Then, although Montgomery's story about the need for his being on the spot was plausible, it was, perhaps, strange the head of a merchant house would stop for some time at a factory where his clerks died.

However, now Lister thought about it, Montgomery did not state if he had been there long.
"The fellow was generous with his liquor and his boy can mix a cocktail," he remarked.
Brown grinned.

"On the Coast, they're all generous with liquor.
Montgomery knows this; but I've a notion you are wondering whether he knows me.

I reckon not, but he knows the kind of skipper you generally meet in the palm oil trade.

Still the type's going out; now ship-owners pay higher, they get better men.