It's an old friend and I must have a little talk with him." He walked with light steps across the room which was crowded, humming with many voices, the air heavy with smoke.

The man was still at the small table, and, opposite him, was an empty chair in which Robert sat deliberately, putting his elbows on the table, and staring into the hard blue eyes.
"I'm Peter Smith," he said.

"You remember me ?" There was a flicker of surprise in the Captain's face, but nothing more.
"Oh, yes, Peter," he said.

"I know you, but I was not looking for you just at this moment." "But I'm here." "Perhaps you're coming back to your duty, is that it?
Well, I'm glad.
I've another ship now, and though you're a runaway seaman I can afford to let bygones be bygones." "I hope your vessel has changed her trade.

I don't think I'd care to sail again on a slaver." "Always a particular sort of chap you were, Peter.