'I wish to see the senior member of the firm.'
'Ah! have you an appointment with him?'
'No, I have not; but perhaps if you will take this card to him, and if he is not busy, he may see me.'
'He is always very busy, sir.'
'Well, take the card to him; and if he doesn't happen to remember the name, tell him I met him on board the Caloric.'
'Very good, sir.' And with that the clerk disappeared, leaving Kenyon to ponder over in his mind the still unsettled question of what he should say to Mr. Longworth if he were ushered into his presence. As he stood there waiting, with the host of men busily and silently working around him, amid the general air of important affairs pervading the place, he made up his mind that Mr. Longworth would not see him, and so was rather surprised when the clerk came back without the card, and said, 'Will you please step this way, sir?'
Passing through a pair of swinging doors, his conductor tapped lightly at a closed one, and then opened it.
'Mr. Kenyon, sir,' he said respectfully, and then closed the door behind him, leaving John Kenyon standing in a large room somewhat handsomely furnished, with two desks near the window. From an inner room came the muffled click, click, click of a type-writer. Seated at one of the desks was young Longworth, who did not look round as Kenyon was announced. The elder gentleman, however, arose, and cordially held out his hand.
'How are you, Mr. Kenyon?' he said. 'I am very pleased to meet you again. The terror of our situation on board that ship does not seem to have left an indelible mark upon you. You are looking well.'
'Yes,' said John; 'I am very glad to be back in London again.'