CHAPTER II.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 85, 17 January 1885, Page 4

CHAPTER 11.

The two years passed swiftly by. I had nearly forgotten Macfarlane. The only result of the affair as regards me had been that my partners conceived an exaggerated notion of my ability and tact, and reposed greater confidence in me than before. The firm of which I was a junior partner was an old established one. Our business was that of manufacturing goldsmiths, and was a profitable one. However, trade was by no means so prosperous as it had been ; in spite of unremitting efforts the income of the firm graduallysank. Our only consolation was the knowledge that our rivals suffered even more than we did. Personally I spared no pains. I was not by nature a business man, preferring the

professions to manufactures, but circumstances having led me to em bark in business, I determined to make the best of it at all events. Naturally 1 was dissatisfied with the recent course of things, and cast my eyes round in every direction for a fresh field of activity. At the same time it behoved us to be careful ; more than one firm had recently como to grief, driven into dangorous speculations by the necessity of doing something. I was in the rofreshment-room at Euston one day, taking a hasty lunch on my return from a journey to Birmingham, when I was conscious of someone looking at me. I turned around and faced a man who seemed familiar to me. A moment's reflection and I recognised him — Macf arlane. He hesitated a moment, and then lifted his hat to me. Almost unconsciously I gave him a sign of recognition. He at once came forward. "How do you do, sir?" he asked. "I was afraid you would not care to recognise me." "I am scarcely sure I do," was my reply. I wanted to let him see that I was not anxious to renew our acquaintance. At the same time the meeting had taken mo so by surprise that I had not made up my mind to cut him dead. "You've every excuse for not recognis ins: t«e," ho said. "My face is a littlo altered, isn't it?" It certainly was. ITo wore a beard and moustache instead of being clean shaver! His hair was differently arranged, his wholo die^s anil appoarance were quieter and more gentlemanly than formerly. Ho had immensely improved in every respect. " It is some timo since we met," he continued. " Yes, I suppose it is,"' I replied, wishing he had avoided the topic, for I felt very uncomfortable. "It is nearly four years," he said. " Four ye.u-s make a great deal of difference ! to a man, especially when two of them have been bpent in pris-on " What could I say ? It would ha\ c been insulting, even cruel, to say that I was sorry. " You don't mind talking to a gaolbird, I hope.'" ho said with a smile. " You need not be afraid of my being recognised ; no one but you Ins recognised me, yet I don't think you would have douo so if I hadn't iixed my eyes on you." [ "1 sh .uld have thought that it would have been you who would have been the first to object to our meeting," I said. " The >ight of me can't be very pleasant to you, I'm afraid." He almo&t laughed. "Yon'ie mistaken, I'm glad to say," he replied. "My one hope lately has been to meet you. Wo can't talk quietly here," he added ; " there is such a crew. Could you spare me half an -hour? I think I can promise you you won't regret it." 1 wanted to get back to my work, but Macfarlane interested me. I had been severe with him, perhaps, in old days. I might at all events grant him the small favour of an interview now. We took a cab to his hotel — a quiet one in a street oil the Strand. He had a private room. He ordered up some coffee. Evidently he A\as in different circumstances than when a junior clerk and traveller in our firm. " Try one of these," he said. He produced tome cigars. I took one ; it w as in the green condition that Americans love. " Not dry enough tor j ou ?" he asked. "It will suit me admirably," I replied. " Didn't you get these in America?" " Yes ; I only crossed a week ago. I've I been there for the last two years or so— evei tinee — 3"Ou know what.'' " I am glad to see that you have not been 50 utterly ruined as you anticipated," I said, const-ion's that the remark was in bad taste, But I was in a false position ; and e\ er} thing I said must be either stupid or awkward "Do you remember,' 1 he asked, " the day when you had me up in your room ?" I remembered it as well as he probably. "Do you remember what I said when you wouldn't let me off." I nodded. Was he going to spring some mine on me? Was all this a preparation for a deadly revenge? Impossible; he was as harmless. looking a companion as one could w i^h for. " I &aid I'd be levenged on you if I had to wait years. Well, I have waited years, and hero is my revenge. I'm treating you to coffee and cigar", and talking away to you just as if I weie the seni >r partner, and you the cleik. This ib better revenge than tiyi ig to put a bullet into you,ind then getting hanged for it, i^n't it? Upon my word, though, >ii', w hen I made that threat I meant (lo\ni> jou a mischief, if ever I got the chance." "lam very glad you thought better of it," I remarked truthfully enough. "So am I,"' he said. "So far from wanting to serve you out for the part you took in that "wretched bu^inesp, I am thankful to the la?t degree for what you did. I was on the way to ruin when you stopped me ; you cut me adrift from all my old temptations and companion?, and when I Jeft pihon I was free in more senses than one. I went to America, and there I got on. You know I have ;i certain sort of talenteven you must acknowledge that?" " I know you were the best man in the place," 1 said, " and we were sorry to lose your service-." " ! think it was fortunate for you that you did," he said with a laugh, "or in a few years I should have appropriated a good proportion of your profits. I caw where the chances lay. However, I've 1 tte'y been turning my energies into a more legitimate channel, and find it pays better, as well as being more comfortable to my conscience. I've no longer a constant dread of a policeman, and can look every man in the tace." We continued talking some time longer. He was an amusing companion, and regaled me with the most entertaining stories of his life in America. At last my business compelled me to leave him, so I rose and excused my unwilling departure. He held out his hand as I went, and I shook it. I did so with considerable satisfaction. I felt an immense relief in finding that the man whom I feared I had irreparably injured had become a changed character, and had actually profited through the very experience that might have been expected to ruin him. "I'm glad you'll shake hands with me," he said warmly ; " it shows that you, at all events, no longer despise me." " Every one must respect a man who has done as you have," I said. "I'm afraid not— at all events, I don't mean to risk it. If you should happen ever to talk of me to any one at your place, I wish you would not mention that you have seen me." <k I am sure no one would wish to rake up the past," I said. "Perhaps not, but I don't want any one fco be reminded of it. I don't object to youi speaking about it, but no one else shall. I've even changed my name ; here ib my sard." I took ifc— Charles Farebrother. "If lean be of any assistance to you I aope you will say so," I remarked as I put )n my hat. "I should be glad of an opportunity of making you forget, bo far as posjible, that we once were on bad terms."

"You are very good; I should scarcely have ventured to ask you to do me a favour. You are in a hurry now I see ; will you honour me by dining with me some night this week ? I should very much like a talk with you ; perhaps it might result in advantage to both of us." I consented, partly through curiosity, i A few minutes afterward I was on my way to the office. I was careful not to montion that I had soon Macfarlano ; his wishes were entitled to respect. At the appointed hour I met him at his hotel. He gave mo an admirable little dinner, and supplemented it with some ot his choice cigari*. Not a word did he say which could have reference to our past connection j he was simply an agreeable host. 1 was curious to learn how it was he had changedsomarvelouslyinhis circumstances, but he soemed in no hurry to enlighten mo. However, as we sat chatting after dossert, he gradually led the talk up to tho reason of the invitation. To condense his story, it appeared that on 1 aving prison ho manogod to scrape together fifty pounds, which took him to America. He obtained employment in a small jewelieiy storo or shop, but soon manged to tind a better situation Instrumental in saving tho p ace from a burglary, ho was handsomely rewarded ; a timely in vestment ot his gift turned out success-hilly, and ho found himself in possession of ten thousand dollars. All this time he had been on the lookout, and ho thought ho saw an opening for mak ing money. The knowledge which ho had acquired as traveller for our firm showed him that tho goldsmith's art was not in a high stato of perfection in Amciica, especially in the Western States. He conceived the idea of buying tho raw material and sending it across to England for m.inulactute—the smaller cost and greater finish of workmanship in this country amply roP ymg the comparatively small charges for freight and duty. The business prospered ; he took two paitner?' who brought considorablecapit.il into the firm, and ho was now the head of a flourishing concern. Of courso, all this was intensely interesting to mo. There was evidently u field for further entoiprNo, of which I knew but tittle. I once had made inquiries about the American market, but had failed to secure an opening. "I'm ovor about it now," said Macfarlane, ''and one of my partners, Richardson, will bo ovor next week. How, what mo want to find id a firm over here who will do the manufactuiiug tor us at fixed and molerato rates— a firm wo can trust for good workmanship, and so sivo the cost of a Londm agont and place of business. Richardson recommended Jackson's, but they have sen ed us rather badly, and wo i have come over to try and mako fresh arrangements " My mouth watered. If only our firm could get hold of ouch a splendid job it would go far to revive our sinking prosperity. My business energy got the upper hand of me, and I dropped a hint that possibly we might come to some arrangement, " I confess that is just what J should like,'' ho said, " but I was afraid to propose it. You are not likely to want to do business with mo, considering what has happened in the past." I did not know what to say, so 1 kept silent. "However, you would keep your eyes open this time, no doubt," he continued with a laugh. " Soriously, though, nothing would please me more than to have you as our manufacturers ; I know your style of work, and I am sure you would treat us generously. Only I must insist on one thing, should we come to any understanding. There are to be no running accounts between us ; wo pay on tho nail for all work done, not in bills or checque ; , but in cash. Unless you consont to that proviso, I decline to carry the matter a step further." I protested against his want of belief in my change of convictions regarding him But ho was firm ; he would not feel comfortable unless ho put all possibility of doubt on our part out of the question. After all, the advantage was on my side. The upshot of it was that it appeared there was an immediate demand for certain work— a demand so pressing that there wasno time to manufacture to meet it— it must bo supplied from raw .stock. This, of com so, was agreed to. Kaw gold was to be supplied at varying intervals to be made up as directed, and when tho metal was not foithcoming orders were to be executed in the usual manner from metal in stock. The only proviso of importance was that neither firm was to deal with another as re garded t he American agency. To this I had no objection. About 11 o'clock we sallied forth together; lie offered to walk with me part of the way. Happening to pa^s an Amorican bar, ho -aui ho would show me what American drinks were like. We had two or three, for which he paid. We then had a cab to Paddington, from which .<-tation I had to start for home, lie wanted some fresh air, so he camo with me to walk back by the park. Ifo insisted on paying for everything that evening, so produced a five pound note for the faro, having no ch Jingo left. Naturally the cabman had none. Macfarlano would not hear of my paying, but consented to my changing his note for him. I made an appointment with him for noxt day, and returned home immen-ely pleased with my evening's work. It things wont well, it meant a clear profit of many hundreds a year to the firm. When I was in bed, however, an unpleasant idea camo into my head. Was it possible? But no! I dismissed the thought, which, however, would not be dismissed finally. Was the note that I had exchanged for Macfarlane a good one ? I had heard of tricks of a similar kind often enough. Macfarlane had not made a bad thing out of me if ho had palmed off a bogus note in exchange for my live sovereigns. I got out of bed and examined it carefully. It appeared all right. I was ashamed of myself for doubting him. Nevertheless, I went to the Bank of England next morning and had it examined. It was pronounced genuine. Judge how ashamed I felt. What, then, were my feelings when I caught sight of Macfarlane standing at the counter not two yards from me, filling a stout pocketbook with notes. I tried to slip out unobserved, fearful lest he had seen the transaction I had been engaged in. But he happened to look up, and caught sight of me. My only consolation was the hope that he had not seen the business upon which I had been engaged. I responded to his greeting, and we walked away together. He had received a telegram that morning from America to the effect that his partner had started for England. So it was too late to instruct him to bring the gold with him ; for the present Macfarlane would be obliged to give his orders to us to be executed from our own stock. Fortunately, he observed, his capital was large enough to enable him to do so. The one point on which he insisted, which I thought unnecessary, if not foolish, was that no mentionjof his former name, should

bo made to ray partners. It was a moot point with me for sometime whether I had any right to embark in transactions with him without iniorming the members of my firm of ail I knew, but the security was so good and the transactions so profitable that 1 yielded to his condition.