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 Bruce.