'

Lady Georgina bore him out by a large variety of selected stories
concerning the various atrocities of the rival companies which had
stolen her luggage on her way to Italy. As for _trains de luxe_, they
were dens of robbers.

So when we reached Malines, just to satisfy Lady Georgina, I put out my
head and inquired of a porter. As I anticipated, he replied that there
was no change; we went through to Verviers.

The Count, however, was still unsatisfied. He descended, and made some
remarks a little farther down the platform to an official in the
gold-banded cap of a _chef-de-gare_, or some such functionary. Then he
returned to us, all fuming. 'It is as I said,' he exclaimed, flinging
open the door. 'These rogues have deceived us. The _coupe_ goes no
farther. You must dismount at once, miladi, and take the train just
opposite.'

I felt sure he was wrong, and I ventured to say so. But Lady Georgina
cried, 'Nonsense, child! The _chef-de-gare_ must know. Get out at once!
Bring my bag and the rugs! Mind that cloak! Don't forget the
sandwich-tin! Thanks, Count; will you kindly take charge of my
umbrellas? Hurry up, Lois; hurry up! the train is just starting!'

I scrambled after her, with my fourteen bundles, keeping a quiet eye
meanwhile on the jewel-case.

We took our seats in the opposite train, which I noticed was marked
'Amsterdam, Bruxelles, Paris.' But I said nothing. The Count jumped in,
jumped about, arranged our parcels, jumped out again. He spoke to a
porter; then he rushed back excitedly. '_Mille pardons_, miladi,' he
cried. 'I find the _chef-de-gare_ has cruelly deceived me. You were
right, after all, mademoiselle! We must return to the coupe__!'

With singular magnanimity, I refrained from saying, 'I told you so.'

Lady Georgina, very flustered and hot by this time, tumbled out once
more, and bolted back to the _coupe_. Both trains were just starting. In
her hurry, at last, she let the Count take possession of her jewel-case.
I rather fancy that as he passed one window he handed it in to the
shabby-looking passenger; but I am not certain. At any rate, when we
were comfortably seated in our own compartment once more, and he stood
on the footboard just about to enter, of a sudden he made an unexpected
dash back, and flung himself wildly into a Paris carriage. At the
self-same moment, with a piercing shriek, both trains started.

Lady Georgina threw up her hands in a frenzy of horror. 'My diamonds!'
she