"Sacre! I thought eet vas Coombs. Who are you, M'sieur?"

"I came in last night," I replied evasively, "and was just looking
about a bit."

"So! you know Coombs, hey?"

"I 've met him--yes."

The black eyes searched my face, and I noted his right hand touch the
hilt of a knife in his belt.

"What water is this?" I asked, ignoring his action, "bayou?"

"Oui, M'sieur."

"Are we near the sea?"

"Twenty-seex mile. You not know where you are? 'Tis odd you not know,
M'sieur."

I laughed, enjoying his bewilderment, yet not realizing how to turn it
to better account.

"Oh, no. I came by train in the night, and am a little hazy as to
location. You live about here?"

"Som'time; then off again--sailor."