The Passenger from Calais

Domenico Falfani,

yers, Messrs. Bec

ffices, 279 St. M

nstructions. You desired me to pursue and call to strict account a certain lady of title, who had fallen away from her high estate and commi

to Switzerland and across the Alps into Italy. My orders having only reached me in the early morning, the theft having presumably been committed during the night

a.m. I closely watched it therefore, and its passengers, and travelled with it to Cannon Street, where I continued my search, but wit

party were not in this train, and I returned at once to Chari

e there, I should have reached a central point or junction, a sort of throat

gh Brussels; but I had been informed by you that Ludovic Tiler, my

iar with the Continental Bradshaw, and I soon ti

s express and the sleeping-car Engadine express, both of which run through Amiens, where, howev

the same road as the Engadine express. This was the last of the day service, as it gave most time, allowing

ed me where I stood at the commencement of the platform, taking stock of each carriage as it passed. The train seemed to be quite empty; there were no passengers, so the officials, the conductor

h a child, and one gentleman. English? Yes, all English. The lady, quite a lady, a grande dame belle personne, tall, fine fig

ey were in this car, and it would be all my own fault if they escaped me. It would be necessary only to verify my co

unexpected diffi

rudent to make his acquaintance. No doubt I could tell at the first glance whether or not he was

blood royal. But my civility was quite thrown away. The man was an absolute brute, abrupt, overbearing, rude. Nothing would conciliate him. I offered him a cigar (a Borneo of the best brand, at 10s. the hundred), and he not only refused it, but positively f

into my compartment very kindly, and acted like an old friend, as indeed he was, for I remembered

ow more about him, with the least possible delay, and as soon as Jules had left me, promising to return later and talk of old times, and the cha

d his friends in their compartment, and the moment seemed opportune to visit his. It was next to mine, and the door stood i

a couple of sticks and an umbrella strapped together, all very neat and precise and respectable, and

ination was written, "Hotel Bellevue, Bellagio, Como." There could never be the least difficulty in finding this person if I wanted him, as I thought likely.

ry I had been wanting in caution, and

e door, and once more I felt an angry hand on my

ng to get free. But he still held me in a grip of iron, and it was not

is won't do, you know. I shall have to lo

"The boot is on the other leg, I take it. How is it that I f

I protested, forgetting mysel

been messing about and overhauling my things. I won't st

car, then," I cried, for I was

to accuse; but I tell you this, my friend, that I shall

ible for me to have any trouble with the police. They could do me no harm, but I might be dela

he said. "You're talking big. You might

s good enough to get you discharged before you're a much older man. And now I call upon you to do your duty. I have caught

y friend, but weakening a little before this masterly

r false imprisonment, and bring heavy damages. Yo

fine fellow. I can guess what your busin

d I have powerful friends

y, for I had checked my ton

the weight of their hands if you interfere

to know that in exchange. You chose to help yours

very readily, as

part of your stock in trade to understand all languages, including slang. Is that the nam

and no doubt understood my reason

Colonel; and taking it into my hands I read the names aloud, "Colonel Anne

at do you think of this? Blair, indeed! No more the

lady," cried the Colonel, ca

what's more, Colonel, I wouldn't press charges you can't substantiate against me, or I may hit back with another not so easy to meet. Try to stop me at

I think, rather crestfallen. "I shall act as I think best. Anyhow, get out