FullReads

‘Yes, the arm is broken,’ remarked one of the men who had assisted Humplebee. ‘It looks as if you were the only passenger injured.’ That proved, indeed, to be the case; no one else had suffered more than a jolt or a bruise. The crowd clustered about this hero of the broken arm, expressing sympathy and offering suggestions. Among them was a well-dressed young man, rather good-looking and of lively demeanour, who seemed to enjoy the excitement; he, after gazing fixedly at the pain-stricken face, exclaimed in a voice of wonder–

‘By jove! it’s Humplebee!’

The sufferer turned towards him who spoke; his eyes brightened, for he recognised the face of Leonard Chadwick. Neither one nor the other had greatly altered during the past ten years; they presented exactly the same contrast of personal characteristic as when they were at school together. With vehement friendliness Chadwick at once took upon himself the care of the injured clerk. He shouted for a cab, he found out where the nearest doctor lived; in a quarter of an hour he had his friend under the doctor’s roof. When the fracture had been set and bandaged, they travelled on together to their native town, only a few miles distant, Humplebee knowing for the first time in his life the luxury of a first-class compartment. On their way Chadwick talked exuberantly. He was delighted at this meeting; why, one of his purposes in coming north had been to search out Humplebee, whom he had so long scandalously neglected.

‘The fact is, I’ve been going through queer times myself. The governor and I can’t get along together; we quarrelled years ago, there’s not much chance of our making it up. I’ve no doubt that was the real reason of his dismissing you from his office–a mean thing! The governor’s a fine old boy, but he has his nasty side. He’s very tight about money, and I–well, I’m a bit too much the other way, no doubt. He’s kept me in low water, confound him! But I’m independent of him now. I’ll tell you all about it to-morrow, you’ll feel better able to talk. Expect me at eleven in the morning.’

Through a night of physical suffering Humplebee was supported by a new hope. Chadwick the son, warm-hearted and generous, made a strong contrast with Chadwick the father, pompous and insincere. When the young man spoke of his abiding gratitude there was no possibility of distrusting him, his voice rang true, and his handsome features wore a delightful frankness. Punctual to his appointment, Leonard appeared next morning. He entered the poor lodging as if it had been a luxurious residence, talked suavely and gaily with the landlady, who was tending her invalid, and, when alone with his old schoolfellow, launched into a detailed account of a great enterprise in which he was concerned. Not long ago he had become acquainted with one Geldershaw, a man somewhat older than himself, personally most attractive, and very keen in business. Geldershaw had just been appointed London representative of a great manufacturing firm in Germany. It was a most profitable undertaking, and, out of pure friendship, he had offered a share in the business to Leonard Chadwick.

‘Of course, I put money into it. The fact is, I have dropped in for a few thousands from a good old aunt, who has been awfully kind to me since the governor and I fell out. I couldn’t possibly have found a better investment, it means eight or nine per cent, my boy, at the very least! And look here, Humplebee, of course you can keep books?’

‘Yes, I can,’ answered the listener conscientiously.

‘Then, old fellow, a first-rate place is open to you. We want some one we can thoroughly trust; you’re the very man Geldershaw had in his eye. Would you mind telling me what screw you get at present?’

‘Two pounds ten a week.’

‘Ha, ha!’ laughed Chadwick exultantly. ‘With us you shall begin at double the figure, and I’ll see to it that you have a rise after the first year. What’s more, Humplebee, as soon as we get fairly going, I promise you a share in the business. Don’t say a word, old boy! My governor treated you abominably. I’ve been in your debt for ten years or so, as you know very well, and often enough I’ve felt deucedly ashamed of myself. Five pounds a week to begin with, and a certainty of a comfortable interest in a thriving affair! Come, now, is it agreed?’