“That will help you to succeed. But here we are at the station. I will conduct you to the office of my owners, John and Charles Gray.”
CHAPTER XXIV
ARRANGING FOR THE VOYAGE
Captain Grover introduced Guy to John and Charles Gray, the shipping merchants, by whom he had been for years employed.
Looking upon Guy as a boy, they simply shook hands with him, and did not feel called upon to pay him any further attention; but when the captain explained his business they regarded him with curiosity and surprise.
“I can hardly believe,” said the senior of the two, “that this boy can have received such an important commission.”
“I am not surprised at that,” returned the captain. “It certainly does seem unlikely. I can assure you, however, that there is no mistake about it.”
“I don’t believe much in hunting for treasures, especially at the other end of the world. To my mind there is not one chance in ten of finding what is sought after.”
“Let me call your attention to this fact, Mr. Gray, that your compensation will not depend upon the finding of the treasure. Mr. Saunders, the boy’s employer, is a man of vast wealth, and he backs the enterprise. No matter if it is a failure, he will pay you what he agrees to.”
“To be sure, to be sure, that is important. If we are protected, of course, we need not trouble ourselves as to the result of the quest.”
“Exactly so.”