It silenced further criticism from the disaffected member.

We coasted past the sharp bows of a navy of great steamships and stopped at last at a government building on a stone pier.

It was easy to remember then that the douain was the customhouse and not the hotel.

We did not mention it, however.

With winning French politeness the officers merely opened and closed our satchels, declined to examine our passports, and sent us on our way.