“Why—yes, sir, I believe I have.”
“Um-hm, you have. And for the heft of that time you've been in this office.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Yes. And Labe Keeler and I have been doin' our best to make a business man out of you. You understand we have, don't you?”
Albert looked puzzled and a little uneasy. Into his roseate dreams was just beginning to filter the idea that his grandfather's tone and manner were peculiar.
“Why, yes, sir, of course I understand it,” he replied.
“Well, I asked you because I wasn't quite sure whether you did or not. Can you guess what this is I've got on my desk here?”
He tapped the figure-covered sheet of paper once more. Before Albert could speak the captain answered his own question.
“I'll tell you what it is,” he went on. “It's one of the latest samples of your smartness as a business man. I presume likely you know that Laban worked here in this office until three o'clock this mornin', didn't you?”
Albert did not know it. Mr. Keeler had told him nothing of the sort.