“Didn’t get much change out of that Chink, my lad,” observed Poundall.
“I’m not satisfied, sir.”
“Snotties rarely are,” rejoined the lieutenant, with a cheerful smile. “Better luck next time! Did you think we had a cut-throat pirate on board? I tell you what: I’ll get hold of the Owner’s messman. He’s straight enough. Been in the ship ever since we commissioned, nearly two years ago.”
The head messman was sent for. Raxworthy had seen him when he brought drinks to the captain’s cabin.
“Tell me, Ming,” began the lieutenant, when the Chinaman appeared, “what’s the name of your assistant?”
“He is called Ti-so, sir,” replied the messman in good English.
“And how long has he been in the ship?”
“Two moons, p’laps little more.”
“Know anything about him? Has he a clean run an’ all that sort of thing?”
“Sir, I no understand.”