vely, and a few tears coursed down her face. Mr. Barnes
mused a few moments and seemed not to be observing her.

"What was the value of these jewels?"

"A hundred thousand dollars."

"By what express company were they sent to you?" The question was a
simple one, and Mr. Barnes asked it rather mechanically, though he was
wondering if the thief had come across the ocean--from France perhaps.
He was therefore astonished at the effect produced. The woman arose
suddenly, her whole manner changed. She replied with her lips compressed
tightly, as though laboring under some excitement.

"That is not essential. Perhaps I am telling too much to a stranger
anyway. Come to my apartment this evening, and I will give you further
particulars--if I decide to leave the case in your hands. If not I will
pay you for whatever trouble you have in the interim. Good-morning."

Mr. Barnes watched her leave the room without offering to detain her or
making any comment on her singular manner. Without rising from his seat
he looked out of the window and strummed on the pane. What he thought it
would be difficult to tell, but presently he said aloud, though there
was no one to hear him:

"I think she is a liar."

Having relieved himself thus, he returned to his own coach. He found two
gentlemen in the toilet room allowing themselves to be searched,
laughing over the matter as a huge joke. He passed by and entered his
own compartment, which the porter had put in order. One after another
the few passengers arose, heard of the robbery, and cheerfully passed
through the ordeal of being searched.

At last his patience was rewarded by seeing the curtains of number eight
moving, and a moment later a fine-looking young man of six-and-twenty
emerged, partly dressed, and went towards the toilet. Mr. Barnes
sauntered after him, and entered the smoking-room. He had scarcely
seated himself before a man entered, who was evidently the other
occupant of section eight. Whilst this second man was washing, the
conductor explained to the other about the robbery, and suggested that
he allow himself to be searched. By this time the conductor was
becoming excited. They were within a few minutes of New York, and all
his passengers had been examined save these two. Yet these two looked
more aristocratic than any of the others. He was astonished therefore to
observe that the young man addressed seemed very much disturbed. He
stammered and stuttered, seeking words,