And this I found to be the case. Although the brigands were very civil to me, I was unable to trace any of my property. However, as my host in the kindest manner had allowed me to dispense with ceremony, I ventured to appear at dinner-time in my ordinary tourist's dress.
"I am delighted to see you," said the Chief, speaking English for the first time, "as you are now my guest, I must confess that we are fellow countrymen."
"Indeed!" I replied, considerably astonished. "If you are really of British nationality, how is it that I find you a professional thief?"
"You are mistaken," returned the Chief. "I merely belong to a society for the redistribution of capital. You know we are all balloted for, and I was myself afraid that I might get pilled."
"Indeed!" I exclaimed, in a tone of surprise. "Surely your accomplishments--for I noticed, on my arrival, that you were a first-rate hand at lawn tennis, and played the flute--would have secured your admission?"
"Well," he returned with a smile, "I fancy they helped me with the Committee. But unhappily my antecedents were bad--I had made a fortune on the London Stock Exchange, and my books were scarcely as satisfactory as our bandit auditors could have desired them to be. However they took a kindly view of the case, and allowed me to pass through. But pardon me, I see your ransom has arrived. I am afraid I must say good bye. A pleasant journey."
And shaking me warmly by the hand, he helped me into the conveyance that was to take me back to home and freedom. I have never seen him since.
[Illustration: ALL-ROUND POLITICIANS.--HARTINGTONIANA.]
PARIS, _June 15_.--It is stated here, on no authority whatever, that when the CZAR was recently visiting the French Exhibition at Moscow, his Imperial Majesty was heard to remark, "This makes me desire to see the Boulevards again." A visit of the ruler of Russia to Paris during the Summer is therefore considered to be certain. An offensive and defensive Alliance between the two countries is said to be on the point of signature.
A few evenings ago, in a low _café_ in Belleville, M. NOKASHIKOFF, who left St. Petersburg lately to escape his creditors, and who conceived the happy idea of raising a little money by walking to Paris in a sack composed of the French and Russian national flags stitched together, was entertained to supper by his Gallic admirers. The proceedings, especially towards midnight, were very enthusiastic. Throughout the festivities, constant cries of "_Vive l'Alliance Franco-Russe!_" were raised. This incident is said to have placed the immediate signature of the Treaty between the CZAR and President CARNOT beyond a doubt.