The Argosy — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

The Night Boat from Boulogne. 39 and yet she longed for words with which to tell Frank of her intense sympathy. ‘Frank, darling, how was it? It seems like witchcraft. Ought not we to do something, or go to the police? How was such a thing possible? When was the bag changed ?” “Tt is almost like witchcraft,” said Frank, sinking down into a chair. ‘All this time I have been trying to make some plan and to form some idea of the extent of our misfortune. After much thought I am convinced the bag has been stolen. It was done so cleverly that the thief must be an experienced man. Janet, don’t you see? the dark-haired man changed the bags in that instant of time that I looked out of the window. Strange that that old gentleman had one almost similar to mine!” ‘He was an accomplice! Why did you not have him taken up ?” “ Because I feel sure that he was not an accomplice. He is staying, I know, at the Hotel Chatham, with his daughters. Besides, that bag contained genuine things. No, it was a horrible coincidence and the man took advantage of it. But anyhow he meant to rob me. He must somehow have learned the secret about the diamonds in town, and followed us.” Janet could not at once take in all the idea; she only realised fully that all their happy holiday was at an end; and worse; that most likely Frank would lose all chance of advancement and would almost certainly lose his present situation. Who would ever believe in such abominable craft and wickedness ? ‘““ Frank, let us do something. Hope is not over yet. Shall you go to M. Durand, or telegraph? But do wait a little while; we may find it and it may be allright. It must be.” And in spite of her hopeful words Janet now broke down, as every moment seemed to make the misfortune greater. | ‘““My idea is that the wretch will keep quiet here a few days, and that it will be safer not to acquaint the French police. How the fact of the diamonds being in that bag became known is a mystery to me, but I fear this must be the case. He followed me from London. Anyhow I am ruined, Janet.” And in utter despair Frank Hulse hid his face in his arms. “If it were myse) alone—but it is for your sake, Janet, that this seems so terrible.” ‘Don’t say that,” said Janet, all at once feeling strong because Frank wanted her help. ‘What does it matter about me? Frank, _ tell me what to do. What plan shall we follow? It is perhaps 22 possible that ‘“T seem to have turned over every plan already,” interrupted Frank ; “and the only one which approves itself to my mind is to return at once, this evening, in fact, to London, and tell Mr. Harris everything, and also put the English police on their guard. The Kenite cannot be sold at once; indeed it would be impossible to dispose of such a valuable stone. The smaller stones can be got rid ECORNICLIOOKS.EO© mM