ded like the knell of all my
hopes. A thousand expedients floated through my brain, and in adopting
the course I eventually did, time alone will prove whether I followed
the promptings of a good or evil genius. One evening, I explained to my
attendant that I was a medical man, deeply interested in botanical and
mineralogical discoveries; that my object in undertaking my recent
journey was to collect certain rare herbs and a singular description of
shell. I laid peculiar stress on the herbs, and added in relation to the
shells, that I merely wanted a few specimens, as they were rare in my
country. My attendant at once proffered his services, to go in search of
them. I appeared at first to attach but little importance to his offer;
but as he renewed it whenever the subject was alluded to, I at last
employed him. The mine is situated on the margin of a little brook. One
day's work of an active man will turn the stream into a fresh channel,
and a few inches beneath its bed will be found, mixed with the damp sand
and loam, the shells, which, when polished, form the opal. I gave my
servant the needful information as to localities and landmarks, and
promised him a gratuity of a hundred dollars over and above his wages,
in case he succeeded. Having given him instructions, I retained his
services until I reached this city, where I determined to await his
return, it being more healthy than Vera Cruz. Having selected my
lodgings and given him the pass-word by which alone a stranger could
obtain admittance to me, with an anxious heart I dispatched him on the
mission.

''For three months I had no tidings of him; night and day, I was the
prey of doubt and fear. No words can portray the agony of suspense that
I endured; the hours seemed days, the days months, and the bitterness of
years was crowded into that short interval. At last, thanks be to
heaven, my messenger returned.'

''Do you mean Pepito?' I exclaimed.

''The very man,' replied Arthur; 'his journey was successful. You have
seen the specimens he brought. I was intoxicated with delight; but Adele
did not share my joy. Nature has given woman a faculty of intuition
denied to man. Alas! Adele's presentiment has been verified; your
account of the interview between Pepito and his friend proves her fears
were well-grounded.'

''In what way?'

''In _this_ way; it shows we have an enemy who has an inkling of our
secret, and is striving to snatch the prize from us. What course t