Before very long some one came behind and touched him on the shoulder. He
turned, and in the fading light looked into the smiling face of his late
companion--the same and yet quite different, for the beard was gone, and
there only remained the long fair moustache.
"Yes," said Dr. Mark Ruthine, "Jem Agar. I was a fool not to know you at
first."
A sort of shyness flickered for a moment in the blue eyes.
"I have been practising so hard during the last ten months to look like
some one else that I hardly feel like myself," he said.
"Um-m! There was something uncanny about you when you first came on
board. I used to watch you at meals, and wonder what it was. By God,
Agar, I _am_ glad!"
"Thanks," replied Jem Agar. He was looking round him rather nervously.
"You don't think there is anybody on board who will know me, do you?"
"No one, barring the Captain."
"Oh," said Agar calmly, "he is all right. He can keep his mouth shut."
"There is no doubt about that," replied the Doctor.
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