The Argosy — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

The Night Boat from Boulogne. 45. Yes.” “Tt’s a windy night to be crossing.” “T’m going to my husband,” said Janet, feeling how strange it must seem to the Frenchman to see her quite alone and unprotected. “ Here is the nearest café. They have only opened a week, and don’t seem inclined to shut up.” ‘Will you fetch me when it is time to go? It would be very kind,” asked Janet, humbly. “Certainly. I’m helping to load the steamer.” He opened the door, and then left her, and Janet found herself in a small room with the accessories of a poor café—small wooden tables, on which there were large water bottles and glasses, and a dirty sanded floor. In one corner a dark-eyed woman and two men were playing at cards; the men were speaking in loud tones, and looked not too sober. Janet did not like the appearance of the party.. ‘‘T want to have a room to wait in till the night boat goes,” said Janet, in a low voice. ‘The woman stared, and the men turned round to see the strange apparition. “A room? Come here, Mariette; show madame upstairs, and then go to bed,” said the hostess ; then the party resumed their play. A dirty, sleepy servant showed Janet up some narrow stairs, and opened the first door she came to with a certain air of grandeur. ‘ Here is a room for madame; and a good bed, if madame likes to. rest.” “Thank you; leave me the candle and matches,” said Janet, thankful at last to be under shelter and alone. The door closed, and Janet looked round. How strange that the sound of voices came up so clearly. She looked about for a window, for the place was close and stuffy, and of evil odour. ‘There was a thick curtain across the window. Where did it look out? If on to the street she would feel more at ease, for never had she felt so much as if she were in very strange company. If only Frank were with her! She peeped behind the curtain, and saw Good heavens! the window merely looked down into the café, and there below her, but not looking her way, were the woman and the two men. She was in a kind of box-room, very like an enclosed “ minstrels’ gallery ” of the public room. Janet thought at once how easily she could be murdered here, and that no one would hear of her again. She regretted not having insisted on-getting into the boat. Surely she could not in her cabin have interfered with the loading. She saw now that a pane of the window was broken, and if she listened she could hear all that was said. She hastily drew back the curtain and gazed round the room. It was very small and devoid of furniture, except such as was. absolutely necessary. The bed looked most uninviting, and she determined to wait patiently seated on the only chair the room. contained. Gomme yoo () SS) (S©) am