As he stood beside the railing a stout man looking like a prosperous merchant came out of his stateroom, and locked the door behind him. Then he passed through the nearest passage way into the saloon.
"He looks as if he might carry something of value," thought Kirby. "I'll venture to examine."
Waiting till the coast was clear he produced a pass key, of which he had managed to gain possession, and inserted it in the lock of stateroom No. 157, as we will venture to designate it.
The door opened, and Kirby entered the room.
He drew a match from his pocket, and lighting it looked swiftly and searchingly about him.
There was a small hand-bag on the lower berth.
"I'd take the bag if I dared, but it is too large to put in my pocket," thought Kirby. "Perhaps I can open it."
He drew from his pocket a bunch of keys of various sizes, and tried one after another. The fourth proved to fit.
The bag, when opened, displayed a variety of contents in which Kirby was not interested. But one article attracted his attention. This was a square pasteboard box with the name of Tiffany upon it.
"I'll take that at a venture," soliloquized Kirby. "Since it bears Tiffany's name the contents must be of value. I won't stay any longer, for it might prove dangerous."