Pagina 265 van 657

"I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers

and files of the old papers, following the future career of every

vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in

'83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were

reported there during those months. Of these, one, the Lone Star,

instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported

as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to

one of the states of the Union."

"Texas, I think."

"I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must

have an American origin."

"What then?"

"I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque

_Lone Star_ was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a

certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present

in the port of London."

"Yes?"