The Passenger from Calais

t of the Seco

ic Ti

look out for Falfani there, and thought I might do so if our train was fairly punctual, as it was. We were "on time," a

n trouble himself; they had nipped him, caught him tight, an

are, but it's deuced hard on me. Anyhow, stick to her like wax, and keep your eyes skinned. She's got the wiles of the devil, an

ight, there was no mistaking her. Few people were about at that time in the morning, and there was not a so

d I have seen and admired many, for I don't deny that I've a strong penchant for pretty women, and this was the pick of the basket. It was rather a bore to be put on to her in the way of business

oom, curiously, critically, and for a moment I fancied s

altogether dislike me, that she was pleased with my personal appearance. Why not? I had had my successes in my time, and may say, although it sounds conceited, that I had won

in the waiting-room with her porter and her bags, ready to pass out upon the platform as soon as the doors were opened. (Everyone knows tha

got up to take her seat, and I had no longer any doubt as to the direction of her journey. So as I saw her go, I slipped back to the ticket-office and took my place all the way to Brieg, the furthest point on the line. This was obviously my best and s

f those on the Swiss plan, with many compartments opening into one another en suite.

ards of the train, a surly, overbearing brute, like so many others of his class, accosted her rudely, and from his gestures was evidently taking her to task as to t

rd and called him an unmannerly boor for his cowardly treatment of an unprotected lady. My reward was a sweet smile, and I felt encouraged to hazard a few words in re

line," she answered with a perfectly innocent air, "do

ed. "I have a railway guide

not like to give y

no trouble. Let

had not the slightest suspicion that she was playing with me. Silly ass

moment unawares. The maid must have been making some remarks d

potts. Be so good as to leave

stantly changed. She addressed me very sweetly and with the utmost c

ausanne I think you said?" I asked casually as I turned

ether there would be time for déjeuner at Lausan

he next, and we are a special express. But you will have a clear half-hour to spare at L

re going bey

on the lake, either there or further on. If they come on board we shall run o

not the smallest doubt that this was her plan also. She was bound to cross over into Italy, that we knew, or our employers firmly believed it, and as s

ning the knowledge I had betrayed my own intentions

tirely recovered her composure. "I dare say a very pleasant drive.

ting the Bradshaw, "and the fare is forty francs, but

ook, "although I never could underst

le out things, so I left her the book and composed myself into a corner while the train rattled on. I mused and dozed and dreamily wa

my way to the telegraph office in the station, where to my great satisfaction I found a message from Falf

reux only. Believe untrue. Still think her destination Brieg. Come on there anyhow and await furthe

e nearing Lausanne, and I looked across to my lady to prepare her for getting out. I had no need to attract her attention, for I caught her eyes fixed on me and

my life," and the smile expanded into a gay laugh as s

ted to the child nestling sound asleep by her side. "But I will send or bring

is at the far end of the platform. At last we sat down tête-à-tête and prepared to do full justi

perhaps like something else better," and she went carefully through the whole me

her. Come and help me choose," and in duty bound

my way to the places where we had

ings, people. The seats were empty, and as the compartment was quite emp

thought, following close at my heels, and found t