A SHIP OF '49.

A BOffAKKE OF CALIFOBNIA- In Three Parts.

J3 V B X E T II A X T I

CHAPTER. V.-(Coxtinukii). Mi; Nott was evidently absent, anil after (|ll ick glanco at tho half-open cabin door, Renshaw turned toward tho galley. But ... n o soy was not in her accustomed haunt, and with a fooling of disappoint neut, which scorned inconsistent with so .liuhll a cause, ho crossed tho deck im "L n tly and entered his room. Ho was i it to close tho door, when the prolonged n,,t10 of a trailing skirt in tho paesago ttraotcd his attention. 'I he sound was so Unlike that made by any garment worn by t n-ev that ho remained motionless, with y* hand on tho door. Tho sound rmroached nearer, and tho next moment a lite-voilcd liguro with a trailing skirt 1 wlv swept past the room. Rcnshaw'a Tnlees halted for an instant in half eupor ititions awe. As the apparition glided on ■nd vanished in tho cabin door, ho could Iv sco that it was tho form of a boautiful d cracoful woman—but nothing moro. rLiHored and curious, ho forgot himself so farastofollow it,andimpulsivclyontored tho bin. The figure turned, uttered a little ■ threw tho veil aside, and showed til' half-troubled, half-blushing faeo of

"160"—y°ur pardon," stammered Ron i aW . "I didn't know it was you." "I was trying on some things," said l'o'OYi recovering her composure and point • Yto an open trunk that seemed to contain theatrical wardrobe—" somo things father cave me long ago. I wanted to sco if thoro was anything I could use I thought I was all alono in the ship, but fancying I hoard ■i noiee forward, I came out to sco what it ' 9 I suppoao it must havo beon you." She raised her clear oyes to his, with a slight touch of womanly rcservo tha" was so incompatible with any vulgar vanity or "iilish coquetry that he became tho moro embarrassed. Hor drosa, too, of a slightly •mtique ehapo, rich but simplo, seemed to reveal and accont a certain repose of gentle womanliness that ho was now willing to be lieve ho had always noticed. Conscious of a Hiporiority in her (hat seemed to change their relations completely, he alone ro mained silent, awkward, and embarrassed before the girl who had taken care of his room, and who cooked in the galley ! V hat he had thoughtlessly considered a merely vulgar business intrigue against her stupid father now to his extravagant fancy assumed the proportions of a sacrilege to hersolf. "You've had your rovonge, Miss Nott, for the fright I once gavo you," he said, a littlo uneasily, "for you quite startled mo just now as you passed. I began to think tho l'ontiao was haunted. I thought you wore a "host. I don't know why such a ghost should frighten anybody," ho went on with a desperate attempt to recover his position by gallantry. "Lot me sco—that's Donna Elvira's dress, is it not I" " I don'tthink that was the poor woman a name," said Rosey, simply; "she died of yellow fever at New Orleans as ttignora somebody." _ Her ignorance seemed to Mr Ivensiiaw so plainly to partake more of the nun than the provincial tflat ne hesitated to explain to her that he meant the heroine of an opera. "It seema dreadful to put on tho poor thing's clothes, dent if.'" she added. Mr Eensbaw's eyes showed so plainly that he thought otherwise that sho drew a little austerely towards the door of her stateroom. "I must change the?o things before any one comes," she said, drily. " That means I muat go, I supposo. But couldn't you lot me wait hero or in tho gang way nntil then, Miss Nott ? I am going away to night, and I mayn't sooyou again." Ho had not intended to cay this, but it slipped from his embarrassed tongue. Sho stopped, with her bands on tho door. 11 You are going away ?" "I—think—l must leavo tonight. I have some important business in Sacra mento.1'

She raised her frank eyes to his. Tho un mistakable look of disappointment that he saw in them gave hia heart a sudden throb, and sent tno quick blood to his cheeks. "It's too bad," sho said, abstractedly, "Nobody ever seems to stay here long. Capt. Bower promised to tell mo all about the ship, and he went away the second week, The photographer left before ho finished the picture of tho I'ontiac Mon sieur do Ferrieres has only just gone, and now you are going." "Perhaps, unlike them, I have finishod my season of usefulness hero," he replied, with a bitterness he would have recalled the next moment. But Ro3ey with a faint sigh, saying, "I wont be long here," entered the stateroom and closed the door behind her.

Renshaw bit his Up, and pulled at the long silken threads of his moustache until they smarted. Why had he not gone at (race? Why was it necessary to say ho might not see her again ? and if he had said it, why should he add anything more. Whatever was ho waiting for now V To endeavour to prove to her that he really bore no resemblance to Capt. Bower, tho photographer, the crazy Frenchman Do Ferrierea ? Or merely for something to say, would he be forced to tell her that he was running away from a conspiracy to defraud her father ? Was there o rer such a folly? Roeeywas " not long," as she had eaid,- but he was beginning to pace the narrow cabin impatiently when tho door opened and she returned,

She had resumed her ordinary calico Rowri, but such was the impression left upon Honehaw's fancy that she eeemed to wear it with a new grace. At any other time he might have rocognised the change as due to a new corset, which strict veracity compels mo to record Roßey had adopted for tho first time that morning. Howbeit, her slight coquetry seemed to have passed, for she closed the open trunk -with a return of hor old listless air, and, sitting on it, rested hor elbows on her knees and her oval chin in hor hands.

"I wish you would do mo a favour," sho said, after a reflective pause. "Let me know what it U, and it shall be done," said Renshaw, quickly. "If you should come across Monsieur do Ferrieres, or hear of him, I wish you would let me know. He was very poorly when ho left here, and I should like to know if ho is better, He didn't say where he was going ; at least, he didn't tell father ; but I fancy ha^and father don't agree." i" I shall be very glad of having even that opportunity of making you remember me, Miss Nott," returned Renshaw with a faint smile; "I don't suppose, either, that it would be very difficult to get news of your mend; everybody seems to know him." "But not as I did," eaid Kosey, with an abstracted little sigh. Mrllenshawopenod his brown eyes upon her. Was he miatakon ? Was this romantic gm only a little Coquette playing her provin cial airs on him? "Ho and your father didn't agree: that means, I suppose, that you and he agreed ; and that wastho result." "I don't think fathor know nnything about it," said Rosey simply. Mr Kflnshaw rose. And this was what he had been waiting to hoar ! " Perhaps," ho taid grimly, << y O u would also like news of the photographer and Captain Bower, or O'd vonr father agree with them better I" "No," said Rosey quietly. She remained "ilent for a moment, and, lifting hor lashos, said: "Father always seemed to agree with ;/oi(, and that " Sho hesitated. "That's why you don't." , I didn't cay that," said Rosey, with an incongruous increase of coldness and colour. I only meant to say it was that which makes it eeetn so hard you should go now." Notwithstanding his previous determina tion, Renshaw found himself sitting down again. Confused and pleased, wishing he nad said more, or loss, he said nothing, and Kosey was forced to continue. 'It's Btrango, isn't it? but father was urging me this morning to make a visit to some friends at the old ranch. I didn't wantto go. I liko it much better here." 1 But you cannot bury yourself here for ever, Miss Nott," said Renshaw with a sudden burst of honost onthusia&m. 'Sooner or later you will be forced to go where you will be properly appreciated, where you will be admired and courted, where'your slightest wish will be law. Relieve mo, without flattery, you don't Know your own power." "It don't seem strong enough to keep even the little. I like here," sUd Rosoy with a slight glistening of the eyes, " But," she

I added hastily, "you don't know how much tlio dour old Hhip is to me. It's the only homo 1 think I ovor had." " But the ranch ?" said Rcnshav.-, "The ranch scorned to bo only tho old waggon halted in tho road. It was a very Httlcimprovemont on out-doors," said Rosey with a littlo shiver. "But this is 90 cosy mid snug, and yot so strango and foreign. Do you know, I think I began to understand why 1 like it so einco you taught mo so much about ships and voyages. Boforo that 1 only learned from books. Books deccivo you, I think, moro than pooplo do.

Don't you think so?" Sho cvidontly did not notice tho quick Hush that covered his chocks and apparently dazzled his eyelids, for sho went on con fidentially, "1 was thinking of yon yostorday. I was sitting by tho galley door, looking forward. You romombor tho first day I saw you whon you startled mo by coming up out of tho hatch ?" ' "I wish you wouldn't think of that," said Ronshnw, with moro earnestness than ho would have mado apparent. " T don't want to either," said Rosoy, gravely, " for I've had a strango fancy about it. I saw once, whon I was youngor, a picture in a print shop in Montgomory streot that haunted me. I think it was called "Tho Pirato." Thero was a number of wicked-looking sailors lying around tho dock, and coming out of a hatch was one figuro with his hands on tho deck and a cutlass in hia mouth."

"Thank you," said Renshaw

" You don't understand. Ho was horrid looking, not at all liko you. I never thought of him when I first saw you, but tho othor day I thought how dreadful it would havo boon if some, one liko him and not liko you had como up then. That mado mo nervous sometimes of being alone. I think father is too. He ofton goo? about stealthily at night, as if ho was watching for something."

Ronshaw's faco grow suddenly dark. Could it bo possible that Sleight had always suspected him, and sot spies to watch '.' or was ho guilty of some terrible intrigue t

"Ho thinks," continued Ro?oy with a faint smilo, "that somcono is looking around tho ship, and talks of sotting bear traps. I hopo you're not mad, Mr Ron ehaw," sho added, suddenly catching sight of his changed expression, " atmy foolishness in saying you reminded me of Tho Pirate.' I meant nothing."

"I know you're incapable of meaning anything but good to anybody, Miss Nott, perhaps to mo moro than I deservo,'1 said Renshaw with a sudden burst of feeling. I wish—l wish—you would do we a favour. You asked mo ono just now.'' He had taken her hand. It seemed so like a mote illustration of his earnestness that she did not withdraw it. " Your father tells you everything, If ho has any offer to disposo of tho ship, will you write to mo at onco beforo anything is concluded!" He winced a little -the sentence of Sleight, " What's tho h'guro you and she have sott led upon V" Hashed across his mind. Ho scarcely noticed that Rosoy had withdrawn her hand coldly.

" Perhaps you had better speak to father as it is his business. Bosiiles.l shall not bo horo : I shall bo at tho ranch."

" But you said you didn't want to go." " I've changed ray mind," said Kosoy, listlessly. " I shall go to-night." Slio ro?e as if to indicate that the inter view was ended. With an overpowering instinct that his whole future happiness do pondod on his next act, he made a step to ward her with eager outstretched hands. But she slightly lifted her own with a warning gesture. " I hoar father coining ; you will havo a chance to -talk business with him," sho said, and vanished into her state room. CHAPTER VI. Tin. heavy tread of Abner Nott echoed in the passage. Confused and cmbarressed, ' Rcnshaw romuinded standing at the door that had closed upon Rosoy as hor father entered tho cabin. Providence, which always festered Mr Nott's characteristic misconcoptions, left that perspicatious parent but one interpretation of thes tuation. Rosey had evidently just informed Mr Ron shaw that she loved another !

" I was just saying ' good by ' to Miss Nott," said Renehaw, hastily rogaining his composuro, with an ell'ort. "1 am going to Sacramento to-night, and will not return. j »

" In course, in course," interrupted Nott, soothingly; "that's wot you say now, and that's wot you allow to do. That's wot they allus do."

"I mean," said Renshaw, reddening at what be conceived to be an allusion to the absconding propensities of Nott's previous tenants, "I mean that you shall keep the advanco to cover any loss you might sutler through my giving up the rooms." "Certainly," said Nott, laying hia hand with largo sympathy on Ronsliaw'3 shoulder; " but we'll drop that just now. We won't swap hossos in the middlo of tho river. We'll square up accounts in your room," ho added, raising his voice that Rosey might overhear him, after a preliminary wink at tho young man. "Ygs, sir, wo'll just square up and settle in there. Come along, Mr Renshaw." Pushing him with paternal gentleness from tho cabin, with his hand still upon his shoulder, ho followed him into the passage Half annoyed at hia famili arity, yet not altogether displeasod by this illustration of Rosoy'a belief of his pre ference, Kenshaw wonderingly accom panied him. Nott cloaod the door, and pushing tho young man into a chair, seated himself at tho table opposite. " It's just as well that Rosey reckons that you and mo is settlin' our accounts," ho began cunningly, " and mebbe it's just ez well e/. sho should reckon you're goin' away." "But lam going,'1 interrupted Ren shaw, impatiently. "1 lea vo to-night." " Surely,surely," saidNott,gontly, "that a wot you kalkilate to do; tbat'sjustnafralin a young feller. That's about what X reckon I'd hey done to her mother if anythin' liko this hed over cropped up, which it didn't. Not but what Almiry Jane had young fellers enough round her, but, 'cept 010 Judge Peter, ez was lumecl in tho war of ISVI, thoro ain't no similarity ez I kin see," ho added, musingly. "lam afraid I can't eeo any similarity either, Mr Nott," said Renshaw, struggling between a dawning sense of some impending absurdity and his growing passion for Rosey. "For heaven's sake speak out, if you've got anything to say.1' Mr Nott leaned forward, and placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. "That's it. That's what I sed to myself when I seed how things were pintin'. Speak out, box I. 'Abnor ! Speak out if you ye any thing to cay, You kin trust this yer Mr Ronshaw. He ain't the kind of man to creep into the bosom of a man s ship for pupposes of his own. He ain't a man that would hunt round until ho discovered a poor ' man's treasure, and then try to rob " " Stop !" said Renshaw, with a sot laco and darkoning oyes. " What treasure? what man are you speaking of? " Why Rosoy and Mr Ferrers, returned Nott, simply. . _ , Renshaw sank into his seat again, but tho expression of relief which here passed swiftly over his faco gave way to one of un easy intorest as Nott wont on. .. „ . , " Praps it's a little high falutm' talkin of Rosey ez a treasure, Hat, considering Mr Renshaw, ez she's tho only prop'ty 1 ye kept by me for soventoon years ez hez paid interest and increased in valooo, it am t sayin' too much to call her so. And w Ferrers knows this, he oughter boon content with gougin' mo in that horsehair spec, without goin' for Rosey. PVaps yer sur prised at hearing me speak 0 my own flash and blood ez if 1 was talkin' hosa trade, but you and me is bus'ness men, Mr Renshaw, and wo discusses ez such. We ain't goin to slash round and slop over in po try and sentiment," continued H ott with a tremulous voice, and a hand that slightly shook on Renshaw's shoulder. "Wo am t goin to git up and sing. 'Thou at lamed to love another thou'st broken every vow we vo parted from each othor and my bosom s lonely new oh is it well to sever such hearts as ourn for ever kin I forget thee never farewell farewell farewell.; \o never happond to hear Jim Baker sing that afctne moose hall on Dupont-tstroet. Mr Ren shaw " continued Mr Nott enthusiastically,, when ho had recovered from that complete absence of punctuation which alone sug gSfWto his intellect. "He sorter struck water down here," indicating bis deForrieres?" asked Renshaw, with a faint ""S'Kott regarded him with dumb, round,

astonished oyes. " flczn't sho told yor ?" " Certainly not." "And sho didn't let on anythin' about him V" he continued, feebly, "Sho .said she'd liko to know whore ." Ho slopped, with tho rellection that ho was betraying hor conlidences. A dim foreboding of somo new form of deceit to which oven tho man boforo him was a consenting party, almost paralysed Nott's faculties. "Then she didn't toll yor that she and Ferrers was sparkin' and kcopin' kimpany together: that she and him was ongaged, and was kalkilatin' to run

away to furrin' parts ; that sho cottoned to him moro than to tho ship or her father V " Sho certainly did not, and I shouldn't belie vo it," said Renshaw, quickly. Nott smiled. He was amused: he astutely recognised the usual trustfulness of lovo and youth. Tliorc was clearly no doceit hero ! Renshaw'B attentive eyes saw tho smile, and his brow darkoned.

" I liko to hear yor say that, Mr Ren shaw," said Nott, "and it's no moro than Rosoy deserves, cz it's suthing onnat'ral and spollliko that's como ovor her through Forrers. It ain't my Rosoy. But it's • iospol truth, whether sho's bewitched or not; whether it's them damn fool stories sho reads—and it's liko oz not he's just the kind o' snipe to write 'em hissclf, and sorter advortiso hissolf, don't yor soo—sho's allus stuck up for him. They'vo had clandosont interviews, and vhon I taxed him with it ho ez much ez allowed it was so, and reckoned ho must leave, co ez ho could run hor oil', you know—kinder stampede her with 'honour.' Thorn's his vory words," " But that is all paat: ho is gono, and Miss Nott doos not oven know whoro ho is !" said Renshaw, with a laugh, which, howovor, concoalod a vague unoasinoss. MrNottrosoand opened tho door carefully. Whon ho had satisfied himsolf that no ono was listening, ho came back and said in a whispor : " That's a lie. Not ez Kosoy moans to lio, but its a trick he's put upon that poor child. That man, Mr Renshaw, has bcou hangin' round tho Pontiac ovor sinco. I've soon him twice with my own oyes pass tho cabin windys. Moro than that, I've heard strango noisosat night, and scon strango facos in the alloy over yor. And only jist now cz I kern in I ketched sight of a furrin lookin'Chineo nigger slink ing round tho back door of what ustcr bo Forros's loft."

'• Did ho look liko a sailor?' anked Ron shaw quickly with a return of his former suspicion.

"Not moro than I do,1' said Nott glanc ing complacently at his pea-jacket. "Ho had rings on his yeors liko a wench."

Mr Renshaw started. But, seeing Nott's oyes fixed on him, ho said, lightly. But what havo theso strango faces and this strango man—probably only a Lascar sailor out of a job—to do with Forrieres '.'"

" Friends o' his —follor furrin citizen— Spies on Rosey, don't you soo '/ But thoy can't play tho old man, Mr Renshaw. I'vo told Kosoy sho must make a visit to tho old ranch. Once I've got hor thor safo, I rockon I kin manage Mr Ferrers and any number of Chinco niggoi'3 he kin bring along." Renshaw romainod for a few momonts lost in thought. Then rising suddenly, ho grasped Mr Nott's hand with a frank smile but determined oyoa. "I haven't got tho hang of this, Mr Nott—tho whole thing gets mo! 1 only know that I'vo changed my mind. I'm nut going to Sacramento. I shall stay here, old man, until I sco you safe through the business, or my naino's not Dick Roushaw, There's my hand on it! Don't say a word. Maybe it is no more than I ought to do—perhaps not half enough. Only remember, not a word of this to your daughter. She must believe that 1 leave to-night. And tho soonor you got hor out of this cursed ship tho bettor." "Deacon Flint's girls aro going' up in to-night's boat. I'll send Rosoy with them" said Nott with a cunning twinklo Renshaw nodded. Nott seized his hand with a look of unutterable significance. Left to himself, Konshaw tried to roviow moro calmly tho circumstances in thesa strange rovolations that had impollod him to chango his resolution so suddonly. That tho ship was undor tho survoillanco of un known parties, and that tho description of them tallied with his own knowledgo of a certain Lascar sailor, who wa3 ono ol Sleight's informants, seemed to bo more than probable. That this seemed to point to Sleight's disloyalty to himself while ho was acting as his agent, or a double treachery on the part of Sleight's informants, was in either case a reason and an excuse for his own intorforenco. But tho connection of tho absurd Frenchman with the case, which at first seemed a characteristic imbecility of his landlord, bowildorcd him tho moro he thought of it. Rojecting any hypothesis of the girl's affection for the antiquated iiguro whose sanity was a quostion of public criti cism, he was forced to tho equally alarming theory that Kerrieros was cognisant of the treasure, and that his attentions to Rosey were to gain possession of it by marrying her. Might she not be dazzled by a picture of this woalth ? Was it not possible that sho was already in part possession of tho secret, and her strango attraction to the ship, and what ho had deemed hor innocont craving for information con cerning it, a connequonco? Why had ho not thought of this boforo '! I'orhaps sho had detected his purpose from tho tirst, nn.l had deliberately checkmated him. The thought did not incroase his complacency as Nott softly returned. "It's all right," ho began with a cortaia satisfaction in this raro opportunity for Machiavellian diplomacy, " it's alltixednow. Rosey tumbled to it fit once, partiklcrly when I said you was bound to go. 'But wot makes Mr Ronshaw go, father V' sez sbo ; 1 wot makes everybody run away from tho ship';' sez sho, rathor peart like and sassy for hor. 'Mr Ronshaw hez contractin'bussi ness, 'sezl : 'got a big thing up in Sacra mento that'll mako his fortun," so/. I, foil wasn't goin' to give yur away, don't ye see. 'He had some business to talk to you about tho ship,' say 3 she, lookin' at mo undor tho corner of her pocket handkerchief. 1 Lots o' business,' ecz I. ' Then I reckon he don't caro to hey mo writo to him,' says she. 'Not a bit,' Be/; 1, 'ho wouldn't answer ye if ye did. Yo'll never hear from that chap agin." "But what tho dovil " interrupted tho young man impotuously. " Keep yer hair on !" remonstrated tho old man, with dark intelligence. "Ef you'd seen tho way she Houncod into hor stateroom .'—she, Rosey, ez allus movos ez softly cz a spirit-you'd hoy wished I'd hoy unloaded a little more. No, sir, gals is gals in some things all the time." Renshaw rose and paced tho room rapidly. " Perhaps I'd better epeak to hor again be foro she goes," ho said impulsively. '• P'r'apa you'd better not," roplicd tho mporturbablo Nott. Irritated as ho was, Renshaw could not avoid tho reflection that tho old man was right. What, indeed, could ho say to her with his present imperfect knowledge V How could sho writo to him if that know led"o was correct? " Ef," said Nott, kindly with a laying on of largo benedictory and paternal hands, " cf yor aro willin' to soo Rosoy agin, without speed-in' to her, I rockon I kon tix it for yor. I'm goin' to take her down to the boat in hnlf an hour. Ef yor should happen—mind, ef ycr should happen to be down thoro^ seem' somo friendsolfand sorter promenadin' up and down tho wharf like them high toned chaps on Montgomory-stroot—ye might ketch hor oyo unconscious like. Or, yo might do this!" He roso after a moment'scopitation, and with tho facoof pro found mystery opened the door and beckoned Renshaw to follow him. Loading tho way cautiously, ho brought the young man into an open, unpartitionod recess bosido her state room. It seemed to bo used as a store room, and Renshaw's eyo was caught by a trunk the eize and shape of tho one that had provided Rosey with the materials of her masquerade. Pointing to it, Mr Nott said in a grave whisper: " This yer trunk is tho companion trunk to Rosey's. She's got tho things them opory women wears; this yer contains tho he things, tho duds and fixin'a o' tho men o' the same stripe." Throwing it open ho continued: "Now, Mr Renshaw, gale is gals ; it's nat'ral they Bhould bo took by fancy dress and store clothes on young chaps as on then-solves. That man Ferrers he/, got the dead wood on all of yo in this sort of thing, and hez been playing, bo to speak, a lone hand all along. And of thar 8 any thin' in thar," he added, lifting part of a theatrical wardrobe, " that you think you d fancy—anythin' you'd like to put on when ye promenado the wharf down yondor-it's yours. Don't ye be bashful, but help yourself." , it waa fully a minute before Renshaw

fairly grasped tho old man's moaning. But whon he did—when the euggested spectacle arrayed aia Ferriere?, gravely promenading the wharf as a last gorgeous appeal to the affections of Rosey, rose before his fancy, ho gavo way to a fit of genuine laughter. Tho nervous tonsion of tho past fow hours relaxed; ho laughed until tho tears came into his oyes ; ho was still laughing whon tho door of tho cabin was suddonly opened and Rosey appeared cold and dis tant on tho throshold.

"I—beg your pardon," stammered Ren shaw hastily. "I didn't mean—to disturb you -I "

Without looking at him Rosey turnod to her father. "I am ready, " sho said coldly, and closed tho door again.

■ A glauco of artful intelligence came into i Nott's oyes, which had remained blankly i staring at Renshaw's apparently cattseloss hilarity. Turning to him, ho winked solemnly. " That keorless kind o' hoss-lafl' jist fotched hor," ho whispered, and vanished before his chagrined companion could reply. AVhen Mr Kott and his daughter departed Renshaw was not in the ship, neither did he make a spectacular appearance on tho wharf as Mr Nott had fondly oxpected, nor did ho turn up again until after i) o'clock, whon ho found the old man in tho cabin await ing his return with somo agitation. "A minit ago," ho said, mysteriously closing tho door bohind Renshaw, " I hoard a voico in tho passage, and, goin' out, who should I sco ngin but that | darned furrin niggor cz I told yor bout' j kindor hidln' in tho dark, his oyos shinid, liko a catamount. I was jist roachin' for my woppins whan ho riz up with a grin and handed mo this yor lotter. I told him I reckoned you'd gono to Sacramento, but ho said ho was sure you was in your room, and to prove it I wont thar. But whon 1 kern back tho d d skunk had vamoosed—got frightonod, I reckon—and wasn't nowhar to bo soon." Roushaw took tho lottor hastily. It contained a lino in Sloight's hand. "If you change your mind, tho boaror may bo of service to you." Ho turnod abruptly to Nott. " You say it was tho samo Lascar you saw boforc." "It was." " Thon all I can say is ho is no a«ent of Do IVrriores's," said Renshaw, turning | away with a disappointed air. Mr Nott would havo asked another question, but with nn abrupt "Hood niuht" tho young man entered his room, locked tho door, I and throw himself on his bed to rollcct I without interruption. But if ho was in no mood to stand Nott's fatuous conjectural, ho was less inclined to bo satisfied with his own. Had ho been again carried away through tho impulses ovoked by tho caprices of a pretty coquotto and tho absurd theories of hor half imbecile father ? Had ho broken faith with Sleight and remained in tho ship for nothing, and would not his change of resolution appoar to bo tho result of Slcight'.s note ? But why had tho Lascar been haunting tho ship boforo 1 In tho midst of theso conjoctures ho fell asleep. CHAPTER VII. Betwken three and four in tho morning the clouds broke ovor tho Pontiac, and tho moon, riding high, picked out in black and silvor the long hulk that lay cradled betwoon tho iron shells of warehouses and the woodon framos of tenements on either side. The galloy and covered gangway presonted a mass of undefined shadow, against which tho white deck shonobrighlly, stretching to tho forecastlo and bows, whero tho tiny glass roof of tho photo grapher's glistened like a gem in tho Pontiac'.s crest. So poacoful and motion less sho lay that sho might havo beon somo petrifaction of a past ago now tirst oxhumod and laid bare to the cold light of tho stars.

Nevertheless this calm socurity was presently invaded by a sense of stealthy lifo and motion. What had seemed a fixed shadow suddenly detached itsolf from tho deck, and bogan to slip stanchion by stan chion along tho bulwarks toward the com panion way. At the cabin door it halted and crouched motionless. Then rising, it glided forward with tho same staccato movomont until opposite tho slight elevation of tho forohatch. Suddenly it durtod to tho hatch, unfastened and lifted it with a swift, familiar dexterity, and disappeared in tho opening. But ns the mnon shone upon its vanishing face, it revealed tho whitening eyes and teoth of tho Lascar seaman.

Dropping to tho lower deck lightly, ho folt his way through tho dark passage botwoon tho partitions, ovidontly loss familiar to him, halting boforo each door to listen. Returning forward, ho reached tho second hatchway that had attracted Kosoy's attention, and noiselessly unclosed its fastenings. A penetrating smell of bilgo arose from the oponing. Drawing a small bull'.s-eyo lantern from his breast, ho lit it, and unhesitatingly lot himself down to the further depth. The moving Hash of his light revealed tho recesses of tho upper hold, tho abyss of tho well amidships, anil glanced from tho shining backs of moving zigzags of "rats that seemed to outlino tho shadowy boama and transoms. Disregard ing these curious spectators of his movo mints, ho turned his attontion eagerly to tho inner casings of tho hold, that seemed in ono spot to have been strengthened by fresh timbors. Attacking this stealthily, with tho aid of some tools hidden in his oil skin clothing, in tho light of the lantern ho boro a fanciful resemblance to tho predatory animals around him. Tho low continuous sound of rasping and gnawing of timber which followed heightened the resemblance. At tho'end of a few minutes ho had succeeded in removing enough of tho outer planking to show that tho entire tilling of tho casing botween tho stanchions was composed of small boxes. Dragging out ono of them with feverish oagorncss to tho light, the Lascar forced it open. In tho rays of tho bull's-eye, a wedged mass of discoloured coins shono with a lurid glow. Tho story of tho Pontiac was true—the trcasuro was there ! But Mr Sleight had overlooked the logical effort of this discovory on tho natural villainy of his tool. In tho very momont of his triumphant execution of his patron's suggestions the idea of keop ing tho treamiro to himself flashed upon his mind. II? had discovered it —why should ho give it up to anybody ? Jlc had run all tho risks ; if ho wero detected nt that momont, who would believo that his purposo thoro at midnight was ouly to satisfy someono olso that tho treasiiro was still intact 7 No. The circumstances wero propitious; he would get tho treasure out of tho ship at once, drop it over hor side, hastily eoncoal it in tho nearest lot adjacent, and tako it away at his convenience. Who would bo the wiser for it ?

But it was necessary to reconnoitre first. | Ho knew that the loft overhead was empty, i He know that it communicated witli tho alley, for ho had tried tho door that morn- ! ing. Ho would convoy tho treaauro there, ' and drop it into the alloy. Tho boxe.s were heavy. Each one would require a soparato iournoy to tho ship's Bitlo, but ho would at loastaecurc somothingif he werointon upted. Ho Htripped the casing, and gathered tho boxe3 together in a pilo. Ah, yes, it wag funny too that he-the Lascar hound—the d d niggor—should get what bigger and bullior men than ho had died for ! The mate's blood was on thoso boxes, if tho eM wator had not washed it out. It was a hell of a fight whon they diaggod the captain Oh, what was that ? Was it tho splaeli of a rat in tho bilgo, or what 'I A suporstitious terror had begun to seizo him at tho thought of blood. The stifling hold seemed again filled with struggling figures ho had known ;the air thick with cries and blasphemies that he had forgotten. Ho rose to bia feet, and, running quickly to tho hatchway, leaped to the deck above. All was quiet. The door leading to tho empty loft yielded to liia touch. Ho entered, and, gliding through, unbarred and opened the door that gave upon the alloy. The cold air and moonlight flowed in silently; the way of escape was clear. Bah !He would go back for the treasure. Ho had reached the passage when the door ho had just opened was suddenly dark ened, Turning rapidly, he was cousoious of a gaunt figure, grotesque, silent, and eroct, looming on the threshold between him and the sky. Hidden in the shadow, he made a stealthy step toward it, with an iron wrench in his uplifted hand. But tho noxfc moment his eyes dilated with superstitious horror ; the iron foil from his hand, and, with a scream like a frightened animal, he turned and fled into the passage. In tho first aocoss of his blind terror he

trtod to reach tho deck abovo through tho forohatch, but was stopped by the sound of n heavy tread overhead. The immediato fear of detection now overcame his super stition ; ho would have ovon faced tho apparation again to escape through tho loft, but, boforo ho could return there, other footsteps approached rapidly from the end of tho passage ho would have to travorso. Thero was but one chance of escape left I how—tho forehold ho had just quitted. Ho might hido thore until tho alarm was over, ilo glidod back to the hatch, lifted it, and it closed softly ovor his head as tho uppor hatch was simultaneously raised, and the small round eyes of Abner Nott peered

down upon it. Tho othor footsteps proved to be Renshaw's, but, attracted by the open door of tho loft,ho turned asido and entered,

As soon as ho diaapporod Mr Nott cau tiously dropped through tho opening to tho dock below, and, going to the other hatch, through which the Lascar had vanished, deliberately refastonod it. In a few momonta Renshaw roturned with a light, and found the old man sitting on the hatch.

" Tho loft door was open," said Renshaw. " There's littlo doubt whoevor was here escaped that way." "Surely," said Nott. Thore was a peculiar look of Machiavellian sagacity in his faco which irritated Renshaw.

" You'ro sure it was Forrieres you saw pass by your window before you called me?" ho asked,

Nott nodded his hoad with an expression of infinite profundity. " But you say ho was going from tho ship. Thon it could not havo boon he who mado tho noise wo hoard down thore."

" Mebboo no, and mebbeo yes," roturned Nott cautiously.

" But if he was already concealed insido the ship, as that open door, which you say you barred from tho insido, would indicate, what tho devil did ho want?" said Ronshaw, producing tho monkey wrench he had picked up. Mr Nott examined tho tool carefully, and shook his hoad with iv momontous signifi cance. Nevertheless, his eyes wandered to tho hatch on which ho was seated.

" Did you find anything disturbed tkcro ?" said Ronshaw, following the direction of his eyo. "Was that hatch fastened as it 13 now ?"

"It was," said Nott calmly. "But yo wouldn't mind fotchin' mo a hauiinor and somo o' them big nails from tho loekor, would yor, whilo I hang round horo just so ez to make suro against another attack J"

Roushaw complied with his roquost; but as Nott proceedod to gravely nail down tho fastenings of tho hatch,heturncdimpationtly away to comploto his examination of tho ship. Tho doors of tho othor lofts and their fastenings appoarcd secure and undisturbed. Yot it was undeniable that a felonious entrance had boon mado ; but by whom or for what purposo, still remained uncertain. Even now Renshaw found it difficult to accopt Nott's theory that Do Forricroa was the aggressor and Rosoy the objoct, nor could ho justify hi« own suspicion that tho Lascar had obtained a surreptitious entrance undor Sloight's directions. With a fooling that if Rosoy had been present ho would havo confossed all, and domandod from her an equal conlidonco, ho began to hato his feoblu, purposoless, and inolliciont alliance with hor fathor, who boliovod but duro not tax his daughter with complicity in this outrage What could bo dono with a man whoso only idea of action was to nail up an undisturbod entrance in his invaded house 1 Ho was so prcoccupiod with theso thoughts that when Mott rejoined him in the cabin bo Bcarcoly heeded his presoncc, and was ontiroly oblivious of tho furtive looks which tho old man from timo to timo cast upon his faco.

"I reckon yo wouldn't mind," broke in Nott, suddonly, " of I asked a favour of ye, Mr Ronshaw. Mobbeo yell allow it's askin' too much in tho matter of oxponso ; mobboo yoU allow it's askin' too much in tho matter o' timo. But I kalkilato to pay all the oxponso, and if you'd lot mo know what yor vally ycr timo at, I reckon I could stand that. What I'd be askin' is this : Would yo mind takin' a letter from mo to Rosoy, and bringin' back an answor ?"

Ronshaw stared specchlossly at this absurd realisation of his wish of a moment before. " I don't think I understand you," ho stammerod.

" Praps not," returned Nott, with groat gravity. "But that's not so much mattor to you ez your time and oxponsos." "I meant I should bo glad to go if I can bo of any service to you," said llenshaw hastily.

"You kin kotch the 7 o'clock boat this morning, and you'll reach Sun Ilafeal at 10 "

" But I thought Miss Ro3oy wont to I'etalumn,'' interrupted Ronshaw quickly.

Nott regarded him with an expression of patronising superiority. " That's what we ladled out to tho public gin'rally, and to JTorrers and his gang in particklor. Wo mill Petalumoy, but if you go to Madrono Cottage, San Kafaol, you'll lind Uosey thar.1'

If Mr Kenshaw required anything moro to convinco him of tho necessity of coming to somo understanding with Kosoy at onco, it would hnve boon this last ovidenco of her father's utterly dark and supremely inscru tablo designs. Ho assented quickly, and Kott handed him a note.

" Yo'll be particklor to give this intor hor own hands and wait for an answer," said Nott gravely.

Resisting tho proposition to enter then and thoro into an elaborate calculation of the value of his timo and the cxponsos of tho trip, Konshaw found himself at 7 o'clock on tho San Kafaol boat. Briof as was the journey, it gavo him timo to reflect upon his coming interview with Kosoy. Ho had resolved to begin by confessing nil ; tho attempt of last night had released him from any senso of duty to Sloight. Besides, ho did not doubt that Nott'a letter containod porno roforoncc to this all'air only known to Nott's dark and tortuous intelligence

(To be Continued.)

The Noise of the Javan Volcano

Rui'onTt- collected since tho momorablo eruption of Karakatoa, in August, ISS3, have shown that tho oxplosions woro heard ovor a circle of thirty dogrces radius, A more astonishing announcement still is now mado by Dr. F. A. Forel, tho well known Swiss physicist. Ho has loarned that on the day of tho groat eruption startling subterranean noisef, resembling the rolling of distant thunder, were hoard in Caiman-Brae, a small island of tho Carribbean Soa, near the antipodes of tho volcano of Sutidn Strait. These sounds cannot readily be attributed to any neighbouring volcanic disturbance, and Dr. Forel is forced to infor that thoy may have been propagated through thoentirediamoter of tho earth. To test this bold hypothesis inquiries aro to bo made concerning tho exact hour at which tho detonations woro heard in Ciumnn-Brac.

The Jews and Christianity.

Sm John Kknnaw,\V,M.P., presided lately, in tho absonce of tho Earl of Shaffcesbury, I at tho annual meeting of tho London Society ! for Promoting Christianity among the Jews. • In somo prefatory remarks ho observed that I while the world was laughing at their work and speculating on what each convert cost them, forgetting what was wasted on wars and other expenditure, thoy were going quietly on their way, convinced that as i light was not to be found in our luxury and civilisation, nor in tho'corrupt oldchurchos, ' or even in Christian England, it would come whon God's ancient peoplo wore reconciled to Ilia Christ. Ho deplored the persecution of the Jewish population in tho South-East Russia. Tho roport stated that the incomo for tho past year had been £35,000, and gave an account of tho progress of the Society's work both at homo and abroad, specially mentioning tho Jews' pcrviceß held during tho East London Mission, and some what naively gives as the result that the : Jews expreesod their dosiro to embrace ' Christianity as coon as thoy could iniluonco their wivos to follow their example. Tho I .number of .lows of all dasses of socioty who visit Mr Bernstein's house for Christian in struction would astonish, not only Jewish authorities, but the friends of the society. | Twelve had been baptised, some being men of education and precentors in tho syna gogues. In Abyssinia and Palestine the ' work is said to be progressing. Thespeakors ' wore the Archdeacon of Connor, Canon Fleming, Prebendary Mason, the Rev. A. Eldersbeim, the Rev. F. G, Kleinheim, and Mr R. Cust.

BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

31 As I was walking through Boston Common ono morning I met a man in the grand vista of tho park. Though on my walks 1 am generally lost in thought, tho countenance of this man at onco attracted my attention. His oyos were dim, and his grey hair fell carolessly over his shouldors. While his eyes and hair «eemod to be those of a man of sixty, his whole appearance showed him to be hardly thirty years old, lie was evidently an American—at least to judge from his faco, for tho physiognomy of an American is unmistakable. He was cer tainly a man who had seen a great deal of tho world. "This man has had an eventful life," said I, in a scarcely audible tone j " how I should like to know the history of it." " If that is so," said a voico at my side, which I at once recognised aa that of my friend, Mr A., "I can toll you the history of this man ; and I should be surprised if you knew a man whose history can compare with his." " Do you know him, then ?" " I do not know him personally, but I am acquainted with a very peculiar ovont in his lifo. I was in Paris at the time when his corpso was buried." " Buried V" " Well, not strictly speaking, but still something of the kind. If you have a half-hour to spare, lot us take a seat on that bonch, and I will tell you the story which created a great sonsation in Paris several years ago." Tho following is tho story as relatod to me by my friend :— Inaroom in Paris which had but one window sat threo persons. Monsiour Dorine was reading the Journal dcs Debuts, his back turned to the sofa, on which sat Madcmoißello Dorine and a young American gentleman. Tho joyful eountonanco of the attot showed plainly in what relationship ' le was to tho Boiine family. There was on this afternoon no happior porson in all ' Paris than Philip Wontworth. Life for him was so full of joy that ho almost feared tho next day might bring a change What \ moro could tho future bring him ? Tho ' groatcst joy is always coupled with sadness \ with a certain indescribable presentiment ' of evil. VVentworth felt this strango fooling ' como over him, as ho pressed tho hand of ' Julia Dorino to his lips nnd took hie leavo. '

Monsieur Dorine luid aside the paper and approachod him. "If tho lioubo answers to Mr Cherbonneau'a description," said ho, " I advise you to buy it without delay, I would like to accompany you, Philip, but I must confoss I am too much griovod at the loss of my Httlo bird to help you in choosing a cage. Meanwhile do not forgot that the last train" returns at 5 o'clock. Wo havo tickote, you know, for Sardon's new comedy, which i« to bo played to-morrow evening." Tho next morning the train brought Philip Wontworth to a charming little town in tho vicinity of Paris A beautiful vista half a milo long lod to the villa of Mr Chorbonneau. The young man walked from one room to tho otiior, tlion visited tho stablo, the beautiful lawn in front of tho house, the lovely little wood, and after ho had dined with MrChorbonnoau, settled the purchase, and wondod his stops to tho depot, in order to bo in time for tho express train. When the ovening twilight bogan to sot in, and Paris appeared in the distance, it seemed to tho young man as if he hod been travelling a yoar. Arrived in tho depot, ho quickly botook himself to his hotel, where he found sevoral lottors on his table. But he hardly looked at tho addressos, and qur'ckly changed his travelling costumo for aa even ing toilet.

His yearning desire to see Mademoisello Dorino mado tho journey appear long; at last tho coach halted before tho house of Mr Dorine. The door was opened as Philip mounted tho stops, and tho servant eilontly roliovcd him of his overcoat and hat,

"Is no one at home ':" ho asked.

"Mr Dorino cannot sco you at this moment," answorod tho servant slowly, " Ho dosiros you to wait in tho parlour." "Is Mademoiselle ''

"Yes, sir." " Alono."

" Yes, sir," answored tho servant, with a poculiar look. Philip could hardly repress an oxclamation of joy ; it was the /irst time that such a privilogo had boon allowed him. Hitherto his mootings with Julio had been only in prosonco of Mr Dorine or somo othor mombor of the family. A woll-brod Parisian lady makes only a formal acquaintance with her aflianccd, Philip did not stop to con sidor for one momont. Ho softly opened tho Uuui of.lulin's room. Under tho large ehancielior stood a small DiuUv coiUn, A burning candle, a crucifix", and a few whito flowers stood on a tablo near by, Julie Dorino was (load.

Whon Mr Doiino heard tho shriek of anguish which broko tho solemn stillness of the hour, ho hastened to tho room, and found Philip standing liko a statue in tho ccntro of tho room.

It wus only aftor tho lapse of somo time that Wentworth learned tho full particulars of the immoasurablo misfortune which had befallen him. The previous ovoning Made moisollo Dorino had betaken herself to hor room, apparently in perfect health. Sho had told hor maid to wake hor early next morning. When tho girl camo at tho ap pointed time, Madomoisell o Dorino sat in nor arm-chair whore, she had evidently been overtaken by sloop. At hor feet lay a book half-open. Tho maid was terrified whon sho saw that tho bed was untouched, and hor mistross had not yot laid aside hor toilet. Sho tried to wake her ; but in vain. Sho was not asleep—but dead !

Two letters wero immediately sent to Philip, ono to tho dopi'it in G,, and the other to liiH hotol. Tho formor had roachod its placo of destination too lato; tho latter had not boon oponed by Philip,

The wealth of tho young lady, her sudden doath, and the romantic courtship of tho young American caused a largo multitudo of peraens to boprosent at tho funeral. Tho corpso was to bo placed in tho family vault of Mr Dorino, in thocometory of Montmartre. This vault was surrounded by an iron railing, through which could bo seen a hoavy onkou door, which opened into the vault proper. Tho vault was about twenty feet squaro, had a email aioholo in tho roof, and contained two sarcophagi. One of thoso enclosed the remains* of Mrs Dorine, who had died a few years boforo, and on tho other, which was now, wore raised tho initials " J. D."

Tho funeral procession halted at the littlo gnto of tho garden which surrounded the vault, and only the nearest friends followed the collin to its final resting placo. A wax candlo was burning at the foot of tho open sarcophagus, which throw a dim light over the corpse. The ceffin was lowered into its repository of granito, tho last prayer was said, and the heavy oaken door swung back on its hinges as tho mourners slowly left the vault.

Mr Dorinc drew his mantle tightly around him and stepped into tho carriage. He was so overcomo with grief that lie had not noticed tho absonco of Philip.

Long aftor the noiso of tho receding whools had ceased to be hoard Philip oponed his oyes, as if awakening from a dream. He stood up and looked into the darkness which surroundod him. Where was ho? In an instant the truth flashed across his mind ; ho had been left behind in the vault. While kneeling behind tho sarcop hagus he had fainted, and during tho last solemn rites his absence had not been noticed. The first feoling which over powered him was naturally an indescribable terror, but only for a moment. Life had no more charm for him. Bis burning desire to rest by the side of his Julie—adesiro which ho had expressed a hundred times during tho course of tho night—could now bo realised. Tho few years which ho had yet to livo had no more worth for him.

With Philip Wontworth's fine organisa tion was coupled a mind which never formod a judgmonthastily, butwhichrushed on with onthusiasm when there was a ques tion of struggling with misfortune, and the horror which would certainly have taken possession of any other person in a similar situation had no hold on his heart. Ho looked upon himself simply as locked-up, and hoped for a speedy delivery. The circumstance that ho was in the same enclosure with the body of his beloved bride filled him with consolation rather than with terror, Her pure soul already dwelt in the region of eternal light, and could she do otherwise than protect him by her prayei'3 at the foot of God's throne';

As Philip was passionately fond of smok ing, he happened to havo a box of matches in his pocket. Af tereevoral useless attempts ho succeeded in lighting one, and to his great delight discovered that the candle had

been loft behind, by the light of which he forthwith examined tho vault. Ho tried to force the heavy door from it 3 hinges, but his labour was all in vain.

Philip now saw that all hopes of freeing himself were useless. He placed the candle on the ground and contemplated tho small, flickering flamo. Suddenly ho blew out tho light with feverish haste. His life depended on the candle.

He had read in an account of a shipwreck how a person had lived several days on a few pieces of wax, By the light of a match he looked at his watch, It was stopping—tho hand pointed to eleven, Was it eleven o'clock a.m., or had he forgotten to wind his watch the evening before 1 Ho knew that the mourners had left the cemetery at ten o'clock a.m.; but how many hours his swoon had lasted ho could not tell.

Notwithstanding his sanguine tempera ment, ho could no longer shake off a certain fear. He did not doubt that he would be missed, and that his disappearance under such circumstances would fill his friends with terror, but—how could it occur to them that ho was in the churchyard of Montmartro? AVhat would it help him oven if tho Prefect of Police sent a hundred detectives on his trail 1 Of what use would it be to fish in the Seine or make investiga tions in the niorguo, while he himself was in the family vault of Mr Dorine V On tho other hand, the fact that ho had beon seen here last would undoubtedly be an im portant consideration to an experienced detective. Tho sexton mights, perhaps, re turn in order to get the candle, which might accidentally havo been forgotten. Andmigbt not Mr Dorino send some fresh flowers tho next day ? What various hopes ! and still how long would he live in such a place '! With his pockot-knifo Wontworth cut the candle into four equal parts. " This even ing," ho said, "I will eat ono piece—to morrow morning tho second—towards even ing tho third—the next day the fourth— and thon—thon help must come." That morning he had taken nothing but a cup of coffeo, and the pangs of hunger now began to assail him. Still he post ponod his meal as long as possible, and only when midnight was passed, according to his calculation, ho ato tho first piece of wax. Although it was insipid, it fulfillod its end. 110 now becamo sonsiblo of another evil, The dampness of the walls and tho wind which penetrated through tho air holes in tho roof caused all his limbs to bo como stiff, so that thcro was nothing left for him but constantly to walk up and down. Tho fatiguo which Boon overcame him had to bo conquered by all the force of his will, for he»o Bleep and death were ono and the same, and ho had made up his mind to live.

Wonderful pictures of long ago crossed his mind as his heavy steps resounded on tho stone floor ; familiar forms of his child hood days loomed up boforo him; the joys and the sull'eringa of the past year, his love and his loss, passed in roview before his troubled imagination. Sleep was banished from his eyes, and the pangs of hunger again made thomsolvos felt. According to his calculation it was now morning. Per haps tho sun was just rising behind the towers and cupolas; porhaps a heavy rain was envoloping Paris in a thick mist. Paris, ha ! what a dream '!

By degrees Philip saw that tho dampness was becoming master of him. Ho sank in a half-Bonsoloss condition to tho ground. Accidentally his hand touched a pieco of wax —he grasped it mechanically and swallowed it. How curious, thought he, that I am not thirsty.

Moanwhilo tlio minutes glided liko hours. There was but ono pieco of candlo loft. Philip had oaten tho third pieco, not to satisfy his hunger, but to anticipate it. Ho had swallowed it us though it wore a din gusting medicine, on tho effects of which lifo doponded. Tlio moment was approach ing nearer and nearer when the last piece would bo gone, but in ordov to protract this moment, ho resolved to faßt this time. He still held tho last piece of wa.v in his hand ; iinally in wild despair he pressed it to his lipa, then suddenly; cast it far from him — for tho door was opened, and he saw the form of Mr Dorino sharply outlined against tho bluo horizon.

When Mr Dorine led tho young man into tho opon air, ho saw that his hair, which had been raven black, was now grey, and his eye was dim. " And how long was W'entworth roally in tho vault';" I asked Mr H., when ho had finished his utory. " Exactly ono hour and twenty minutes," said he, with a smile.—M. S. llous, in the " Detroit Free Press."

The Use Of Torpedoes in War.

Tiie Duke of Edinburgh, on the occasion of a locturo by Commander E.P. Galwoy, R.N.J on the " Use of Torpedoes in War," at the Royal Unitod Service Institution, presided over a vory large and distinguished audience. Among those present wero Lord Chelmsford, Lord Alccster, Lord Clamvilliam, Admiral Sir J. D. Hay, Admiral Sir E. Fanshawe, Sir T, Aclnnd, Sir G. Elliot, Sir Henry Nugont, Admiral Sir E. Oramanney, Bir Frederick Nicholson, and the Spanish and Japnneso Attaches.

The lecturer described tho two classos of torpedoes—tho stationary mino and tho locomotive torpedo. Tho former, ho said, woro of the simplest kind, and wero ordinary cases of explosives moored at the bottom of tho water, and exploded by electricity or somo mechanical arrangoment. Each ship of a fleet carrying thoso torpedoos was able to lay down a small group of mines for the dofonco of a harbour. A fleet compelled to leavo a harbour not dofended by the sub marine minos of tho Royal Engineers could lay down a serios of these mines very rapidly, and tho actual firing could bo in truatod to mon loft behind for tho purpose, or to any person acquainted with electricity. Thoro had been improvements in thoso minos by an invention of an Austrian oilicor, who had hit upon a means by which tho torpedoes of this character would take up their proper depth automatically, and so they could bo dropped from a fast-steaiming torpedo boat across tho mouth of a harbcur. Tho details of this mino wero kept secret, but wo had a similar ono in England, tho invention of Lioutenant Ottley, R.N. He then procoedod to discuss the locomotive torpedo, which must exercise a most decided influence in all future naval operations. Tho foremost of these torpedoes he considered to be tho Whitehead. He described by drawings tho various forms of the White head, and traced the history of its invention, Then tha German torpedo was shown on diagram, and was stated to be made of phosphor-bronze. TheGermantor pedo, except its material, was an almost exact copy of the Whitehead. Tha Wool wich torpedo then camo under review, and thin was doseribed as a weapon which would run at 24 knots for the third of a milo, and could carry a charge of 70 pounds of gun-cotton. The aption of this torpedo was spoken of very highly, and it wa.s stated that in a year, practice to tho oxtont of nearly ,'!,000 shots from ships going at high speed did not result in half-a-dozen acci dents to the mechanism of the torpedo. Tho manner of tho discharge from the ship was vory .simple, being performed by the pressure of a button. The lecturer then discussed tho question of special torpedo ships, and he declared that the much-abused Polpyhemuß (a model of which was on tho table) was a successful if costly experi ment, and that she would prove to be ono of the most formidable instruments of naval warfare yet built, and a type which might necessitate the abandon ment of monster ironclads aa parts of fleets. Ho also discussed at length the subject of torpedo boats for coast defence, for tho do fenco of fleets against torpedoes, and for the attack otan enemy's licet, and then pro ceeded to deal with the subject of protecting {■hips from tho attacks of these weapons, a work which was engaging tho attention of tho French, who wero building nine vessels for torpedo catchers and destroyors. Machine guns were notasuflicientandsecure protection against a torpedo attack. The I ironclads could only defend themselves, as I suggested by Mr Barnaby 10 years ago, by possessing torpedo hunters. From the fact that all nations were building fast boats large enough to accompany a fleet to sea ho augured that future naval actions would commence with a boat attack.

NEW YORK SWELLS

An Idle and Useless Crowd of Loungers,

An easy-going and pleasant man who has been more or less about town for thirty years in New York was talking a few nights ago about the very many young men float ing about nowadays with nothing to do but spend their money, and who do that with a great deal of ostentation and show. The speaker belonged to the older set of Now York rounders, and was one of the celebrated coterie that made Delmonico's Fourteenth street place his headquarters. He hua a rich old burgundy colour, parts hishairin the middle, has dapper boots and a genial grin. Thore is only ono subject that seriously disturbs him, and that is the menu of to morrow night's dinner. " Where do these boys, who float around town so joyously in dress suits and light overcoats, come from ?" he asked. 'Itis a matter of endless speculation to me, and thus far I have arrived at only one conclu sion, and that is that they aro not what I formerly supposed they were —the younger sons of well-to-do families in Naw York. For a long whilo 1 hesitated to criticise these youngsters, and when I occasionally met ono of them I treated him with some consideration, because I thought he was well connected. Now I find that I was mis taken. I can run over a list of a dozen of these stage-stuck, heavy-eyed, sombre, over-dressed young dudes who are con stantly at Delmonico's, at the first nights, and on Fifth Avenuo at 5 o'clock, not ono of whom is in any way respectable as far as his connections are concerned. 1 didn't begin to impart a glow of intense Pompeiian red to the town until 1 had passed my twenty-third year. At that time I herded with a lot of very decent boys of my own age, and though we spent five times as much money and had ten times as much fun as tho young contingent so prominent about town nowadays, we never had their assurance or affected their mannor. Now York is growing older every day, of course, and a leisure class is springing up here which did not exist in the old days. There aro now in town a great many'young men who do absolutely no work at all. In my day this condition of things was com parativoly unknown. Every young man protended to have something to do, oven if it was only a pretension. The ultra Ewella epont a few hours down town at business At that time it was considered rather to a young man's credit to be in a prominent shipping or banking firm ; but now the propor thing is to do no work at all. It is all right, you know, for men who have plonty of money, or a few years, to back their aspirations, but when a lot of beardless boys organise a sort of dress-suit gang, live like English clubmen, who believe it to beadisj honour to work, it is an entirely different thing. Clothes have a mighty influence in New York, and this dress-suit gang knows it.

"As an instance of the ease in which these youngsters acquire a certain position and make acquaintances, take the case of an English Jew who came over here about eight months ago. He had three or four suits of fashionable English clothes, the inevitable dress suit of his kind, and a big top coat with a cape of a light drab colour. Ho came into Delinonico's regularly every morning for two weeks, was as methodical as clock-work on the avenue, and stared at the other men of his own ago with a degree of superciliousness that won from them pro found respect. After a short time hescraped up an acquaintance with one of the children, and in a week ho was hand in glove with them all. He had a most tremendously good appearance, and gradually worked his way along until he moved among a good many decent men. He had the reputation of being the particular favourite of some pretty actress or other, but no one ever knew where ho lived until 1 actually stum bled across his lodgings. Not long ago I hud some dwelling houses in Twenty-six street turned into cheap flats, and I went over there one day on matters connected with the building, and ran across the fellow. This howling British swell lived there and paid $3 a week for his room and breakfast. I asked the people he lived with what they thought of him, and they said they sup posed ho was one of a gang of gamblers. About three months after that the youth disappeared, and it is the old story, you know, of a man owing everybody all over town, and cutting loose from his obligations. " Another interesting member of this baby gang is a moon-faced youngster with a shadowy mustache, who hires a victoria every afternoon, who drives solemnly through the park and back again. He site atone in the victoria and smokes cigarettes daintily as be drives. After thai, lie goes to some of tho well-known restaurants and dines always with great ceremony. Then he hangs round the stage door of some burlesque theatre, and afterwards shows up at some of the cafes with others of his kind and tells lies about his conquests. He stole $7,000 worth of diamonds from his mother two years ago and ran away to Paris. There aro at least a dozen of these young scamps, and ten out of the dozen have toeeii arrested for various offences, and yet they always turn up in good order, apparently have plenty of money, smoke ill-smelling cigarettes under a man's nose when ho ia dining in a restaurant, and are generally and pestiferously obnoxious. Perhaps, however, they form the nuclous of the future youth of America."—"New York Sun,"

BURIED JEWELS

Tho Rich Find of a Lawyer in liineoln Park at Chicago.

Chicago* June 4.—According to a story mado pul>lic here this morning, Lawyer Frank C. Smith has at last been sucocssfu in discovering and digging upiJS.OOO worth of diamonds that had beon buried in Lin coln Park, in this city, by his client, An drew J. Anderson, who last November was sent to tho ponitentiary on a fifteen-year sentence for burglary. The motive for hid ing tho jewels was fear on tho part of An derson that they would betray him should ho fall into the hands o£ tho officers. An doraon described to his lawyer how he had lain down under a clump of bushes, wrapped tho diamonds in n piece of brown paper, dug a whole with his hands in the earth at tho roots and covered tho gems up.and then half broke oil threo small twigs so that they hung^down and pointed directly to the spot where the package was buried. In spite of four failures ou the part of the lawyer, An derson persisted in declaring that the diamonds were there, and he went to Joliet maintaining tho truth of tho story with dogged pertinacity. The matter was then dropped, but a few days ago Mr Smith was at tha park, and from force of habit he wandered down, tho clumps of bushes. There wero b, number of lumps of earth just as he had left them on a chill December morning, and as he glanced at them carelessly he kicked two or three lumps. They crumbled to pieces, and from one ot them rolled a small piece of brown paper. Scarcely daring to hope that his long search had been at last successful, Mr Htnith stooped to pick up the packet. Mis hand trembled with excitement as he hastily unwrapped thu paper and exposed four large diamonds and a monster emerald. The jewels wero still in their setting?. There was a solitaire ring, a solitaire breast pin, a> pair of solitaire earrings, and an emerald pin. The gems were all of the first water, handsomely cut, deop and pure.

In the month of June, JSfc4,L. U. Walker of C'ovington, Ky., left Milwaukee for Waukcshu Springs with Mrs Walker. She placedher jewellery in asmallhand-bn^ that was carelessly thrown on a scat beside her, and whon she was gathering up her belong ings to leave the car the hand-bag was missing. Anderson always maintained that he did not steal it, but one of his fr.'vng was in the same sleeper, saw Mrs Walker's careless act, and, taking advantage of her absence for a moment, filched the bag. Mr Smith promptly communicated with Mr Walker, who had removed to Lexington and then to Salt LakoCity, and Mr Walker lias come on to Chicago to identify and claim his property. Anderson is said to la a member of a wealthy family in New York. The restoration of the diamonds is supposed to be part of a movement to Fecnre him a pardon.

Lovely Cltmks.—There are lovely clinics and places in which the evening zephyr? are loaded with malaria and the poison of fever and epidemics. To dwell there in health is impos sible, without a supply of Hop Bitters at hand. These Hitters impart an equalising strength to the system, and prevent the accumulation of Jeadly spores of contagion, lie sure aud se^.

THE AUCKLAND EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, JULY 11, 1885.

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CATARRH OF THE BLADDER.--^^i.i.jrriia