"'Mr. Johnson,' says the chief, 'a Southern vessel arrived to-day at the same wharf where the steamer lies. Did you observe a tall gentlemen with a young lady on his arm, leave that vessel?'
"'Dark hair; large eyes; a black coat?' says the man, looking at me.
"'Exactly,' says I.
"'The lady beautiful; eyes you could hardly tell the color of; lashes always down; black silk dress; cashmere scarf; cottage-bonnet!' says he, again.
"'Jist so!' says I.
"'Yes,' says he to the chief, 'I saw them.'
"'Where did they go?' questions the chief.
"'Hack No. 117 took three fares from the vessel and steamer, one to the City Hall, one to the New York, one to the Astor. This was the second, he went to the Astor.'"
"And the young girl—did she go with him?" cried the lady, striving in vain to conceal the keen interest which prompted the question.