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Two or three weeks before My, Azhbur- ton’s arrival the Rev. Arthur Jobson and his wife landed from an outward-bound steamer that was going to Calcutta. The Reve Arthur Jobson was an invalid in, apparently, shattered health ; and he had suflered so much at sea that he vowed he would go no further, as he wished to be buried on shore, for he had a sentimental dread of being thrown into the deep. His wife was represented to be a most charming woman, and much sympathy was shown for her and her husband, who was a com- paratively young man. She was visited by most of the Furopean residents, and the devotion she displayed for her husband called forth the admiration of evervone,

It was quite thought when he first came on shore that the Rev. Arthur Jobson would not live many weeks, but the climate ol Ceylon exerted such a beneficial effect upon him that he began to improve, and when the Bentinck arrived he announced his resolve to give up all idea of going on to Calcutta, which originally had been his destination, and to return home in that vessel. It was understood that his wifc was somewhat op- poscd to the plan, but he was irm in his resolve, and so passages were sc- cured m the Hen- leick, and when she satled on her homeward voyage the Rev. Arthur Jobson and his wife were cabin passengers 1 her, [ learnt that “Jobson " and his wife went on shore at Aden, whence with some diffi- culty I'traced them to Marscilles.

[ now asked my- self why he had gone to Marsetlles. He must have had some special rea- son for doing so.

What was that recason 2 Secking

for it, T lighted upon what scemed to me the most feasible one,

‘““1I ENTERED THE SHOP.”

T STRAND A AGAZINFE

namelyy to open up negotiations for the sale of the gem. 1 was aware that in Marscilles was a firm of Jews, who traded under the style of Moses Cohen & Sons. These enterprising gentlemen were said Lo be the largest dealers in precious stones and bric-a-brac in Europe, and a little bird had whispered to me that they were not too particular with whom thev did business. They would buy gems and jewels from any- one, and ask no questions, so long as they thought they could make moncey, and avoud complications with the legal autho- rities. To Messrs. Moses Cohen & Sons [ resolved to go,and, by means of a stratagem, cndeavour to worm from them the infor- mation I wanted, should it so happen that my surmise was correct. And so one morning I entered their shop, which was situated necar the docks. It was a dingy, ramshackle, tumble-down sort of place, hlled up with as strange an assortment of things ax could have been found in any part of Iturope. There were stuffed croco- diles and precious vases, gold tankards and Indian clubs, rings and Jewels, shells and beads, rarce rugs, filigree work, specimens of

choice mosaic ; there were elephants’ tusks, and embroidered cloths of barbaric splendour,