May I offer you a cigarette ?" I accepted it more to exhibit my own coolness than from any desire to smoke, but without other response.

The man had sent for me for some specific purpose, and I desired to learn what that might be before unmasking my own batteries.
"A smoke generally leaves me in more genial humor," he continued, ignoring my reticence.

"Mere habit, of course, but we are all more or less in slavery to the weed.

I trust you have been fairly comfortable since coming on board the _Sea Gull_." "As much so as a prisoner could naturally expect to be," I replied indifferently.

"This vessel then is the _Sea Gull_ ?" He bowed, with an expressive gesticulation of the hand.
"At present--yes.