“Really? Then perhaps you can tell me where Mackeller is?”
“Mackeller? You mean the mining engineer, son of the stockbroker?”
“Yes, I thought he was in my employment, and sent him down to attend the loading of the Rajah, but he has disappeared. Did you engage him?”
“No, I know nothing of him.”
“I thought perhaps he had sailed with the Rajah.”
“Not to my knowledge. Doesn’t his father know where he is?”
“His father appears to know no more than I do. Just as much, or just as little, whichever way you like to put it.”
“He’s no employee of mine, my lord.”
“I think he should have given me notice if he intended to quit my service. Probably he has gone hunting a gold mine for himself.”
“I think there are many mining engineers more valuable than young Mackeller, my lord. He always seemed to me a stubborn, unmannerly person.”