"That would be capital," said Archie, with a sigh of relief; "for to tell you the truth, Toby, I was rather anxious about the money for you to go with. Kaituna has none. I can't ask Mrs. Belswin; so I would have had to find it myself."
"Archibald Maxwell," said Clendon, wrathfully, "do you mean to say that you thought I would have been such a mean wretch as to let you find all the expenses of my voyage?"
"Well, I couldn't ask you to give your time and money also."
"Oh, couldn't you? Don't be an ass, old chap. Had I gone without the Scorpion chips, I would have halved the ex's; but this newspaper business cuts the Gordion knot. All I have got to do is to accept their offer, and I shall get all my expenses paid, and a jolly good price for my articles into the bargain, which cash can go to hurry up my marriage."
"Well; will you go?"
"As far as I can see at present, yes," replied Toby, quickly; "but I must speak to Tommy and the pater."
"They may object," said Maxwell, dolefully.
"Oh, no, they won't," retorted Clendon, gaily. "Bless you, a trip to Australia is nothing nowadays. I could do it on my head. And I will too, considering it's at the Antipodes."
Archie rose to his feet with a sigh of relief.
"I'm so glad there is a chance of your doing what I ask you," he said gratefully.