Haller frowned. “I am afraid that I am only too right about that gentleman. He is not really very interesting.”
“He has a theory that all men are potential murderers and is fond of quoting a German proverb to the effect that a man is an ape in velvet.”
“It does not surprise me,” was the acid reply. “Every man must justify himself somehow.”
“Aren’t you a little severe?”
“Perhaps. I regret to say that I find Señor Gallindo a very ill-mannered person.”
Graham’s reply was interrupted by the entrance of the man himself, looking as if he had just got out of bed. He was followed by the Italian mother and son. The conversation became desultory and over-polite.
The Sestri Levante was tied up alongside the new wharf on the north side of the harbour of the Piræus soon after two o’clock. As, with Mr. Kuvetli, Graham stood on the deck waiting for the passenger gangway to be hoisted into position, he saw that Josette and José had left the saloon and were standing behind him. José nodded to them suspiciously as if he were afraid that they were thinking of borrowing money from him. The girl smiled. It was the tolerant smile that sees a friend disregarding good advice.
Mr. Kuvetli spoke up eagerly. “Are you going ashore, Monsieur-dame?”
“Why should we?” demanded José. “It is a waste of time to go.”
But Mr. Kuvetli was not sensitive. “Ah! Then you know Athens, you and your wife?”