"No, thanks," he said quietly, "if you don't mind, I think I'd rather preserve my incognito."
"Incognito, is it? Oh, very well, suit yourself. And what will I be callin' your Highness?"
"Peter Nichols," said the Grand Duke with a smile, "it's as good as any other."
"Right you are, Peter Nichols. Lay for'rad and tell the bos'n to show you up to my cabin."
So Peter Nichols went forward, avoiding the cargo aft, until within a day's run of the Bosphorus when he found himself accosted by no less a person than Prince Galitzin who had strolled out to get the morning air. He tried to avoid the man but Galitzin planted himself firmly in his path, scrutinizing him eagerly.
"You too, Highness!" he said with an accent of grieved surprise.
The Grand Duke regarded him in a moment of silence.
"It must be evident to you, Prince Galitzin, that I have some object in remaining unknown."
"But, Your Highness, such a thing is unnecessary. Are we not all dedicated to the same misfortunes? Misery loves company."
"You mean that it makes you less miserable to discover that I share your fate?"