the affair did not come
off'--he must have some doubts about the matter, else he would not even
suppose such a thing. God knows what I should do then. There are other
ways--other ways." He passed his hand over his eyes as he spoke, as
though to shut out some ugly vision. Such a wan, strange expression
played over his grim features that he was hardly to be recognized as
the revered elder of the Trinitarian Chapel or the esteemed man of
business of Fenchurch Street.

He was lost in thought for some little time, and then, rising, he
touched the bell upon the table. Gilray trotted in upon the signal so
rapidly and noiselessly, that he might have been one of those convenient
genii in the Eastern fables, only that the little clerk's appearance,
from the tips of his ink-stained fingers to the toes of his seedy boots,
was so hopelessly prosaic that it was impossible to picture him as
anything but what he was.

"Ah, Gilray!" the merchant began, "is Mr. Dimsdale in the office?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's all right. He seems to be very regular in his attendance."

"Very, sir."

"And seems to take to the business very well."

"Uncommonly quick, sir, to be sure," said the head clerk. "What with
work among the ships, and work in the office, he's at it late and
early."

"That is very right," said the old man, playing with the letter weights.
"Application in youth, Gilray, leads to leisure in old age. Is the
_Maid of Athens_ unloading?"

"Mr. Dimsdale has been down to her this morning, sir. They're getting
the things out fast. He wants to call attention to the state of the
vessel, Mr. Girdlestone. He says that it's making water even in dock,
and that some of the hands say that they won't go back in her."

"Tut! tut!" John Girdlestone said peevishly. "What are the Government
inspectors for? There is no use paying them if we are to inspect
ourselves. If they insist upon any alterations they shall be made."

"They were there, sir, at the same time as Mr. Dimsdale," said Gilray,
diffidently.

"Well, what then?" asked his employer.

"He says, sir, that the inspectors went down to the cabin and had some
champagne with Captain Spender. They then professed themselves to be
very well satisfied with the state of the vessel and came away."

"There you are!" the senior partner cried triumphantly. "Of course
these men can see at a glance how things stand, and if things had really
been wrong they would have called atten