edicine, he
spoke seven languages and read several others. But these things were
drawn from him by Tommy's artful questions, rather than being said in
boastfulness. Indeed, Monsieur was charmingly, almost touchily, modest.
Of his business in Havana he gave no hint, yet this happened to be the
one piece of information that Tommy seemed most possessed to find out.

"You'll be in Cuba long, Monsieur?" he asked.

"No one can say. A day, a week, a month, a year--it is an elusive search
I follow, my young friends. May I call you that?"

We bowed, and I deferentially suggested:

"If we can help you in any way?----"

"It is the beautiful spirit of America," he sighed, "to help those in
distress, yet there is nothing to do but watch--watch. For you have not
yet been here long enough to see a child in these waters--no?"

Tommy, perhaps because he came from the South and was on more or less
friendly terms with superstitions, glanced over the rail as if an infant
might be floating around almost anywhere. Our strange guest's mysterious
hints were, indeed, rather conducive to creeps.

Then, without further comment, he arose, tossed his cigar overboard, ran
his fingers through his mass of hair, and went below.

"What d'you suppose he meant?" I asked, in a guarded voice.

"Simple enough," Tommy whispered. "He's got apartments to let
upstairs."

"Get out, man," I laughed. "That chap has more sense than either of us!"

"Then he'd better come across with some of it. You remember the freckled
lad at Soissons who got fuzzy-headed from too much concussion? Well, he
saw children around everywhere, too! It's a sure sign, Jack!" But now he
laughed, adding: "Oh, I suppose our little Roumanian's all right,
only----"

He was interrupted by Monsieur, himself, who emerged from the
companionway door.

"I come again," he smiled apologetically, "because tomorrow our journeys
part, and I have shown scant consideration for your kindness."

"It's we who feel the obligation," Tommy murmured. "Now, if we could
only help you find the child--supposing, of course, that's what you're
watching for!"

Monsieur gave a deep sigh, appearing to be quite overcome by a secret
grief; but after a moment he looked at us, asking ingenuously:

"You think my behavior unusual?"

"Well, since you make a point of it," I laughed, and hesitated.

"I see, I see! But, my young friends, you must take my word that I
cannot tell you much." He drew us nearer. "Thi