It appeared that the man had a berth on the same car, and they climbed aboard together. In the smoking compartment was Mr. Willing, to whom Dick introduced the newcomer. Mr. Ashton came in a few moments later, and all sat talking.
The stranger, who introduced himself as Henry Bristow, made himself very agreeable and Mr. Willing took an instant liking to him.
During the course of the conversation, Dick chanced to mention that they would sail from New York for San Francisco on the fifteenth.
“On what ship?” demanded Bristow eagerly.
“Yucatan,” was the reply.
“Is that so?” exclaimed the other. “I shall sail on the same vessel.”
“For San Francisco?” asked Dick in surprise.
“That all depends,” was the answer. “I shall only take passage as far as Colon. Whether I shall go further depends upon my—upon circumstances.”
“We shall be glad to have you as a fellow passenger,” declared Mr. Willing. “As you are going to be such, you must meet my daughter, and the daughter of the colonel here.”
“I shall be pleased,” was the reply.