hose three state cabins on the C deck of the _Oceana_?"

"Well," I answered laconically, "I've paid the money for them at any
rate. Sixty-six pounds the three, over and above first-class fare!"

"And very cheap, too," replied Ethel; "the comfort of sleeping in a
real brass bedstead instead of those intolerable bunks is worth three
times as much!"

I looked at my cigar and said nothing; but for the generosity of the
old lady of Monmouth Street, Bath, a bunk would have been my lot,
without doubt, in the ordinary way. Though she had laid a heavy burden
upon me, she certainly had a kind consideration for my comfort.

Further conversation was put an end to by the entry of my new man,
Brooks, with my travelling coat.

"The motor's at the door, sir," he announced.

I had engaged a special motor-brougham to take me from the hotel to my
lawyers in Lincoln's Inn, and from there to the station with the
precious casket in my possession; I had already banked the notes. I
wished to make the journey as rapidly as possible, and Brooks was to
accompany me, my luggage going on under the care of St. Nivel's man.

"Then _au revoir_ until we meet at Euston," I said to my cousins; "mind
you are in good time for the train."

"We shall be all right," answered Ethel. "I wish we were coming with
you. I feel rather anxious about you."

"Don't you worry, Ethel," St. Nivel replied, "he'll be all right. He's
not a child."

I went off and got into the motor, Brooks taking his seat on the box.

We rattled away through the crowded streets in the dim half-fog that
was enveloping the town, and duly arrived at the dreary-looking offices
of the lawyers.

There I did not lose a minute; they had been duly apprised of my coming
and I found Watson the managing clerk already waiting for me.

"Here are the two packets, Mr. Anstruther," he said, handing them to
me; "they are just as you left them, you see, and the seals are intact."

I examined them and found them quite correct.

"What a fortunate thing," added Watson, as I buttoned my overcoat over
the pocket in which I had stowed the little parcels, "that I saw you
push those two packets into the pigeon-holes, and stopped that
scoundrel from laying his hands on them!"

"Yes, it was a very lucky thing," I replied, "and I am very much
obliged to you for your promptness in gathering my meaning."

"Yes, it was a fortunate escape for you, sir," he added; "when I saw
you go away with those t