i wondered briefly if i should hide in case it was the harbor master , but i did n't have the time.i had clearly already been spotted.and it turned out that my fears were unnecessary in that regard anyway.the fat , fleshy folds of the eunuch pothinus slowly came into view.i tried to still my pounding heart as he came to a stop in front of me and stared at me calmly , just as a snake might right before striking.he smelled like a hamster .