I bowed slightly on my side of the table, and told him I commanded a merchant vessel at present anchored in Rushcutters' Bay.

He had "remarked" her,--a pretty little craft.

He was very civil about it in his impassive way.

I even fancy he went the length of tilting his head in compliment as he repeated, breathing visibly the while, "Ah, yes.

A little craft painted black--very pretty--very pretty (tres coquet)." After a time he twisted his body slowly to face the glass door on our right.