CHAPTER X 

Van Teyl, as he hastened forward to meet his friend, presented at first sight a very good type of the well-groomed, athletic young American. He was over six feet tall, with smooth, dark hair brushed back from his forehead, a strong, clean-shaven face and good features. Only, as he drew nearer, there was evident a slight, unnatural quivering at the corner of his lips. The cordiality of his greeting, too, was a little overdone. 

"Welcome home, Fischer! Why, man, you're looking fine. Had a pleasant voyage?" 

"Storms for the first few days--after that all right," Fischer replied. 

"Any submarines?" 

"Not a sight of one. Seen your sister yet?" 

"Not yet. I've been waiting about for a telephone message. She hadn't arrived, a few minutes ago." 

Fischer frowned. 

"I want us three to meet--you and she and I--the first moment she sets foot in the hotel," he declared. 

"What's the hurry?" Van Teyl demanded. "You must have seen plenty of her the last ten days." 

"That," Fischer insisted, "was a different matter. See here, Jimmy, I'll be frank with you." 

He walked to the door of the bedroom, opened it, and looked inside. Its sole occupant was Nikasti, who was at the far end, putting away some clothes. Fischer closed the door firmly and returned. 

"I want you to understand this, James," he began. "Your sister is meddling in certain things she'd best leave alone." 

Van Teyl lit a cigarette. 

"No use talking to me," he observed. "Pamela's her own mistress, and she's gone her own way ever since she came of age." 
HOw tall was Van? Who was meeting? Did they know each other? Where was Fischer coming from? Was the weather good? Who did Fischer want to see? Had she called? Where were they to meet? Who was to be there? Who was already in the room the men entered? What was she doing? What had the sister been doing? in what? What did Van do? What was the sisters name? Was she a kid? Did Fischer encounter any storms on his voyage? any submarines? Were they American? Did they leave the room door open?
over six feet tall Van Teyl and Fischer yes a voyage no his sister no the hotel fischer Jimmy and the sister Nikasti putting away some clothes. meddling things she'd best leave alone lit a cigarette. Pamela's no yes no yes no