The Secret Sharer is the former chief mate of a ship called the Sephora, where he killed another crew member for insolence during a storm. Found clinging naked onto the side ladder of another ship, he was concealed (for mysterious psychological reasons) by the Captain in his cabin without the rest of the crew's knowledge. The true name of the Secret Sharer is Leggatt. He now lives in the imaginary city of Urville.