The Argosy — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

48 The Night Boat from Boulogne. Never mind that. Supposing the bag were really his, she would! almost send madame another pound. However, in order to keep up: appearances, she said : “Tt is very much. I have not been here long —— ‘Ah, madame, you came late, you have had the best room; and it isn’t everyone who would have taken in madame in this way Ls Janet hurried away. In comparison with this woman the old sailor’s: face looked like the face of an angel to her, and she thought nothing: of the gust of wind which nearly threw her down as the café door shut behind her. She seized his arm as she said : “What a terrible crossing we shall have.” “Ves, indeed ; but you won’t be more than six hours unless it gets: worse.” ‘¢ Six hours! it is usually three.” Then she said to herself: ‘‘ How was she to keep the bag? At present it was thought to be hers.” “There is a good cabin for ladies, I suppose ?” she asked aloud. “'There’s a small cabin.” ‘* And a stewardess ?” ‘Not in this boat.” ‘‘ Are there many other lady passengers ? ” ‘No, madame; you are the only one; but that won’t matter.” “The only lady on board!” Janet stopped short. ‘ But I can’t go alone with no woman on board.” The old man led her to the edge of the quay and then peering through the darkness into the depth below, Janet saw a miserable: little steamer, a mere cargo boat; nothing like the beautiful steamer she had come in. “No, no, I can’t go. Iwill take a bed for the night at some hotel.” “Will you go back to Madame Minaud ? ” “No, no. ‘Take me somewhere else,” she said hurriedly. “I do not like the looks of that woman at all. Make haste, please; I am getting wet through, and it is so cold.” The old sailor was evidently touched by her distress and after a. moment’s pause, said : “Come then ; I know a good woman who will give you a bed. It is not far.” And Janet followed him, as, still carrying the bag, he led the way. Half an hour later she was once more alone in a room and the Gladstone bag was with her. In spite of a locked door, she trembled with fear. It was the first. time she had been in the position of knowingly keeping what was not her own; but fate had indeed been on her side; she was a very willing thief. She knelt beside the bag and wondered how to open it; she tried to think how she was to return it if it proved to contain nothing but a gentleman’s effects. Suppose the police were set on her track? After searching it, she must get rid of it at once >. tired out as she was, she could not sleep with this thing in her room. 7) GEomichbooks.co m