as related to me by the sea-captain M.— C.—, in a tavern in the port of Hamburg, in the summer of the year before the plague Once upon a time the charter tallship A.— was moored in the port of T.— in the mountainous fjords of the far north. Upon completing their duties in between sailing-trips, the crew of this ship was accustomed to taking their repose in an establishment famous among seafaring persons for its mightily strong and heavily discounted gin-and-tonics. On the particular evening that concerns our story, a fetching young French lady tourist was also availing herself of the liquid charms of that fine grog-shop.