Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/229

 the crowded hulls of the world, Greek, Welsh, Italian, Russian, Khedivial, jostling in a black smudge of smoke and coal-dust—his steamer crept to her moorings in the canal mouth. And as fast as his Arab could row to the quay, Scarlett made for the shipping-offices. All remaining doubts he soon resolved; for there, booked among the next week's sailings, he found the names of Aunt Julia and her niece. He despatched a dragoman for his trunks, brought Chao Phya ashore, mewing, in a basket, and settled down at the least dingy hotel in Port Said, to wait with content.

As he gave in his name, the manager surprised him by saying:

"Your friend has expected you. He has inquired several times."

"What friend?" asked Owen. The manager could not remember,—was not sure that the gentleman had given his name: but he was a tall