| Tilt Cove, August 6. Armstrong & Company, St. John’s. Price of fish. Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company. |
There was now nothing to do but wait. Sir Archibald would be in his little office overlooking his wharves and shipping. It would not be long. And the reply presently came:
| St. John’s, August 6. Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company, Aboard "Spot Cash," Tilt Cove. Still three thirty-five. No rise probable. Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company. |
Archie Armstrong was hurt. He could hardly conceive that his father had planned the ruin of his undertaking and the loss of his honour. But what was left to think? Would the skipper and clerk of the Black Eagle deliberately court discharge? And discharge it would be––discharge in disgrace. There was no possible excuse for this amazing change in prices. No; there was no explanation but that they were proceeding upon Sir Archibald’s orders. It was inconceivable 237 that they should be doing anything else. Archie would ask no quarter of his father; but he would at least let Sir Archibald know that he was aware of the difference between fair and unfair competition. Before he boarded the Spot Cash he dispatched this message:
| Tilt Cove, August 6. Armstrong & Company, St. John’s. Tilt Cove. “Black Eagle” paying three eighty-five. Underselling flour, pork, tea, sugar. Why don’t you play fair? Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company. |
If Archie Armstrong could have been in the little office which overlooked the wharves to observe the effect of that message upon Sir Archibald he would not only have been amazed but would have come to his senses in a good deal less time than he actually did. The first item astounded and bewildered Sir Archibald; the second––the brief expression of distrust––hurt him sorely. But he had no time to be sentimental. Three eighty-five for fish? What was the meaning of that? Cut prices on flour, pork, sugar and tea? What was the meaning of that? Sir Archibald saw in a flash what it meant to Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company. 238 But what did it mean to Armstrong & Company? Sir Archibald flushed and perspired with wrath. He pushed buttons––he roared orders––he scribbled telegrams. In ten minutes, so vociferous was his rage, so intense his purpose, it was known from one end of the establishment to the other that the Black Eagle must be communicated with at once.
But Armstrong & Company could not manage to communicate with the Black Eagle direct, it seemed. Armstrong & Company might, however, communicate with the Spot Cash, now at Tilt Cove and possibly bound north. Doubtless by favour of the clerk of the Spot Cash Armstrong & Company would be able to speak orders in the ear of Skipper George Rumm.
“Judd!” Sir Archibald roared.
The pale little clerk appeared on the bound.
“Rush this,” said Sir Archibald.