It was some time later that Merefleet entered the smoking-room to satisfy a certain curiosity which had taken possession of him.

He looked round the room as he sat down, and almost at once his attention lighted upon a broad-shouldered man of about thirty with a plain, square-jawed face of great determination, who sat, puffing at a short pipe, by the open window.
Merefleet silently observed this man for some time, till, his scrutiny making itself felt, the object of it wheeled abruptly in his chair and returned it.
Merefleet leant forward.

It was so little his custom to open conversation with a stranger that his manner was abrupt and somewhat forced on this unusual occasion.
"I believe I ought to know you," he said.

"But I can't recall your name." The reply was delivered in a manner as curt as his own.

"My name is Seton," said the stranger.