CHAPTER XIX.—THE FIRST INTERVIEW.
A few days had passed when Philip startled little Dr Joy with the information that he had walked two miles and felt equal to two more.
‘But you must not try it, though,’ said the doctor quickly; ‘you are a strong fellow, but you must not be in too great a hurry to prove it. We must be economical of our strength, you know, as well as of everything else. You are getting on nicely—very nicely and with wonderful rapidity. Don’t spoil it all by too much eagerness.’
‘Don’t be afraid—I’ll take care.’
The afternoon post brought him a note from Mr Shield, announcing his arrival at the Langham Hotel, and inquiring if he felt strong enough to call there next day at eleven.
‘I am quite strong enough to be with you at the time mentioned,’ was Philip’s prompt reply; and he kept the engagement punctually.
Being expected, he was conducted immediately to the sitting-room of one of the finest suites of apartments on the first floor. Evidently Mr Shield had an idea of taking advantage of all the comforts of the old country, to make up for whatever inconveniences he had submitted to in his colonial life.
Standing at one of the windows was a big brawny man, dressed in dark-brown tweed. He turned as Philip entered, and showed a face covered with thick, shaggy hair, which had been black, but was now plentifully streaked with silver. Of his features, only the eyes and nose were distinguishable, for the shaggy hair fell over his brow, too, in defiance of combs and brushes.
Philip’s idea of Mr Shield’s appearance had been vague enough; but somehow this man was so unlike every preconceived notion of him, that he would have fancied there was a mistake, had not all doubt been at once removed by the greeting he received.
‘How do you do, Philip? Glad to see you.’
He held out a big horny hand, which betokened a long friendship with pickaxe and spade. His manner was somewhat rough, but it was frank and good-natured. Still it was unlike the manner of one who had received some education and had been accustomed to move in ordinary society. All this, however, Philip quickly accounted for by recalling the fact, that Mr Shield had been living so many years on the outskirts of civilisation, that he must have forgotten much, and unconsciously adopted some of the characteristics of his uncouth associates.
‘I am glad to see you at last, sir,’ he said, grasping the extended hand cordially.
‘That’s right. I like a man who can give you a grip when he does shake hands. If he can’t, he ought to leave it alone. I don’t bother much with hand-shaking. A nod’s as good in our part. But coming so far, you see—— Oh, all right’ (the last phrase was like a private exclamation, as he suddenly remembered something).... ‘Sit down. Have anything?’
‘No; thank you.’
‘Ah, right, right. Under orders, I suppose. Forgot your accident. How’s the ribs?’
‘Pretty well, I am happy to say,’ answered Philip, smiling at the droll, gruff, abrupt style of his uncle, and appreciating the kindliness which was clearly visible through it. ‘The doctors tell me I shall never know that the accident happened.’
‘That’s good. Now you know what we are not to speak about, and what we are to speak about is yourself.’
‘That is generally an agreeable subject.’
‘Should be always to a youngster like you. Now, I want to start you in life. That was my promise, and I am able to keep it. What is your notion of a start?’
‘I have not decided yet. The result of my journey to you was to settle what was to follow. As that journey is now unnecessary, I think of entering for the bar or medicine.’
‘Stuff. Too many lawyers and doctors already. You keep in mind who it was wished you to come to me?... You needn’t speak.—I see you do. Then will you obey her, and become my partner?’
‘Your partner!’ ejaculated Philip, astounded by the abruptness of this extraordinary proposal.
‘Don’t you like the notion? Most young fellows would snap at it.’
‘I am aware of that, Mr Shield; but I have no capital except what my fa’——
‘That’s all right. You go to Hawkins and Jackson. They will satisfy you that you have plenty of capital, and will explain to you that there is a chance for you to become one of the biggest men in London—M.P.—Lord Mayor—anything you like, if you only enter into partnership with me.’
‘I am a little bewildered, sir, and would like to understand exactly’——
‘Hawkins is waiting for you,’ said Mr Shield, looking at his watch; ‘he will make everything plain to you before you leave him. He has full orders—instructions, that is to say. I have somebody else to see now. You’ll write and tell me how you take to the plan, and I’ll let you know when we are to meet again.’
‘I ought to thank you; but’——
‘Don’t bother about that—time enough for it—time enough. Good-bye.’
The interview was over. Philip was metaphorically hustled out of the room by the brusque, good-natured relative he had just found. He felt confused and bewildered as he walked slowly down Regent Street, trying to realise the meaning of all the suggestions which had been made to him. There was something humorous, too, in having a fortune thrust upon him in this singular fashion. For he knew that to become the partner of Austin Shield was equivalent to inheriting a large fortune.
In their correspondence of course, Mr Shield had told him that he meant to ‘see what could be done for him;’ but he had added that everything would depend upon how they got on together, after they had lived for a time under the same roof. Now everything was given to him when they had been only a few minutes together—indeed had been given before they met at all, for all arrangements in reference to the partnership had been already made, and only awaited his acceptance.
‘He is an odder fish in person than he has shown himself in his letters,’ thought Philip. ‘We’ll see what Hawkins says.’
He took a cab, and as he was driving to the office of the solicitors, his thoughts cleared. There was no doubt that the prospect so freely offered him was a brilliant one; but there was a cloud upon it. How would his father regard this arrangement?