But it came to an end.

A shipping agent at Alicante used me as a messenger, and finally, since I knew English and no one else in his office did, turned me into a shipping clerk." Hillyard had quite forgotten Commodore Graham, who sat patiently twiddling his thumbs throughout the autobiography, and now came with something of a start to a recognition of where he sat.

He sprang up and reached for his hat.
"So, you see, you might as well ask a Chinaman at Stepney what he knows of England as ask me what I know of Spain.

I am just wasting your time.
But I have to thank you," and he bowed with a winning pleasantness, "for reviving in me some very happy recollections which were growing dim." The Commodore, however, did not stir.
"But it is possible," he said quietly, "that you do know the very places which interest me--the people too." Hillyard looked at the Commodore.

He put down his hat and resumed his seat.
"For instance ?" "The Columbretes." Hillyard laughed.
"Islands sixty miles from Valencia." "With a lighthouse," interrupted Graham.
"And a little tumble-down inn with a vine for an awning." "Oh! I didn't know there was an inn," said Graham.