Cartwright's look, however, was inscrutable and for a few moments he said nothing.

Then he picked up some papers on his desk.
"Look me up now and then when you're in port.

I might have a job for you, but I don't know yet," he said, and added in a meaning voice: "If you want to see my family, Mrs.Cartwright will receive you at her house." Lister colored and got up.

"I'll remember, sir! Perhaps I oughtn't to have persuaded Miss Hyslop--I didn't stop to think--" When he went off Cartwright smiled, but soon afterwards he put his cigar-case in his pocket and told Gavin he was going out.

He thought he knew where to find the cattle boat's shore-engineer, and when he did so the waitress gave them a table at which they would not be disturbed.