90 INVALIDISM AND ITALY. 



ing, ' Here comes Williams as usual without a halfpenny 

 to bless himself.' All hands in the cabin suspected the 

 steward, because he had naturally a cloud upon his brow, 

 but I thought I could perceive a deeper shade over the 

 greasy forehead of the ' royal Dane/ As soon as we got 



into harbour, Captain H and I determined that our 



best plan was to dismiss these two men as suspected 

 persons, with full leave to carry off themselves and bag- 

 gage when and wheresoever they chose ; the chances 

 being that, if they were the offenders, some trace of the 

 theft would be in their possession. In the meantime, 

 upon a preconcerted signal, four gens cVarmes were to 

 be in waiting, and as soon as our friends stepped on shore 

 they were to be arrested, carried to the guard-room close 

 by, and carefully searched. On Monday night, however, 

 when we were at tea, our friend Williams and the cook 

 went off in the long boat without leave asked, and stayed 

 away all night. They came on board again next morning, 

 both intoxicated, but made off for the second and last 

 time while we were at breakfast. My suspicion of 

 Williams now became very strong. I traced him without 

 any delay to an obscure drinking-shop, called the ' Jolly 

 Sailor,' and having heard the moment I landed that he 

 had changed several bank-notes, my opinion was confirmed. 

 So off I set in pursuit, with three gens d'armes, and one 

 or two assistant civilians. We discovered the rascals 



