“This is a pleasant surprise! I’m glad you thought of looking me up.”
“As a matter of fact, we are looking for work,” Bethune said laconically.
Aynsley laughed and indicated the door behind him.
“Go in and sit down. I’ll join you in a minute or two, and we’ll see what can be done.”
They entered his private office, which was smartly furnished, and, being very wet, felt some diffidence about using the polished hardwood chairs. The throb of engines and the scream of saws made it unlikely that their conversation could be overheard, and Jimmy turned to Bethune with a frown.
“You made a curious remark about boldness paying, when you suggested coming here. Did you know that young man was in charge?”
“No; it’s an unexpected development. But I’ll confess that I knew the mill belonged to his father.”
“Clay?” Jimmy exclaimed. “The owner of the wreck?”
“Her late owner. She belongs to the underwriters now. It seems to me the situation has its humorous side; I mean our getting a job from the man who’s been hunting us down.”
“You suspected Osborne not long ago,” Jimmy said shortly.