Kit got to work and Wheeler lighted a cigar. By and by he picked up the sketch.
“You were at an English shipyard. Why did you quit?”
“Since Mr. Austin knows, I expect you know.”
“Austin does not know much,” said Wheeler dryly. “I can’t force you to talk.”
“A draftsman gave away some improvements the company could not patent. The chiefs suspected me.”
Wheeler nodded. He knew men, and he thought if Kit had cheated he would have talked at length.
“Well, there was no use in your applying at another yard? When you resolved to pull out, why did you fix on Canada?”
“Montreal was nearer than Melbourne. Then, you see, for a long time our folks were engineers and interested in Canadian industries.”
Kit imagined Wheeler looked at him rather hard.
“I expect Carsons are pretty numerous in the Old Country, but you state your lot are engineers. Do you know Jasper Carson?”