sel. He saw an excellent opening at the
beginning of the steamship era to add to his income, so commenced a
business which flourished so well that his riches were the envy of a
large residential public, to say nothing of the seafaring itinerants
who swarmed in and out of the port. He spoke English with a Levantine
accent. Physically, he was a fine-looking, well-built man, who
commanded attention and respect from everybody. He was on excellent
terms with the port authorities, and with sea captains, and deemed it
part of a well thought-out policy to share with popular shrewdness a
portion of his takings. His benevolence was more partially shown
towards the officials than to those from whom he derived his income;
but because of his geniality, and--mostly, I should say--on account of
his generosity, he was well liked by both sections of people. He was
quite uneducated, and, like most clever men who have this misfortune,
he had great natural gifts. His memory was prodigious, and he invested
his savings with the judgment of an expert, keeping mental accounts
with startling accuracy; but, notwithstanding this, his memory never
retained anything he conceived it to be policy to forget. When asked
his opinion as to whether there was any likelihood of anything more
being heard of the captain's running out of the harbour and over the
torpedoes, he suggestively put his finger to his mouth, and said--

"I can know nothing, but I tink it is over." And shrugging his broad
shoulders, he 'cutely remarked, "Some dead, some maybe Siberia,
and"--with a significant smile he lowered his voice to a
whisper--"some, maybe, 'fraid to say anything because for many reason.
Yes, I tink finis; but if not, den you trust me to help. I knows these
people, and some of dem knows me."

Yaunie was taken fully into the confidence of the captain and
Patrovish, and when he took his leave they felt sure that to have him
as a friend was of great value in the event of the affair being
resurrected. The captain had renewed many old friendships, and spent
his evenings in the hospitable homes of an English colony whose
kindness is unequalled anywhere. Unlike most English families who
settle in foreign countries, they retained a great many of their
national customs in food, and also in their mode of life generally. Of
course the extremes of climate have to be considered, but all their
homes preserve their British atmosphere.

The _Claverhouse_ had nearly completed