CHAPTER XLIV. SKINNER DEVELOPS INTO A HUMAN BEING
Cappy Ricks was having his mid-afternoon siesta in his office when Captain Matt Peasley appeared at the counter of the general office and, without awaiting an invitation to enter, swung through the office gate and made straight for Cappy's office. En route he had to pass through Mr. Skinner's lair, and the general manager looked up as Matt entered.
“Well, Captain,” he said pleasantly, “how goes it?”
“Fine,” Matt answered with equal urbanity. “That was a slick piece of work tying up my bank account. I can't get a bond to-day, the bank is closed, and I suppose you're going to insist upon payment of that eighteen thousand dollars before midnight to-night or take the Tillicum and her cargo away from me.”
Mr. Skinner started in genuine amazement.
“Attached your bank account, Matt? I give you my word of honor I had nothing to do with it.”
“Well, it's tied up by the Blue Star Navigation Company, and Cappy Ricks has served notice on me to call here and pay up or suffer cancellation of my charter. Of course, for all the good my bank account is to me this minute he might as well ask me to give him the moon.”
“I'm truly sorry,” said Skinner. “I protested to Mr. Ricks against this action. I assure you I would not have taken such a course myself—under the circumstances.”
“Cappy wants cash or a certified check,” Matt complained, “and he's made it impossible for me to go to my bank and get either—to-day. What am I going to do?”