"Allow me to introduce myself anew," said the stranger. "Your memory is not good. Dr. Peterssen, at your service."
"What, Peterssen!" cried Leonard.
"The same."
"I should never have recognized you," said Leonard, taking the lighted match and applying it to his cigar.
"Small wonder. When we last met I was in low water, and my face was bearded. You remember me now?"
"Yes, I remember you now."
"Voices do not change. Let me see. It is eighteen months ago since we saw each other. Ballarat I think the place was.
"Yes, it was on Ballarat."
"A marvellous gold field, though we got none of the precious metal, partly from indolence, partly from ill luck."
Dr. Peterssen and Leonard had met in Australia, and had struck up an acquaintance there. Arcades ambo. It would not have been to their credit if some of their mutual experiences were known. Leonard was painfully conscious of the fact, and could not just at this moment make up his mind whether the meeting was one to be hailed with satisfaction, or the reverse. He knew Dr. Peterssen to be ripe for any villainy, and at this juncture it might be handy to have such a friend near him; but how far would it be safe to trust the man?