CHAPTER V.

THE SUPERSTITIOUS MAN.


A little man hesitated outside the door when it was opened. He had a
sad, uncertain, mournful drab face, puckered into a peculiar expression
about the mouth. He was dressed in black, but his clothes were not a
very good fit or in the latest style. He fingered his hat nervously. His
voice was faltering when he spoke.

"I--I beg your pardon, gentlemen. I--I hope I am not--intruding?"

He had not crossed the threshold. He seemed in doubt about the
advisability of venturing in.

There was something amusing in the appearance of the little man. Frank
recognized a "character" in him, and Merry was interested immediately.
He invited the little man in, and closed the door when that person had
entered.

"I--I know it's rather--rather--er--bold of me," said the stranger,
apologetically. "But you know people on shipboard--er--take
many--liberties."

"Oh, yes, we know it!" muttered Diamond.

Browning grunted and looked the little man over. He was a curiosity to