"Sorry to trouble you, sir," said Jaspar, as the gentleman entered the apartment; "but I am much interested in the fate of several persons who were passengers on board the Chalmetta."
"No trouble, Mr. Dumont, I am extremely happy to serve you," replied Dalhousie, whose obsequious manners were ample evidence of his sincerity.
"My niece was on board of her," continued Jaspar, "and I see her name in the list of missing."
"Your niece!" replied Dalhousie, emphasizing the latter word. He had a few days before come from New Orleans, and had there heard of the startling developments in the Dumont family.
"No matter," returned Jaspar, sharply; "she went by the name of Dumont. Did you find any bodies?"
"We picked up the remains of six men and two females."
"Can you describe the females? How were they dressed?" asked Jaspar, in an excited manner.
"One was dressed in black. The other had on a common calico."
"But the one in black,—describe her,—her hair,—was she tall or short?" interrupted Jaspar, hurriedly.
"Her hair was in curls. She was apparently about twenty-six or seven, and rather short in stature."