ng on board ship all the
time?

"Say, mister!" said a voice in my ear, accompanied by a
characteristically familiar touch on the shoulder. "There's a gentleman
asking for you."

I looked up and beheld the frowzy, perspiring barkeeper, in his usual
shirt-sleeves. A visitor for me? Why, Morrissey, of course--or was it
the bank manager come to say he had thought better of his refusal, and I
could open an account within modest limits right there? The grimy
barkeeper seemed as an angel with a message as I followed him somewhat
hastily to the front room. Then disappointment awaited. The room
contained neither of these, but one stranger, and him I didn't know from
Adam.

CHAPTER SIX.

OF THE UNEXPECTED.

The stranger, who was looking out of the window, turned as I entered,
and I saw a tall good-looking young fellow, some three or four years my
junior.

"Don't you know me?" he said, with a smile.

"I'm afraid I don't," I answered, feeling thoroughly puzzled, and the
thought flashed through my mind he must be some relative of the child I
had rescued.

"I wondered if you would," he went on. "I'm Matterson--Brian Matterson.
We were at old Wankley's together."

"By Jove! Why, so it is. I'm awfully glad to meet you. It's small
wonder if I didn't know you again, Matterson. You were a youngster
then, and it must be quite a dozen years ago, if not more."

"About that," he answered; and by this time we were "pump-handling" away
like anything.

"How on earth did you find me out, though?" I asked. "I don't know a
soul in the land."

"That's just it. I got on your spoor by the merest fluke. Was in at
the bank this morning on business, and while I was yarning with
Marshbanks I saw your card lying on the table. That made me skip, I can
tell you, for I thought there couldn't be two _Kenrick_ Holts; if it had
been Tom or George, or any name like that, of course it wouldn't have
been so certain. Marshbanks said you had called on him not very long
before me, and he was sorry to have to disappoint you, because you
looked a decent sort of chap; but still, biz was biz."

"Oh, I don't blame him in the least," I said. "I fully recognise that
maxim myself."

"Well, I told him if you were the chap I thought, he need raise no
further _indaba_ about accommodating you, because I'd take the
responsibility. So we'll stroll round presently and look him up, and
put the thing all right."

"Awfully good of you, Matt