"Not an ounce saved," said Wylie, disconsolately. "A hundred and sixty thousand pounds gone to the bottom."
"Good heavens!"
"Ye see, sir," said Wylie, "the ship encountered one gale after another, and labored a good deal, first and last; and we all say her seams must have opened; for we never could find the leak that sunk her," and he cast a meaning glance at Arthur Wardlaw.
"No matter how it happened," said the old merchant. "Are we insured to the full; that is the first question?"
"To the last shilling."
"Well done, Arthur."
"But still it is most unlucky. Some weeks must elapse before the insurances can be realized, and a portion of the gold was paid for in bills at short date."
"The rest in cash?"
"Cash and merchandise."
"Then there is the proper margin. Draw on my private account, at the Bank of England."