short time previously, and the Government had done all they could to discover traces of it, but in vain. The same thing had now happened again, with the like result; and it was currently reported among the merchants that the goods had been stolen from the Company.

at once.

As soon as Wagner drove up in his bendi, all the clerks (who had been discussing this matter) resumed their work He was more popular with them than his partner, Van Roeken; and was so reasonably indulgent that they anxiously strove to avoid all occasion for a rebuke from him; while Van Roeken, although much stricter, was not cared for half so much.

Wagner issued several orders requiring immediate execution, as two European ships with cargoes addressed to the house had been signalled that very morning. On such occasions there was always an unusual pressure of occupation, for which everything else must be laid aside. Van Roeken immediately went down to the customhouse, and presently returned with the two ship-captains. Whilst these were arranging their papers, he begged Wagner to come into their private room, as he had something very important to communicate to him. Wagner followed him presently, and was surprised to find him walking about in a restless, excited manner.

"Has anything unpleasant happened?" he eagerly inquired; for his first impression was that Van Roeken had heard some bad business tidings.

"Unpleasant? Oh, no. At least, not unexpected." "You don't mean to say the ship is lost?"

"The ship? Not that I know of. What I want to tell

you has nothing to do with business, but it concerns myself personally. I will not keep you in suspense any longer. My promised bride is come!"

"What! Mademoiselle Bernold?" asked Wagner. "Yes, that is her name, I believe," was the answer; "and you can easily understand in what sort of a predicament I am; not only on account of the girl herself, but lest my wife should hear anything about it."

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Poor girl!" said Wagner, with a sigh; adding, Leopold, you have behaved very badly to her!"

"You forget that the feelings of her heart can in no way be involved in the issue."

"But will the girl be disposed to think so now? Oh! why did you ever send that unfortunate letter?"

"I have told you already that I can hardly account for it-really, on that evening I scarcely ever thought about it; but when it was too late, and the cursed letter had gone, I began to reflect, and to repent of what I had done!" Well, but what will you do now?"

Upon my word, I scarcely know."

"But now that it's gone so far," continued Van Roeken, 66 we must endeavour to make the poor girl as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. You promised to help me in the matter, and I earnestly hope that you will do so."

"Did she not come by the Rebecca?"

"Yes."

"Has she landed yet?"

"Not yet. She asked the captain where you lived, as she did not wish to come direct to me."

"She ought not to be left to stay longer on board," remarked Wagner; "for she must be heartily tired of the ship by this time. But where can she go? I think we had better take her to some hotel, and then seek for a lodging for her in some family."

"But suppose that, on hearing of the actual state of

the case, she should prefer going back to Germany by the next mail?"

"But you know that the vessel does not start for three weeks yet."

"Yes, unfortunately. Would that this confounded ship had arrived either a fortnight earlier or later! But it can't be helped now. I must get out of it in the best way I can; and so, my dear friend, I shall be ready to do whatever you may recommend."

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'I am much obliged to you, indeed! I have no doubt you prefer that mode of escaping the difficulty; it will be easier. But, really, I don't much like going to meet her; however, it can't be helped. Meanwhile, she must not stay on board the Rebecca; so I think I had better take a boat at once, and go to meet her."

"You are too late for that, for the captain has lent her his boat to bring her to land. I had better send a carriage to the custom-house to take her and her luggage to an hotel. You had better not see her at the customhouse, for the officer there is one of my wife's relations; and if he heard a syllable of the affair, he'd tell her such a fine story that I should have the house about my

“Very well; I have no desire to destroy your domestic peace. But to what hotel shall she be sent ?"

"To the Netherlands Hotel,' as it is not very far from your own house, and the people are kind and goodnatured; besides, it is one of the best in the place, so she will be quite comfortable there; and then you can afterards explain all."

I should prefer meeting her at the boat. How serable it must be for the poor girl to land on a istant shore, surrounded by strangers! Moreover, as

she neither speaks Dutch nor Malay, how can she make herself understood?"

"Oh, I can get over that difficulty by sending one of the clerks to meet her. Upon the desk are two letters for the Robert Burns, so he can take them at the same time. Won't that do?

Wagner did not answer, but with a look of gravity that indicated his anxiety, both on his partner's account, and on behalf of the friendless girl whose feelings had been so unpardonably trifled with, he went into his counting-house to reflect upon the best mode of dealing with a case of such delicacy and difficulty.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE UNWELCOME STRANGER.

IN the harbour of Batavia, among the flags of all nations, the good Dutch ship Rebecca had cast anchor, and while the sailors were actively employed in furling the sails, the poor fellows cast many a longing look towards the shore. In Batavia the laws are very strict as regards sailors, and they are only allowed to go ashore for about two hours at a time, and the police treat them very unceremoniously should they get drunk or attempt to create a disturbance.

They were now forced to content themselves with the fruit which the Malays brought to the ship in boats; and as they unfortunately possessed no money, they were forced to barter their shirts and other articles of clothing for about a quarter of their value. At last, almost everything they had was gone, and one of the sailors, a Briton, went so far as to offer an old pair of trousers, taking care to show the front part of them only, as the nether side was rather the worse for wear; but the Malay, suspecting something, said, in his broken English,

"Oh yes, you smart, very smart; but me no fooltank you!"

"Oh, hang it!" said the sailor, while his companions burst into a hearty laugh ; "I did not see that hole."

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'Why didn't you look round, Jack?" asked one of his shipmates.