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 equally excellent tobacco, they presently fell into the friendliest discourse imaginable. In the course of their talk, which after awhile became exceedingly confidential, Jonathan confided to his new friend the circumstances of the adventure into which he had been led by the beautiful stranger, and to all that he said concerning his adventure his interlocutor listened with the closest and most scrupulously riveted attention.

“Upon my word,” said he, when Jonathan had concluded, “I hope that you may not have been made the victim of some foolish hoax. Let me see what it is she has confided to you.”

“That I will,” replied Jonathan. And thereupon he thrust his hand into his breeches-pocket and brought forth the ivory ball.

No sooner did the one eye of the little gentleman in black light upon the object than a most singular and extraordinary convulsion appeared to seize upon him. Had a bullet penetrated his heart he could not