"Now tackle the soup, and you'll see," he heard. "There's a spoon. Hold on to the bowl, wedge yourself into the seat, and enjoy your meal. Bravo! I see that you will be the very first of our invalids to get over this little trouble. Steward!"
"Sir?"
"A cup of coffee, black and strong, and a few biscuits, for this gentleman."
Dudley felt better already. The very fact of having someone to talk to was a relief, and it took his attention from himself for the moment. He found that the soup tasted as no other soup had done before. Wonderful to relate, he suddenly discovered that he had an appetite, and recollected that he had starved for three whole days, a sacrifice in which he had never before indulged.
"Like it?" asked the stranger shortly.
"The best I've ever tasted," answered our young hero, a thin smile wreathing his lips. "I'm hungry."
"And so you ought to be. Steward, just bring along a plate of beef, and see that there is nothing but lean. This young gentleman is hungry."
There was a broad smile on Dudley's face now, for the hot soup had warmed him right through, and seemed as if by magic to have driven his giddiness and nausea away, such is the rallying power of youth. He took a closer look at the passenger sitting opposite, and found something attractive in his face. He sat high in his chair, and had every appearance of being tall. He was remarkably thin and wiry, as if he were trained to the very last ounce, for no one could suggest that illness had anything to do with his condition. His powerful bronzed face, with its fair, flowing moustache, its prominent nose and cheek bones and piercing, kindly eyes, discouraged that idea, while there was no sign of frailty about the broad shoulders, the deep chest, and the powerful, sun-tanned fingers which were clasped upon the table. This was a man who was engaged in an active, strenuous life, and, inexperienced though Dudley was, something told him intuitively that his new friend had gone through many an ordeal, had faced death, and had battled often for existence.
"Wondering who I am, eh?"
The question was asked abruptly and not unkindly, for there was the suspicion of a smile on the stranger's face. Dudley blushed, and stammered.