rst steamer on which we could secure a
comfortable passage. We had no sooner finished our coffee than a servant
announced Mr. Benjamin Murmurtot, who wished to see Miss Bronson.

"A reporter!" exclaimed Hester. "There's no dodging them in America.
Shall I ask him in for a moment?"

We said yes, of course, and Mr. Murmurtot presently fluttered into the
room. He was a natty little man, with a large nose, a bald head and a
decidedly English accent.

"Delighted to see you, Miss Bronson," said he, "delighted, I'm sure.
Thought I'd call and pay my respects before you leave the city."

He greeted us all with like effusiveness and sat down facing Hester.

"It's very kind of you," said she; "but pray how did you know I was to
leave the city?"

"Why, I'm sure, Miss Bronson, everybody knows you are going home to be
married?"

"It is true that I am going home soon," said she, "but I must decline to
discuss my object in doing so."

"Pray pardon me; I'm a journalist, you know," said Mr. Murmurtot, "and
I earn my living by impertinence. Have I not seen you before, sir?" he
continued, facing Rayel. "I think you were at the theatre one evening
some time ago--sat in the lower box at the right of the stage--I
remember it well, sir."

"I remember the occasion," said my cousin, with his accustomed gravity.

"I read about that occurrence at Mr. Paddington's dinner-party, sir,"
continued Mr. Murmurtot. "It was decidedly clever in you, sir--deucedly
clever! Everybody is talking about it, now that the Count has been
arrested."

"Arrested!" I exclaimed; "has he been arrested?"

"Yes, this morning, for the robbery, you know. They say that the police
have secured evidence that will convict him sure, but it seems they are
not yet ready to make it public; reporters can't get the Inspector to
say a word about it, you know--not a word."

There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all present,
save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole over his
face.

"I knew they would find him out," said he.

"I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir," said Mr. Murmurtot, again
addressing my cousin.

"And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter," said Rayel.
"It is good that we understand each other."

Mr. Murmurtot started with surprise at the remark.

"I do not know how fully you may be acquainted with my secret," said he,
"but permit me to assure you that I am here on a friendly mission.

"I have no