recovery of discretion, but the mystery pieced itself together as
if on purpose to entertain me. Their speech was pitched in the
key that may in English air be called alien in spite of a few
coincidences. The voices were American, however, with a
difference; and I had no hesitation in assigning the softer and
clearer sound to the pale thin gentleman, whom I decidedly
preferred to his comrade. The latter began to question him about
his voyage.

"Horrible, horrible! I was deadly sick from the hour we left New
York."

"Well, you do look considerably reduced," said the second-comer.

"Reduced! I've been on the verge of the grave. I haven't slept
six hours for three weeks." This was said with great gravity.

"Well, I've made the voyage for the last time."

"The plague you have! You mean to locate here permanently?"

"Oh it won't be so very permanent!"

There was a pause; after which: "You're the same merry old boy,
Searle. Going to give up the ghost to-morrow, eh?"

"I almost wish I were."

"You're not so sweet on England then? I've heard people say at
home that you dress and talk and act like an Englishman. But I