d to see indisputable evidence of civilisation and of
refinement. The whole chamber was hung round with superb skins, the
white fur of the Polar bear predominating; but there were couches
cushioned with deep brown seal; and the same glossy skin was laid upon
the floor in so many layers that the footfall was noiseless and
pleasantly luxuriant. The furniture otherwise was both modern and
artistic. A heavy buhl-work writing-table opposite the door was
littered with maps, books and journals; there was a secretaire
book-case in Chippendale by the side of the enormous fire-place, in
which a great coal fire burned; and above this was an ivory overmantel
of exquisite work. A grand piano, open and bearing music, was the chief
ornament of the left-hand corner; while another Chippendale cabinet,
filled with a multitude of rare curiosities, completed an apartment
which had many of the characteristics of a salon and not a few of a
study.

But I had not eyes so much for the room as for the solitary occupant of
it, who sat before the writing-table, but rose after I had entered. One
glance assured me that I was face to face with Captain Black--the
Captain Black I had seen at the drunken orgie in Paris; but yet not the
same, for all the bravado and rough speech which then fell from his
lips was wanting; and his "Come in!" given in answer to the young
doctor's knock, was spoken melodiously in a rich baritone voice that
fell very pleasantly upon the ear. When he stepped forward and held out
his hand to me, I had the mind almost to draw back from him, for I knew
that the man had crime heavy upon him; but a second thought convinced
me of the folly of making a scene at such a moment; so I took the great
hard hand and looked him full in the face. He was not so tall as I was,
but a man who appeared to possess colossal strength in his enormous
arms and shoulders; and one not ill-looking, though his black beard
fell upon his waistcoat, and his jacket of seal was loose and
ill-fitting. The strange thing about our meeting was this, however.
When he had taken my hand, he held it for a minute or more, looking me
straight in the face with an interest I could not understand; and,
indeed, he then forgot himself entirely, and continued to gaze upon me
and to shake my hand until I thought he would never let it go.

When at last he recovered himself it was with a quick start.

"I am glad to see you," said he; "dinner waits us;" and with that we
passed