Part 36 (2/2)
The quartermaster produced a large sheet of foolscap, covered with printing and ruled lines, a ma.s.s of figures, and intricate calculations.
Mr. Dawber seized it, and proceeded to verify the totals, which took him half-an-hour.
”This column is incorrectly cast; in fact, the form is very carelessly filled in. But you shall have the coffee--if we can find it.”
Further long delay followed, during which Mr. Dawber and his a.s.sistant rummaged the heterogeneous contents of his overcrowded store, and at last he produced five bags, saying--
”You will have to do with this.”
”But it is green coffee,” said the quartermaster, protesting. ”How are we to roast it?”
”That's not my business. The coffee is always issued in the green berry. You will find that it preserves its aroma better when roasted just before use.”
”We should have to burn our tent-poles or musket-stocks to cook it,”
said the quartermaster. ”That stuff's no use to me,” and he went away grumbling, leaving the bags behind him.
McKay followed him out of the store.
”You won't take the coffee, then?”
”Certainly not. I wish I had the people here that sent out such stuff.”
”May I have it?”
”If you like. It's all one to me.”
”Give me the requisition, then.”
Armed with this important doc.u.ment, he returned, and accosted Mr.
Dawber.
”He has changed his mind about the coffee. You can give it to me; I will see that he gets it. Here is the requisition.”
The commissariat officer was only too pleased to get rid of the bags according to form.
McKay next attacked him about the _greggos_. Despairing, after all he had heard, of getting them by fair means, he resolved to try a stratagem.
”You received yesterday, I believe, a consignment from the _Burlington Castle_?”
”Quite so. There are the chests, still unpacked. I have not the least idea what's inside.”
”You have the bill of lading, I suppose?”
”Certainly.”
”May I look at it? I come from the _Burlington Castle_, and the captain thinks he was wrong to have sent you the cases without pa.s.sing the bill of lading through the commissariat officer at headquarters.”
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