Part 43 (1/2)
”It sounds probable,” said the latter, with a little smile. ”You expect the skipper and the second engineer to bear you out? No doubt they promised, but when they get here the thing will wear another aspect. In fact, in all probability it will look too big for them. You see, they have merely put a certain construction upon one or two occurrences. It's quite likely they will be willing to admit that it is, after all, the wrong one.”
”Since we intend to claim half the value of the _Adelaide_, they would have to answer on their oath in court.”
Merril shook his head. ”Half her value! I commence to understand,” he said. ”An appeal to the court is, as a rule, expensive, as I guess you know. It is generally wiser to be reasonable and make a compromise.”
The suggestion was so characteristic of the man that Jimmy lost a little of his self-restraint.
”There will be no compromise in this case,” he said. ”If it were necessary we would drag you through every court in the land; but, as a matter of fact, there will be no need for that. You made a mistake in your opinion of the courage of your skipper and your second engineer.
You also made a more serious one in putting the screw too hard on Robertson.”.
”Ah!” said Merril sharply, at last, ”there is something more?”
Jimmy took a paper from his pocket, and gravely handed it to him. ”I am quite safe in allowing you to look at it. It wouldn't be advisable for you to make any attempt to destroy it. You will excuse my mentioning that.”
Merril unfolded the doc.u.ment, and Jimmy noticed that the half-contemptuous toleration died out of his face as he read it. Then he quietly handed it back, and sat very still for at least a minute before he turned to his companion again.
”That rather alters the case. You have something to go upon. Do you mind telling me what course you purpose to take?”
”As I mentioned, I don't purpose to take any. Still, the _Shasta_ Company will send in a claim for salvage to-morrow, and afterward sue you--or whoever you entrust with your affairs--unless it is met. The _Adelaide_ should also be here in the course of the next day or two, and you will have your skipper and second engineer, as well as the miner who witnessed the statement, to face. They appear determined on raising as much unpleasantness as possible, though they were willing to hold back until I had taken the first steps.”
He stopped a moment, and then leaned forward in his chair with a little forceful gesture. ”Though it would please me to see you prosecuted and disgraced, I will at least take no steps to prevent your getting out of this city quietly.”
”Ah!” said Merril, ”you no doubt expect something for that concession?”
”No,” and Jimmy stood up, ”I expect nothing. It would hurt me to make a bargain of any kind with you, and it would, I think, be illegal. Still, I have the honor of informing you that I purpose to marry Miss Merril as soon as it appears convenient to her, in spite of any opposition that you may think fit to offer.”
Merril showed neither astonishment nor anger. Instead he smiled quietly, and his companion surmised that he had already with characteristic promptness decided on his course of action.
”You have no objections to my sending for her?”
Jimmy said he had none, and five minutes later Anthea appeared. She stood near the door looking at the men, and saw that Jimmy's face was darkly flushed. Her father, however, appeared almost as composed as usual. Jimmy felt that he dare not look at her, and the tense silence, which lasted a few moments, tried his courage hard. It cost him an effort to hold himself in hand when Merril turned to the girl.
”I understand from Mr. Wheelock that you are willing to marry him. Is that the case?” he said.
”Yes,” replied Anthea simply, while the blood crept into her cheeks.
”That is, I shall be willing when circ.u.mstances permit.”
”Then, in the meanwhile, at least, you would consider my wishes?”
Anthea glanced at Jimmy. ”I think he understands that.”
Merril said nothing for almost half a minute, and sat still regarding them with a sardonic smile, though his eyes were gentler than usual.
”Well,” he said at last, ”that is no more than one would have expected from you. Mr. Wheelock is, however, quite prepared to disregard my opposition. In fact, one could almost fancy that he will be a little grieved when I say that I do not mean to offer any.”
Jimmy was certainly astonished, for he had at least expected that the man would make an attempt to play upon the girl's feelings. However, he said nothing, and Merril turned to her again.
”Well, I fancy that he has shown himself capable of looking after you, and there is a certain forceful simplicity in his character that, when I consider him as my daughter's husband, somewhat pleases me. With moderate good fortune it may carry him a long way.”