Billy laughed.
“Billy, boy,” said Archie, tremulously, “it’s up to you to save the firm of Topsail, Armstrong, Grimm & Company.”
“All right, Archie,” said Billy.
“I know it’s all right,” Archie declared.
“They’s just two things to remember,” said 274 the skipper, from the bow of the punt, before casting off. “The first is to stay aboard; the second is to let nobody else come aboard if you can help it. ’Tis all very simple.”
“All right, skipper,” said Billy.
“Topsail––Armstrong––Grimm––and––Company,” were the last words Billy Topsail heard; and they came from Archie Armstrong.