"Mr.Vickers, when you're as old as I am, you'll know that this here world is as full o' puzzles as yon sea's full o'fish!" Vickers could only stare at his companion in speechless silence after that.

He felt that there was some mystery about which Chatfield evidently knew a great deal while he knew nothing.

The old fellow's coolness, his ready acceptance of the Bristol facts, his almost contemptuous brushing aside of them, reduced Vickers to a feeling of helplessness.

And Chatfield saw it, and laughed, and drawing a pocket-flask out of his garments, helped himself to a tot of spirits--after which he good-naturedly offered like refreshment to Vickers.

But Vickers shook his head.
"No, thanks," he said.