The box was, as , oblong about six feet in length by two and half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like precise Now this shape was PECULIAR; and no sooner had I seen it, than credit to myself accuracy guessing I had reached the conclusion, remembered, extra baggage friend, the artist, would prove pictures, or picture; for he for several weeks in conference with Nicolino:--and now here was box, which, from its shape, COULD possibly contain nothing but copy of Leonardo's "Last Supper;" and copy very "Last Supper," done by Rubini the younger, at Florence, I had known, for , possession of Nicolino This point, therefore, I considered as sufficiently settled I chuckled excessively when acumen It first time I had ever known Wyatt from me any artistical secrets; but here he evidently intended to steal march upon me, and smuggle fine picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me nothing matter I resolved to quiz him WELL, now and hereafter

, however, annoyed me not little The box go extra stateroom deposited in Wyatt's own; and there, too, it remained, occupying very nearly the whole floor-- exceeding discomfort artist wife;--this the more especially tar or paint lettered in sprawling capitals, emitted strong, disagreeable, and, to my fancy, peculiarly disgusting odor lid were painted the words--" Mrs Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq This side up handled with care "

Now, aware that Mrs Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, artist's wife's mother,--but then I looked whole address as mystification, intended especially up my mind, , box and contents would never get farther north studio misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York

first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind was dead ahead; having chopped round northward, immediately upon our losing sight coast The passengers were, consequently, in high spirits and disposed social except, however, Wyatt sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, help thinking, uncourteously rest party Wyatt's conduct regard gloomy, even beyond his usual habit-- MOROSE--but in him prepared for eccentricity sisters, however, make no excuse They secluded themselves in their staterooms during the greater part passage, and absolutely refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with any person on board

Mrs Wyatt herself was far more agreeable , she was CHATTY; and chatty is no slight recommendation at sea She became EXCESSIVELY intimate with most ladies; and, to my profound astonishment, evinced no equivocal disposition to coquet men She amused us all "amused"--and scarcely know how to explain myself The truth is, I soon found that Mrs W was far oftener laughed AT than WITH The gentlemen said little about her; but the ladies, in little while, pronounced her "a good-hearted thing, rather indifferent looking, totally uneducated, and decidedly vulgar " The great wonder was, how Wyatt entrapped into such match Wealth general solution--but this no solution at all; for Wyatt had told me that she neither brought him dollar nor had any expectations from any source whatever "He had married," , "for love, and for love only; bride was far more than worthy love " When expressions, friend, I confess that indescribably puzzled Could it be possible that taking leave senses ? What else could ? HE, so refined, so intellectual, so fastidious, with so exquisite perception faulty, and so keen an appreciation beautiful ! , the lady seemed especially fond of HIM--particularly so absence--when she made herself ridiculous by frequent quotations of what said by her "beloved husband, Mr Wyatt " The word "husband" seemed forever--to use one of her own delicate expressions--forever " tip of her tongue " meantime, observed by all on board, that he avoided HER most pointed manner, and, most part, shut himself up alone state-room, where, , said to live altogether, leaving his wife at full liberty to amuse herself as she thought best, public society main cabin

My conclusion, from what and heard, was, that, the artist, by some unaccountable freak of fate, or perhaps in some fit of enthusiastic and fanciful passion, induced to unite himself with person altogether beneath him, and natural result, entire and speedy disgust, had ensued I pitied him bottom heart--but , reason, quite forgive his incommunicativeness matter "Last Supper " I resolved my revenge

One day upon deck, and, taking his arm as my wont, I sauntered backward and forward His gloom, however (which I considered quite natural under the circumstances), seemed entirely unabated little, moodily, and with evident effort I ventured jest or two, and sickening attempt at smile Poor fellow ! --as WIFE, I wondered that he heart on even the semblance of mirth At last I ventured home thrust I determined to commence series of covert insinuations, or innuendoes, oblong box--just to let him perceive, gradually, that NOT altogether the butt, or victim, little bit of pleasant mystification My first observation was by way of opening masked battery something "peculiar shape box--,"and, as I spoke the words, I smiled knowingly, winked, and touched him gently with my forefinger ribs

The manner Wyatt received this harmless pleasantry convinced me, at once, that mad At first he stared at me it impossible to comprehend the witticism remark; but as its point seemed slowly its way into his brain, his eyes, same proportion, seemed protruding from their sockets Then he grew very red--then hideously pale--then, highly amused with what I had insinuated, he began loud and boisterous laugh, which, to my astonishment, he kept up, with gradually increasing vigor, for ten minutes or more In conclusion, he fell flat and heavily deck When I ran to uplift him, to all appearance DEAD

I called assistance, and, with much difficulty, we brought him to himself Upon reviving he spoke incoherently for we bled him and put him to bed The next morning quite recovered, as regarded his mere bodily health mind nothing, I avoided him during the rest passage, by advice captain, who seemed to coincide with me altogether in my views insanity, but cautioned me nothing head to any person on board

Several circumstances occurred immediately fit of Wyatt which contributed to heighten the curiosity already possessed Among other things, this: I nervous-- drank strong green tea, and slept ill at night-- , for two nights I properly said to sleep at all Now, my state-room opened main cabin, or dining-room, as did those of all the single men on board Wyatt's three rooms were after-cabin, separated main one by slight sliding door, never locked even at night were almost constantly on wind, breeze was not little stiff, the ship heeled to leeward very considerably; and whenever her starboard side was to leeward, the sliding door cabins slid open, and so remained, nobody taking the trouble up and shut it But my berth was position, that when my own state-room door was open, sliding door (and my own door was ALWAYS open on account heat,) I after-cabin quite distinctly, and just portion of it, too, where were situated the state-rooms of Mr Wyatt Well, during two nights (NOT consecutive) while I lay awake, I clearly saw Mrs W , about eleven o'clock upon each night, steal cautiously state-room of Mr W , and enter the extra room, where she remained until daybreak, when she was called by her husband and went back were virtually separated was clear They had separate apartments-- in contemplation of more permanent divorce; and here, after all mystery extra stateroom

another circumstance, too, which interested me much During the two wakeful nights , and immediately disappearance of Mrs Wyatt extra stateroom, attracted by certain singular cautious, subdued noises of her husband After listening for , with thoughtful attention, I succeeded perfectly in translating their import They were sounds occasioned artist in prying open the oblong box, of chisel and mallet--the latter being apparently muffled, or deadened, by some soft woollen or cotton substance its head was enveloped