"Ay, sir; but I had his orders to ship forty chests of lead and smelted copper on board the Shannon."
"Well?"
"Ye see, sir," said Wylie, "Mr. Wardlaw was particular about them, and I feel responsible like, having shipped them aboard another vessel."
"Have you not the captain's receipt?"
"That I have, sir, at home. But you could hardly read it for salt water."
"Well," said Wardlaw senior, "I will direct our agent at Liverpool to look after them, and send them up at once to my cellars in Fenchurch Street. Forty chests of lead and copper, I think you said." And he took a note of this directly. Wylie was not a little discomfited at this unexpected turn things had taken; but he held his tongue now, for fear of making bad worse. Wardlaw senior went on to say that he should have to conduct the business of the firm for a time, in spite of his old age and failing health.
This announcement made Wylie perspire with anxiety, and his three thousand pounds seemed to melt away from him.
"But never mind," said old Wardlaw; "I am very glad you came. In fact, you are the very man I wanted to see. My poor afflicted friend has asked after you several times. Be good enough to follow me."
He led the way into the dining-room, and there sat the sad father in all the quiet dignity of calm, unfathomable sorrow.
Another gentleman stood upon the rug with his back to the fire, waiting for Mr. Wardlaw; this was the family physician, who had just come down from Arthur's bedroom, and had entered by another door through the drawing-room.