The Cryptogram

he modest hostelry where I had taken lodgings when I first came to Quebec. This was the Hotel Silver Lily, kept by Monsieur Jules Ragoul and

not certain, since his face was in shadow and half-covered by his hat. In the adjoining bar, to judge from the clinking of glasses and bottles and the hum of conversation, Madame Ragoul was busy with a few customers. The evening was warm, and as I sat by the

e novelty soon wore off. I had but few acquaintances in the town, and none of them were to my fancy. I preferred the seclusion of the hotel, and the company of the honest little Frenchman and his wife. No

imple-hearted, absorbed in his duties, and with not a spark of romance or sentiment in his being. Would you believe that such a one could think of marriage? Yet it was even so! A wife he sudden

on-that meant but a couple of letters on either side-and the result of it was that I w

r Hudson's Bay at the first opportunity in one of the company's vessels. The factor had not been able to leave his post for so long a time, and

ex. I was completely ignorant of the purport of the letters that had passed between Griffith Hawke and the head office, and as I never questioned him about particulars, he never vouchsafed me

servant, and I was resolved to carry out my instructions to the best of my ability. I was pondering the matter as I sat in the hotel that June nigh

wiry, with tawny yellow hair worn long, and thick, drooping mustache. His eyes were of a cold steel-blue, and his face, though very handsome, had something sinister and fierce about it. From his attire I judged him at once to be a polished man of the world, who had seen other lands than the Canadas. He wore a lace-tri

he gave a sudden start. The color left his cheeks, and he stared at me with an unmistakable expression of bew

fore, sir?" I a

ghed, and his ag

ssed off." He pointed to my blue capote with brass buttons-the summer uniform of the company. "You are

f him; moreover, I felt flattered by the condescension of so fine a gentleman

ed, "for I shall be in those

company's service?" I a

as yours. But I will be as frank as you have been-" He handed me a folded paper. "Read

e governor himself. I was glad that he had revealed as much to me-a thing he would not have done but for his potations; for it had dawned on me a moment before that I had been indiscreet to unbosom

tial enough for

han satisfie

vice-ex-officer of Canadian Volunteers, formerly of London and Paris, and now

as much, s

does you credit

. And now let us drink together

heart!" I rep

as roused instantly, and as he sprang to his feet I saw that he was tall and middle aged. His face was shrewd and intelligent, clean-shaven, and slightly wrinkled. He wore a white neck-cl

mean by striking me, si

tone replied coolly. "I wish you to joi

o desire

say you

n of peace, but by Heavens, sir,

ompany," cried the captain; and I knew by his manner th

eclared the man in bla

rd on the table, and picking

TOPHER

t and Tollive

's Inn,

tain Rudstone, and he gl

will overlook your menial position. I am

man of law. "I pick my company, and I refuse

tain, drawing his blade, "or I will teach

it was time

for a quarrel. You will think better of it in the morning. I beg you to dr

terference, so blackly did he glare at me; but t

irst time for months. I offer my apologies to the offended law.

and as I followed him the law clerk

d I put no blame on you for what has occurred. A word with you, if

I ass

u know the

ou know Londo

brightene

tely in Montreal and Ottawa. Did you ever, in the course of your wanderings, hea

e, sir," I answered, a

his hand on the latch. I scarcely knew him. His cheeks were colorless, his lips were half-parted, and a sort of frozen horror was

tion?" said Christopher Burley

of the man you s

g open, and Jules Ragoul bu

ew! Good news! The Good Hope is in the river, an

n. When I was done with him I looked about for Captain Rudstone and