"Are you the steward of the vessel?" the latter asked him.
"Yes, sir," replied Olbinett; "but I have not the honor——"
"I am the passenger of cabin number six."
"Number six?" repeated the steward.
"Certainly; and your name is——?"
"Olbinett."
"Well, Olbinett, my friend," answered the stranger of cabin number six, "I must think of dinner, and acutely, too. For thirty-six hours I have eaten nothing, or, rather, have slept, which is pardonable in a man come all the way from Paris to Glasgow. What hour do you dine, if you please?"
"At nine o'clock," answered Olbinett, mechanically.
The stranger attempted to consult his watch; but this took some time, for he did not find it till he came to his ninth pocket.
CONFUSION WORSE CONFOUNDED.