“In that case,” remarked Gerald with a smile, “suppose you exchange places with me.”
“Would you give me a place as private secretary?” asked the tourist.
“Yes.”
“My dear Gerald, envy no man the possession of money. You are young and healthy, and with an excellent prospect before you. You will be happier than if there were no necessity for your working.”
“I believe you, Mr. Brooke. I was only joking.”
While the landlord was bantering Mr. Brooke upon being a rich Englishman, a dark-whiskered man, with a sallow face and shifty eyes, listened with apparent interest. He watched Noel Brooke with a scrutinizing glance, and listened attentively to what he said.
When Brooke decided to board the steamer this man settled his bill and followed him to the boat. At the office the tourist found that a single stateroom was vacant, No. 37, and he secured it.
It contained two berths, an upper and lower.
“You may take the upper berth, Gerald,” he said. “I shall avail myself of my privilege as an older man to occupy the lower.”
“All right, Mr. Brooke. It makes no difference to me.”