I was not a shining success there." The confessions of Heyst.

Not one of us--with the probable exception of Morrison, who was dead--had ever heard so much of his history.

It looks as if the experience of hermit life had the power to loosen one's tongue, doesn't it?
During that memorable passage, in the Sissie, which took about two days, he volunteered other hints--for you could not call it information--about his history.

And Davidson was interested.

He was interested not because the hints were exciting but because of that innate curiosity about our fellows which is a trait of human nature.