ond-hunter.

Much study having somewhat shaken the young man's nerves, he was in the
habit of travelling in the most luxurious manner; and for the present
journey he had taken a sofa in the sleeping carriage.

"You will be very comfortable," said the guard; "there is no one in your
compartment, and only one old gentleman in the other end."

It was close upon the hour, and the tickets were being examined, when
Mr. Rolles beheld this other fellow-passenger ushered by several porters
into his place; certainly, there was not another man in the world whom
he would not have preferred--for it was old John Vandeleur, the
ex-Dictator.

The sleeping carriages on the Great Northern line were divided into
three compartments--one at each end for travellers, and one in the
centre fitted with the conveniences of a lavatory. A door running in
grooves separated each of the others from the lavatory; but as there
were neither bolts nor locks, the whole suite was practically common
ground.

When Mr. Rolles had studied his position, he perceived himself without
defence. If the Dictator chose to pay him a visit in the course of the
night, he could do no less than receive it; he had no means of
fortification, and lay open to attack as if he had been lying in the
fields. This situation caused him some agony of mind. He recalled with
alarm the boastful statements of his fellow-traveller across the
dining-table, and the professions of immorality which he had heard him
offering to the disgusted Prince. Some persons, he remembered to have
read, are endowed with a singular quickness of perception for the
neighbourhood of precious metals; through walls and even at considerable
distances they are said to divine the presence of gold. Might it not be
the same with diamonds? he wondered; and if so, who was more likely to
enjoy this transcendental sense than the person who gloried in the
appellation of the Diamond Hunter? From such a man he recognised that he
had everything to fear, and longed eagerly for the arrival of the day.

In the meantime he neglected no precaution, concealed his diamond in the
most internal pocket of a system of great-coats, and devoutly
recommended himself to the care of Providence.

The train pursued its usual even and rapid course; and nearly half the
journey had been accomplished before slumber began to triumph over
uneasiness in the breast of Mr. Rolles. For some time he resisted its
influence; but it grew upon him m