Part 25 (1/2)

CHAPTER XXIV

_In Which the Honour of Archie Ar Becomes Involved, the First of September Becomes a Date of Utmost Importance, He Collides With Tom Tulk, and a Note is Made in the Book of the Future_

Sir Archibald began again to tap the desk with his finger-tips Archie strayed to the broadand looked out upon the wharves and harbour

”Is that the _Black Eagle_ at the wharf?” he asked

”The _Black Eagle_, sure enough!” Sir Archibald laughed ”She's the White Bay and French Shore trader”

”Trade enough for all,” Archie returned

”George Rumm, master,” said Sir Archibald

”Still?” Archie exclaie had been in question through the season He had coale of the last voyage

”Who's clerk?” Archie asked

”Toh, anyhow,” the boy thought

Sir Archibald put his hands in his pockets again and began to pace the floor; his lips were pursed, his brows drawn Archie waited anxiously at the

”When,” de abruptly in his walk--”when do you propose to liquidate this debt?”

”We'll sail the _Spot Cash_ into St John's harbour, sir, on September first, or before”

”With three hundred quintals of fish in her hold, I suppose?”

Three hundred quintals of dry fish, at four dollars, roughly, a quintal, elve hundred dollars

”More than that, sir,” said Archie

”Well, boy,” said Sir Archibald, briskly, ”the security I have spoken of is all right, and----”

”Not worth

”There's no better security in the world,” said Sir Archibald, ”than youth, integrity and capacity”

Archie waited

”I'll back you,” said Sir Archibald, shortly

”Father,” Archie declared, his eyes shi+ning with a littlefor all I'm worth!”