The Passenger from Calais

Annesle

ey were few enough, as I saw on landing. It was a Sunday in late July, and there ought to have been a strong stream setting towards Central Europe. I h

ot merely the first but the only passenger. Five sleeping-cars and a dining-car attached,

said, with a laug

ike most of his class, but a Frenchman, or, more likely

compartment to

carriages. It is but to arrange." His eyes glistened at the pros

un, I hope? I am

t would run. The carriages are wanted at the other

to which was clear and open all the way, so that I could see a little party of four approaching us, and di

wn compartment, the window of which was open,

as asked in an eager, anxious, but ver

he conductor. "Mad

e?" put in the officia

rossly, "only two. A separate compartment for m

in her arms, the nature of which was unmistakable. The way in which

infant can be accommodated apart,

wered with much asperity. "I wish them to be with

train is not full-very much the reverse indeed-

nto her face, but it was quickly succeeded by one of nervous apprehension, amounting to positive fear.

This was said to the maid in E

id of, not in that way. I saw him, the gentleman, as we came up. He's quite a gentleman,

myself, I was greatly mystified by th

mpty train? It would have been so different in a crowd.

eople to observe us; some one, perhaps, wh

e if he is to go with us, at least to get him to help to take care of our treasure until I can hand it over. What a burden it is!

too; with such a nerve. Not a soul could have equalled you at the business. You might have been at it all your life

t her more directly), a neatly dressed unassuming person, short and squat in figure, with a broad, plain, and, to the casual observer, honest face, slow

riage, mine, which they entered at the other end as I left it maki

was a lady, I could hardly be mistaken in that; it was proved in many ways, voice, air, aspect, all s

the thief she now confessed herself. I had it from her own lips, she had acknowledged it with some show of remorse. There must surely have been

ded character within? It was hard to credit it. As I still hesitated, puzzled and bewildered, still anxious to give her the benefit of the

ds, divinely tall and

little thrown back with chin in the air, and a proud defiant look in her undeniably handsome face. Fine eyes of darkest blue, a well-chiseled nose with delica

unyielding character, a woman who would do much, dare much, who would go her own ro

he would like to enlist me in her service, questionable though it might be, and here she was evidently about to make the attempt. It was a little barefaced, but I admit that I was amused

of soup, and she was toying with the first spoonful, speaking in a low constrained, almost sulle

wardly situated, in fact in a position of difficulty, even of danger

t my light baggage had been subjected to scrutiny, and

ur cloth are as easily recognizable as i

ght laugh, and a crimson flush came on her face. However hardened a character, she had preserv

ous confusion; and I handed her my card, which she took wit

Mars and Neptune Club," she read

it on promotion. I am unattached for t

wn mast

serve. I hope to get a staff appointme

o beyond

you? Am I right in supposing we are to be fellow travellers by the Engadi