particular emotion. On the contrary he struck me then as
absolutely imperturbable.

"Oh! You must be thinking of my brother."

It was for me, then, to say "Oh!" But I hope that no more than
civil surprise appeared in my voice when I asked him to what, then,
I owed the pleasure. . . . He was reaching for an inside pocket
leisurely.

"My brother's a very different person. But I am well known in this
part of the world. You've probably heard--"

I took a card he extended to me. A thick business card, as I
lived! Alfred Jacobus--the other was Ernest--dealer in every
description of ship's stores! Provisions salt and fresh, oils,
paints, rope, canvas, etc., etc. Ships in harbour victualled by
contract on moderate terms--

"I've never heard of you," I said brusquely.

His low-pitched assurance did not abandon him.

"You will be very well satisfied," he breathed out quietly.

I was not placated. I had the sense of having been circumvented
somehow. Yet I had deceived myself--if there was any deception.
But the confounded cheek of inviting himself to breakfast was
enough to deceive any one. And the thought struck me: Why! The
fellow had provided all these eatables himself in the way of