hair.
He is thirty years this gentleman's senior."

Thereupon they passed out of the cabin again, and made their way along
the alley-way towards the drawing-room once more.

When they reached it they found Katherine and Madame Bernstein awaiting
them there. Browne, in a tone of apology, explained the reason of the
officer's visit.

"However, I hope soon to be able to convince him that his suspicions
are unfounded," he said in conclusion. "We have searched every portion
of the yacht, and he has not so far discovered the man he wants."

"Do you say that the person you are looking for is a Russian convict?"
continued Madame Bernstein, who felt that she must say something in
order to cover the look of fear, that was spreading over Katherine's
face.

"Yes, Madame," the officer replied. "He is a most dangerous person,
who in his time has caused the police an infinity of trouble."

"A Nihilist, I suppose?" remarked Browne, as if he thought that that
point might be taken for granted.

"Indeed, no," continued the officer. "His name is Kleinkopf, and he
is, or rather was, the most noted diamond-thief in Europe."

"What?" cried Browne, startled out of himself by what the other said.
"What do you mean? A diamond----"

What he was about to add must for ever remain a mystery, for at that
moment Madame Bernstein uttered a little cry and fell forward against
the table in a dead faint. With a face as ashen as a cere-cloth,
Katherine ran to her assistance, and Browne followed her example.
Together they raised her and carried her to a seat.

[Illustration: "Katherine ran to her assistance."]

"You see, sir, what mischief you have done," said Browne, addressing
the Russian officer, who stood looking from one to another of them, as
if he scarcely knew what to say or how to act. "You have frightened
her into a faint."

Picking her up in his arms, he carried her to her cabin, and laid her
in her bunk. Then, resigning her to the care of Katharine and the
stewardess, whom he had summoned to his assistance, he rejoined the
officer outside.

"If you will come with me, sir," he began, "I will show you the
remainder of the vessel, and then I think you will be able to return to
your ship and inform your commander that, on this occasion, at least,
he has committed an egregious blunder, of which he will hear more anon."

"I am at monsieur's disposal," replied the officer; and together they
entered Katherine's cabin. Needles