Chapter 15 - Page 2

have either their money or their money's
worth. They passed a vote of sympathy with me, and
agreed to wait ten days before they took any proceedings.
Three of them, whose claim came to L3,500, told me that
if I would give them my personal I.O.U., and pay interest
at the rate of five per cent, their amounts might stand
over as long as I wished. That would be a charge of L175
upon my income, but with economy I could meet it, and it
diminishes the debt by one-half."

Again the Admiral burst out cheering.

"There remains, therefore, about L3,200 which has to
be found within ten days. No man shall lose by me. I
gave them my word in the room that if I worked my soul
out of my body every one of them should be paid. I shall
not spend a penny upon myself until it is done. But some
of them can't wait. They are poor men themselves, and
must have their money. They have issued a warrant for
Pearson's arrest. But they think that he has got away
the States."

"These men shall have their money," said the
Admiral.

"Dad!"

"Yes, my boy, you don't know the resources of the
family. One never does know until one tries. What have
you yourself now?"

"I have about a thousand pounds invested."

"All right. And I have about as much more. There's
a good start. Now, mother, it is your turn. What is
that little bit of paper of yours?"

Mrs. Denver unfolded it, and placed it upon Harold's
knee.

"Five thousand pounds!" he gasped.

"Ah, but mother is not the only rich one. Look at
this!" And the Admiral unfolded his cheque, and placed
it upon the other knee.

Harold gazed from one to the other in bewilderment.
"Ten thousand pounds!" he cried. "Good heavens! where
did these come from?"

"You will not worry any longer, dear," murmured his
mother, slipping her arm round him.

But his quick eye had caught the signature upon one
of the cheques. "Doctor Walker!" he cried, flushing.
"This is Clara's doing. Oh, dad, we cannot take this
money. It would not be right nor honorable."

"No, boy, I am glad you think so. It is something,
however, to have proved one's friend, for a real good
friend he is. It was he who brought it in, though
Clara sent him. But this other money will be enough to
cover everything, and it is all my own."

"Your own? Where did you get it, dad?"

"Tut, tut! See what it is to have a City man to deal
with. It is my own, and fairly earned, and that is
enough."

"Dear old dad!" Harold squeezed his gnarled hand.
"And you, mother! You have lifted the trouble from my
heart. I feel another man. You have saved my honor, my
good name, everything. I cannot owe you more, for I