The Argosy — page 60: what you’re looking at

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

The Night Boat from Boulogne. A7 too quickly. But still in the same cramped attitude sat Janet, crouch- ing near the window, staring at the Gladstone bag. By that first train she knew there had only been one passenger besides herself; but, of course, by the second train there might have been others who had not come to the omnibus. ‘Those others might have had Gladstone bags. What more likely? But yet—why should two five-franc pieces be given for the carriage of a bag worth so little money? Why had not the owner taken it with him from the station ? Was it that he did not wish to be recognised as having a bag at all in his possession? Or, was it that he might be donning another disguise ? Janet had a woman’s mind ; she was so firmly convinced she was right that each new discovery was accepted as proof, when in truth no logical brain would have admitted that there was any proof at all. “That bag,” said Janet to herself, ‘contains the Kenite and the ‘other stolen diamonds, and I mwzs¢ get hold of it. But how? Ae will not let it out of his sight when once on the boat.” She looked and looked, and knew nothing of time; only she racked her brain to find a plan, but none came—none. Still the men drank and played, and ina short time Artoit became so muddled that after a period of idiotic laughing, his head sank on his arm, whilst ‘his companions in vain tried to rouse him. ‘Leave him there,” said the hostess, carefully abstracting some of his money from his waistcoat-pocket. ‘‘ Anyhow, he owes me this for -all the absinthe and brandy he has drunk.” A low knock at the door and Janet heard the old sailor’s voice. “The night boat will soon start. Where is the dame Anglaise?” ‘“‘ Attendez, attendez,” said the dark-eyed woman; ‘I'll tell her.” But though Janet was afraid of discovery, she still stuck to her post : she was looking at the bag. “What is to be done with Artoit?” whispered the landlady. “And this bag? <A good idea! The sailor can take it across; I'll say it’s madame’s luggage. Once on the boat it won’t matter. Or you, Martin, will you take it across P you see Artoit can’t move.” “It’s not weather for a dog to be out in. Thank you; Artoit can <lo his own errands.” Madame seized the bag and opened the door. Janet, by straining her ears, could hear her words. ‘“‘Come in, come in, monsieur ; madame is coming at once; she was asleep. Here, take her bag, will you ; it’s not very heavy. I must make her pay for keeping us up so late. It’s strange for a lady to be alone like this.” _Another moment and Janet lighted the candle and answered madame’s call as if she were asleep. She must act naturally. _“ Make haste, madame, the boat is going very soon and I want to shut up. Here is the bill.” Janet opened the door and took the bill. It was exorbitant. CoOnniclooolkKks (S©) am