«Miss Cayley's Adventures»

As I anticipated, he replied that there was no change; we went
through to Verviers. The Count, however, was still unsatisfied. He descended,
and made some remarks a little farther down the platform to an official in the
gold-banded cap of a chef-de-gare, or some such functionary. Then he returned to
us, all fuming. 'It is as I said,' he exclaimed, flinging open the door. 'These
rogues have deceived us. The coupe goes no farther. You must dismount at once,
miladi, and take the train just Opposite.' I felt sure he was wrong, and I
ventured to say so. But Lady Georgina cried, 'Nonsense, child! The chef-de-gare
must know. Get out at once! Bring my bag and the rugs. Mind that cloak! Don't
forget the sandwich-tin! Thanks Count; will you kindly take charge of my
umbrellas? Hurry up, Lois; hurry up! the train is just starting!' I scrambled
after her, with my fourteen bundles, keeping a quiet eye meanwhile on the jewel-case.
We took our seats in the opposite train, which I noticed was marked Amsterdam,
Bruxelles, Paris.' But I said nothing. The Count jumped in, jumped about,
arranged our parcels, jumped out again. He spoke to a porter; then he rushed
back excitedly. 'Mille pardons, miladi,' he cried. 'I find the chef-de-gare has
cruelly deceived me. You were right, after all, mademoiselle! We must return to
the coupe!' With singular magnanimity, I refrained from saying, 'I told you so.'
Lady Georgina, very flustered and hot by this time, tumbled out once more, and
bolted back to the coupe. Both trains were just starting. In her hurry, at last,
she let the Count take possession of her jewel-case. I rather fancy that as he
passed one window he handed it in to the shabby-looking passenger; but I am not
certain. At any rate, when we were comfortably seated in our own compartment
once more, and he stood on the footboard just about to enter, of a sudden he
made an unexpected dash back, and flung himself wildly into a Paris carriage. At
the self-same moment, with a piercing shriek, both trains started. Lady Georgina
threw up her hands in a frenzy of horror. 'My diamonds!' she cried aloud. 'Oh,
Lois, my diamonds!' 'Don't distress yourself,' I answered, holding her back, for
I verily believe she would have leapt from the train. 'He has only taken the
outer shell, with the sandwich-case inside it. Here is the steel box!' And I
produced it, triumphantly. She seized it, overjoyed. 'How did this happen?' she
cried, hugging it, for she loved those diamonds. 'Very simply,' I answered. 'I
saw the man was a rogue, and that he had a confederate with him in another
carriage. So, while you were gone to the buffet at Ostend, I slipped the box out
of the case, and put in the sandwich-tin, that he might carry it off, and we
might have proofs against him. All you have to do now is to inform the conductor,
who will telegraph to stop the train to Paris. I spoke to him about that at
Ostend, so that everything is ready.' She positively hugged me. ' My dear,' she
cried, 'you are the cleverest little woman I ever met in my life! Who on earth
could have suspected such a polished gentleman? Why, you're worth your weight in
gold. What the dickens shall I do without you at Schlangenbad?' (End.)