In Strange Company

n of the city. The short winter day, made all the shorter by a thick pall of cloud stretched across the sky, was fast drawing to a close. Far out beyond the harbour a

; for such was the lawless condition of Valparaiso at that time, that walking after nightfall

tters. Certain was it that he was more than a little disturbed in his mind, and it was equally probable that, so far as he saw at present, he was no nearer a solution of his problem than he had been at any time during the previous twenty-four hours. Twice since he had come to a standstill his lips had moved in commencement of a sentence, and twice he had dug his stick impatiently into the ground before him, but the frown did not relax nor the expression change. The truth was he found hims

hich had slipped somewhat out of its usual position, and resumed his walk with the air of a man who had only made u

sed if we seek to become better acquainted with one in whos

orted an existence in Chili that was as unique as his own individuality was complex and extraordinary. To any one more sensitive such a life would have been unendurable, but Marcos Veneda seemed to derive a positive enjoyment from his social ostracism, and to become more and more satisfied with his lot in life as the gulf which cut him off from his neighbours widened. Among other things, it was characteristic of the man that he treated every one, high and low, alike; he unbent to nobody; but if it could be said that he was more amiably disposed towards one class than a

o the bitter civil war then proceeding, and he knew, if only on the scor

al moment. The fierce struggle which for the better part of a year had been raging between the forces of the Dictator Balmaceda and those of the Opposition or

ting something like five hours, the Opposition had gained a well-earned victory. Balmaceda's army had marched into battle 14,000 strong, and had been obliged to beat a retreat, having lost, besides 1000 men killed and many more than that number wounded, 18 field-guns, and 17

paraiso with troops from the south, and then, with an army of 8000 men, perched himself on t

k vengeance upon their enemies. But the Oppositores, on the other hand, though equally sanguine of success, wisely refrained from giving vent to their feelings, for not only were they located in the enemy's camp, so to speak, but they could not

s on the evening described at t

of his shoulders and his carriage of his body when he resumed his walk. There was also a new and singularly

nglish residents then remaining in the town. This gentleman, whose personal appearance would not have been out of place in a London board-room, had always shown himself one of Veneda's most inveterate foes, and for th

er from his astonishment. "In that case I shall not be trespassing upon your time if I a

this fashion," the other replied,

" his companion said quietly. "However, don't let us quarrel, I simply stopp

d, "but I must own I do not exactly love you; y

nk in times like these we Englishmen ought to hang a bit closer tog

only answer was to laugh in a peculiarly grating fashion. It was an unpleasant performance, born of the remembrance of snubs and bitter discourageme

el

t mind my

replied Veneda; "but you've got me at a di

the short of it is,

ly good of you; a

o-an openly discussed subject in the to

d leaning his back against

elf to utter it; "and in what way is it supposed that I am playing a double game?

ed several little episodes in Veneda's past, the remembrance of which, under

endeavouring to stand with a leg in either camp; that while you pose among us as an active Oppositionist, you are in reality in commun

el

yet there was nothing startling in the word itself, nor in the manner in which it was uttered. Veneda still lounged in the same careless attitude against the wall, looking his companion up and down out of his half-closed eyes, as if to cause him any unea

ce you seem to be so well informed

s to-morrow, of which there seems to be little or no doubt, and you

eason for telli

one knows is assumed, you are an Englishman; and, as I said before, Englishmen ought to do w

understand how grateful I

of some use to you. Look here, we haven't been

Jonathan on a substantial New Jerusalem

wn the breeze. And as he heard i

does i

ings more important than our friendship. That's all.

This is what comes of listening to the voice of woman. I was an idiot ever to have mixed myself up with Juanita. I might have known she would have given me away. Never mind, the money's gone to E

rds. Then finding himself face to face with a tall and narrow archway, guarded by a substantial iron gate, he paused irresolute. To all appearance he was endeavouring to make up his mind whe

ahí?" ["Wh

ch the gate formed the outer guard. The wet stones (for it was still raining), the dripping gutters, and the wei

he patio Veneda t

se matters it is just as well to be

nez, and the Englishman

? Very goo

h. A subdued murmur came from within, which was hushed as if by magic when the old man rapped upon the panel. Next moment V

ly awaiting his coming. It was doubtful, however, judging from their expressions, whether they were pleased or annoyed at his punctual appearance. Though the heads of that mysterious organization which had s

he stood upright, could touch his legs below his knees. His complexion was as delicate as the inside of a rosebud, his eyes were as pink as those of a white rabbit, while his hair was nothing more nor less than a mop of silkiest whi

Macklin became a choir boy in the Cathedral, but his personal appearance and moral character proving too much for his fellow-choristers, after a month some charge was preferred against him, and he was dismissed with ignominy. This circumstance, very naturally,

othing definite can be learnt of him. It is believed, however, that for the greater part of that period he served a sentence in one of her Majesty's con

m in San Francisco, eating raw meat in a cage, and growling at the public from behind substantial iron bars. When this latter enterprise panned out unsatisfactorily, it left him no alternative but to migrate into Mexico, where he supported a chequered career as a money-lender, a lottery runner, keeper of a Monte

on the face of the Albino and it was to him he addressed his opening salutation.

e, you're annoying, to say the least of it. What may be the reason

eem to--" Nun

nourable gentleman's time. Can't you see he's in a hurry to attend the Council o

a. "Don't be a fool, Macklin. Tell m

got through, and by reason of the disturbances we

mself, and the m

ell-known Building Society, absconded from England with ￡18,000. He left in the steamer Royal Sceptre, bound for Cape Town; he is disguised as a Wesleyan missionary, and booked his passage in the name of Blander. If you will allow me to make

Albino made an entry in a bo

ty on the 6th June, taking with him a sum equivalent to ￡22,000, the property of his creditors. He is believed to be makin

first to offer

r agent in Melbourne, and sending som

erty just now?

men, that is if Manolake goes to Cape Town; M

very person;

! She is wa

little sigh of

Italian, Autom

lake-Ganon, who is expected to bol

argas; "she will find him and d

sh, senors?" the

ified tha

goes. And now we come to ano

small that it was unno

t ma

ook at him full of

coming here and trying to make me believe that you want the

an English banker in the Ca

what the devil's the use of your wasti

ubject, Macklin, I've got something to say about it. Don't you think we might give the poor cur a r

ll their experience of him, they had never known Marcos Vene

for you. Want us to spare him, do you? Very pretty, I'm sure; would look we

; I only want fair

I promise you he shall

ly at his own vile joke. He w

e grew black

st of passion. "Stop that! I'll not be laughed

and the Albino took the opportu

g goes, there'll be rioting and sacki

is to do

decide th

flight, or that the information hasn't lea

on't be afraid, we have taken very good care of ourselves; nobody has come out, not even the old mole himself; and certainly no one has

ayed his uneasiness, while at the same time he had learnt all he wanted to know. The questions

he money is

speak; and when each man has received his share, he c

mount to? Remember the old man's h

want to ask? Why, as near as we can fix it, Two Hundred

and now, if you've got anything else to do, let

ided, the hour for meeting on the following night, and a few other minor matters arranged, Veneda wished them a sneering "good luck" of their work, and started homewards as fast as his legs would carry him. As

rotective power at hand to quell disturbances, the city was wonderfully quiet. A

; he was recalling a certain box and letter he had despatched to a London merchant a week previous, and reflecting that by the time the Society could discover his treachery, he would in

ssed to a bracket where matches were usually kept, and striking one, turned to light a candle close at hand. As the flame caught, a low, musical laugh, distinctly feminine, greeted his ears. His nerves must have been overstrung, for he started vio

ani

inly; are you so su

en the room being illuminated to his satisfaction, and the door carefully closed, he remembered his duty as host, and

will learn to tell a fals

a reply, for he threw himself into a chair, and

icion of what is irreverently termed a moustache. Yet it was strange that these two things, counted in other women serious defects, in Juanita not only failed to detract from the general effect, but in a great measure added to it. Her hands and feet were in keeping with the rest of her frame, neither too large nor too small; her manner could be anything she chose, from caressing to fiendish; and her voice and laugh, when she so desired, sounded on the ear like sweetest music. Like Marcos Veneda, she was all mysteriousness. Many curious stories were told of her past, and as a faithful

of company to-night. Tell me, don't you think I'm a plucky woman

ravely; "but I suppose you have some very goo

anged completely, and leaning forward, she placed one hand on his arm. He had been earnestly regarding her all this time, e

d that people call me a witch, because they say I turn men's heads. They also say-no, do not speak ti

u certainly could not have come at a better time. You shall read my

er chair, and examined it carefully. The flickering candle-light fell

e?" she asked. He saw that her fa

t?" he

nswered, shuddering, "because there is s

what

os, and for a la

way, and to cover his embarras

ccuse me of having assassinated the Presiden

ll you, you will onl

ith you!

than you dream. Hush, listen to m

not improve here, many of us will be driven into c

have sent great treasure away to a far co

utiful! What

or me is only lip service,

e as the rest. Have y

e see,"-here she pretended to study his hand again,-"Sir Benjamin Plowden (bah! your English name

scored a victory. For the moment Veneda was totally unnerved; his face, pale

n all that nonsen

u were a clever man, but you must be cleverer still to deceive me. Woman's wit-you know the proverb. Will you have more?

ice almost to a falsetto. Meanwhile his eyes seemed to be attempting to read her v

"I return your compliment; you're very clever,

with just a suspicion of nervousness now in her voice. "Sinc

ing having betrayed his feelings so openly-"even if I had any such business on hand, I a

a corner of the room. The blotting-book lay upon it turned upside

ting the first two sides of the letter on a fresh page. To obtain your information, you have simply torn that out, and hel

u think I wish

undred thousand pounds' worth of care must be taken. By the way, since you kno

she continued the conversation

ight have trust

aid that

ds, but I know you don't. Besides, y

you kn

n if you no longer love me, you will have pity on me? You will not leave me to their merc

er eyes. She looked wondrously beautiful. It was a temptation and a danger; yet perhaps, all things considered, it was the safest course. A second later he had made up

believe I can trust you; come

n dear

gravely kissed it.

s later she was speeding home unaccompanied, for she would not hear of his being seen in the streets with he

y about with him, in a large locket fastened round his neck with a double chain. I felt it when my head rested on his breast. Two hundred thousand pounds-it's the greates

the heights, and myriads of lights twinkling among the shipping in the harbour; but though he looked at them, I don't think he was conscious tha

hich his fortunes were not altogether unconnected. Then dropping the good ship behind it, as if she were standing still, on his fancy sped across the seas to the land he had not known for fifteen years. There in a smiling valley, nestling among beech woods, he found for himself a home, a

took a locket. Opening it, a curious slip of ragged paper fell to the floor. Picki

way home by Australia and the East. Confound Juanita! I ought to have anticipated this trick of hers. It's the deuce and all, but there's no other way out of it, I must take her with me. It would be