boat from Boulogne. 35 still he could not feel quite free to enjoy himself till the valuables were safely lodged with the Frenchman. As the train sped onward, Frank Hulse felt that each minute was bringing him nearer to Paris, and, therefore, nearer to perfect rest and happiness. It was a chilly October evening, and the happy pair managed to get into a carriage with only one other passenger, a stout lady, who slept soundly all the way to Dover, and who was, therefore, quite unmoved by the slight changes of the black bag. At first Frank placed it on his knee, but Janet intimated that this looked too much like telling the public that he was carrying something precious ; so he deposited it just opposite to him, where both he and Janet could fix their eyes on it. As the old lady slept on till Dover was reached, their ceaseless watching was certainly wasted. ‘Janet, you will look after the rugs and I will carry my bag,” he whispered. ‘‘ The crossing is so short that I think I shall stay on deck ; it will be safer,” he remarked. “Tt is quite fine, Frank, so do let me stay with you,” said Janet. Frank remonstrated, saying it would be too cold; but Janet scorned the idea of cold as she wrapped her fur-lined cloak round her. ‘They chose a comfortable and sheltered corner, and, putting the bag between them, talked happily of what they were going to do. Janet was a good sailor, and did not refrain from pitying others less fortunate than herself ; she felt proud, too, as several male passengers passed the pair, to see that they glanced at her with surprise. One man especially interested her; for as he courteously picked up her fallen umbrella, he remarked : “JT hope you are not feeling cold; there is a rug lying here which no one 1s using.” Frank Hulse answered for Janet ; and, starting up, he thanked the stranger and fetched the rug himself. The black bag remained for a moment protected only by Janet, and when Frank returned to his place, he remembered this fact with a slight pinching of conscience, although, of course, the precious bag had been in no danger. The stranger, having seen the brave young lady provided with an extra wrap, raised his hat and walked away. Janet noticed that, as he passed under a light, the stranger had fair hair; she could not distinguish his features, but she was struck by the fact that there was a deep scar on his close shaven chin. “What a civil man, Frank,” said Janet, as she wrapped herself up; ‘and nice-looking, too.” “What a long-sighted mortal you must be! I really did not notice him. But do you know, Janet, I left this bag in your keeping for two minutes, and when I remembered this, I had a moment of anxiety. I promised never to let it out of my sight.” ‘So you don’t trust me, Frank ; that is an unexpected accusation. When you get to Paris, perhaps your good opinion of me will return.” The journey is not long across the channel, ‘but- the bustle at ECORMMICLIOOKS. EO im