and in several small details.

Following the wrong scent, therefore, with wonted pertinacity, the three
men sauntered behind Captain Lee and Edwin, who, true to the "laws" with
which Jenkins had credited human nature, passed one carriage after
another until they found an empty one.

"Here is one, Gurwood," said the captain.

He was about to step into it, when he observed Mrs Durby sitting in the
next compartment.

"Hallo! nurse," he exclaimed, getting in and sitting down opposite to
her; "why, surely it wasn't you, was it, that had such a narrow escape?"

"Indeed it was, Capting Lee," replied Mrs Durby in a half whimper, for
albeit a woman of strong character, she was not proof against such rough
treatment as she had experienced that day.

"Not hurt, I trust?" asked the Captain sympathetically.

"Oh dear no, sir; only shook a bit."

"Are you alone?" asked Edwin, seating himself beside his friend.

"Yes, sir; but la, sir, I don't think nothink of travellin' alone. I'm
used to it, sir."

As she said this the guard's voice was heard desiring passengers to take
their seats, and the three men, who had grouped themselves close round
the door, thus diverging one or two passengers into the next
compartment, entered, and sat down.

At the same moment Mr Sharp's earnest countenance appeared at the
window. He made a few remarks to Captain Lee and Edwin Gurwood, and
took occasion to regard the three adventurers with much attention. They
evidently understood him, for they received his glances with bland
smiles.

It was quite touching to note Mr Sharp's anxiety to lay hold of these
men. He chanced to know nothing about them, save in connexion with the
Langrye accident, but his long experience in business had given him a
delicate power of perception in judging of character, which was not
often at fault. He, as it were, smelt the presence of fair game,
although he could not manage to lay immediate hold of it, just as that
celebrated giant did, who, once upon a time, went about his castle
giving utterance to well-known words--

"Fee, fo, fa, fum, I smell the smell of an Englishman."

"Joe," he whispered, as the guard came up to lock the door, "just keep
an eye on these three fellows, will you? I'd lay my life on it that
they're up to mischief to-day."

Joe looked knowing, and nodded.

"Show your tickets, please," he said, touching his cap to his director
and Edwin.

The tickets were produced--all right. Mrs