d, debilitated partly by fever and partly by his own
excesses; he was tall but sparely built, boasted keen, hawk-like eyes, a
nose that at first glance reminded one of the same bird's beak, a small
and carefully-trimmed moustache, and last, but not least, exceedingly
small hands and feet, of which he was inordinately proud. The fingers of
the former, which were dirty, were invariably ornamented with rings.

The captain, who, as I have already said, had laid himself out to be
agreeable to Max, found an occasion to invite him to the chart-room
alone. Once there he spoke his mind freely and to the point.

"I want to give you a hint, Mr. Mortimer," he said, for that was the
name Max had assumed. "I must put you on your guard against our friend
Moreas."

"I am exceedingly obliged to you for the trouble you are taking," Max
returned, as he seated himself on the chart locker. "What has he done
that you should warn me against him?"

The captain sank his voice a little as he replied.

"I have known him for a good many years. He is a notorious gambler, and,
as far as my observation goes, I can say that I have seen him win a good
deal oftener than he loses. When I say that he is a dead shot with a
revolver, and that he is not above calling a man out and putting a
bullet into him before breakfast, you will understand that I've gone out
of my way to tell you something that might land me in difficulties if he
came to know of it."

"I am obliged to you," said Max. "You may be quite sure I shall respect
your confidence. I will be on my guard for the future."

"I'm glad to hear it," the captain replied and added: "I've noticed that
you've been playing cards with him lately."

Max admitted the soft impeachment. He might have added that he had lost
more than he cared to remember. He felt certain in his own mind,
however, that Moreas had obtained the money honestly, and in common
fairness he felt compelled to say so to the captain.

"I don't doubt it," the other answered. "He is not such a fool as to try
anything else while it is possible for him to get it by straightforward
play. But if you must play with him I should advise you to keep your
eyes and wits open. It is not in my interest to say so, for if you find
him out you will come to quarrelling, and then possibly to blows, and at
that point it will be my duty to step in. But I don't want to have to do
it. As a rule, we carry very few passengers on this boat, but I can tell
y