I fell ill after that journey to the Peak, and although Railton nursed me like a woman--he's a good fellow, Railton, and not as rough as you would expect--I woke up out of my fever at last to find all the money gone.

I'm a fellow of resource, Trenoweth, so I hit on the idea of working my passage home; by good luck found the _Belle Fortune_ was short of hands, offered my services, was accepted--having been to sea before, you know--sold my old clothes for this costume--must dress when one is acting a part-- and here I am.' "'Is Railton with you ?' I asked.
"'Oh, yes, similarly attired.

I did not see you yesterday, being busy with the cargo, so that it's all the more pleasant to meet here.
But work is the order of the day now.

You'll give me a good character to the captain, won't you?
Good-bye for the present.' "I cannot tell how much this meeting has depressed me.

Certainly I have no reason for disbelieving the man's story, but the frequency and strangeness of our meetings make it hard to believe them altogether accidental.