"Portuguese coast," replied Strauss. "Thinking of swimming there?"
"About a hundred yards is my limit," said Jack. "So I don't think I'll take it on."
Both men descended the companion and entered the cabin, which opened aft out of the saloon, for in her earlier days the s.s. Geier had passenger accommodation in addition to carrying cargo.
Siegfried Strauss waited until tea was served, and, ordering the steward to clear out, prepared to subject his guest to a carefully manipulated cross-examination.
But before he could get in his first question he was totally taken aback when Villiers looked him straight in the face and demanded bluntly.
"Isn't your name Kristian Borgen?"
It was wide of the mark, nevertheless Strauss knew now that Villiers had his suspicions.
"No, it is not," he replied. "I am ready to swear to that."
"What's in a name?" quoted Jack. "I suppose you are equally prepared to swear that you are not a German, and that this vessel isn't the Geier under an assumed name?"
Strauss was on the point of blustering when he bethought himself that it would be advisable to assume a conciliatory and non-committal attitude.