Part 8 (1/2)
He stopped, for a guide, carrying fis.h.i.+ng rods and landing nets, went down the steps and Stannard came out of the hotel.
”Your party's waiting for you,” Stannard remarked to Laura, who got up and gave Jimmy a smile.
”Get well and then ponder,” she said and joined the others.
Jimmy frowned. The others, of course, ought not to wait for Laura, but Stannard had sent her off like that before. All the same, he was her father and Jimmy owned he must not dispute his rule. When the party had gone, Stannard sat down opposite Jimmy and lighted a cigarette.
”I'm glad to note you make good progress.”
”In a day or two I'll go about as usual. In fact, if the others go fis.h.i.+ng to-morrow, I'll try to join them. I think I could reach the lake.”
”Some caution's necessary,” Stannard remarked. ”You got a very nasty shake and ran worse risks than you knew. When you stopped in the bank of gravel your luck was remarkably good; I did not expect you to stop until you reached the glacier. Then, had I not had a thick coat that helped to keep you warm, you might not have survived the shock. Afterwards much depended on Deering's speed and his getting men who knew the rocks.
Indeed, when we started I hardly thought we could carry you down in useful time.”
Jimmy was puzzled, because he did not think Stannard meant to imply that his help was important. The risk Jimmy had run, however, was obvious, and Stannard's talking about it led him to dwell on something he had recently weighed.
”Since I was forced to stay in bed I've tried to reckon up and find out where I am,” he said. ”You are my banker. How does the account stand?”
”I imagine Laura's advice was good; wait until you get better,” Stannard said carelessly.
”When I start to go about, I'll be occupied by something else. How much do I owe?”
For a few minutes Stannard studied his note-book, and when he replied Jimmy set his mouth. He knew he had been extravagant, but his extravagance was worse than he had thought.
”Until I get my inheritance, it's impossible for me to pay you,” he said with some embarra.s.sment. ”I, so to speak, have p.a.w.ned my allowance for a long time in advance.”
”Something like that is obvious.”
”Very well! What am I going to do about it?”
”My plan was to wait until you did get your inheritance; but I see some disadvantages,” said Stannard in a thoughtful voice.
”The trouble is, I might not inherit,” Jimmy agreed. ”One must front things, and climbing's a risky hobby. We mean to shoot a mountain sheep and I understand the big-horn keep the high rocks. Then we have undertaken to get up a very awkward peak. Well, suppose I did not come back?”
”You don't expect a fresh accident! Haven't you had enough? However, if your gloomy forebodings were justified, I expect your relations would meet my claim.”
”After all, mountaineering accidents are numerous, and you don't know d.i.c.k Leyland. You have got a bundle of acknowledgments, but the notes are not stamped and d.i.c.k hates gambling. It's possible he'd dispute my debts and he's a remarkably keen business man.”
”If that is so, it might be awkward,” Stannard agreed. ”But what about the other trustee?”
”Sir James is in India; I expect he'd support d.i.c.k. During their lifetime my share is a third of the house's profit, but, unless they're satisfied, I cannot for some time use much control. In fact, they have power to fix my allowance.”
Stannard's look was thoughtful, as if he had not known; but since Laura knew, Jimmy wondered why she had not enlightened her father.
”Very well,” said Stannard. ”My plan might not work. Have you another?”
The other plan was obvious. Jimmy was surprised because Stannard did not see it.
”You trusted me and I mustn't let you down,” he said with a friendly smile. ”If we insure my life, you'll guard against all risk.”
”My interest is insurable--” Stannard remarked and stopped. Then he resumed in a careless voice: ”Your caution's ridiculous, but if you are resolved, I suppose I must agree. In order to satisfy you, we'll look up an insurance office at Vancouver.”