"You seem well acquainted with the family history, my friend," he remarked, slowly.
"Yes," Frazier answered, shortly, adding, in a low, smooth voice: "It was a fatal accident which robbed Hubert Varrick, some time since, of the bride whom he had just wedded. Her death has never been clearly proven, has it?"
"Oh, yes, it has," returned the minister. "Her body was among the unfortunates who were afterward recovered."
"Ah!" said Frazier, sotto voice, adding: "It is so very strange, my good sir, that after this thrilling experience, Varrick should take it upon himself to secure another wife."
The good minister looked at him, quite embarrassed. He did not care to discuss the subject with one who was an entire stranger to him, wondering that he should introduce such a personal subject, and at such a time and place.
"Excuse me, my friend, but I feel a little delicacy in discussing so personal a matter," he said, gently.
But this did not in the least abash Captain Frazier.
"It seems to me that I should insist upon proof positive—ay, proof beyond any possibility of doubt—that my first wife was dead ere I contracted a second alliance," remarked Frazier, quite significantly.
"Mr. Varrick believes that he has this, I understand," said the minister, gravely.
Frazier shrugged his shoulders, turned and looked at the man from under his lowering brows—a look which the minister did not relish.