orridor he was about to turn into. Jack
darted round the corner and almost instantly stumbled over the huddled
body of a man lying outside one of the cabin doors.

A dark stain was under his head, and Jack saw at once that the man had
been the victim of an attack. At almost the same moment, by the dim
light, he recognized the unconscious form as being that of Joseph
Rosenstein, a diamond merchant, so wealthy and famous that he had been
pointed out to Jack by the purser as a celebrity.

"Queer fellow," the purser had said. "Won't put his jewels in the safe,
although I understand he is carrying three magnificent diamonds with
him. Likely to get into trouble if anyone on board knows about it."

"He's taking big chances," agreed Jack, and now here was the proof of
his words lying at the boy's feet. Suddenly he recalled having received
a message a few days before from New York for the injured man.

"Be very careful. F. is on board," it had read, and Jack interpreted
this to be meant as a warning to the diamond merchant. But he did not
devote much attention to it just then, except to rouse the sleepy
stewards. Within a few minutes the captain and the doctor were on the
scene.

"A nasty cut, done with a blackjack or a club," opined Dr. Browning, as
he raised the man.

"Is it a mortal wound?" asked the captain. "This is a terrible thing to
have happen on my ship."

"I think he'll pull through if no complications set in," said the
doctor, and ordered the man removed to his cabin. Suddenly Jack
recollected what the purser had said about the diamonds.

"I beg your pardon, sir," said he to the captain, "but I heard that this
man carried about valuable diamonds with him. He was probably attacked
for purposes of robbery."

"That's right," answered the captain, with a quick look of approval at
Jack. "Browning, we'd better examine the contents of his pockets." They
did so, but no traces of precious stones could be found.

"Whoever did this, robbed him," declared the captain, with a somber
brow, "and the deuce of it is that, unless we can detect him, he will
walk ashore at Southampton or Cherbourg a free man."

The door of the stateroom opposite to which the injured man lay opened
suddenly, and a little, wizen-faced man, wearing spectacles, looked out.
He appeared startled and shocked as he saw the limp form.

"Good gracious! This is terrible, terrible, captain," he sputtered.
"Is--is the man dead?"

"No, Professor Dusen