appointment."

And he takes a magnificent header from the cliff into the very spot
where the wrecked gold-ship lies buried.

When, after a couple of hours, he rose to the surface for breath, Sep
was relieved to find himself alone.

"Peeler was right," said he to himself, flinging back the matted hair
from his noble brow. "My fortune is made."

And he dived again.

In the damp cabin of the sunk ship stood the gaunt form of many a brave
mariner, faithful to his post even in death. Seth gave them a passing
glance, and shuddered a little as he met their glassy eyes. He was
about to rise to the surface with the remainder of his booty, when the
figure nearest the door fell against him.

Turning on him, a cold perspiration suffused our hero from head to foot,
and his hair rose like porcupine quills on his head.

It was not a corpse, but Solomon Smellie, the detective of Scotland
Yard.

Sep had barely time to close to the cabin door, and strike out with his
precious bags for the surface. He felt he had had a narrow escape of
detection, and that the sooner he sought a change of climate the better.

As for Solomon, it would have needed a strong door to keep him from his
prey.

"Ha, ha!" said he, "the chain grows link by link. Two and two make
four. Patience, Solomon, and you will be famous yet."

Sub-Chapter VII.

THE FETE AND THE FRACAS.

It was the most brilliant ball which had ever been given in the English
capital.

The very waiters sparkled with diamonds!

The gorgeous suite of apartments, several miles in length, were ablaze
with all that wealth and beauty in electric light could effect.

Coote and Tinney's band was in attendance.

Down the sparkling avenues of lustres whirled the revellers in all the
ecstasy of the hilarious dance.

Peals of laughter and the rustling of fans combined to make the scene
the most gorgeous ever witnessed in this or any other metropolis.

The host of the princely revel was a mysterious young foreign nobleman,
known by the name of the Duc de Septimominorelli, and reputed to be the
richest man in Europe.

What makes this evening's entertainment particularly brilliant is the
fact that it is to be graced by the dazzling presence of the peerless
Donna Velvetina Peeleretta, who, as every one knows, is shortly to wear
the diamond tiara of the house of Septimominorelli.

In other words, she and the Duc are betrothed.

The festivities are at their height, and the Duc f