"What did he want now?" asked Jones, coming up a little later.
"Wanted to know if I had been circulating stories about him."
"Did you tell him no?"
"I did."
"I've heard a story—in a roundabout way—that Mr. Shalley is getting tired of the way Polk runs the money matters on this boat."
"Does he run all the money matters?"
"Sure—that is a purser's business. He does the buying—or most of it—too."
"I see."
"I don't believe he buys to advantage," went on Jones, closing one eye suggestively.
"I don't understand."