Part 14 (1/2)

When Whitney and d.i.c.k had gone, Mackellar rang a bell that stood on the table. ”Ye'll join me with a gla.s.s o' wine,” he said to Andrew.

The wine was brought, and though Andrew did not hear what Mackellar said to the waitress, he imagined that they would not be disturbed.

”I would say d.i.c.k's new friend is to be trusted,” Mackellar began when they were alone.

”Of course,” said Andrew. ”If I grasp what you mean, he'll do the boy no harm; but he's really a friend of mine.”

”That should put the thing beyond all doubt,” Mackellar replied, and filled the gla.s.ses.

Andrew waited. Mackellar was generally deliberate, but people valued his opinion. He had been a lawyer, and in the small Scottish towns lawyers are entrusted with their clients' investments, and, in consequence, are often appointed agents by the banks.

”I think ye see your duty to your cousin,” Mackellar resumed.

”Yes,” said Andrew simply. ”I wish I saw how it ought to be carried out. I'm at a loss there.”

Mackellar's nod indicated sympathetic understanding.

”Ye're young and want to see the whole road ahead. It's enough that ye walk cannily, doing what seems needful as ye find it. For a' that, I'm glad to hear ye feel that ye are responsible. It's some help to me.”

”Then you take a personal interest in him?” Andrew hesitated and added: ”I mean, if you understand, apart from your being a trustee.”

Mackellar smiled.

”I understand. We're dour folk and not given to sentiment, but I think we can be trusted to pay our debts, and d.i.c.k's father was a good friend o' mine. It was the Appleyard business first put me on my feet.

Then your cousin is a likable lad; though he's given me trouble. But we'll not dwell on that--there are other things to talk about.”

”Have you paid off his debts?”

”Some. There are one or two for which the holders would not give up his notes.”

”Why?”

”They carry high interest and fall due at a future date. Then I have reasons for thinking the holders are agents for a princ.i.p.al in the background.”

”The fellow must take a risk, because d.i.c.k's not of age. Hasn't the law something to say about a minor's debts?”

”I'm not sure the risk is as big as it looks. Would ye expect a Johnstone o' Appleyard to repudiate his obligations?”

”No,” said Andrew. ”When you come to think of it, such a thing's impossible.”

”Weel, there's another point; your cousin did not tell us all he owed.”

Andrew frowned.

”I must admit that I was afraid d.i.c.k hadn't been quite straight with us. What's to be done? Can we take him away from Staffer?”

”Why would ye wish that?” Mackellar asked sharply.

”It's not easy to explain, and my position's difficult. d.i.c.k thinks highly of the fellow, and I can't see anything that's openly wrong with him. Still, one feels he hasn't a good influence on d.i.c.k.”

”Just that,” Mackellar dryly returned. ”d.i.c.k's mother put the lad into Staffer's hands and I had no power to stop her. If Staffer abused his position, it would give me a handle, but I cannot find fault with anything he does. A careful, well-thought-of man, and exact to a penny in the estate accounts.”