Mr Leigh and Langton accompanied Owen up to town, where they intended to remain for some time. Leaving them at the lodgings they had taken, he set off to Wapping. He arrived at Messrs Kelson, Fluke and Company’s office a short time before the usual closing hour. Owen still wore his midshipman’s uniform. During the three years he had been absent he had grown into a tall young man, his handsome countenance well bronzed by tropical suns. He stood at the entrance for some seconds without advancing. No one seemed to know him. Looking round he saw many of the old familiar faces still there.
Mr Tarwig was at his desk. Several of the clerks glanced up at him, but supposing that he was a stranger, went on with their work. He advanced to where the head clerk was sitting, and putting out his hand—
“I suspect you do not know me, sir?” he said.
“What is your business?” asked Mr Tarwig, putting the usual question to a stranger.
“I have come to see Mr Fluke, and to resume my duties in this office if he wishes it,” answered Owen.
Mr Tarwig opened his eyes wider than he had ever opened them before. Then starting up, in his eagerness kicking over his stool, and very nearly toppling down on his nose, which he would have done had not Owen caught him by the hand, he exclaimed—
“Bless my heart! Can you be Owen Hartley? We had given you up for lost long ago. But are you really yourself? Yes, I see you are, only double as big, and a naval officer to boot. Well, it will put new life into the old man, for he grieved sorely for you. Well, I am glad, that I am.”
Here Mr Tarwig wrung Owen’s hand in a way very unwonted with him when greeting a fellow-mortal.
“Mr Fluke will be pleased,” he continued; “but he went home to-day an hour earlier than usual. He did not feel quite well, and he wanted Kezia Crump to give him something to do him good.”
“I will follow him at once then,” said Owen. “I can easily get to his house before dark, and I should not like to let another day pass without seeing him.”