He was a tall, dark man with curly hair, and a heavy moustache, which joined a pair of mutton-chop whiskers. His face was much lined, and there was a haggard look beneath his keen grey eyes. He wore a soft felt slouch hat, a black morning coat, and loose trousers. His baggage apparently consisted of a large portmanteau, which was carried up by one of the sailors, and tumbled on to the deck. ‘What name?’ inquired Mr Sparkes, who waited at the head of the gangway to receive him. ‘I wish to see the captain,’ was the stranger’s only answer. ‘You will find him on the bridge,’ said Richard Sparkes, and without another word the new-comer hastily mounted the companion, and confronted the skipper. ‘Captain Robarts?’ he inquired briefly. ‘The same, sir,’ replied the captain. ‘What is your business?’ ‘There is my card,’ returned the other, producing it. ‘Oh, yes! of course,’ said Captain Robarts, as he looked at the card; ‘very pleased to see you, Mr Fowler, and if you will ask the steward, he will show you your berth.’ During this short colloquy, the passengers assembled on the deck eyed the new-comer curiously, and many were the speculations raised concerning him. ‘Who can he be, Captain Lovell?’ asked Alice Leyton, who had become quite friendly with the gentleman in question. ‘I should say he had come to take charge of the powder,’ replied Lovell. ‘He is evidently going to remain, as he has brought his luggage.’ ‘Perhaps he is (what Jack calls) a supercargo,’ suggested Alice. ‘No, Miss Leyton, they don’t have such things now-a-days, although the highly-favoured individual whom you call “Jack” may have told you so.’ ‘Jack is likely to know best, though, all the same, because he is a sailor,’ cried Alice merrily. ‘But do you really think, Captain Lovell,’ she continued, opening her blue eyes, ‘that there is any danger from the gunpowder?’ ‘Not unless the ship catches fire, and then we should be blown to “smithereens.” I daresay if we had any one on board evilly disposed to the rest of us, he could, with very little trouble, put an end to our existence.’ ‘But he would blow himself up at the same time,’ said Alice. ‘True; but in _such company_,’ replied Lovell, looking ineffable things at her, ‘a fellow might even feel glad to be blown up.’ ‘Don’t let us talk of such horrible things, Captain Lovell, and when we have not yet commenced the voyage. Do you see that lady talking to the gentleman who is leaning against the rail? She is a Miss Vere. She is an actress, and is going all through Australia and New Zealand.’ ‘By George! Is that really Miss Vere?’ said Captain Lovell, putting up his eyeglass. ‘I really didn’t recognise her off the stage. She ought to be good company. She’s very clever.’ ‘Don’t you think she is very handsome?’ ‘Perhaps. But she’s not _my_ style,’ replied the captain, glancing at Alice’s fair hair.