"I was thrown against the railing in a storm and broke it on the way from Shanghai to Victoria."
A long pause ensued which was at last broken by the Jap, who inquired: "Do you know Lieutenant Longstreet of the American Navy?"
"I know no one of that name in the American Navy."
The Jap scrutinized Wilson's face, but the latter remained perfectly unconcerned.
"You told the captain that you've been in San Francisco often," began the Jap again; "on what line were you?"
"On no line, I was at San Francisco for pleasure."
"When?"
"The last time was two years ago."
"May I see your papers?"
"Certainly," said Wilson, getting up to fetch them from his cabin.