“Pray forgive me for having recalled the memory of your grief. I am a stranger in this place, and I am here on a somewhat delicate mission. My first visit is to this house, because I knew I should find intelligence and sympathy here rather than among my own countrymen. I am fortunate in meeting with a lady who has occupied an important position at St. Heliers for so long a period. I have strong reasons for wishing to discover the history of a gentleman who came to the Island some years ago—I do not know how many—after having been unfortunate in the world. He was a naval man.” “My poor husband was a naval man,” sighed the _dame du comptoir_. “A pilot, no doubt,” thought Theodore. Theodore’s manner, which was even more flattering than his words, had made a favourable impression, and the lady was disposed to be confidential. She glanced at the clock, and was glad to see that it was only twenty minutes past twelve. There was time for a little further conversation with this handsome, well-bred Englishman, before the habitués of the “Belle Alliance” came trooping in for the half-past twelve o’clock _table d’hôte_. Already the atmosphere was odorous with fried sole and _ragout de mouton_. “The gentleman of whom I am in quest is reported to have died on the Island,” he continued; “but this is very likely to have been a false report, and it is quite possible that Captain Strangway may still——” “Captain Strangway,” echoed the woman, with an agitated air. “Yes, I see you know all about him. You can help me to find him.” “Know him!” cried the woman. “I should think I did know him, to my bitter cost. Captain Strangway was my husband.” “Good Heavens!” “He was my husband. The people will be here in a few minutes. If monsieur will do me the honour to step into my sitting-room, we can talk without interruption.” CHAPTER XII. “The comfort is, you shall be called to no more payments, fear no more tavern bills.” The _dame du comptoir_ beckoned a waiter, and delegated some portion of her supreme authority to him for the next quarter of an hour. She constituted as it were a Regency, and gave her subordinate command over her wine and liqueur bottles, her _fine champagne_, Bass and Guinness; and then she ushered Theodore Dalbrook into a very small sitting-room at the back of the counter, so small indeed that a large looking-glass, a porcelain stove, two arm-chairs, and one little table left hardly standing room. Theodore followed with a sense of bewilderment. He had told himself that the Island of Jersey was a world so small that he could not have much difficulty in tracing any man who had lived and died there within the last ten years; but accident had been kinder to him than he had hoped. The lady seated herself in one of the ruby velvet arm-chairs, and motioned him to the other.