The box in question was, as I say, oblong.  It was about six feet in length by two and a half in breadth; I observed it attentively, and like to be precise.  Now this shape was peculiar; and no sooner had I seen it, than I took credit to myself for the accuracy of my guessing.  I had reached the conclusion, it will be remembered, that the extra baggage of my friend, the artist, would prove to be pictures, or at least a picture; for I knew he had been for several weeks in conference with Nicolino; and now here was a box which, from its shape, could possibly contain nothing in the world but a copy of Leonardo’s “Last Supper;” and a copy of this very “Last Supper,” done by Rubini the younger at Florence, I had known, for some time, to be in the possession of Nicolino.  This point, therefore.  I considered as sufficiently settled.  I chuckled excessively when I thought of my acumen.  It was the first time I ever known Wyatt to keep from me any of his artistical secrets; but here he evidently intended to steal a march upon me, and smuggle a fine picture to New York, under my very nose; expecting me to know nothing of the matter.  I resolved to quiz him well, now and hereafter.

One thing, however, annoyed me not a little.  The box did not go into the extra stateroom.  It was deposited in Wyatt’s own; and there, too, it remained, occupying nearly the whole of the floor—­no doubt to the exceeding discomfort of the artist and his wife;—­this the more especially as the tar or paint with which it was lettered in sprawling capitals, emitted a strong, disagreeable, and, to my fancy, a peculiarly disgusting odor.  On the lid were painted the words—­“Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, Albany, New York.  Charge of Cornelius Wyatt, Esq.  This side up.  To be handled with care."

Now, I was aware that Mrs. Adelaide Curtis, of Albany, was the artist’s wife’s mother; but then I looked upon the whole address as a mystification, intended especially for myself.  I made up my mind, of course, that the box and contents would never get farther north than the studio of my misanthropic friend, in Chambers Street, New York.

For the first three or four days we had fine weather, although the wind was dead ahead; having chopped round to the northward, immediately upon our losing sight of the coast.  The passengers were, consequently, in high spirits, and disposed to be social.  I must except, however, Wyatt and his sisters, who behaved stiffly, and, I could not help thinking, uncourteously to the rest of the party. Wyatt’s conduct I did not so much regard.  He was gloomy, even beyond his usual habit—­in fact he was morose—­but in him I was prepared for eccentricity.  For the sisters, however, I could make no excuse.  They secluded themselves in their staterooms during the greater part of the passage, and absolutely refused, although I repeatedly urged them, to hold communication with any person on board.