He said this just as if it had been a walk to Tarbert or Loch Katrine
they were going, and the steward bowed with perfect gravity in reply.

"Are you coming with us, Major?" asked Lady Helena.

"If you command me," replied McNabbs.

"Oh!" said Lord Glenarvan; "the Major is absorbed in his cigar;
"you mustn't tear him from it. He is an inveterate smoker,
Miss Mary, I can tell you. He is always smoking, even while he sleeps."

The Major gave an assenting nod, and Lord Glenarvan and his
party went below.

McNabbs remained alone, talking to himself, as was his habit,
and was soon enveloped in still thicker clouds of smoke.
He stood motionless, watching the track of the yacht.
After some minutes of this silent contemplation he turned round,
and suddenly found himself face to face with a new comer.
Certainly, if any thing could have surprised him, this RENCONTRE would,
for he had never seen the stranger in his life before.

He was a tall, thin, withered-looking man, about forty years
of age, and resembled a long nail with a big head. His head
was large and massive, his forehead high, his chin very marked.
His eyes were concealed by enormous round spectacles, and in his
look was that peculiar indecision which is common to nyctalopes,
or people who have a peculiar construction of the eye,
which makes the sight imperfect in the day and better at night.
It was evident from his physiognomy that he was a lively,