“I hope he is,” Dave answered.
Later Matthews joined them below.
“It struck me, gentlemen,” he declared, “that my introduction was rather informal. Permit me to offer you my card.”
He tendered to each a bit of pasteboard that neither could very well decline. It was a business card that he had offered, and its legend stated that Matthews was connected with a well-known Chicago dry-goods house.
“But in these times,” smiled their new acquaintance, “an American passport is a better introduction than a mere card.”
Whereupon he produced his passport. After a glance at it the two young naval officers did not see how they could escape offering their own cards, which Matthews gladly accepted and deposited in his own card-case.
He did not intrude, however, but soon moved off, after a cheery word of parting. Dave and Dan went out for another stroll, returning in time for dinner.
Hardly had they seated themselves when Matthews, fresh and smiling, stopped at their table in the dining room.
“I’m afraid you’ll vote me a bore,” he apologized, “but American company is such a treat in this town that I’m going to inquire whether my presence would be distasteful. If not, may I dine with you?”
“Be seated, by all means,” Darrin responded, with as much heartiness as he could summon.