"Colonel Stanton," she said, seating herself at his side, "were you ever in the neighborhood before—I mean some ten or eleven years ago?"
At this question Colonel Stanton became immediately interested, and his wide-open eyes showed it.
"I do not know if I was in this neighborhood," he answered slowly.
"You do not know? Surely you must remember where you were at the time I mention."
"The time you speak about was a very bitter one to me, madam," was his slow answer.
"And you do not wish to speak about it?" she said softly, seeing the pain in his face.
"I have spoken to nobody about it for years, madam. Yet I would not mind speaking to you—you are so kind to me. During the time you mention I took an ocean voyage which was very disastrous to me and mine. The ship went down with all on board, including my wife and child."
"Did the ship go down on this coast?"
"She struck somewhere along the coast; where, I am not exactly sure."
"May I ask the name of the vessel?"