"I am hoping to get promotion in the office, and then——"
"Do you understand how to get promotion?"
"Of course, sir. I intend to work hard and study the details of the business outside my own department, and learn Spanish as well as French——"
Lars Larssen flicked thumb and finger together contemptuously. "The men I pay real money to are not that kind of men."
Arthur Dean looked in surprise.
"Now see here," pursued the shipowner, fixing his eyes deep into the young man's, "why did you lie to me just now?"
Dean went deathly white, and began to falter a denial.
"Don't lie any further! Something happened last night that you haven't told me of. I know, because you brought in no report last night. Out with it!"
Under that merciless look the young clerk made a clean breast of the matter. His voice shook as he realized that it probably meant instant dismissal for him. Here was the end of all his hopes.
Lars Larssen made no comment until the last details had been faltered out. Then he said abruptly: "I propose to raise you £300 a year."