"I think there's something mysterious about several passengers on this
boat," grunted Browning. "I haven't seen much of this young fellow
Bloodgood, but he strikes me as a mystery."

"Why?"

"Well he seems to have money to burn, and I don't understand why such a
fellow did not take passage on a regular liner."

"As far as that goes," smiled Merry, "I presume some people might think
it rather singular that we did not cross the pond in a regular liner;
but then they might suppose it was a case of economy with us."

While they were talking there came a rap on their door which Frank threw
open.

Just outside stood a young man with a flushed face and distressed
appearance. He was dressed in a plaid suit, and wore a red four-in-hand
necktie, in which blazed a huge diamond. There were two large solitaire
rings on his left hand, and he wore a heavy gold chain strung across his
vest.

"Beg your pardon, dear boys," he drawled. "Hope I'm not intruding."

Then he walked in and closed the door.

"My name's Bloodgood," he said--"Raymond Bloodgood. I've seen you
fellows together, and you seem like a jolly lot. Heard you singing, you
know. Great voices--good singing."